Dog-friendly parks in Lower North Shore

Sirius Cove is a calm harbour beach in Mosman with consistently gentle water and open views across Sydney Harbour. It's a smaller, more contained setting, which makes it feel relaxed and easy to manage with a dog.

Tunks Park is a large, open reserve on the waterfront in Cammeray, benefiting from North Sydney Council's area-wide off-leash policy (dogs off-leash in all council parks except bushland, playing fields during organised sport, and designated exclusion zones). The park is spacious with good tree cover and waterfront access, and connects to walking tracks with creek crossings that lead up towards Artarmon. It's a popular morning and afternoon spot for local dog owners.

Blackman Park includes a dedicated fenced area for smaller dogs, creating a more controlled environment for play. The separate enclosure helps reduce the intensity of larger dog interactions, making it a useful option for smaller or more cautious dogs.

Naremburn Park is a large off-leash space with a good mix of open grass and tree coverage. It's not fenced, so dogs need reliable recall, but the size of the park means there's plenty of room to spread out. Morning and afternoon sessions draw a friendly regular crowd. The park has BBQs, toilets, parking, and waste bags, and dogs must stay 10 metres from the playground area. It's a popular everyday park for the Willoughby area.

Warringa Park is a fenced off-leash park in Neutral Bay, benefiting from North Sydney Council's area-wide off-leash policy. The dog area and children's playground are separated, and there's water available inside the enclosure. Cafes sit just outside the park, making it easy to combine a dog run with a coffee. It's a compact, well-used park with a friendly local crowd.

Balls Head Reserve is a bushland walk on the harbour with views across to the city and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Dogs are welcome on-leash, and the trails pass through genuine bushland — natural paths with rocks and tree roots rather than paved walkways. There are BBQs, toilets, and parking, though the car parks aren't always obvious from the road. It's one of those spots that feels surprisingly secluded given how close it is to the CBD.

St Thomas Rest Park is an unusual combination — a historic cemetery, playground, and off-leash dog park all in one. Under North Sydney Council's area-wide off-leash policy, dogs are welcome off-lead. There's drinking water, BBQs, waste bags, and parking. The historical markers throughout make it a more interesting walk than a typical park.

Clarke's Point Reserve has harbour views and off-leash access that varies by day — Monday to Friday all day, weekends until 9:30am only. The reserve has BBQ facilities, toilets, parking, and shade. The harbour outlook and spacious layout make it a scenic walk.

Tambourine Bay Park is an off-leash area in Riverview with picnic tables, BBQ facilities, and parking. Dogs are excluded from the bushland areas and playground. The park connects to a harbour walk and tends to attract smaller dogs and a relaxed local crowd.

Tunks Park Memorial Trees is off-leash under North Sydney Council's area-wide policy. It's a relaxed spot with harbour views and a friendly local dog-walking community. The trees provide good shade and structure to the space.

Castle Cove Park is a peaceful local off-leash spot with open grass, shade and useful facilities close by. There is parking, toilets, a playground and BBQ facilities, so it can work for either a quick dog run or a longer family visit. Dogs need to stay on-leash within ten metres of the playground, but otherwise have room to enjoy the green.

Forsyth Park is off-leash under North Sydney Council's area-wide policy. The park has two ovals, a community garden, a playground, waste bags, toilets, and parking. It's a well-used community park with a friendly dog-walking atmosphere.

Tunks Park Playground area is off-leash under North Sydney Council's policy, excluding the playground, bushland, and playing fields during organised sport. The park has BBQ facilities, toilets, parking, and waste bags. Nature trails extend from the main area.

Harold Reid Foreshore Track is an on-leash bushland walk along the Castlecrag foreshore, with water views and creek access along the way. The track is around three kilometres with a few stairs, making it more of a proper walk than a quick park stop. Free parking at the start makes it easy to turn into a longer outing towards Sugarloaf Bay.

Willoughby Park is a relaxed off-leash space with open grass, morning dog walkers and a well-kept local feel. The 1930s Art Deco community centre gives the park a distinctive backdrop, and there are toilets, a playground and outdoor exercise equipment nearby. Dogs need to stay on-leash within ten metres of the playground, but otherwise have plenty of room to move.

Ilbery Reserve is a peaceful Neutral Bay pocket park with flat grass and a friendly local dog scene. Dogs are welcome off-leash, and the open lawn makes it useful for a short run or casual play. There is no full perimeter fence and a playground shares the space, so it suits dogs that stay close and are comfortable around everyday park activity.