Marks Park Dog Off Leash Area in Tamarama is a timed off-leash lawn on a clifftop headland, with ocean views and Bondi to the north and Coogee to the south. Dogs can be off-leash from 4:30pm to 8:30am daily so it suits an evening or early morning run. It is unfenced and sits beside sea cliffs so dogs need reliable recall.
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Marks Park Dog Off Leash Area: At a Glance
- The Vibe: Breezy and open, with a wide grassed lawn on the headland and the coast on three sides.
- Best For: Dogs with reliable recall that stay close and aren’t tempted by the cliff edge or the seabirds, and owners who want an evening or early morning run.
- Off-Leash Hours: Timed access only. Dogs can be off lead between 4:30pm and 8:30am daily, and this is suspended during the Sculpture by the Sea event.
- Fencing: Completely unfenced, with sea cliffs along the edge of the headland, so your dog needs to stay with you.
- Parking: Limited on-street parking nearby, with a mobility parking bay on Marks Lane. Public transport or a walk in is easier.
Dog Park Features & Amenities
For the Dogs
- Open Grass Run: The central lawn is the marked off-leash zone, with a paved loop path around it and a few clumps of trees and shrubs in the middle.
- Timed Off-Leash Zone: Only the central lawn is off-leash, and only from 4:30pm to 8:30am. Outside those hours, and everywhere else in the park, dogs must be on lead.
- Clifftop Safety: The headland drops to rocks and ocean on every side, and the surrounding area is a protected intertidal zone. Keep dogs on lead near the edges and on the Coastal Walk.
- Playground Rule: Dogs must stay at least 10 metres from Marks Park Playground at the Fletcher Street end. Assistance dogs are permitted in all areas at all times.
- Drinking Water: Not confirmed on-site. Bring your own.
- Poo Bags: Not confirmed on-site. Bring your own.
For the Humans
- Public Toilets: Toilets and accessible toilets are beside the lawn, off Marks Lane. They are open 6:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and 7:30am to sunset on weekends, so they’re closed for most of the evening off-leash window.
- Views and Seating: Waverley Council lists seating and shaded areas, and the headland has panoramic views of the coast, with a marked lookout point at Mackenzies Point.
- Playground and Fitness Station: There’s a playground with some inclusive play options at the Fletcher Street end, and a fitness station near Kenneth Street.
- Coastal Walk: The Coastal Walk runs around the edge of the headland, with Bondi Beach one way and Tamarama the other. Dogs must be on lead on it.
- The Bondi Memorial: Rise at Marks Park, dedicated in 2021, honours the victims and survivors of homophobic and transphobic violence in Sydney and NSW from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Insider Tip: The park is on-lead from 8:30am until 4:30pm, so arrive at 4:30pm or later for the evening run. During the Sculpture by the Sea event, off-leash is suspended and the headland is busy with visitors, so keep your dog on lead or choose another park until it finishes.
The Final Verdict
Marks Park Dog Off Leash Area is a timed, unfenced off-leash lawn in Tamarama, open from 4:30pm to 8:30am daily, with sea views from the headland. It suits dogs with reliable recall and owners who bring their own water and poo bags. Plan around the off-leash hours and the early toilet closing time.
For more official info, visit the Waverley Council website.
Marks Park Dog Off Leash Area: FAQ
Q: Is Marks Park Dog Off Leash Area fenced?
A: No. It is completely unfenced, with sea cliffs along the edge of the headland, so dogs need reliable recall.
Q: When can dogs be off-leash at Marks Park Dog Off Leash Area?
A: Between 4:30pm and 8:30am daily, on the central grassed lawn only. Off-leash is suspended during the Sculpture by the Sea event.
Q: Are there poo bags and toilets at Marks Park Dog Off Leash Area?
A: Poo bags aren’t confirmed on-site, so bring your own. Public toilets are open 6:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and 7:30am to sunset on weekends.
