7 Top Dog-Friendly Walks in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney

The Eastern Suburbs of Sydney is home to a wide variety of dog-friendly walks. While the coastal walking paths around Bondi and Coogee are most famous, I’ve also uncovered a variety of other dog-friendly walks, including a bushwalk in Bellevue Hill, a largely off-leash walk at Rushcutters Bay and even a walk along a beach. Read on to find out more details…

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#1 Bondi To Coogee Coastal Walk

Distance: 6km one-way
Difficulty: Easy-medium (Paved but steps)

Probably the best known walk in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney is the Bondi to Coogee walk. This 6km walk along the coast between Bondi and Coogee passes by many of Sydney’s most famous beaches. Best of all, the walk is entirely dog-friendly.

Dogs are allowed on leash along the length of the walk, although sadly not onto any of the beaches along the way. (Some locals allow their dogs onto some of the rock platforms and patches of sand, but there are clear signs prohibiting this.)

The walk can be started at either end. The tricky part when walking it with a dog is that most dogs aren’t allowed onto the buses (except for small dogs in a carrier bag) to return to your starting point. I recommend retracting your route, perhaps just walking part of it if your dog isn’t up to a 12km return walk.

The walk can also be combined with a visit to the off-leash parks along the route. Dogs are allowed off-leash at Marks Park before 8:30am and after 4:30pm, except for during Sculpture by the Sea. At Burrows Park dogs are allowed off-leash all day long, while Bronte Park permits off-leash dogs before 10am and after 3pm.

Find out more about walking the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk with a dog

#2 Federation Cliff Walk

Distance: 5.5km one-way
Difficulty: Easy-medium (Partially paved)

The Bondi to Coogee Walk isn’t the only popular walking route along the cliffs of the easter suburbs. A little way north of Bondi is the start of the Federation Cliff Walk, which follows the clifftops between Dover Heights and Watsons Bay.

The walk officially starts at Raleigh Street in Dover Heights, at the southern edge of Raleigh Reserve. The reserve is a popular off-leash park, luckily with secure fencing along the cliff edge. There are also more off-leash exercise areas along the route at Diamond Bay Reserve, Christison Park (but only before 10:30am and after 3:30pm) and Lighthouse Reserve.

The walk is a mixture of cliff-top paths and boardwalks, although at a few points you’ll need to deviate along local streets. Look out for the occasional “Cliff walk” signs, plus there are detailed signs with maps at most reserves.

The most dramatic section of the walk is the stretch passing through Diamond Bay Reserve in Vaucluse. Luckily, the boardwalk has now reopened after extensive repairs in recent years. Another point of interest is Macquarie Lighthouse, the first and oldest still-in-use lighthouse in Australia.

I recommend turning around a little earlier before reaching the end of the walk. The final stretch of the walk passes through Gap Park at Watsons Bay, where dogs are not allowed. Alternatively, walk along the road if you’re planning on catching a ferry (if you have a carrier bag for a small dog).

Find out more about walking the Federation Cliff Walk with a dog

#3 South Coogee Walk

Distance: 3.4km return
Difficulty: Easy (Paved, limited steps)

When visiting Coogee with my dog, my favourite walking route is usually to head south from Coogee Beach through South Coogee, rather than north along the more popular Bondi to Coogee Walk. The path is less crowded, but just as spectacular, over a shorter distance.

Starting from the centre of Coogee Beach, along the first stretch your view is obscured as you pass behind the McIver’s Ladies Baths and Wylie’s Bath. You then pop out on the cliffs, where there are great views of whales during migration season. Alternatively, deviate through the off-leash Trennery Reserve. Dogs need to be on-leash the rest of the route.

Just south of the reserve is the South Coogee Wetlands, a pretty stretch of hanging wetlands. Stay on the boardwalk and perhaps take a seat to take in the views. The flat path then continues on between imposing houses overlooking the sea and the cliffs below.

We usually turn around when we reach the southern cul-de-sac at Bunya Parade, above Ivo Rowe Rock Pool. Just after this point there is a long detour via the streets. The return walk is a great length for an afternoon’s relaxed stroll. It’s also possible to walk the route in reverse, with parking easier in South Coogee.

#4 Cooper Park Loop, Bellevue Hill

Distance: About 2km loop
Difficulty: Easy-medium (Partially unpaved, rocky at times with some stairs)

One of the most surprising dog-friendly walks that I’ve uncovered in the Easter Suburbs of Sydney is the Cooper Park Loop. Despite living in Sydney for many years, I had no idea there was a remnant of bush in a narrow valley between Bondi Junction and Bellevue Hill.

Cooper Park is a great spot for an inner city bushwalk with your dog. There’s a number of tracks to choose from, plus multiple entrance points to the reserve. The easiest option is probably to park in the carpark on the eastern side of the park, near the off-leash dog exercise area in Lower Cooper Park. (Keep your dog leashed elsewhere in the park.)

I followed a mix of the Cliff Walk, Peppermint Walk and Rosewood Walk up to the eastern end of the park, then returned along the Cooper Creek Walk then footpath alongside the tennis courts. Just select from one of the paths in the direction you want to head at each track junction.

Some of the walkways and bridges in the reserve are quite interesting, dating back to work projects in the 1930s depression. I was also delighted by the pocks of rainforest alongside the creek running through the centre of the park.

#5 Rushcutters Bay Foreshore Walk

Distance: 2.7km return
Difficulty: Easy (Paved and flat)

The Rushcutters Bay Foreshore Walk is quite a contrast to the last walk in Coopers Park. For starters, the scenery along this walk is views of the harbour and the adjacent marina. The walk is also entirely flat and paved, with no steps or dirt tracks. However, the biggest difference is that much of this walk is off-leash.

The majority of this walk is alongside waterside footpaths in Rushcutters Bay Park and Yarranbee Park, plus a section along the footpath in between the two, adjacent to the marina. Dogs are allowed off-leash in Yarranbee Park all day long, plus in Rushcutters Bay Park before 10:30am and after 3:30pm. Skip walking during the middle of the day to maximise your off-leash time.

This walk can be started at either end (or in the middle) – usually there are some parking spots along New Beach Road, but it can be difficult due to the marina on sunny days. In the centre of the walk, stop at the Navy Bear Cafe. On-leash dogs are warmly welcome at this harbourside cafe serving up breakfast and lunch daily.

#6 Centennial Park Loop

Distance: 3.7km loop
Difficulty: Easy (Paved and flat)

Another easy walk in the Eastern Suburbs that isn’t a secret is the loop path at Centennial Park. This walking path follows the Grand Drive as it loops around the centre of the park, along with a horse track, and is also a popular running route.

One of the best things about this path are the large fit trees that shade most of the route. There’s also plenty of water dispensers along the way, plus signs indicating the remaining distance. Dogs are welcome to join you on a leash, although of course keep your dog off the gravel horse track and out of the way of any horses.

There are large expanses of off-leash dog exercise areas at Centennial Park, particularly around the outside of the Grand Drive’s loop. Perhaps combine a walk along the path with some off-leash fun in one of these areas. Alternatively, there are also some pretty on-leash walks through the centre of the park, pass the ducks ponds and through the formal gardens.

The walking path goes right past the Centennial Homestead, the ideal place to stop for a takeaway coffee for yourself and a puppuccino or treat for your pup.

#7 Botany Foreshore Walk

Distance: 1.2km return
Difficulty: Easy-medium (Mix of flat paved path and beach walking)

The Eastern Suburbs of Sydney aren’t home to many dog-friendly beaches, unless you count harbour beaches such as Rose Bay Beach. However, there is one beach just east of the airport that is often overlooked – Port Botany Foreshore or simply Foreshore Beach.

This beach is looked after by the Port Authority, instead of a local council. Dogs are allowed on-leash on the beach all day long. The beach is adjacent to the Foreshore Road Boat Ramp which has toilets and a large carpark, accessed by traffic lights.

While I certainly don’t recommend swimming at this beach, it’s a great spot for an on-leash beach walk with your dog. There is also a paved shared path running behind the beach, meaning that you can walk one way on the beach and then return along the path (or vice versa).

A highlight of this walk is the Mill Stream Lookout at the western end of the beach. This lookout is quite close to the airport runways and is a great spot to watch planes landing and taking off. While your dog is probably not interested, my husband certainly wanted to stay awhile watching the planes.

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