The best dog-friendly beaches in Sydney

Whether your canine is eager to dig some sand holes, sneakily bury sticks or thrash about in the cool salty water, they all love a day at the beach. It can, however, be tricky to find a beach in the city where dogs are welcome. If you want to share the fun, check out some of these dog-friendly beaches, where all can enjoy the warm sun, energising surf and glorious expanse of sand. 

Sirius Cove, Mosman

Sirius Cove is in Mosman, just west of Taronga Zoo. It’s a charming little beach that sees many families and dog lovers visiting. On weekdays, your four-legged friend has all day to play off-leash, while on weekends and public holidays they can frolic before 9am and after 4pm. Your dog will love this beautiful site with the calm, peaceful, protected shallow water; plenty of shade and a large grassy area behind the beach. 

Where to refuel: Within walking distance, I Love Butter claims to bake the best croissants in Sydney. You can order from the takeaway window or sit with your mate in the mini courtyard next door. Otherwise, the outdoor tables at Japanese bistro Yachiyo or dog-friendly bakery-cafe Berkelo are a short drive up the road. 

Sirius Cove, Mosman

Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve, Curl Curl

If you’ve got an energetic dog, then Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve is a great place to take them. With grassy terrain and a tranquil lagoon, there’s plenty of space to expend pent up energy. Located on the Northern Beaches between Dee Why and Freshwater Beach, it’s an off-leash area all year round. The reserve also offers all the essentials like doggie bags, a drinking station, bins and public bathrooms. 

Where to refuel: The Nomad Creperie is the closest option for takeaway beachside dining, but a little extra travel up the road to the Brookvale Arts District will give the option of several dog-inclusive breweries including World Beer Cup bronze medalist Bucketty’s Brewing Co.

Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve, Curl Curl

Rowland Reserve, Bayview

With a large green area perfect for playing, as well as a scenic stretch of sand where you can join your pooch for a dip, Rowland Reserve is a bit of a hidden gem in Sydney. Off-leash all day, this spot in the north also has drinking water available, and sees dog washing services available on the weekends. 

Where to refuel: Dog-friendly mega pub The Newport is just across the water while Modus Mona Vale is walkable, has plenty of space for a pooch, and serves up killer burgers, live music and the full range of Modus Brewery beers like its Newcastle counterpart.

Bayview Dog Park, Bayview

Manly Lagoon, Manly

Just inland from the iconic Manly Beach is the serene Manly Lagoon where you can let your fur baby roam off-leash 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The vast sandy green landscape means there’s plenty of space for your dog to explore. The calm, shallow lagoon is perfect on hot summer days for doggy paddling and cooling off. There’s also a children’s playground and exercise park, making it a great spot for the whole family.

Where to refuel: Next door in Freshwater, the stylish Harbord Hotel welcomes dogs as do local cafes Rollers Bakehouse (popular for their creative croissants), Fika (Swedish menu, welcomes dogs inside and outside) and Albert and Moore (a health-focused option with dog popsicles on the menu).

Manly Lagoon, Manly

Dumaresq Reserve, Rose Bay

Head to Dumaresq Reserve in Rose Bay for the best of every world: a bit of lush green grass and benches to sit and chill, some tidal sand during low tides and extensive views across Sydney Harbour. You can take your dog to romp off-leash before 8.30am and after 4.30pm and they’re permitted to be walked on-leash at all other times. 

Where to refuel: Just a five-minute walk away you can be at the al fresco tables of Neapolitan pizzeria Amore e Sapori (open for lunch on the weekends) or the takeaway window of well-known Sydney bakery Sonoma. 

Rose Bay Dog Beach, Rose Bay

Rose Bay Foreshore, Rose Bay

A lovely all-day, off-leash zone with a stretch of sandy beach and shallow water, Rose Bay Foreshore is a great option for inner-city pups. With loads of room to run around, and a calm body of water to swim and paddle in, you’re both bound to have a good time. Relax as you breathe in that cool salty air, while your dog goes on a beachy adventure. 

Where to refuel: Amore e Sapori and Sonoma fulfill the options on the east side of Lyne Park (the well-loved park between Rose Bay and Bellevue Hill). On the west side, park yourself on an al fresco seat at French cafe Bitton or the more modern Rose Bay Social.

Rose Bay Dog Beach, Rose Bay

Silver Beach, Kurnell

Right on the Kurnell peninsula, Silver Beach looks out onto stunning Botany Bay. It’s a beautiful location to take your pup to with lots of space for them to run around, stretch their legs and leap into the invigorating water. While they are allowed off-leash all day, this is only permitted between the third and fourth jetty found at the western end of the beach. This is located right in front of the Bonna Point Reserve car park making it easily accessible. 

Where to refuel: Cook at Kurnell literally opens to the beach, so you and your dog can sit with a cocktail or coffee without leaving the sand. Or just a block behind the beach, pull up to a picnic table outside Milkhouse Kurnell for pastries, sandwiches and a good cuppa.  

Kurnell Dog Beach, Kurnell

Greenhills Beach, Cronulla

Head south for sweeping ocean views at Greenhills Beach in Cronulla. This gem is the only dog-friendly stretch of beach in Sydney that faces the ocean. Extending for 3km, Green Hills is perfect for high-energy hounds. There’s lots of room to frolic in and out of the water, play fetch and get gloriously sandy. They can enjoy this off-leash freedom all days of the week before 10am and after 4pm during daylight saving (10am and 3pm during non-daylight saving). Be mindful that outside of these hours, dogs are not permitted on the beach at all.

Where to refuel: Take a leisurely stroll or a short drive to downtown Cronulla to find two dog-friendly cafes: Next Door for views of Cronulla Beach and Blackwood for the deluxe puppycinos.

Horderns Beach, Bundeena

Head to the sleepy town of Bundeena, nestled just south of the city on the edge of Sydney’s Royal National Park. Here, you’ll find the town’s popular central beach, the blissful Horderns Beach. It curves for 580m between the Bundeena Ferry Wharf and Cabbage Tree Point. From May to August, take advantage of this golden stretch of sand that is accessible to dogs at all times. Between September to April dogs are only allowed off-leash on weekdays before 8.30am and after 4.30pm, and are restricted to on-leash outside those times. Unfortunately, the weekends during these months are reserved for two-legged visitors only. 

Where to refuel: Double Dip, a food truck slinging American-Mexican fare, is just off the beach. If you’re heading back to Cronulla on the ferry, Queen Margherita of Savoy is a legendary pizzeria with outdoor tables walking distance from the ferry terminal.

Horderns Beach, Bundeena - Credit: Monde Photo

Lady Robinson Beach, Kyeemagh

Lady Robinson Beach in Kyeemagh, overlooking Botany Bay, has a popular 24/7 off-leash dog exercise area at the northern end, 150m from the netted swimming enclosure. Let your pup have some canine fun and feel the warm sand between their paws as they bound up and down, in and out of the flat water. Conveniently, there’s parking nearby and even a children’s playground, so lots of fun for both the two- and four-legged.

Where to refuel: Just up the road in Rockdale is the original location of cult Sydney sandwich store Kosta’s Takeaway. One more block and you’ll hit Burek Brothers, the makers of some of Sydney’s best Balkan pastries – nab a takeaway and sit al fresco with the pooch. For a sit-down meal, check out Colombian cafe Coffee 52.