Best Dog Friendly Walks Sydney – Sydney’s Northern Beaches are home to some great dog walks, whether you want an easy beach walk or a dog-friendly walking trail. Check out my favorite dog-friendly walks on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and get ready to go with your pooch…
One of my favorite dog friendly walks on the Northern Beaches is the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail. You can do the full 8.4km loop around the lagoon, or just walk a shorter section of the route which takes in parkland, bushland and a lakeside walk.
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The trail is a flat and easy multi-use trail that alternates between sections of paved trail, wide dirt trail, and bridle. There are many signs along the way, so you won’t get lost or wonder how far you have to go.
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There are several car parks and street access points around the lagoon where you can start and finish the walk, although some car parks are quite expensive. My favorite places to walk are the bush sections along Billarong Nature Reserve and Jamieson Park.
Dogs must be on a leash during the walk, though you can head to the nearby Deep Creek Off-Leash Reserve for trick-or-treating fun (and free parking). Allow 2-3 hours to walk the entire distance around the lake without many stops, although you could easily spend all day!
One of the most popular walks on the Northern Beaches is the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk. While the standard route takes you through the dog-free part of Sydney Harbor National Park at Dobroid Head, you can follow a dog-friendly version that avoids the National Park.
When I was in Manly recently, I noticed that the latest walking signs show the dog-friendly alternatives on many side streets – no need to scroll down for directions. The modified version is 9 km long.
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This hike starts at the north end of Spit Bridge, first following the Fisher Bay Trail. A few minutes later you will arrive at Sandy Cove, a lovely dog beach. This is a great place for your dog to run around and enjoy paddling, especially at low tide.
Continue through Clontarf Reserve, keep your dog on a lead, and follow the Clontarf Way. When you reach the beginning of the National Park, you will need to turn left onto Cutler Road. There are several streets you can take to Forty Basket Bay.
There are no dog-free areas on the rest of the Manly Wharf route. Dogs are even allowed on leashes at Tanya Park and North Harbor Nature Reserve.
The walks are usually one-way, with walkers taking a bus back to the starting point or taking a ferry back into town – a bit more difficult if you have a dog. If you have a small dog and bring a bag, you can take it on the bus, otherwise you will have to walk.
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A dog-friendly alternative to the full Spit Bridge Manly walk is to start the walk at Balgoola in North Harbor Nature Reserve. From the reserve it is only a 1.6km easy walk to Manly Wharf along the coast via Fairlight without detours. It is also easy to retrace your steps.
For parking convenience, it’s best to start at North Harbor Nature Reserve and walk to Manly Wharf, although you can do it the other way around. Dogs must remain on a leash during the walk, but off-leash is permitted in the North Harbor Nature Reserve.
Another easy, dog-friendly walk on the other side of Manly is the Manly Beach Promenade walk. Although, unsurprisingly, dogs are not allowed on this popular beach, or on the neighboring Queenscliff or Shelley beaches, dogs on Leeds are welcome to join you on the walking path.
You can enjoy a fairly long 2.5 km walk through the road from the northern end of Queenscliff Beach to the picturesque Shell Beach. The trail is completely paved and flat (ideal if you are a walker). Along the way there are many dog-friendly cafes or benches where you can sit and enjoy the view.
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If you want to combine your dog walk with a swim on the beach, head north to Manly Lagoon in Queenscliff. Both Manly Lagoon Park and Lagoon Park West are off-leash dog parks, and Sandy Lagoon is a popular place for dogs to enjoy paddling. Note that water quality is variable and the lagoon should be avoided after heavy rain.
If you venture further up the northern beaches, there are many other spectacular coastal walks to enjoy with your dog. One of my favorites is the more difficult Dee Why to Curl Curl Cliff Walk.
This rock walk starts south of Dee Why Rockpool. The rocky road with several sections of the boardwalk continues 1.5 km south to the North Curl Curl Surf Club and passes between million dollar homes and cliff tops – the views along the way are stunning!
Parking is available at both ends of the footpath. Paid parking spaces can be quite expensive, but there is also some free street parking nearby. You will have to retrace your steps back to the starting point.
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Be aware that this walk is often rough and rocky underfoot and some small dogs may need assistance at times. Keep your dog on a leash at all times, especially near the top of the cliff.
The southern end of the promenade borders Curl Curl Lagoon, also known as Curl Curl Dog Beach, a popular spot for dog bathing. However, technically, off-leash dogs are only allowed on the south side of the lagoon at the Flora and Richie Roberts Nature Reserve – quite a detour, as dogs are not allowed on the beach.
This very short but scenic walk is located in the extreme north of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Walks can be started at either end, either from the Bilgola Beach car park near the surf club or from the north end of the Newport Beach car park.
The intermediate trail is fairly easy and well built, although there are quite a few steps. On the way, stop at the South Bilgola Headland Viewing Platform for great views to the south. Please note that dogs must be on a lead at all times and are not allowed on the beaches at either end of the promenade.
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Finally, one of the best dog-friendly bush walks on the Northern Beaches can be found at Manly Dam, a bush reserve between Manly Vale and Wakehurst Golf Club.
Although this bush walk is not too difficult, it is quite long with no shortcuts along the way. It is best for dogs that are ready for a long walk. (Our schnitzel was very impressed, despite its size!) Allow about 3 hours to complete the entire 7.3 km loop.
The most obvious place to park is the Manly-Warringah War Memorial Park at the southern end of the lake. However, dogs are not allowed in most parts of the park, including the parking lot and internal roads, only on the tracks that run through it.
Instead, I recommend parking on King Street, outside the park, and walking around the parking lot and the dam. This way you can also skip the net path over the dam, which many dogs will find difficult. For more information see the map on the local council website.
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Shandos Clever is the founder of: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has traveled extensively with her miniature dachshund, Schnitzel, including 33 countries in Europe, every state and territory in Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She enjoys providing inspiration and information to others who want to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or abroad.
Hi, I’m Shando Clever and I’ve traveled to 35 countries around the world with my Miniature Dachshund Schnitzel. I have tons of tips for traveling with a dog, from dog-friendly destinations to pet-friendly accommodations to flying with your dog. I hope I inspire you to travel with your dog! Here in Sydney, we are lucky to be surrounded by beautiful scenery in almost every part of the city – whether it’s our stunning beaches, breathtaking harbor views or the city’s beautiful parks and trails.
With summer just around the corner, one of our favorite ways to spend our free time is exploring the best Sydney has to offer – after all, the beautiful, sunny weather means scenic walks await.
We’re sure you’ll agree that while your furry friend loves his walkers wherever he goes, he might want a little change from his usual weekly walking route. So when you’re planning your next walking adventure in Sydney, consider choosing a place that allows your pooch to experience premium dog treats and bond with you along the way.
The Dog Friendly Spit To Manly Walk
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