Last updated: February 26, 2024
A guide to 16 of the best dog-friendly walks in Sydney, from adventurous bushwalking trails to short and easy walking tracks.
While Sydney is home to countless walking trails, dogs are not allowed into National Parks, not even on a lead, which means they’re missing out on many of these exciting trails. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go out hiking with your four-legged companion.
We have selected 16 of the best dog-friendly walks in Sydney, where you and your mate are more than welcome to enjoy the great outdoors together. Do note though that even while these walks are dog-friendly, dogs are still expected to be on a lead, except in designated off-leash areas.
For more ideas, read our guide to the best dog-friendly Blue Mountains walks.
1. Narrabeen Lagoon Trail
The scenic Narrabeen Lagoon trail is a stunning 8.4 km circuit track around Narrabeen Lakes in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Completed in February 2015 as a full circuit, the trail is a popular weekend escape for walkers, joggers, cyclists, parents with prams, and dog walkers.
Completing this trail is a great outdoor workout for both you and your dog. Dogs do need to be on a lead everywhere on the walking track.
| Narrabeen Lagoon Trail | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 8.4 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Various locations (Middle Creek Reserve) |
2. Lake Parramatta Circuit Walk
Lake Parramatta was created as a result of the damming of Hunts Creek in 1856, and is now a recreational area with four marked bushwalking trails.
Those four walking tracks combined form the Lake Parramatta Circuit Walk, an exciting 4.2 km long bushwalk through beautiful scenery. If you are going to do the full circuit walk, it’s best to start west of the parking area, looping around the lake in a clockwise manner.
Note that dogs need to be on a lead everywhere within the Lake Parramatta Reserve area.
| Lake Parramatta Circuit Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4.2 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
3. The Headland Track in Oatley
The Headland Track is a short but very pretty loop walk in Oatley Park in the southern Sydney suburb of Oatley.
It’s an easy 1.3 km walking trail that begins at the car park at the castle. Simply look for the signpost and start the circuit walk from there.
Along the track are numbered posts that mark points of interest. A QR code at each post links to an online guide that tells you more about all the interesting things to discover in the park.
| The Headland Track in Oatley | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1.3 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
4. Berry Island Reserve
Berry Island Reserve is a quiet little oasis in Wollstonecraft on Sydney’s lower north shore, home to a short bushwalking track, a picnic area, and a fenced playground.
Doing the circular Gadyan Track is a great way for you and your dog to experience the beauty and serenity of this unique spot in Sydney Harbour.
Berry Island used to be one of Sydney Harbour’s islands, but is now a peninsula connected to the mainland via a large grassy area created with relocated soil and other materials.
Dogs are very welcome in Berry Island Reserve and on the walking track, but they need to be on a lead.
| Berry Island Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 750 m (Gadyan Track, circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
5. Glebe Foreshore Walk
The Glebe foreshore area is an absolute treasure for both dogs and their owners.
The walk along the foreshore between Bicentennial Park in Glebe and the Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont is pretty, but there are also many on- and off-leash parks in the area where your dog can have a blast.
Centennial Park has an off-leash area in the western section of the park, while Federal Park is a 24-hour off-leash area.
If that’s not enough, there’s also a little beach area in Centennial Park where your dog can freely run or jump into the water.
| Glebe Foreshore Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1-3 km (foreshore only) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead (with off-leash areas) |
| Trailhead: | Several locations (Federal Park) |
6. The Bay Run
One of the most classic urban walks in Sydney is the Bay Run, a 7km long shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians around Iron Cove in Sydney’s inner west.
Dogs need to be on a leash while on the walking track, but there are several parks along the way where your dog can go for a nice run and have a play.
One of those dog-friendly parks is King George Park, where dogs can be off-leash when no sporting games, training, or events are being conducted.
| The Bay Run | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead (with off-leash areas) |
| Trailhead: | Several locations (King George Park) |
7. Balls Head Reserve and Carradah Park
Located in Waverton on Sydney’s lower north shore, Balls Head Reserve is a scenic bushland oasis overlooking Sydney Harbour.
The reserve is home to various short bush walking trails where you get to enjoy the natural beauty and scenic views of the Sydney CBD skyline, the Harbour Bridge, Goat Island, and surrounding peninsulas.
Next door to Balls Head Reserve is Carradah Park, which is still a bit of a hidden gem. Overlooking Berrys Bay, Carradah Park has a long history as a major oil storage facility.
The area has been transformed into a recreational park with walking paths and informational boards outlining the history of the area.
| Balls Head Reserve and Carradah Park | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2-3 km (various trails) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
8. Federation Cliff Walk
The Federation Cliff Walk is a 5 km coastal trail between Watsons Bay and Dover Heights, featuring enormous sandstone cliffs and scenic ocean views.
This walking track meanders through beautiful parklands and open spaces, and includes a timber walkway with viewing platforms on top of the cliffs.
Dogs need to be on a lead at all times on the trail, but there are some off-leash parks along the way and nearby. Lighthouse Reserve, for example, is a beautiful park where dogs can run around freely.
Another fantastic location for your dog to go off-leash is Diamond Bay Reserve, which has a 24-hour off-leash dog exercise area.
| Federation Cliff Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 5 km (one way) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead (with off-leash areas) |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
9. Manly Dam Walk
The walk around Manly Dam is a beautiful 7.3 km circuit trail with scenic views of the dam and the lake created by the dam.
Surrounded by 377 hectares of native bushland, Manly Dam Reserve is known as the largest freshwater lake in Sydney. The lake was created as a result of the damming of Curl Curl Creek (now Manly Creek) to provide water for the local area.
The Reserve is now a popular recreational area with many activities in and around the lake, such as mountain biking, swimming, hiking, picnicking, and water skiing.
Note that dogs are allowed on the walking trails and in the surrounding bushland while on a lead, but not in the water or around the carpark, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
| Manly Dam Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7.3km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
10. Centennial Park Circuit Walk
Centennial Park is part of the Centennial Parklands, which also includes Moore Park and Queens Park. It is one of Australia’s most popular and historic public areas, with more than 30 million people visiting each year.
The 3.6 km circuit walk in Centennial Park is great for getting a workout in for both you and your furry friend, but of course, you can explore the parklands and discover 154-hectares of designated off-leash space.
This makes Centennial Park one of the largest off-leash areas in Greater Sydney!
| Centennial Park Circuit Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3.6 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead (with off-leash areas) |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
11. Bondi to Coogee Walk
Sydney’s most famous coastal trail between Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach is not only for us humans to enjoy but also for our furry friends.
Dogs are very welcome on the trail while on a leash, but they are not allowed on any of the beaches.
However, dogs can go off-leash in some parks along the trail, with Marks Park being a popular spot for dogs to run around freely during set hours.
| Bondi to Coogee Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 6 km (one way) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
12. Cooper Park
Quietly tucked away in Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Cooper Park is a large bushland reserve, home to various walking trails and recreational facilities.
Dogs are more than welcome in Cooper Park while on a lead, with a timed off-leash area available in a section of the park close to Suttie Road.
| Cooper Park | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1-2 km |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
13. Cronulla Foreshore Walk
Starting at Wanda Beach, the Cronulla foreshore walk is a picturesque 6km coastal trail that follows the shoreline of the Cronulla peninsula, taking in several ocean rock pools, playgrounds, beaches and impressive real estate.
Perhaps the best part of the Cronulla foreshore walk is the stretch between Cronulla Beach and the southernmost tip of the Cronulla Peninsula.
It’s a comfortable and scenic path that takes in several smaller beaches, parks, and playgrounds.
| Cronulla Foreshore Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3-6 km |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
14. Nurragingy Reserve
The Nurragingy Reserve in Doonside is a beautiful protected area that serves as an urban park, nature reserve, and garden. It is more than 60 hectares in size and is home to various walking paths, which means you and your dog can spend quite some time there.
One of the highlights of Nurragingy Reserve is an authentic Chinese garden, with a stone bridge, a large gateway, and a waterfall gazebo. According to Blacktown City Council, dogs are only permitted in Nurragingy Reserve on a lead.
If you’d like to find more of these public garden areas, check out our list of beautiful Sydney gardens for some great options.
| Nurragingy Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1-4 km (various trails) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
15. Cremorne Point Circuit Walk
If you’re looking to do an easy and scenic bay walk with beautiful Harbour views to enjoy, the circuit trail around Cremorne Point is an excellent choice.
The leafy suburb was named after the mid-19th century Cremorne Gardens, a large amusement park that organised activities such as live music, dancing, archery, gymnastics, and fireworks.
Some of the highlights along this walk are the Robertson Lighthouse, Mosman Bay, and McCallum Pool, not to mention the panoramic views of the area.
Dogs are very welcome to join you on this walk in Cremorne Point, but they need to stay on a lead.
| Cremorne Point Circuit Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
16. Platypus Track
Located in the Bidjigal Reserve in the Hills Shire, the family and dog-friendly Platypus Track is a 2.4km bushwalk suitable for all ages.
You’ll also find a great picnic spot at the beginning of the track with tables and a wood-fired barbecue. Also note that dogs need to be on a lead in the park area.
| Platypus Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.4 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
Thanks, that was good to get info on dog walks.
Thanks Donna, happy to hear you’ve found some great new walks to do with your friend.