Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Sydney – Dog-friendly and Sydney are not two things that usually go together. As much as I love my hometown of Sydney, Australia, it’s not very dog friendly, whether it’s finding accommodation, finding transport or eating out.
But if you know where to look, there are always great options for locals and visitors with dogs. So I thought I’d share my secret tips for dog-friendly Sydney.
Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Sydney
While many of Sydney’s popular tourist options are definitely off-limits to dogs, whether it’s climbing the Harbor Bridge or lazing in the sand at Bondi Beach, Sydney still has plenty of dog-friendly sights- friendly to see.
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Don’t miss my huge list of 35 dog days around Sydney – there will be tons of fun things to do with your dog that you’ve never done before!
Considering how many beaches Sydney has, unfortunately many of them do not allow dogs. However, there are several options to consider. I’ve put together a comprehensive list of dog friendly beaches in Sydney, as well as a guide to dog friendly beaches in the northern beaches and dog friendly beaches in the eastern suburbs, including some of my favourites:
Rose Bay Beach (Rose Bay) – The dog-friendly beach closest to the city, this harbor beach allows dogs off-leash all day.
Silver Beach (Curnell, near Cronulla) – One of Sydney’s southern beaches, dogs are allowed on part of this beach at the western end. There is a faucet and bubbler for humans and a water bowl for dogs. Best of all, it is connected 24 hours a day and the water is calm because it is in Botany Bay.
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Sirius Cove Reserve (Mosman) – Another harbor beach, but this time in the north, this rocky sand is next to a park perfect for picnics. Dogs are allowed all day on weekdays, or after 4:00 p.m., and before 9:00 a.m. on weekends and public holidays.
Rowland Reserve (Bayview) – Located in picturesque Pittswater, an hour north of the CBD, this reserve is particularly popular with large dogs. Conveniently, a mobile dog wash operates here, and it’s across the water from Newport, with its large dog beer garden.
McCauley Beach (Thirul) – Just over an hour south of Sydney, this beach is perfect for a day trip along the beautiful coastline. Dogs are allowed off-leash all day, but the nearby beach only allows dogs off-leash during limited hours, so pay attention to the signage.
For some fun with your dog, Sydney luckily has more off-leash parks and reserves than beaches, although the number varies by region. Local councils set the rules, some councils allow dogs in all parks by default, while some councils only allow dogs in one or two parks.
The Best Dog-friendly Beaches In Sydney
If you are staying in central Sydney, some of the most convenient parks to visit are:
Cook + Phillip Park (CBD) – Hidden behind St Mary’s Cathedral, this is Sydney’s most central off-leash dog park. Dogs are allowed on all grass areas and are kept off the playground and indoor pool.
Observatory Hill Park (CBD) – Not far from the start of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Walsh Bay precinct, this is another off-leash dog spot in the city. Watch out for wedding parties taking photos over the weekend, they won’t be happy with overly friendly cats!
Barangaroo Reserve (CBD) – Barangaroo Reserve remains a great option for dogs to exercise in the city near the harbor if they want to relax. There is a mixture of harbor roads and large meadows.
The Best Dog Parks In Sydney
For a full list of off-leash dog parks in central Sydney, including some smaller city parks, check out the City of Sydney off-leash dog parks list.
Some of the best off-leash dog parks in all of Sydney, whether outside the city centre, in the inner city or on the outer fringes of Sydney:
Centennial Park – Located about 3km east of Sydney CBD, this is one of the best dog parks near the city. A vast area with everything from duck ponds to horse riding and sports fields, 43% of the park allows dogs off-leash, with the most popular areas being Sandstone Ridge and Federation Valley. Check this page or the signage in the park first.
Glebe Foreshore Parks (Glebe) – Head from the end of the Glebe towards Blackwater Bay and you will find several parks that join the bay side. Dogs are allowed in all parks except sports fields and playgrounds. But these are only allowed in certain areas – the west side of the canal and the promenade along the beach at the fish market. The signs on the road are very clear.
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Sydney Park (Alexandria) – The best off-leash dog park is the large Sydney Park, south of Sydney, near St Peter’s train station. Dogs are allowed throughout the day, except in a few small areas near the playgrounds and barbecue areas. There is also a “pet pool” for dogs, which is sometimes a little mud bath.
Shale Hills Dog Park (West Hoxton) – I love this option for dogs in the South Western suburbs of Sydney. This park is huge but completely fenced. It also has a small fenced area for small dogs and an agility course and training stations to train your dog. For more information click here.
Unfortunately, unlike Melbourne Botanic Gardens where pets are allowed indoors, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens do not allow dogs. It is clearly marked at the entrance. On the other hand, the adjacent Domain Parklands allow dogs, but on a lead.
The same rules apply to Mt Annan Australian Botanic Gardens and Mt Toma Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, meaning dogs are not allowed. If you’re looking for dog parks in NSW, check out this list of dog parks, including the Botanic Gardens.
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Despite being a big city, Sydney is surrounded by bush, perfect for short (or long!) bush walks. Unfortunately, most of the bush is a national park, which means that dogs are strictly not allowed. Fortunately, there are also some trails that are open to dogs.
For loads of ideas, check out my list of dog walks in and around Sydney. I have also prepared a guide for walking the northern beaches.
Bondi to Coogee Walk – This 6km walk in the Eastern Suburbs is one of the best things to do in Sydney and is perfect to do with your dog as long as you don’t end up meandering along the beaches. (These are some of Sydney’s busiest beaches, so dogs are generally not allowed).
It is best done during the day or evening in the summer to avoid the midday heat or at any time of the day in the winter. There are also many casual cafes along the way. Check out my guide to dog walking, or check out this guide for more tips.
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Manly Dam Circuit (Manly Vale) – This is one of the longest bushwalks you can do in Sydney that allows dogs. The total lap is 7.3 km and takes about 3 hours. Dogs are allowed on a lead on the road, but not confused in the parking lot at the beginning of the walk.
Some dogs may have difficulty crossing the net passage over the dam wall at the end of the path. For both reasons, it’s a good idea to park off King St and wander around the car park and dam wall. Click here for more information.
Lake Parramatta Reserve (North Parramatta) – A beautiful area of bush near Parramatta, with free parking at the entrance. The total loop around the lake is 4.2 km, while 2 short hiking trails are also available (which are part of the complete loop). Dogs are allowed on a leash and must stay on designated trails. Click here for more information.
(Just a warning – many councils use bait to control foxes and other wildlife. Always check for signs before entering the bush with your dog and avoid bait for now.)
Bushwalking With Dogs In Sydney’s North
Public transport in Sydney is not very dog friendly. For starters, dogs are not allowed on the trains, which are usually the fastest way to get in and out of the city.
In the case of buses, trams and boats, dogs are only allowed in containers/bags at the driver’s discretion. Check out the full list of rules.
If you want to bring your dog on the bus in Sydney, you have to follow some rules. First of all, you need to keep your dog in a container or bag, not just on a leash. For pictures of my carrier bag and a similar bag you can buy on Amazon, see this article.
You must also apply for a driver’s license. The most likely reason you will be denied a permit (assuming your dog is in a carrier)
