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, transportation or food.
But if you know where to look, there are still great options for locals and visitors with dogs. So I thought I’d share my secret tips for a dog-friendly Sydney.
Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Sydney
While many of Sydney’s tourist attractions are naturally dog-free, whether it’s climbing the Harbor Bridge or lazing on the sand at Bondi Beach, there are still plenty of tourist attractions in Sydney.
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Also, don’t miss my long list of 35 dog-friendly days around Sydney – there are probably lots of fun things you’ve never done with your pup before!
Considering how many beaches there are in Sydney, unfortunately not many are dog friendly. However, there are some options to consider. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of all the dog beaches in Sydney, plus a guide to dog beaches in the Northern Beaches and dog beaches in the Eastern Suburbs. Here are some of my favorites:
Rose Bay Beach (Rose Bay) – The closest dog-friendly beach to town, this bayside beach allows dogs to romp all day.
Silver Beach (Kurnell, near Cronulla) – One of Sydney’s southernmost beaches, dogs are allowed on part of this western end beach. There is a tap and bubbler for people and a water bowl for dogs. Best of all, it’s off-leash 24 hours a day and the waters are calm because they’re located in Botany Bay.
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Sirius Cove Reserve (Mosman) – Another harbor beach, but this time on the north side, this stretch of rocky sand next to a park is great for picnics. Dogs are on leave all day during the week or after 4pm and before 9am on weekends and public holidays.
Rowland Reserve (Bayview) – Located about an hour north of the CBD on beautiful Pittswater, this reserve is popular with large dogs. Conveniently, there’s often a mobile dog wash here, and it’s across the water from Newport, with its large, dog-friendly beer garden.
McCauley Beach (Thirroul) – 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 pay attention to signage as the nearby beach does not allow off-leash dogs during limited times.
For off-leash fun with your dog, fortunately Sydney has many more off-leash parks and reserves than beaches, although the number varies from area to area. Local councils set the rules and some councils allow off-leash dogs in all parks by default, while some councils only allow off-leash dogs in one or two parks.
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If you’re visiting central Sydney, these are some of the most dog-friendly parks to visit:
Cook + Phillip Park (CBD) – Hidden behind St Mary’s Cathedral, this is Sydney’s most central off-leash dog park. Dogs are welcome on all grassy areas, but keep them away from the playground and indoor pool.
Hill Park Observatory (CBD) – This is another off-leash dog spot in the city, not far from the start of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Walsh Bay area. Beware of wedding parties taking photos on the weekend, who would not be happy with overly friendly dogs!
Barangaroo Reserve (CBD) – Although dogs must be on a leash at Barangaroo Reserve, it’s still a good option to exercise your dogs right in the harbor town. There is a mix of paths along the bay and large expanses of grass.
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For a complete list of off-leash dog parks in central Sydney, including some small neighborhood parks, see the list of off-leash dog parks in the City of Sydney.
Further from the city centre, in the inner-city suburbs or on the outskirts of Sydney, these are some of the best off-leash dog parks in all of Sydney:
Centennial Park – Located about 3km east of Sydney’s CBD, this is one of the best dog-friendly parks near the city. A vast expanse with everything from duck ponds to horseback rides to athletic fields, 43 percent of the park allows dogs off-leash, with the most popular areas being Sandstone Ridge and Federation Valley. Check this page or book your signage first.
Glebe Beach Parks (Glebe) – Walk down from the end of the Glebe to Bata Dubh Bay and you’ll find a series of parks connecting along the edge of the bay. Dogs are allowed throughout the park except for the sports fields and playgrounds. But they are only allowed off-leash in some parts, west of the canal and walking along the shore towards the fish markets. The signage along the road is quite clear.
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Sydney Park (Alexandria) – South of Sydney, the best off-leash dog park is the large Sydney Park, near St Peters station. Dogs are kept on a leash all day except in small areas such as the playground and near the barbecue areas. There’s also a “pet pool” where dogs can splash around, but sometimes it’s just a shallow mud bath.
Shale Hills Dog Park (West Hoxton) – I love this dog-friendly option in the south-western suburbs of Sydney. This park is huge, but completely fenced. There is a smaller fenced area for small dogs, as well as an exercise course and training stations to help train your dog. For more information, click here.
Unfortunately, unlike the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, which allow pets on a leash, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney do not accept dogs at all. The entrance is clearly signposted. The parks near the estate, however, accept dogs, but on a leash.
Mt Annan Botanic Gardens in Australia and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mt Tomah have the same rules, meaning dogs are not allowed. If you’re looking for dog-friendly gardens in NSW, check out this list of dog-friendly gardens, including Botanical Gardens.
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Despite being a large city, Sydney is surrounded by pockets of bush, perfect for short (or long!) walks. Unfortunately, much of the forest is a national park, which means dogs are not allowed. Luckily, however, there are some walks still open to dogs.
For lots of ideas, check out my list of dog-friendly walks in and around Sydney. We have also prepared a guide dedicated to walking on 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 great to do with your dog as long as you don’t walk the beaches or keep him on a lead. (These are some of Sydney’s busiest beaches, so dogs are usually not allowed.)
This is best done in early or late summer to avoid midday heat, or at any time of day in winter. There are also many casual cafes along the street. Check out my guide to walking a dog or for more tips check out this guide.
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Manly Dam Circuit (Manly Vale) – This is one of the longest dog walks you can do in Sydney. The entire circuit is 7.3km and takes approximately 3 hours. Dogs are allowed to walk on a leash, but, confusingly, not in the car park at the start of the walk.
Some dogs may have difficulty crossing the mesh path over the dam wall at the end of the walk. For both reasons it would be best to park in the open on King Street and go around the car park and part of the dam wall. Click here for more details.
Lake Parramatta Reserve (Parramatta North) – Beautiful woodland area just outside Parramatta with free parking at the entrance. The complete circuit around the lake is 4.2 km, with the possibility of also taking 2 shorter walks (which are part of the complete circuit). Dogs are rented and must remain on established walking paths. Click here for more details.
(A word of warning: many councils use bait to control foxes and other wildlife. Always check the signs before entering breeding ground with your dog and avoid if bait is currently in use.)
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Public transport in Sydney is not very dog friendly. First, dogs are not allowed on trains, which are usually the fastest way to get in and out of the city.
On buses, light rail and ferries, dogs are only allowed if placed in a container/bag and at the discretion of the driver. See the full list of rules.
If you want to take your dog on the bus in Sydney, there are some rules you need to follow. First, you will need to keep your dog in a container or bag, not just on a leash. For photos of my shopping bag and a similar bag you can purchase on Amazon, check out this article.
You will also need to ask the driver for permission. The most likely reason you will be refused permission (assuming your dog is in a crate) is if
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