Northern Beaches Dog Parks: All 31 Off-Leash Areas (2026)

The Northern Beaches has 31 official off-leash areas, and no two are really alike. A handful are fully fenced dog parks, several open straight onto a beach or a lagoon for a swim, a few only allow off-leash play at set hours whilte the rest are open reserves and sports ovals. This guide covers every one of them, suburb by suburb, with the real fencing, hours and access details, not just a name and a pin on a map. Curated by the Sydney Dog Parks Team: we check the fences so you don’t have to.

Northern Beaches Dog Park Map

Use the map below to find every leash-free reserve on the peninsula. Blue pins mark the fully or partially fenced facilities, and orange pins show the unfenced beaches, lagoons, ovals and timed reserves. Click any pin for the address and our full review.

Dog parks in Northern Beaches

31 parks · 8 fully fenced

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Fenced & Partially Fenced Parks

If you’ve got an escape artist, a puppy still learning recall, or a nervous dog that needs a secure space to settle in, these are the parks worth starting with. Only three on this list are fully enclosed on every side, so we’ve been specific about which is which.

Avalon Beach Reserve (Avalon Beach)

Address: Central Avenue, Avalon Beach NSW 2107

Avalon Beach Reserve is a purpose-built, fully fenced dog park at the northern end of the main reserve, open 24 Hours, 7 Days. It’s a straightforward, secure space that suits puppies and small dogs as easily as it does confident adult dogs, and it’s one of the more popular fenced options in the northern part of the peninsula. The dog park sits separately from Avalon Beach itself, so dogs still need to be on-leash on the sand.

Insider Tip: The park backs onto the “Yellow Brick Road” shared path, a good option for a longer on-leash walk before or after your dog’s off-leash play.

The fully fenced, grassy off-leash area at Avalon Beach Reserve dog park.

LM Graham Reserve (Fairlight)

Address: Odawara Cl, Fairlight NSW 2094

LM Graham Reserve is a large, fully fenced dog park with a double-gated entry, shade trees and a water station with a splash pool. It’s a well-used, social spot, open 24 Hours, 7 Days. A back gate leads onto an on-leash bush track down to Fairlight Beach, so it’s easy to turn into a two-part outing: off-leash play first, then a walk to the water.

Insider Tip: Use the car park on Griffiths Street for the easiest access. There’s no on-site lighting, so plan a daytime visit.

Hinkler Park (North Manly)

Address: Pittwater Rd, North Manly NSW 2100

Hinkler Park is one of the few fully fenced dog parks in Sydney with direct swimming access, right on the edge of Queenscliff Lagoon. Dogs can swim from the sandy bank without leaving the secure perimeter, and there’s open grass for a run between swims. It’s open 24 Hours, 7 Days, though parking is limited, so a weekday visit is easier than a weekend one.

Insider Tip: Bring a thick towel for the car. Water clarity in the lagoon can vary after rain, so check conditions before letting your dog in if it looks murky.

Hitchcock Park (Avalon Beach)

Address: Etival Street, Avalon Beach NSW 2107

Worth being precise about here: Hitchcock Park has two zones, and only one is fully enclosed. The dedicated small and shy dog section is fully fenced, but the main off-leash area is only partially fenced. If your dog is a known wanderer, the small dog section is the safer bet. Both zones are open 24 Hours, 7 Days. The off-leash area sits at the northern end of the park; the adjacent Careel Bay sports fields are on-leash only.

Insider Tip: The two-zone layout works well for mixed households: small or nervous dogs get the secure enclosure, while confident dogs use the bigger main area.

Also fenced or partially fenced:

Forestville Dog Off-Leash Area / Purple Poppy Dog Park (Forestville Ave): This precinct actually has two separate off-leash areas. Purple Poppy Dog Park, at the northern end near Forestville Avenue, is fully fenced and open 24 Hours, 7 Days. Field 3, at the southern end near the synthetic fields, is a large unfenced oval with its own timed hours (see the Timed & Restricted section below).
Currie Road Dog Park (Forestville): A simple, grassy off-leash spot open 24 Hours, 7 Days against a bushland backdrop. It’s only partially fenced, so it still needs constant supervision, and the adjoining bushland and creek carry a real tick risk worth checking your dog for after every visit.

Timed & Restricted-Access Parks

These nine parks aren’t open around the clock. Most are shared sports ovals with an off-leash window before the fields are needed, though a couple have their own specific rules for other reasons. Check the exact hours before you go.

Mona Vale Beach (Southern End) Trial

Address: Southern end of Mona Vale Beach, Narrabeen Park Parade, Mona Vale NSW 2103

A 12-month trial running from 14 October 2025 to 13 October 2026 has created the first ocean-facing off-leash dog beach on the Northern Beaches, in a marked 300-metre zone at the southern end of Mona Vale Beach. It’s an open stretch of sand with no fencing, and it’s time-restricted, so check the current signage for the exact hours before you go. Dogs remain prohibited on the rest of Mona Vale Beach.

Insider Tip: This trial is what decides whether more ocean beaches on the peninsula become dog-friendly. Sticking to the rules and cleaning up properly here matters more than usual.

Terrey Hills Oval, also known as Karl Brown Oval, in the Northern Beaches.

Terrey Hills Oval (Terrey Hills)

Address: Beltana Ave, Terrey Hills NSW 2084

Also known as Karl Brown Oval, this is the main sporting hub for Terrey Hills, with off-leash hours strictly limited to 12:00am to 8:30am daily. It’s unfenced, so a reliable recall matters, but it’s a huge, well-kept space for an early run. The surrounding precinct includes a skate park and tennis courts, though dogs must be on-leash in those areas.

Insider Tip: Outside the off-leash window your dog must stay leashed, even just walking through, so it’s really an early-riser’s park.

More timed and restricted-access parks:

Allambie Heights Oval (Allambie Heights): Off-leash from 12:00am to 7:00am daily, ahead of the community sport the oval is otherwise used for. It’s unfenced and can get boggy after rain, so it suits an early-morning regular rather than a spontaneous visit.
Beacon Hill Reserve (Beacon Hill): A large, unfenced set of sports fields with off-leash access on weekdays from 11:00pm to 8:30am. Weekend hours end earlier, by 7:30am, to make way for junior and senior sport.
McCarrs Creek Reserve (Church Point): A waterside reserve on the edge of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, unfenced, with off-leash access on weekdays only (not weekends or public holidays). The creek gets deep quickly away from the bank, and the bushland setting carries a real paralysis tick risk, so check your dog over after every visit.
Deep Creek Reserve (North Narrabeen): Designated specifically for dog training rather than general off-leash play. The adjacent Deep Creek Bushland Reserve is a protected wildlife area where dogs are prohibited at all times.
Frenchs Forest Showground (Frenchs Forest): Off-leash from 7:00am to 6:00pm daily. Unfenced, but with a rare feature: natural dog ponds for a swim alongside the huge open fields. The ponds can get murky after heavy rain.
Mackerel Beach (Mackerel Beach): Only reachable by water (the Palm Beach Ferry allows leashed dogs, or a private boat), with time-restricted off-leash hours. There’s no fencing, no taps and no toilets, so pack everything you need. The beach borders Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, where dogs aren’t permitted.
Clontarf Reserve (Clontarf): A grassy family reserve next to Sandy Bay, unfenced, with off-leash rules that change with the season and school holidays: generally off-leash on weekdays outside school holidays, but restricted to early mornings and evenings on weekends. Dogs are prohibited from the netted Clontarf Beach swimming area itself; the dog-friendly water access is a short walk away at Sandy Bay.
Field 3, Forestville (War Memorial Playing Fields, Forestville Ave): The unfenced southern half of the Forestville precinct (see Purple Poppy Dog Park above for the fenced northern half). Off-leash 10:00pm to 8:00am on weekdays and 10:00pm to 7:00am on weekends; dogs are prohibited from the adjoining synthetic fields at all times.

Beaches & Lagoons

If your dog was born for the water, these are the spots. All are unfenced and open 24 Hours, 7 Days unless noted, so a reliable recall matters more here than almost anywhere else on this list.

Manly Lagoon Park (Manly)

Address: Cameron Avenue, Manly NSW 2095

A large, unfenced park with open grass and direct access to the calm waters of Manly Lagoon, open 24 Hours, 7 Days. It’s one of the busier dog spots on the peninsula and draws a regular crowd of water-loving dogs. It suits sociable dogs whose owners are comfortable managing them around a busy shared path.

Insider Tip: Check the water quality signs before letting your dog swim, especially a day or two after heavy rain when the lagoon can become polluted.

The grassy off leash area of Manly Lagoon, Sydney, NSW

A dog standing in the low tide waters of Sandy Bay Dog Beach, Clontarf, Sydney

Sandy Bay / Clontarf Dog Beach (Clontarf)

Address: Sandy Bay Road, Clontarf NSW 2093

Often called Clontarf Dog Beach, this is a well-known swimming spot with calm water and a social atmosphere, open 24 Hours, 7 Days. Worth knowing before you go: a recent rule change technically limits off-leash activity to above the mean high water mark, which excludes the water itself, though swimming here remains common. Owners should be aware of the risk of a fine if it’s enforced.

Insider Tip: Arrive before 9am on a sunny weekend for any chance of parking, and aim for low tide, which exposes far more sand for dogs to spread out on.

Rowland Reserve / Bayview Dog Beach (Bayview)

Address: Pittwater Road, Bayview NSW 2104

A large grassy paddock opens straight onto the sandy flats of Pittwater at Rowland Reserve, open 24 Hours, 7 Days. The water is calm and shallow, which makes it a safe swim for small dogs and puppies not ready for ocean surf. It’s unfenced and popular, so only bring dogs with reliable recall.

Insider Tip: Parking is different here: standard council beach permits don’t apply, so you pay at the meter. Come at low tide for the most sand to run on.

A dog swimming in the waters of Bayview Dog Beach at Rowland Reserve, Sydney

More beaches and lagoons:

North Harbour Reserve (Balgowlah): A spacious, unfenced grassy expanse running down to a calm, shallow beach on North Harbour, open 24 hours. Water station, public toilets, picnic tables and BBQs are on-site, plus a car park that fills up fast on sunny weekends; there’s no lighting, so it’s a daytime spot.
Griffith Park (Collaroy): A huge, unfenced sports field with direct access to Dee Why Lagoon for a swim. It’s a time-share ground, so use is dependent on sports schedules, and there are no on-site facilities, so bring your own supplies. Check water quality after rain before letting your dog swim.
Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve (Curl Curl): A large, unfenced grassy reserve alongside Curl Curl Lagoon, open 24 Hours, 7 Days, with public toilets, playground and parking. Dogs are strictly prohibited from the main ocean-facing surf beach; the off-leash area is the reserve and lagoon only. On-site parking is paid.

Open Reserves & Ovals

The rest of the Northern Beaches list: unfenced, open 24 Hours, 7 Days, no beach or lagoon attached. These suit dogs with reliable recall who just need a straightforward daily run.

Tania Park (Balgowlah Heights)

Address: 2 Bareena Drive, Balgowlah Heights NSW 2093

A massive, unfenced clifftop park with panoramic harbour views, open 24 Hours, 7 Days. The same exposed position that gives the views also means a real safety consideration: this is strictly for calm, well-trained dogs with reliable recall, and owners need to stay alert the entire visit.

Insider Tip: It gets windy up here even on a calm day, so pack an extra layer for yourself.

The huge, unfenced off-leash dog park at Tania Park, with clifftop views over Sydney Harbour.

Mona Vale Headland Park / Robert Dunn Reserve (Mona Vale)

Address: Narrabeen Park Parade, Mona Vale NSW 2103

A dramatic, hilly headland with some of the best ocean views of any dog park on the Northern Beaches, open 24 Hours, 7 Days. It’s mostly unfenced, particularly towards the street, though there is some boundary fencing along the cliff edge for safety. Your dog needs excellent recall to be off-leash here. Dogs aren’t permitted on Mona Vale Beach itself from the headland’s access stairs; the off-leash area is the grassy headland only.

Insider Tip: For an easier visit, park on Coronation Street for the flat area at the bottom of the hill. For a challenge, park at the top on Narrabeen Park Parade.

More open reserves and ovals:

Seaforth Oval (Seaforth): Open 24 Hours, 7 Days in a bushland setting, unfenced. It borders Garigal National Park, where dogs are strictly prohibited, so keep your dog on the oval itself. Expect to share the grass with local sports teams and give them a wide berth.
Truman Reserve (Cromer): A straightforward, unfenced sports field with a well-maintained lawn backed by a wooded hillside, open 24 Hours, 7 Days, with on-site parking, water and bags. No lighting, so evening visits in winter are dark.
Manly Cemetery (Fairlight): An unusual but officially designated 24-hour off-leash area within the historic cemetery grounds. It suits a calm, quiet walk with an obedient dog only; it’s not the place for fetch or boisterous play, out of respect for visitors.
Beverley Job Park (Narraweena): A dedicated off-leash zone separate from the main sports field, which is what lets it stay open 24 Hours, 7 Days without competing with organised sport. Unfenced, with no lighting for evening play.
Dearin Reserve (Newport): A quiet, leafy pocket park open 24 Hours, 7 Days, unfenced and bordered by local streets. Heavy tree cover makes it a shaded midday option when the beaches are baking. No lighting after dark.
Progress Park (North Narrabeen): A long, unfenced park open 24 Hours, 7 Days for a scenic run alongside a creek. No water station on-site, so bring your own. The off-leash section connects to an on-leash bush track towards Warriewood Wetlands.
Adam Street Reserve (Curl Curl): A massive, unfenced sports field for a full-speed run, off-leash except when the ground is being used for organised sport. No water taps or poo bags on-site, so come prepared.
Forestville Park (Forestville): A local off-leash reserve in Forestville, open 24 hours, unfenced, with picnic tables and night lighting on-site.

For official updates on rule changes, trial extensions or new areas, check the Northern Beaches Council website.

Northern Beaches Dog Park FAQ

Q: Are there fully fenced dog parks on the Northern Beaches?
A: Yes, but only three are fenced on every side: Avalon Beach Reserve, LM Graham Reserve in Fairlight, and Hinkler Park in North Manly. Hitchcock Park in Avalon Beach and Purple Poppy Dog Park in Forestville also have fully fenced sections, but their main off-leash areas are only partially fenced, so check which zone you’re using.

Q: Can I take my dog to Mona Vale Beach?
A: Yes, but only within a marked 300-metre trial zone at the southern end of the beach. The trial runs from 14 October 2025 to 13 October 2026, with time-restricted hours, and dogs remain prohibited on the rest of Mona Vale Beach.

Q: Which Northern Beaches dog parks let dogs swim?
A: Manly Lagoon Park, Sandy Bay (Clontarf Dog Beach), Rowland Reserve in Bayview, Hinkler Park, North Harbour Reserve, Griffith Park (Dee Why Lagoon), Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve (Curl Curl Lagoon) and the natural ponds at Frenchs Forest Showground all offer water access for dogs.

Q: Which parks have restricted or timed off-leash hours?
A: Terrey Hills Oval, Allambie Heights Oval, Beacon Hill Reserve, McCarrs Creek Reserve (weekdays only), Frenchs Forest Showground, Field 3 at Forestville, Mackerel Beach and Clontarf Reserve all have set hours or day restrictions rather than 24-hour access. Deep Creek Reserve is set aside for dog training specifically rather than general play.

Q: Is it safe for my dog to swim at Sandy Bay?
A: Physically, yes, the water is calm and popular for swimming. The complication is a recent rule change that technically limits off-leash activity to above the mean high water mark, excluding the water itself, though the practice of swimming remains widespread. Owners should be aware of the risk of a fine.

Q: How do I get to Mackerel Beach with a dog?
A: By water only. The Palm Beach Ferry allows leashed dogs, or you can arrive by private boat or water taxi. There’s no road access, and no taps, toilets or bins on-site, so bring everything you need.

Spit East Reserve

Spit West Reserve

Rosherville Reserve

Lawry Plunkett Reserve

Grasmere Reserve

Rawson Park Oval

Clifton Gardens Reserve

Brightmore Reserve

Northern Beaches Dog Parks: The Complete 2026 Guide to All 31 Off-Leash Areas