Dog Friendly Areas across the Shire

Download this handy guide to see at a glance where you can and can't take your dog across the Sutherland Shire:

Map of dog parks and beaches

Dog Off Leash Areas

Sutherland Shire Council is proud to offer six off-leash dog-friendly areas, including beaches, that are designed to meet the needs of both dogs and their owners.  

A dog off leash area is indicated by the following sign:

Please check signs at each site for specific dog off leash times and other regulations.

When taking your dog to an off-leash area, please keep in mind the following:

• Please clean up after your dog using the bags and bins provided.
• Always maintain effective control of your dog.  
• Dogs must be on leash when entering and leaving dog off leash areas.
•  For the wellbeing of other dogs, please do not take dogs suffering from a contagious disease, skin irritation or parasitic infection to off leash areas.  
• Dog off leash areas may consist of naturally occurring risks and hazards. Please consider the conditions before using any dog off-leash area.

Serious penalties apply if your dog rushes, menaces or attacks people or other animals.

Dogs that have been declared dangerous or menacing by Council or are a restricted breed are not permitted in the dog off leash area. Failure to comply may result in fines or prosecution under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

 Dog Off Leash Areas

Prohibited Areas

There are some areas of the Shire that contain sensitive environmental areas or endangered or protected wildlife.  Dogs are completely prohibited from these areas, regardless of whether they are leashed or not.  Please help us protect these areas and preserve our environment by respecting this regulation.

This applies to the following areas:

• Wanda Heritage Dunes
• Taren Point Shorebird Reserve
• Swallow Rock Reserve
• Maianbar Foreshore Reserves
• Bonna Point Reserve, Kurnell
• Joseph Banks Native Plant Reserve
• Woolooware Bay Shared Pathway

 If you see this sign it means that dogs are completely prohibited from the area, regardless of whether they are leashed or not.

 View dog off leash areas

Protect Our Endangered Shorebirds

Shorebirds and their habitat are under threat from increased human activity.  Some migratory shorebirds travel between the northern Arctic region and Sutherland Shire each year in search of food on our beaches, sandflats and estuaries.  If shorebirds are disturbed while feeding or resting they may not put on the layers of fat needed to make the long migration and can fail to breed.  Birds see dogs as natural predators and will take flight if a dog is observed.  Even on a leash or if it just wants to play, your dog can have an impact on these amazing creatures. 

Sooty and Pied Oystercatchers are endangered shorebirds that nest on some of our quieter beaches.  The eggs and chicks are vulnerable and can be unknowingly harmed.  Watch a short film about our migratory shorebirds by Julie Keating or download our leaflet, Shorebirds are on the Move.

Share our natural areas with native animals by not taking your dog to the few areas in the Shire have been declared as wildlife protection areas.  Dogs are also prohibited from bathing areas (including beaches) unless the beach is designated as a dog off leash area.