Australia’s most dog-friendly suburbs

When searching for a new home, keeping our furry friends’ needs and health in mind is always a top priority.

We’ve come up with some of the best Australian suburbs with great dog-friendly locations and parks, so your pooch can run wild and free, and socialise close to home.

Sydney

Surry Hills– Surry Hills is just a short stroll to Centennial Parklands. With over 158 hectares designated for off-leash roaming, Centennial Parklands is the holy grail of pooch friendly parks for Sydneysiders. You’re spoilt for choice for places to eat out or grab a coffee with your puppy as well, try The Norfolk, Four ate Five or Kawa Café.

Leichhardt– Leichhardt has five off-leash dog parks to choose from where Hawthorn Canal Reserve is a particularly popular for dogs and dog owners alike. You can sip on a cappuccino while your dog laps up a ‘pupaccino’ and dog treats served up daily at Café Bones at Hawthorn Canal Reserve.

Melbourne

Caulfield– Caulfield has 3 great off-leash dog parks, including: Caulfield Park, Princes Park and East Caulfield Reserve. After fun in the park, take your dog along to Mr. Brightside with all day breakfast on offer.

St Kilda– There are a 3 areas along St Kilda Beach and St Kilda West Beach where dogs are permitted to play, splash and run free all year round. When your dog is all tuckered out take a seat for a relaxing chai at Fitzrovia, West Beach Bathers Pavilion or Neighbours Cafe, water bowls for dogs provided!

Brisbane

New Farm– Powerhouse Park is the place to be for Brisbanian pooches and their owners. A pretty spot next to the Brisbane river, the park has a fenced off-leash area that is always bustling with locals and their pedigree pooches. Double Shot Espresso has a great outdoor area suited to dog-friendly dining and has a water bowl beside the rock garden to quench your pup’s thirst on arrival.

Nudgee Beach– Tuckeroo Park is a favourite weekend spot to visit for many Brisbane dog owners. The park features a special fenced off-leash area with water access for dogs to swim in and is home of ‘Doggy World’, an obstacle course for adventurous dogs.  

Perth

South Fremantle– South Fremantle beach is one of Perth’s best dog beaches. The beach adjoins a grassy park, so it is a fantastic spot for a picnic or to stop by the Pickled Fig café for a feed or even a cocktail with your dog.

Adelaide

Piccadilly and Stirling– Wright Road Dog Park offers over 2 acres of fenced off, off-leash area for you and your dog to enjoy. There’s also tunnels, and jumping and weaving equipment on site for those very active canines.

Darwin

Larrakeyah and Stuart Park– Unlike most Botanic Gardens around Australia, the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens permits dog owners to walk their dogs off the leash. After a long stroll you should stop off for a spot of high tea at Eva’s Botanical Gardens Café with your pup in tow.

Do you have a favourite place to walk you pooch locally or to go out for a day trip? Please feel free to share it in the comments section below or on our Questions pages.

For more information on dog-friendly spots in your area take a look at:

• Dog friendly beaches in Melbourne.
• Dog friendly beaches NSW and QLD.
• Dog friendly beaches in Adelaide.
• Dog beaches in Perth.
• Best dog beaches in Brisbane.

Happy house hunting!