Dog-friendly parks in Eastern Suburbs

Bardon Park is a well-used local off-leash park that draws a steady crowd morning and afternoon. The facilities are basic — a couple of benches, drinking water, and waste bags — but the space itself is open enough for dogs to run, and the regular community makes it a social spot. It's an everyday park rather than a destination, and it does that job well.

Raleigh Reserve is a long, corridor-shaped off-leash park with dramatic cliff views along the eastern edge. The shape makes it easy to keep sight of your dog while they move up and down the length of the space, and the views of the coastline are genuinely striking. It's mostly used by local dog walkers and stays relatively quiet. Off-leash access is available all day, with standard exclusion zones around the playground and BBQ area. Waste bags are provided.

Bangor Park is a fenced off-leash area with shade and a covered shelter. It's an all-day off-leash park with waste bags provided. One consistent note from locals — mosquitoes can be an issue, particularly in the seating areas near the vegetation, so insect repellent isn't a bad idea. The space itself is decent for a run, and the fencing provides containment.

Lough Playing Fields has off-leash access between 4:30pm and 8:30am, reverting to on-leash during the day and during organised sport. The park has drinking water, toilets, shade, and parking. The timed off-leash window means it's primarily a morning and evening spot for dog owners.

Baker Park is an off-leash pocket park in Coogee where the grass grows over sand — the surface is firmer than most parks and dotted with holes from years of digging. Two tennis courts share the middle of the park, and there's a partial fence, ocean views in the distance, and poop bags provided.

Dickson Reserve has a designated off-leash area at the south end with partial fencing. It's not the biggest park, but it gets plenty of use from the local Bondi dog community. Dogs must stay 10 metres from the playground and basketball court. The grassed area gives dogs room to run and socialise.

This Coogee off-leash area is an unfenced space near a playground, giving dogs room to run but requiring reliable recall. Toilets are nearby. A couple of locals note fast-moving cyclists through the area, so keep an eye out during busier times. It's a basic space that works for dogs that are comfortable off-leash in open areas.

Lighthouse Reserve sits on the headland at Vaucluse with expansive views over Sydney Harbour. The off-leash area is a large, open grassy space with room for dogs to run. Waste bags and bins are provided, and there's parking nearby. The harbour outlook makes it one of the more scenic off-leash parks in the eastern suburbs.

Trenerry Reserve sits on the southern headland of Coogee Bay with ocean views and seasonal whale watching. The off-leash area is an open grassed space available at all times. Waste bags and bins are provided, with parking nearby. The views make it one of the more scenic off-leash parks in the eastern suburbs.

Christison Park sits on the clifftop at Vaucluse with panoramic ocean views. Off-leash access runs from 3:30pm to 10:30am, with on-leash at other times. There's drinking water, toilets, and parking. The coastal setting is striking.

Yarranabbe Park is off-leash at all times with views over the marina at Darling Point. There's drinking water, shade, parking, and waste bags. Dogs are excluded from the children's playground. A cafe is nearby.

Dog-friendly park in Rose Bay with an off-leash area where your pup can stretch…

Dog-friendly park in Waverley with an off-leash area where dogs can stretch…

Dog-friendly park in Vaucluse with plenty of shade.

Dog-friendly park in North Bondi with an off-leash area with room for dogs…

Dog-friendly park in Bellevue Hill with a fenced off-leash area where dogs can…