Sydneysiders have an affinity for quality doggo time that is almost as strong as their love for brunch, finding parking and drinking tall dark beverages on a weekend. With the city awash with dog-friendly spaces and cafés, which are the most popular dog parks in Sydney? Here’s our guide.

Hawthorne Canal Reserve

This is one of the most popular dog parks in Sydney’s inner west. Its location near the Leichhardt Café precinct means you can drop in for coffee and breakfast with your pooch after your walk, while they enjoy a treat from Café Bones. There’s an ample amount of space for pups to play in, and the park even offers regular Sunday morning dog training classes if you need a refresher on the basics or want to work on your dog’s obedience issues. 

Centennial Parklands

With over 2,500 hectares of land to explore, Centennial Parklands is the largest off the lead dog park in Sydney. There are three leash-free areas within the park – the Parklands and Paddington Gates, The Centennial Homestead area and Queens Park Area.

The various golf courses at Centennial Park (which are no longer used for golf) offer plenty of space for your dog to roam free. As for refreshment options, the Centennial Homestead cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. It’s a great place to stop for a bite to eat after you’ve worn your pooch out with a walk through the park!

Bungarribee Park

This park is home to the Warrigal Run, one of the biggest dog parks in Sydney. The Warrigal Run can be accessed next to Bungarribee House at Blacktown Road and is open between sunrise and sunset. It’s divided into two sections; one for small dogs and another for large dogs. Both sections are fully fenced with separate access points, drinking fountains and waste bag stations. Bungarribee Park also offers a range of other parkland including bike tracks, picnic areas and playgrounds. 

Blackwattle Bay Park

The ponds at Blackwattle Bay Park are an ideal place to find birds and fish — and a nice spot for your pooch to cool off after exercise. The beach begins at Blackwattle Bay and runs from John Street through to Pyrmont Bridge Road, adjacent to Wentworth Park. The only downsides to this location are that there are not many bins available, so be sure to carry some with you when visiting this park, especially during the busy weekends. It’s also a smaller park, so high-energy dogs may find it a bit cramped if they’re looking to stretch their legs. On the upside, it’s open 24 hours so you may find a time when you’ve got the space almost all to yourself. 

Sydney has so many wonderful parks for dogs lovers and their beloved pooches to visit. You’ll never be bored exploring and soaking in all the wonderful sights and sounds. Don’t forget to bring a leash and harness in case parks require leashes though, and be sure to secure your dog with a car harness or car seat if you’re driving them to the park to keep them safe.