Mackerel Beach (Great Mackerel Beach)
Pittwater enclave reached by ferry from Palm Beach or private boat — timed off-leash on sand only; swimming in the water is not permitted.
View placeGet outside with your dog
Dog parks, walks & beaches near Great Mackerel Beach
Search by suburb to see the nearest parks, walks, hikes and beaches first. Growing curated list for NSW, VIC and QLD — not every council oval or trail. Always check council signs on the day.
Station Beach (Palm Beach)
Northern beaches harbour-side spot where dogs are often allowed under council conditions — check times before you go.
View placePatonga Beach
Hawkesbury River day-trip beach — 24-hour off-leash between the jetty and Meroo Avenue boundary sign.
View placeRowland Reserve (Bayview Dog Beach)
Pittwater dog beach — grassy reserve and calm water off-leash all day; one of Sydney’s most popular harbour-side swim spots.
View placeKangaroo Point Boardwalk (Hawkesbury)
Hawkesbury River boardwalk with mangrove views — northern Sydney day-trip outing.
View placeMona Vale Beach (south) dog area
Council dog off-leash beach trial area (south end) with set hours — confirm the trial is still active and follow time windows.
View placeNarrabeen Lagoon Trail
Long flat lagoon circuit with bushy pockets, bridges and water views — a strong northern-beaches option for dogs that can happily walk 8 km or more.
View placeGriffith Park
Northern beaches off-leash park popular with locals — pair with lagoon or beach rules checks nearby.
View placeLong Reef Headland Walk
Easy northern-beaches headland loop with whale-season views — start from Griffith Park off-leash area.
View placeBeacon Hill Reserve
Northern beaches off-leash reserve — local favourite away from the busiest beach crowds.
View placeDee Why to Curl Curl Cliff Walk
Short rugged headland walk with ocean views — rough underfoot; ends near Curl Curl lagoon off-leash reserve.
View placeSt Ives Showground Dog Park
Fully fenced showground dog park — popular Ku-ring-gai destination for social dogs.
View placePassmore Reserve
Northern beaches reserve near the coast — pair with Curl Curl lagoon rules and council signs.
View placeAdams Street Reserve / Curl Curl Lagoon
Western side of Curl Curl Lagoon — off-leash reserve with lagoon paddles; pair with Flora & Ritchie Roberts on the south side.
View placeCurl Curl Lagoon (Flora & Ritchie Roberts Reserve)
Northern beaches lagoon paddle spot with sandy edges — dogs off-leash in the reserve but not on adjacent Curl Curl Beach sand.
View placeForestville War Memorial Playing Fields dog area
Northern beaches sports fields with designated off-leash use when not booked for sport.
View placeManly Dam Loop
Longer on-leash bushwalk around the dam — park on King Street, not inside the memorial park carpark.
View placeManly Lagoon
Lagoon-side paddles and sandy runs where signed — a local alternative when Manly Ocean Beach bans dogs on sand.
View placeWaitara / Rofe Park area
Upper north shore off-leash options around Waitara / Hornsby — confirm Hornsby Shire signs for the exact yard.
View placeManly Beach Foreshore Walk
Flat promenade behind Manly and Shelly beaches — pair with Manly Lagoon off-leash areas nearby.
View placeEast Esplanade Park (Manly)
Harbour-side Manly off-leash lawns with ferry-side views — ocean Manly Beach sand is generally no-dogs.
View placeBicentennial Park (West Pymble)
Ku-ring-gai park with fenced dog areas on many visits — a north shore staple for secure play.
View placeSpit Bridge to Manly Walk (dog-friendly route)
Harbour-side classic with a modified on-leash route that avoids national-park sections — best as a partial out-and-back.
View placeSandy Bay (Clontarf)
Quiet harbour beach / foreshore off-leash option on the northern beaches side of Middle Harbour.
View placeSpit West / Spit East Reserves
Middle Harbour foreshore reserves where dogs can often swim under Mosman rules — check day-of-week and time limits.
View placeStrickland Arboretum Track
Central Coast state-forest loop with rainforest and suspension bridge — popular Sydney day trip (~75 min drive).
View placeFlatrock Reserve
Lower north shore bush-and-creek favourite — dogs love the natural setting; keep wildlife and water quality in mind.
View placeFlat Rock Gully Loop
Regenerated gully bushwalk under Long Gully Bridge — wildlife protection area; keep dogs out of the creek.
View placeMateLoop lists places for convenience. Distances are approximate from suburb centres. Council rules, times and seasonal bans change — always follow local signs and official council websites.