A local’s guide to dog friendly beaches & parks

If you didn't already know it, here's a simple truth: dogs love walks.

The benefits of 'walkies' include improved fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones, and decreased stress. Plus reducing risks associated with osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and insulin resistance.

And yes, all the above applies to you as much as your dog!

With all those amazing health benefits, all you need to do is grab your lead, maybe some reward treats and (always) some poo bags.

You and your dog can both be your happiest and healthiest selves. Woof!

PS. We know there are lots of rules but these are for the benefit of all: your dog, other dogs, other people, other animals, plants, waterways, beaches and parks. So play by the rules and you'll find Barrington Coast is a pretty good place for people and their dogs.

In the Barrington Coast we're lucky to have accommodation providers that also love their dogs, so there’s a good selection of pet friendly accommodation.

And see our other story about a few cafes where you can share a puppycino.

But before you head off into the sea spray with your pooch, it’s worth repeating the stuff that you should already know:

Be informed. Keep safe.

Here's how:

• Do a little bit of research: check out the permitted locations and times on the MidCoast Council website.
• Some of these beaches and parks may have some time restrictions so please read all MidCoast Council signage before proceeding, to ensure an enjoyable day for everyone.
• 4WD vehicles may also have permission to use these beaches so remember to keep your dog safe from beach traffic.
• Dogs must be supervised by a responsible person at all times and you may be fined if you are not adequately controlling your dog
• Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times unless in an off leash area
• You are responsible for the collection and removal of your dog's poo. Make sure you carry adequate disposal bags in case the dispensers are empty and place the used bags in the correct garbage bins. (And no, there’s no one to collect the neatly tied poo bag you may decide to leave on a beach, pathway or kerb. Just find a bin.)

And finally, it seems obvious but if your dog does not respond to your voice commands then you really should not have them off leash at all. Safer for them, safer for others.

Off leash parks

• Coomba Park - in the reserve between Tallawalla Road, Moorooba Road and Coomba foreshore.

• Forster -
  • at various drainage reserves off Kularoo Drive and Goldens Road
  • Cape Hawke Reserve - between Akala Avenue and Panorama Avenue
  • Pipers Bay foreshore - from Elizabeth Parade

• Gloucester -
  • Captain Cook Park – eastern side which adjoins the railway line
  • Gloucester District Park – northern end bordered by the northern carpark, the riverside path and Thunderbolts Way

• Hawks Nest - Providence Bay Park off Booner Street (north of the the childrens playground area)

• Harrington - Dolphin Park Crescent Reserve

• Tarbuck Bay - Brambles Reserve on the Lakes Way

• Taree - Saxby Park in Stevenson Street

• Tuncurry -
  • Beach Street reserve near the carpark entrance to Nine Mile Beach
  • Taree Street foreshore along the Wallamba River

Off leash beaches

Dogs are welcome on leash or off leash (but see exceptions below) on these beaches:

• Black Head Beach
• Red Head Beach (ie. the northern end of Black Head Beach)
• Diamond Beach
• Wallabi Point Beach
• Old Bar Beach
• Manning Point Beach (only left of the 4wd ramp onto the beach)
• Bennetts Beach Hawks Nest (north of Sanderling Ave access)
• Crowdy Bay Beach
• Nine Mile Beach at Tuncurry is an off leash beach without time restrictions except for:
  • south of the carpark at the end of Beach Street opposite the leash free park
  • north of southern boundary trail near the waste management facility
• One Mile Beach at Forster is off leash north of Strand Street beach access path 5am-9am & 5pm-8pm

The exceptions are:

• Dogs need to be 50 metres or more away from a patrolled swimming area
• Black Head Ocean Baths is off limits to dogs at all times
• Away from Little Tern nesting areas (Farquhar Inlet and fenced off areas)
• Any signs indicating that dogs are not allowed on walking trails in bushland reserves
  
• Any exclusion zones within a park or reserve protected by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, including:
  • North of where Mudbishops Road becomes an unsealed road
  • North of the Manning Point beach access
  • North of the area on Mudbishops Road, locally known as ‘Second Corner’
  • Charleys Island
  • Mudbishops Island
  • Farquhar Park

On leash beaches

If you’re happy to walk your dog on a leash for added peace of mind, then these beaches are dog friendly for specific hours daily (5am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm) and dogs must be on leashes:

• Tuncurry Beach: between the breakwall and northern Beach Street car park access track
• Forster: One Mile Beach south of Strand Street beach access path
• Pacific Palms: Boomerang Beach; Blueys Beach
• Smiths Lake: Sandbar Beach
• Hawks Nest: Bennetts Beach

Dog agility track at Beach Street Reserve, Tuncurry

The Dog Agility Park at Beach Street Reserve, Tuncurryfeatures weave posts for slalom manoeuvres, tunnels, ramps and jumps where dogs can test each discipline and eventually race against owner and the clock.

And although dog agility is an actual sport, this park is for amateurs to provide mental simulation and activity for dogs. So relax, chill out and have some fun.

And take some reward treats to make it worthwhile for your pal, they really do love it when they please you.