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10 Best Dog Parks In Sydney Your Pups Will Love!

Looking for the best dog parks in Sydney to let your dog off leash to run free or explore beautiful walking trails together? As a part-time dog walker, I am regularly exploring and discovering new places to take dogs in Sydney!

So, if you’re bored of taking your dog to the same place time and time again, mix things up and try somewhere new so they can meet new doggy friends.


How to become a dog walker in Sydney

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If you don’t own a dog yet (like me!) and are sad about it; dog walking is a great way to spend time with friendly dogs, get out in nature and earn some money. I first started dog walking in in Sydney in 2021 as a freelancer for Bondi Paw Patrol (BPP) and I love it.

I get my weekly schedule which can include doggy daycare, group and private walks, doggy boarding or house sitting depending on my availability.

If you want to get into dog walking there are a few ways I’d recommend;

  1. Send a message to dog walking companies to see if they are hiring
  2. Promote yourself on social media to build up clients
  3. Get started on Mad Paws app
  4. Join Aussie House Sitters for longer pet sits

The Mad Paws app allows you to set your fees and availability, connect with dog owners and publish your reviews. Olivia at BPP started as a casual walker on Mad Paws then went on to promote herself on instagram and now runs a successful business three years later.

You might like to check out Annie & Steve’s review when they went pet sitting up and down the East Coast of Australia, rent free for 6 months with Aussie House Sitters!


Be Prepared

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A classic misconception of having a dog or being a dog walker in Australia is a lot of carefree off leash parks or beach runs in the glorious sunshine. You would be right, there are days like that and they are awesome!

But in reality, you have to walk in all weathers (we all know the unpredictability of Sydney weather) and be prepared for all your dog’s needs. So here’s a list of items I would recommend packing in the car to avoid a ‘ruff’ day

  • Dog seat belt and covers
  • Poop bags
  • Treats
  • Leads
  • Sanitiser
  • Collapsible water bowl
  • Water
  • Change of shoes
  • Raincoat
  • Towel
  • Ball or toy

Now that we have fetched everything we need, let’s talk through our favourite dog parks in Sydney!


10 Best Dog Parks In Sydney

1. Centennial Park

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Incredible cardio for your pups; Centennial Park features 360-hectare space, of which 30% are designated off leash areas 24 hours a day!

Best advice: go crazy with your toys for off leash exercise near Federation Valley Pavilion and make furry friends before leashing up and heading to one of the amazing cafes located around the Grand Drive.

Centennial Park is full of water bowls, bins and poop bags for your pups along with cooking areas the whole family can enjoy! It’s no wonder it’s definitely one of the best dog parks in the Eastern Suburbs in Sydney!


2. The Awesome Sensory Shale Hills Dog Park

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Shale Hills Dog Park in Hoxton, West Sydney is one of the best due to its hallmark self guided training facilities and sensory garden, SAY WHAT?!

The agility course and training circuits feature tunnels, balance beams and weave poles to name a few plus it has one of the largest off leash dog parks in Sydney.

The sensory garden is built with dogs in mind as all plants are safe including English lavender, chamomile and mint. Shale Hills Dog Park is a paw-some place to visit with your good boy or girl in training; it will for sure to get those tails wagging!


3. Rose Bay Beach

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One of the best perks of living in Sydney is the beautiful beaches, so what’s better than a beach you can enjoy with your furry friends? Answer: a perfect weather day to enjoy it!

Head to Rose Bay Dog Beach in Sydney for off leash runs, swims and a stunning view of the Sydney Harbour. Low tide is a great time to visit with your pups in training so they can swim in shallow waters. Halfway along the beach, you will find a toilet block, water bowls and picnic areas.

Top tip; park at Vickery Avenue Parking so you can clean your good boy or girl at Paw Stars before ending with a visit to Sugar & Spoon dog friendly cafe!


4. Head to the largest off the leash dog park: Sydney Park

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Featuring the largest off leash area in the inner city, Sydney Park is a win for pet owners and their four legged friend! You can enjoy rolling hills in one of the several off leash areas and make canine companions whilst not being too far away from a water bubbler for your thirsty pups.

Sydney Park boasts playgrounds and cooking areas for the humans to take advantage of, but be sure to keep your dog on a leash for their own safety. After one visit, I’m sure you will understand why it made the list of best dog parks in Sydney!


5. Lighthouse Reserve

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Following the Eastern Suburbs Coastline in Vaucluse, Lighthouse Reserve connects to Christison Park making it a great adventure for you and your hyper pup to go wild! One of my favourite features of this dog park is the clearly noted areas that are off leash and on leash so there is never any confusion.

The sports fields in Christison Park are great open spaces for off leash exercise to calm any excessive barking… from your dog, obviously.


6. Cooper Park

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Cooper Park in Bellevue Hills has it all; rainforest trails, a gully, picnic areas and turfed sports fields. Although the trails are on leash only, the sports ground opposite Suttie Road have off leash times between 4:30pm and 8:30am and is a great dog friendly open space.

The park boasts tennis courts, a cricket pitch, a kiosk, toilets and plenty of water bubblers, so not only is it an excellent dog park in Sydney, it’s great for owners too!


7. Blackwattle Bay Park

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With opening hours and off-leash times both 24 hours a day; there’s no question that Blackwattle Bay in Glebe should be on the list of best dog parks in Sydney. The park features BBQ and picnic areas, doggy bags, cycle and walking trails and a small beach and swim area for pool paw-ties!

You could spend all day in this area and head along the foreshore walk connecting many dog friendly parks, such as Bicentennial Park and Federal Park.


8. Bungarribee Park

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One of the largest fenced off-leash dog parks in Sydney, Warrigal Dog Run in Bungarribee Park, Western Sydney Parklands is a worry-free place to take your pups in training.

After tiring out your furry friend, head into the on leash area outside the gates of Warrigal Dog Run, featuring many shaded rest areas, water bowls, electric and coal barbecue stations and an incredible playground.


9. Hawthorne Canal Reserve

Hawthorne Canal Reserve

An excellent 24-hour dog friendly park in Sydney’s Inner West, Hawthorne Canal Dog Park hosts the Leichhardt dog training club every Sunday for your pooch to brush up on their obedience skills.

Bound to the off-leash dog park to socialise with other dogs before heading to the dog friendly Cafe Bones for a treat for everyone. Bone appetite!


10. Rowland Reserve

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Just off Pittwater Road in Bayview, Northern Beaches; this off-leash dog park boasts a paw-some beach and swimming spot where you can join your pup for a swim in the calm waters.

The off-leash area is amazing for dogs that love to exercise, play fetch or make four-legged friends. Be sure to add this beautiful spot to your dog parks in Sydney list!

Got some more dog parks in Sydney you’d love to see added to this article? Let us know in the comments below!


10 Best Dog Parks In Sydney

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