This guide explores the 15 best off-leash dog parks in Sydney, where your canine friend is welcome to run around, play fetch, and socialise with other dogs.
Dogs need exercise to stay healthy and well-behaved, and luckily, in Sydney, we have access to many excellent parks that are suitable for dogs.
While dogs must be on a lead in most of those parks, there are also various dog-friendly parks where our furry friends can go off-leash, either during set hours or at all times.
Before visiting one of the below Sydney dog parks, it’s always best to check the latest council regulations so you come prepared.
With each dog park listing, we have included the off-leash times, the map location, and the council website where you can find more information.
1. Alexandria Park
Alexandria Park is an unpretentious little pocket of parkland in the middle of the suburb of Alexandria, where dogs can go off-leash at all times outside the oval, courts, and playgrounds.
Besides lots of green space for dogs to run around, Alexandria Park is also home to a sports field for cricket and football, two tennis courts, and a multipurpose outdoor court.
| Alexandria Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (outside oval, courts, and playgrounds) |
| Map location: | Buckland Street in Alexandria |
| More info: | Alexandria Park |
2. Bicentennial Park Glebe
Glebe’s Bicentennial Park is a hugely popular dog park in Sydney, facing Rozelle Bay and the Anzac Bridge. Dogs love this park as it offers large, open grass areas and an access point to the water.
Dogs are permitted to go off-leash in Bicentennial Park, but only west of the canal. To the east of the canal, they must always be on a leash.
Nearby Federal Park and Blackwattle Bay Park are also great locations to go for a wander with your best mate.
| Bicentennial Park Glebe | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (west of the canal) |
| Map location: | Federal Road in Glebe |
| More info: | Bicentennial Park Glebe |
3. Centennial Parklands
One of Sydney’s largest and most dog-friendly parks is the Centennial Parklands area, with more than 150 hectares of open space within the parklands being designated as off-leash.
You will find both on- and off-lead dog walking areas in Centennial Parklands, with more than enough wide-open areas available for your friend to go off-leash and run around until they are completely worn out for the day.
Sandstone Ridge and Federation Valley between Carrington Drive and Grand Drive in the northern section of Centennial Park are popular off-leash sections in the parklands.
| Centennial Parklands | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (in designated areas) |
| Map location: | Grand Drive in Centennial Park |
| More info: | Centennial Parklands |
4. Harry Noble Reserve
The Harry Noble Reserve is a small pocket of green space in the suburb of Erskineville, where dogs are allowed to go off-leash at all times.
The reserve is also home to an enclosed children’s playground, a shaded BBQ and picnic area, and grassy areas for dogs to play and socialise.
| Harry Noble Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (not in the playground) |
| Map location: | Swanson Street in Erskineville |
| More info: | Harry Noble Reserve |
5. Hawthorne Canal Reserve
Hawthorne Canal Reserve is a park area built around the Hawthorne Canal that forms a border between the suburbs of Leichhardt and Haberfield.
The reserve is better known to local dog owners as the Hawthorne Canal Dog Park, a fantastic off-leash and exercise area for dogs that also includes a dog-friendly cafe offering coffee, bites, and treats.
| Hawthorne Canal Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (east of canal) |
| Map location: | Darley Road in Leichhardt |
| More info: | Hawthorne Canal Reserve |
6. Joynton Park
Joynton Park in Zetland is a big hit with the local four-legged residents, featuring a large grassy area in the centre of the park, complemented by a water fountain, picnic facilities, and a community garden.
There is also a shopping centre next door where delicious treats and other goodies can be purchased at the pet shop.
Dogs can go off-leash at all times in Joynton Park.
| Joynton Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times |
| Map location: | Gadigal Avenue in Zetland |
| More info: | Joynton Park |
7. King George Park
King George Park is a large foreshore park in Rozelle, located southwest of the Iron Cove Bridge, facing the Parramatta River.
The park is home to excellent sporting facilities suitable for athletics, soccer, rugby, and general fitness training. Dogs are permitted to enjoy the park off-leash but must be on a lead during games.
Note that the Bay Run passes King George Park, and dogs are more than welcome to do that popular walking trail, but they must be on a lead.
| King George Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (on a leash during games and events) |
| Map location: | Manning Street in Rozelle |
| More info: | King George Park |
8. Lighthouse Reserve
Lighthouse Reserve in Vaucluse, just south of Watsons Bay, is a large open park area named after the historic Macquarie Lighthouse.
Your beloved dog might not care too much, but the ocean views from the reserve are fantastic. Dogs are permitted off-leash at all times in Lighthouse Reserve, with plenty of space for them to release their energy.
Nearby Christison Park, which has set hours for dogs to go off-leash, is also worth visiting.
| Lighthouse Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times |
| Map location: | Old South Head Road in Vaucluse |
| More info: | Lighthouse Reserve |
9. Prince Alfred Park
Conveniently situated right next to Sydney Central Station, Prince Alfred Park is a 7.5-hectare park that offers many recreational facilities in addition to plenty of open green space.
Dogs love visiting Price Alfred Park as they can go off-leash at all times in the grass and woodland areas.
For humans, there is also lots to do, with a swimming pool, barbecues, and exercise equipment available for public use.
| Prince Alfred Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (central grass and woodland area) |
| Map location: | Chalmers Street in Surry Hills |
| More info: | Prince Alfred Park |
10. Rushcutters Bay Park
One of Sydney’s most popular Harbour-side parks, Rushcutters Bay Park, also happens to be a top destination for our furry friends.
Rushcutters Bay Park is a local favourite, with an exercise station, a kiosk, a playground, public toilets, and two sports fields suitable for cricket and footy.
Dogs are permitted to be unleashed between 3:30 pm and 10:30 am and on a leash at all other times.
| Rushcutters Bay Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | Between 3:30 pm and 10:30 am |
| Map location: | New South Head Road in Edgecliff |
| More info: | Rushcutters Bay Park |
11. Shale Hills Dog Park
Shale Hills Dog Park is a large and modern off-leash dog area in Western Sydney Parklands, home to not only open areas for dogs to play but also dog agility and self-guided training facilities.
If dogs could vote what their favourite dog park in Sydney would be, Shale Hills Dog Park in the suburb of West Hoxton could well be the winner!
Of course, dogs can go off-leash throughout the park, which is open from 6 am to 8 pm daily. They might not want to leave, though.
| Shale Hills Dog Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (opening hours 6 am – 8 pm) |
| Map location: | Second Avenue in West Hoxton |
| More info: | Shale Hills Dog Park |
12. Sydney Park
Sydney Park in Sydney’s inner west is another large park where dogs can go off-leash, enjoying the many hills, large open areas, and various walking paths.
However, please note that dogs are not permitted to enter the wetlands, the oval, the playground, or the barbecue areas.
But that’s not a major problem at all because there is plenty of space left for dogs to have a fantastic time in Sydney Park.
| Sydney Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times |
| Map location: | Sydney Park Road in Alexandria |
| More info: | Sydney Park |
13. Victoria Park
As one of Sydney’s oldest parks, Victoria Park, located adjacent to the University of Sydney, is a true icon in the city of Sydney.
Dogs can go off-leash between 6 pm and 8 am as long as they stay outside the swimming pool, pond, barbecue, and playground areas.
When visiting Victoria Park, take note of the beautiful entrance avenue from the park’s entrance gates all the way to the formal entrance to the university.
| Victoria Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | From 6 pm to 8 am |
| Map location: | Parramatta Road in Broadway |
| More info: | Victoria Park |
14. Warrigal Dog Run
Warrigal Dog Run in Bungarribee Park in the suburb of Arndell Park is one of Sydney’s largest fenced dog parks. It’s a relatively new dog park with fantastic facilities for both dogs and their owners.
Dogs can go off-leash at Warrigal Dog Run, explore the green fields, drink water from the fountains, find some shelter in the covered areas, and socialise with other dogs.
Outside the dog park are various walking trails in Bungariboo that your furry friend might also enjoy exploring, but on a lead.
| Warrigal Dog Run | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times |
| Map location: | Doonside Road in Arndell Park |
| More info: | Warrigal Dog Run |
15. Wentworth Park
Located just south of Blackwattle Bay near the inner west suburbs of Ultimo and Glebe, Wentworth Park is a large green space with sports facilities, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Dogs can go off-leash at all times in Wentworth Park but are not permitted on the sports fields during games, in barbecue areas, or on playgrounds.
| Wentworth Park | |
|---|---|
| Off leash: | All times (western side of the park) |
| Map location: | Wentworth Park Road in Ultimo |
| More info: | Wentworth Park |
Great compilation of dog parks in Sydney for a visitor like myself, thank you.
Lyn & Jameson ☘️
Thanks Lyn and Jameson, enjoy!
Great list! I’m always on the lookout for new places to take my dog for exercise and socialization. Will definitely check out some of these parks with my furry friend. Thanks for sharing!
Brilliant, glad you liked the suggestions!