Niche B Last checked: 2026-10-27

Northern Beaches — off-leash dog parks & beaches

Northern Beaches Council lists about 30 dog off-leash areas, plus a separate timed trial on Mona Vale Beach (south). Areas range from shared sportsgrounds and fenced dog parks to foreshore reserves. Hours, sports exclusions and playground buffers vary by site — always read the signs and the linked council pages before you go.

Official: Dogs and dog off-leash areas Mona Vale Beach (south) trial

Most ocean and harbour beaches prohibit dogs. Council’s dog-parks page states dogs are not allowed at most ocean and harbour beach areas. Do not assume beach access unless that specific beach is listed as off-leash (or on-leash) with posted times. Also keep dogs out of national parks / most wildlife protection areas, Manly Dam picnic areas and lake, synthetic sports fields, and within 10 metres of children’s play areas (Companion Animals Act / council guidance).

Timed coastal highlights (verify before you go)

Mackerel Beach (Pittwater)

Off-leash zone: from the public wharf north toward Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Off-leash times: sunrise–9:30 am and 5 pm–sunset.
Outside those times, dogs are prohibited in that zone except on-leash on the shortest direct route between boats and the grassed strip.
Prohibited at all times: Mackerel Beach south of the public wharf, and the adjoining Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Source: Mackerel Beach dog off-leash area.

Mona Vale Beach (south) — trial

Trial period: 14 October 2025 to 13 October 2027 (extended; check council for evaluation updates).
AEDT (daylight saving): 5:30 am–10 am and 5 pm–9 pm, every day.
AEST (standard time): 6 am–10 am and 4 pm–7 pm, every day.
Outside trial times, dogs are prohibited in the trial area. Dogs remain prohibited on Mona Vale Beach outside the mapped trial zone at all times.
Two access paths from South Mona Vale Headland: dogs must be on-leash on those paths.
Council notes the beach is not lifeguard-patrolled; ocean entry is at your own risk. Bird-flu operational closures may apply — see council’s bird-flu guidance if posted.

Source: Mona Vale Beach (south) dog off-leash area trial.

South Mona Vale Headland (Robert Dunn Reserve)

Off-leash 24 hours a day.
Access via Narrabeen Park Parade / Coronation Street, Mona Vale. Fenced along the eastern side except stairs to the beach. Be mindful of people on the shared path.
Useful staging point for the Mona Vale Beach (south) trial (leash dogs on the connecting paths).

Source: South Mona Vale Headland dog off-leash area.

Other listed off-leash areas (names as published)

Council’s hub lists these locations (click through on the official page for maps, water access notes and site rules). Hours and sports exclusions can change — confirm on-site:

Adams Street Reserve, John Fisher Park (Curl Curl)
Allambie Heights Oval
Avalon Beach Reserve
Beacon Hill Reserve
Beverley Job Park (Narraweena)
Currie Road (Forestville)
Clontarf Reserve
Dearin Reserve (Newport)
Deep Creek Reserve (North Narrabeen)
Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve (Curl Curl Lagoon water access noted by council)
Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields — Field 3; Purple Poppy Dog Park
Frenchs Forest Showground (incl. fenced small-dog area)
Griffith Park (Collaroy)
Hinkler Park (North Manly)
Hitchcock Park (Avalon; incl. fenced small-dog area)
Lagoon Park (Manly Lagoon water access noted)
LM Graham Reserve (Manly)
Mackerel Beach (Pittwater) — timed; see above
Manly Cemetery (Fairlight)
McCarrs Creek Reserve (Church Point)
North Harbour Reserve (Balgowlah)
Progress Park (Mullet Creek water access noted)
Rowland Reserve (Bayview; Pittwater water access noted)
Sandy Bay (Clontarf)
Seaforth Oval
South Mona Vale Headland — 24h; see above
Tania Park (Balgowlah Heights)
Terrey Hills Oval / Karl Brown Oval
Truman Reserve (Cromer)

Use Council’s interactive map on the dog-parks hub for boundaries.

Etiquette (council summary). Leash dogs when entering/exiting; keep them under effective control; pick up waste; fill holes; max 4 dogs per person; leave if behaviour is unsafe. Rangers can issue on-the-spot fines for not picking up waste. Customer service: 1300 434 434.

Primary sources (fetched 2026-10-27, Australia/Sydney): dog-parks hub; Mackerel Beach; Mona Vale south trial; South Mona Vale Headland. Last checked 2026-10-27.