Walking your dog

Upcoming changes to dog walking areas

We recognise there has been a significant increase in dog ownership and the number of people walking dogs in our local area in the last few years. 

Following extensive community consultation on our dog walking locations in mid-2023, when we received 480 responses, we are making some changes to ensure there are even more places to walk your dog on a lead and off-leash. These changes take into account both the needs of dog owners and other community members. The changes were approved on 28 October 2025. Find out more in the Council report(PDF, 35MB) and read the Council resolution on page 22 of the 27 October 2025 meeting minutes.

Of the 21 changes which have been approved, most increase the opportunities for dog walking, however taking into account community feedback, the size of the beach and safety concerns during busy periods with many children and young families using the beach, Kutti Beach has been changed from dogs allowed on-leash to dogs prohibited from late November 2025. In the first few weeks of December, Council staff will be letting dog walkers and locals know about the change but will not be issuing fines during this period. Rose Bay Beach is the closest off-leash dog walking area to Kutti Beach.

Rose-Bay Dog Beach

Where to walk your dog

Taking your dog for a walk is the perfect way to have fun and stay fit. It is also an effective way to reduce barking problems and socialise your dog.

Whether you want your dog to have a run off the lead or you want to take them for a swim, Woollahra has somewhere for you and your dog to enjoy.

You must keep your dog on a lead at all times when in public unless in a sign-posted off-leash area. The penalty may exceed $330. 

Remember to take a bag or two to pick up your dog's poo because no one likes stepping in it. The penalty may exceed $275.

Dogs are welcome at many different parks and reserves in Woollahra. The information below outlines where dogs are allowed off-leash, on-leash and areas where they are prohibited.

Off-leash areas

Where dogs are allowed at all times on a leash

Dogs are permitted in the following Council-owned parks and reserves at all times, but only on a lead.

Where dogs are prohibited at all times

There are some parts of our local area where dogs aren’t allowed.

Dogs are generally prohibited, by the Companion Animals Act 1998, from the following public areas:

  • children's play areas - dogs must not enter a playground and must be a minimum of 10 metres from any playing equipment provided for children.
  • food preparation/consumption areas - dogs must be a minimum of 10 metres from any area where food is prepared or consumed unless the food is being consumed in an outdoor dining area. In this case, a dog is permitted to be in the area as long as it is leashed, on the ground, and is not fed by the owner. If the outdoor dining area is within an off-leash dog park, the dog is permitted to be unleashed, fed, and sit on the owner's lap as long as they do not make contact with any utensils or the table and chairs.
  • childcare centres, school grounds and shopping complexes.

In addition, Council has prohibited dogs, even from being on lead from the following parks, reserves and public places:

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