Dog parks, beaches and off-leash locations

Taking your dog for a walk is a great way to keep them happy and healthy! If you would like to give your dog some lead free time, visit one of Council’s allocated off-leash dog exercise areas.

Your dog is allowed on dedicated off-leash beaches, parks and reserves, however must still be under your control and come back to you when called. This is important so everyone can enjoy our beaches, parks and open spaces.

Things to remember

1. Dogs are prohibited and must not enter
   • schools or within 10 metres of any children’s playground
   • any beach not specifically designated as an off-leash exercise area
   • food preparation areas and shopping centres
   • a public place set apart by Council for the protection of wildlife, e.g. COSS lands. Learn more about how to protect your pet and native wildlife.
2. When enjoying off-leash areas
   • your dog must always be under control of a competent person
   • no more than four dogs per person can be taken to an off-leash area
   • while dogs are allowed on designated beaches and reserves unleashed, you must ensure your dog’s behaviour doesn’t disrupt others.
3. All other public spaces
   • when out and about it’s important to remember to always keep your dog on a lead. This includes when outside your home, and on your driveway or the footpath.
4. Pick up your poo!
   • if your dog poos in a public place or on someone else’s property, you are responsible for picking it up and disposing of it thoughtfully. This will stop it from getting into our waterways or ending up on the bottom of other people’s shoes.  

Fenced off-leash areas 

Council provides multiple fully fenced, off-leash exercise areas for dogs across the Central Coast. These include:

• Budgewoi Beach, Ocean Street to 500m north of Lakes Beach Surf Club
• Colongra Bay Reserve, Lake Munmorah  
• Ettalong Oval, Ettalong Beach
• Edmondson Crescent, Kincumber
• Helen Reserve, Gorokan
• Sensory Park, Narara
• Tuggerah Dog Park - Second Avenue 

Off-leash exercise areas for small dogs

Small dogs and puppies (10kg and under) can socialise in a separate off-leash areas, away from bigger dogs at Tuggerah Dog Park and Helen Reserve, Gorokan. 

Dog off-leash locations signs 

Council is making it easier for residents and visitors to recognise areas across the Central Coast that are dog friendly.

You will begin to notice new red, amber, and green replacement signs, visible in certain locations across the region.

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What these new signs stand for:

• Red signs indicate dogs are prohibited in these areas
• Amber signs are a reminder that your dog must be on a leash. It’s important to remember to always keep your dog on a leash. This includes when outside your home, and on your driveway or the footpath.
• Green signs indicate designated off-leash areas

Always check the signs at each location to ensure you are in a designated off-leash area.