Dog-Friendly Manly, NSW: Visiting Manly with a Dog

The beachside suburb of Manly in Sydney has long been a popular spot to escape from the city. It’s also a great place to visit with a dog, thanks to its welcoming, laidback vibes, not to mention plenty of dog-friendly walks to choose from. Find out more about visiting Manly with a dog…

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Manly

Not surprisingly, the popular Manly Beach plus the small harbour beaches on the other side of the peninsula are off limits to dogs. In particular, be careful to follow the rules along the harbour with your dog, where there is a nesting population of Fairy Penguins.

Instead, for a splash in the water and a run on the sand, head to Manly Lagoon, located at the northern end of Manly Beach in the suburb of Queenscliff. Manly Lagoon Park, also referred to as “Lagoon Reserve” on Google Maps, has been designated as an off-leash dog exercise area with no time restrictions.

The off-leash area is mainly a grassy park, but there’s nothing stopping the many off-leash dogs enjoying the adjacent lagoon waters. Just be aware that the water quality can be variable. Try to keep your dog out of the water (leashing them if you need to) after heavy rainfall.

Dog-Friendly Walks in Manly

While dogs aren’t allowed on the sand at the beaches in Manly, they are allowed to join you for a walk on the promenades behind them, as long as they stay leashed. Thanks to this, there are some great dog-friendly walks around Manly.

For starters, follow the popular walk along Manly Beach to Shelley Beach. If you start at the northern end at Manly Beach in Queenscliff, it’s a fairly long 2.5km long but flat one-way walk to the picturesque Shelley Beach, passing Fairy Bower along the way.

Be aware that the walk can get quite crowded on sunny weekends, no matter what time of year you visit. Consider walking with your dog early or later in the day, ideally stopping along the way at one of the many cafes or seats that line the way.

On the other side of the harbour, consider walking with your dog along the harbour from Manly to North Harbour Reserve. This walking path is the start of the popular Manly to Spit Walk. This track can be walked with dogs with some deviations to avoid the national park, but is quite long – 9km one way. Instead, consider the shorter 1.6km section to North Harbour Reserve.

It’s easier to start this walk at the other end at North Harbour Reserve, due to the difficulty in parking in Manly. Dogs need to stay leashed along most of the walk, particularly the sections of the harbour with Little Penguins, but North Harbour Reserve is an off-leash dog exercise area.

Dog-Friendly Parks in Manly

There are a number of off-leash dogs parks located around Manly, although there are none in the heart of Manly. For starters, as mentioned above, dogs are allowed off-leash at Manly Lagoon Park in Queenscliff and at North Harbour Reserve, to the west of Manly in Balgowlah.

Dogs are also allowed off-leash at the partially fenced Hinkler Park, just west of Lagoon Park; at LM Graham Reserve (outside of the sportsfields) in Fairlight; and, most surprisingly, inside Manly Cemetery. Each of these parks have no time restrictions for dogs. See the map on the council website (search for “Dog off-leash area”).

Taking the Manly Ferry with a Dog

One of the most popular way to reach Manly from outside the northern beaches region is on the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay. However, this not dog-friendly unless you have a smaller dog.

Dogs are only allowed on the government-operated Sydney Ferries, including the Manly Ferry, in an enclosed carrier, such as the bag in the photo below. Additionally, you should ask permission from the crew and always ride on the outside deck – see the pet policy on the Transport NSW website.

The pet policy isn’t as clear on the privately-operated Manly Fast Ferry. However, when I most recently caught this ferry with my dog, the crew said that dogs should also travel in a carrier bag, like on the government ferry. This hasn’t always been enforced though.

Dog-Friendly Shopping in Manly

Every weekend, the Manly Markets are held along the pedestrianised Corso and Sydney Road in the heart of Manly. It’s a great opportunity for some dog-friendly shopping with your pup by your side.

Naturally, I’ve spotted at least one stall selling cute dog harnesses and leashes. There are also plenty of stalls selling jewellery, photography and more arts and crafts.

The markets operate on both Saturdays and Sunday, from 9am to 5pm for the most of the year, but closing earlier at 4:30pm between May and August. The markets may be cancelled during unfavourable weather.

Dog-Friendly Dining in Manly

On my most recent visit to Manly with my dog, we enjoyed a lazy lunch and drinks overlooking the water at The Espy Manly. Located next to Manly Pavilion, this part of the venue is entirely outdoors, with some umbrellas for sun protection. It’s fairly spacious with plenty of room for dogs (and lots of dogs on the day we visited), although BYO water bowl.

The venue is only open on Fridays from 4pm then on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am, with no reservations taken. My top recommendation from the short menu are the wood-fired pizzas – our margherita pizza was very tasty. Expect to pay a little more for the waterfront location.

Another waterfront venue in Manly is the new Felons Manly, located at Manly Wharf. Just like their large waterfront venue in Brisbane, pet dogs are allowed in all outside areas, although not inside. This venue is open daily from 11am, with a more extensive menu, although I thought it seemed less spacious.

A popular long-running cafe along the walk to Shelley Beach is The Bower, located right along the waterfront path at Fairy Bower. Open daily from 8am, choose from the all-day menu of breakfast and lunch favourites, complemented by a long list of drinks. Reservations are available, but only for larger groups on the weekend.

There’s also no shortage of takeaway options in Manly. The hefty sandwiches from Norma’s Deli are very popular – available from 8am until they’re sold out, daily. Manly Seafoods, also along the Corso, probably has the cheapest fish’n’chips in the suburb, plus classic potato scallops.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Manly

The top spot to stay with your dog in Manly is the recently revamped Manly Pacific. Located right opposite Manly Beach, they have five dog-friendly rooms, available by booking directly with the hotel.

Each dog-friendly room features either a King bed or two Queen beds, plus a private sun terrace overlooking the beach, including some dog turf for your pup. Your pup will be spoilt with their own designer dog bed and room service menu.

Another pet-friendly accommodation option is Manly Waves Hotel, about 100m back from Queenscliff Beach and close to Manly Lagoon Park. Choose from a range of hotel rooms, studios, apartments and even a cottage.

It’s necessary to contact management first if you want to stay with a pet, to gain approval, before making a booking. Note also that additional pet fees apply – enquire about the latest rates.

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