Short answer: in the Northern Beaches, head to Mona Vale Beach (south) during the off-leash trial hours. In the Eastern Suburbs, Rose Bay is the go-to, with an off-leash stretch of harbour sand. Most famous Sydney surf beaches, including Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, Coogee and Clovelly, don't allow dogs at all, even on a lead.
Here's where to go, when to go, and where to grab a coffee or a long lunch with your dog afterwards.
Information checked in November 2026. Council rules change, so always check the signs on site and your local council's website before you go.
Northern Beaches
Mona Vale Beach (south)
Northern Beaches Council is running an off-leash trial on a fenced section at the southern end of Mona Vale Beach. The trial began in October 2025 and has been extended to 13 October 2027 while council reviews the results.
- Daylight saving time (October to April): off-leash 5.30am to 10am and 5pm to 9pm, every day
- Standard time (April to October): off-leash 6am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, every day
- Outside these hours: dogs aren't allowed in the trial area at all
- Access: through the South Mona Vale Headland (Robert Dunn Reserve) off-leash area
- Dogs remain prohibited on the rest of Mona Vale Beach
Bonus: the grassy South Mona Vale Headland next door is off-leash 24 hours a day, so it's a great warm-up or cool-down spot outside the beach hours.
Where to eat and drink nearby
- Cafe Monaka (Waratah Street, Mona Vale): a Japanese café open for breakfast and lunch with a spacious outdoor area. Regulars rave about the poke bowls and how welcoming the team is to dogs.
- Gray Goose Mona Vale: known locally for handing out free puppuccinos.
- The Brightside (Surfview Road): a relaxed café with views over Mona Vale Beach, perfect for a post-swim coffee.
Eastern Suburbs
The Eastern Suburbs are famous for their beaches, but Waverley and Randwick councils don't allow dogs on any of their beaches. That makes Woollahra's harbour beaches the place to go.
Rose Bay Foreshore
- Off-leash sand: the stretch of harbour beach between the signposts near Dumaresq Reserve is off-leash 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Dumaresq Reserve (the grassy park): off-leash only from 4.30pm to 8.30am; on-leash at other times
- The water is shallow and calm, which makes it a lovely spot for first-time swimmers
- At high tide the sand can disappear, so check the tide times before you head down
- Street parking on Dumaresq Road is very limited, so go early on weekends
Watsons Bay: Robertson Park and Beach
Woollahra Council has added Robertson Park and the beach between the yacht club and the ferry wharf as a new off-leash area during set hours. Check the signs for the current times before letting your dog off the lead.
Where to eat and drink nearby
- Collins Lane Café (Rose Bay): grab a laneway table with your dog for brunch or a coffee after the beach.
- Watsons Bay Hotel: the iconic harbourside beer garden welcomes dogs, as long as they stay on a lead and settled by your side. Perfect for a sunset drink after a run at Robertson Park.
- Bay Café (Watsons Bay): an easy stop for a takeaway coffee on the walk along the bay.
Beach Day Checklist
- Water and a bowl: don't let your dog drink seawater.
- Poop bags: fines for not picking up apply on beaches too. A poop bag carrier on the lead means you'll never forget.
- A waterproof collar and lead: regular fabric collars soak up salt water and sand and start to smell. A waterproof collar and waterproof lead rinse clean in seconds and dry fast.
- Reliable recall: only let your dog off-lead if they come back when called.
- Rinse off: give your dog and their gear a freshwater rinse afterwards to wash out salt and sand.
- Beat the heat: in summer, go early morning or evening to avoid hot sand and peak sun.
FAQ
Can I take my dog to Bondi Beach?
No. Dogs aren't allowed on Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, Coogee or Clovelly beaches, even on a lead.
Is Mona Vale Beach off-leash all day?
No. The off-leash trial area is only open to dogs during set morning and evening hours. Outside those times, dogs aren't allowed in the area.
Is Rose Bay off-leash 24 hours?
The signposted sand area is off-leash 24/7. The grassy Dumaresq Reserve is only off-leash from 4.30pm to 8.30am.
What's the fine for having a dog in the wrong place?
Fines in NSW can be $330 or more, so stick to the signposted areas and times.
Gear Up for Beach Days
Our Waterproof Collar Walk Set pairs a waterproof collar and lead with a matching poop bag carrier, made for salty, sandy Sydney beach days. Not sure whether a harness or collar suits your dog? Read Harness vs Collar: Which Is Better for Your Dog?, and if you're planning a café stop, see our dog-friendly cafés in the Inner West.