The 11 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Sydney 2025

What’s better than a day at the beach with your best bud? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. So we’ve rounded up the 10 best dog-friendly beaches in and near Sydney so you and your bestie can get sandy and frolic in the surf.

 

The 10 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Sydney:

There’s nothing quite like seeing cute doggos doing zoomies along the beach, zipping in and out of the water, and getting a whole bunch of sand up their schnoz as they dig for who knows what. While Sydney and its surrounds have some incredible beaches, not all are dog-friendly (sad face).

@jonharris.photography

However, that’s not to say there aren’t a handful of beautiful dog-friendly beaches you can take your pooch to for a day of sniffing, digging, and dog-paddling. Some beaches are always off-leash and dog-friendly, and others have designated dog-friendly times. Here, we’ve listed some of our fave dog-friendly beaches near Sydney and when’s the best time to take your pup.

P.S it’s always worth checking the local council website before you go because rules can and do change.

Doggy Beach Do-Dos

Dog-friendly beaches are a whole heap of cheeky fun, but there are some rules to follow: 

• Keep your dog on a leash when required
• Pick up after your dog and dispose of it in a bin 
• Be mindful of sun-bathers, surfers, and swimmers 
• Don’t take your dog into restricted area

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

@chris_sinclair_imagery

Dog-Friendly Beaches North of Sydney

1. Sirius Cove Reserve Dog Beach, Mosman

Time from Sydney: 20 mins
Off-leash hours: Mon-Fri all day; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays before 9am and after 4pm

Sirius Cove Reserve is the first off-leash dog-friendly beach I took my labrador puppy to. This gorgeous little hideaway in Mosman is ideal for first-time doggy adventures or if you don’t fully trust your dog off-leash because a) the beach is small and b) it’s mostly sectioned off by a long sandstone wall. If your dog is an escape artist, they should be pretty safe here.

Less of a beach and more of a bay that flows into Sydney Harbour, it’s the perfect place to take your SUP or kayak to, complete with a large picnic area (also off-leash) for post-swim relaxation.

2. Chowder Bay, Mosman

Time from Sydney: 25 mins
Off-leash hours: Mon-Fri before 9am or after 4pm (winter) and before 9am or after 6pm (summer)

The beach at Chowder Bay is an awesome place to take your pup for a splash in the water and a good run on the beach. Be mindful that you’re only able to take your pupper off their lead east of the Clifton Gardens jetty and different leash rules apply during daylight savings in summer and over winter.

Chowder Bay is located directly adjacent to Clifton Gardens Reserve and they are often referred to interchangeably. Parking can be expensive if you park right at the beach so walks can quickly become expensive if you come here often. If you park a little further away at Middle Head Road, there’s a great little walking track down to Chowder Bay. Keep your dog on lead for this track.

@travelmademedoit

3. Flora & Ritchie Roberts Reserve Dog-Friendly Beach, Curl Curl

Time from Sydney: 35 mins
Off-leash hours: 24/7

Flora & Ritchie Roberts Reserve is a very popular 24/7 dog-friendly beach north of Sydney with water access from where Curl Curl Lagoon enters Curl Curl beach. The grassy dunes and natural lagoon make for a super fun day for dogs to run around and just be, well, dogs.

Also, across the road is Adams Street Reserve which is an off-leash open field (except when sport is on). And for extra bang for your buck, there’s a beautiful on-the lead walk all the way to Freshwater Beach (4km return). 

@dsmacinnes

4. Macmasters Dog Beach, Central Coast

Time from Sydney: 1hr 25mins
Off-leash hours:  24/7

One of my personal faves, Macmasters Beach is a truly gorgeous spot to take your dog for some off-leash beach adventures. Not too far from Sydney, this Central Coast beach is dog-friendly from the southern end of Copacabana Beach to Macmasters Beach and as far as Gerda Road. Do be mindful of the signs – they tell you where you can and can’t have your dog off-leash.

What I love about Macs is that it’s not as busy as beaches in central Sydney, meaning your dog has more freedom to run around and avoid the scores of other dogs. The surf at Macmasters Beach can be pretty rough, however, so take care with your dog and make sure you know their swimming abilities – safety first, people!

Dog-Friendly Beaches East of Sydney

5. Rose Bay Beach and Dumaresq Reserve Dog-Friendly Beaches, Rose Bay

Time from Sydney: 15 mins
Off-leash hours: 24/7

There are some beautiful little dog-friendly beaches east of Sydney, such as Rose Bay Beach and Dumaresq Reserve. Dogs are allowed off-leash at all times on the Rose Bay foreshore between Percival Park and Dumaresq Reserve.

With insane views of Sydney Harbour, this is the ideal spot for an easy weekend hangout and a pretty big spot to paddle if your pooch (or you) needs to cool off.

@good_citizen

6. Kutti Dog-Friendly Beach, Vaucluse

Time from Sydney: 20 mins
Off-leash hours: 24/7 on-lead

Kutti Beach used to be relatively unknown and was one of Vaculuse’s best kept secrets, but as with many places in Sydney, nowhere is a secret anymore. This small dog-friendly beach (that looks like it should be private property) is quietly tucked away between Parsley Bay and Watsons Bay.

The one thing about this beach, however is dogs must be kept on-lead at all times. That’s not to say you won’t find plenty of doggos running in and out of the water without a lead on but if ya wanna stick to the rules, keep your dog tethered to you at all times.

Dog-Friendly Beaches South of Sydney

7. Greenhills Dog Beach, Cronulla

Time from Sydney: 35 mins
Off-leash hours: Before 10am and after 4pm every day

Greenhills Beach is another favourite of mine – what can I say? I’m a sucker for big beach energy and my labrador loves to stretch his long legs and shoot up and down the expansive sandy shores while dipping in and out of the waves. 

This dog-friendly beach is located next to Wanda Beach, and there’s a specific dog entrance (Gate 5) where you can let your dog off-leash and watch Fido run wild. This beach gets busy quickly, especially on the weekends so be mindful of that, especially if your dog doesn’t like big crowds. 

@worldsbetweenlines

8. Silver Beach, Kurnell

Time from Sydney: 45 mins
Off-leash hours:  24/7 at designated off-leash sections

Facing Botany Bay, Silver Beach in Kurnell has a dog-friendly section towards the west at Bonna Point Reserve. It features a quiet, long strip of sand with low tides and small waves, making it the ideal location for dogs and their humans to run amok and have a splash. 

Dogs are only permitted off-leash between the third and fourth rock groynes at the western end of Silver Beach. Dogs are prohibited on Silver Beach at all other sections, so make sure you check the signs.

9. Horderns Beach, Bundeena

Time from Sydney: 1 hour
Off-leash hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Venture an hour south of Sydney through the Royal National Park (where dogs aren’t allowed, so no stopping for a quick walk in the park, mmkay?) and you’ll find the idyllic Horderns Beach in Bundeena, which is a popular strip of sand that has both off-leash and on-leash dog-friendly sections.

With calm blue waters, it’s the perfect spot to let your dog have a play while you sit back and relax (of course while always keeping an eye on your dog for their safety and the safety of others).

The one thing that’s not so great about Hordern is dogs are allowed on Horderns Beach off-leash from September to April (i.e. peak season) before 8.30am and after 4.30pm, on weekdays only. Not ideal but thems are the rules! However, if you go between May to August, dogs are allowed off-leash 24/7.

@romanbintang

10. McCauley’s Dog-Friendly Beach, Thirroul

Time from Sydney: 1 hour and 15 mins
Off-leash hours: 24/7

Another lovely dog-friendly beach near Sydney and just before Wollongong is McCauley’s Beach, just between Thirroul and Bulli. The off-leash section of the beach starts at the steps at Corbett Avenue and extends south to the rock platform at Sandon Point. 

I took my pup on a Sunday and was expecting it to be packed with dogs but it was surprisingly quiet, which is a nice change from other dog-friendly beaches near Sydney. 

There are also a few creeks along the beach that sometimes form lagoons, meaning there’s something for all dogs – whether they like the big waves or calmer waters.

Dog-Friendly Beaches West of Sydney

11. Bicentennial Park & Blackwattle Bay Park Dog-Friendly Beaches, Glebe

Time from Sydney: 10 mins
Off-leash hours:  24/7

While those of us who live in the inner-west and further inland aren’t spoilt for choice when it comes to local dog-friendly beaches, Bicentennial Park in Glebe does the trick when it’s a stinker of a day and your dog needs a place to cool off.

There are multiple spots dotted along the Foreshore where your pup can stop for a splash, as well as plenty of greenery to stop and sniff. Follow the Foreshore east from Bicentennial Park and you’ll reach Blackwattle Bay Park, which is another great spot to let your dog off-lead for some water fun. 

@_jadelane__

FAQs Dog-Friendly Beaches in Sydney

Which beaches in Sydney are dog-friendly?

For a start, all of the above! There are plenty of beaches to take your pooch in Sydney. From Horderns Beach in Bundeena to Dumaresq Reserve in Rose Bay, we’ve outlined the best beaches for pups to play on.

Are dogs allowed on Coogee Beach?

No. Dogs are not allowed on Coogee Beach and are even prohibited from the playground and BBQ areas. If you’re walking your dog in parks next to the beach, they must be on a leash at all times.

Is Narrabeen Beach dog-friendly?

Yep. You can’t let your bestie off their lead at Narrabeen Beach, but they can be by your side the whole time.

What do you do if your dog poos on the beach?

The same procedure applies for dog waste on the beach as it applies everywhere else – bag it and bin it. Make sure you’re always carrying a few doggy bags in case your dog decides the sand is a great toilet. (It happens!)

Want more places to enjoy with your dog?

• Best Walks in Sydney
• Dog Friendly Walks Near Sydney
• Dog-Friendly Camping in NSW
• Paddling the Nymboida River – 3 Days, 4 Friends, and 1 Blind Dog

Feature photo by @dsmacinnes
Table of contents photo by @redheadinajeep