18 GREAT DOG WALKS 19

Life’s a Beach

DO YOU WANT TO PLAY FRISBEE WITH YOUR DOG ON GOLDEN SAND? TAKE YOUR DOG SWIMMING? OR TEACH THEM TO SURF LIKE THAT REALLY COOL DOG ON TV?

Then here’s where to go: WOLLONGONG This book was designed with Sydney residents in mind. But most councils ban dogs from all beaches and there is only one ocean fronting beach that allows dogs before 9.00 a.m. and after 4.00 p.m. on weekdays, and that’s Wanda in Cronulla.

So I had to break the rule … and head to Wollongong!

More than 37 per cent of Wollongong householders own dogs—which equates to around 38,000 dogs—and since 2006 the city has 12 off-leash areas, seven of which are beaches!

The off-leash beaches in WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL Wollongong are: are very aware of potential conflicts between dog owners and others Q Sharkey’s Beach, Coledale in public places, and have a zero tolerance policy for all companion Q Little Austinmer Beach, animal offences. So ensure that you Austinmer pick up after your dog, comply with Q McCauley’s Beach, Thirroul the leash laws and when off-leash, (off-leash for around 300 ensure your dog does not interfere metres south of Corbett with the personal space of others Avenue) (including dogs!). At time of writing, Wollongong Council were actively Q East Corrimal from Bellambi engaging with the community to Point to East Corrimal car change some of the areas that are park on and off-leash, based on feedback from the community. Keep up to Q Coniston Beach, Coniston date with the changes at www. Q MM Beach, Port Kembla greatdogwalks.com.au

Q Perkins Beach, Windang While it is more than an hour to Wollongong for most Sydneysiders, There is a ban on dogs on all other if you’re looking to spend a day at beaches. the beach with your dog, then this is the place to be! 20 GREAT Sydney DOG WALKS LIFE’S A BEACH 21

GOSFORD Again, Gosford is not technically Sydney, but head an hour and a half north of the Sydney CBD and Gosford will reward you with nine off-leash beaches. Some of the areas available for off-leash play are very narrow, so pay attention to the signage!

Q Forresters Beach Q Wamberal Beach – nearly 1km of off-leash space, on the southern end of the beach Q Terrigal Beach – off-leash area at the northern end Q Avoca and North Avoca Beach Q Copacabana and Macmasters Beach Q Putty Beach Q Ocean and Umina Beach – on the south-western side, and most easterly sections of the beach Q Pearl Beach – northern end of the beach Q Patonga Beach – small area of beach between Brisk Street to near the jetty. Within Sydney, dogs can access beaches at: BUNDEENA Q Gunyah Beach is not off-leash but allows on-leash walking from May to LIFE’S A BEACH 21

August all day, and from September to April before 8.30 a.m. and after 4.30 p.m. Q Hordern’s Beach is off-leash from May to August, 24 hours a day. From September to May dogs are allowed on-leash at any time but off-leash is restricted to before 8.30 a.m. and after 4.30 p.m. CRONULLA has off-leash access north of Track 6 and along as far as the 4-Wheel Drive Park (but the dogs are prohibited from entering the dunes). Signs have been erected near the car park and on the beach north of Wanda to notify dog owners. Dogs are allowed on the beach Monday to Friday (including Monday morning and Friday evening).

Q before 8.30 a.m. and after 7.00 p.m. during daylight saving Q before 8.30 a.m. and after 4.30 p.m. during non-daylight saving. KURNELL The 24 hour a day off-leash area is located at the western end of Silver Beach and there are bins and toilet facilities provided nearby. MOSMAN Off-leash beach access is available at:

Q Spit West and Spit East Reserves all day during the weekday and before 9.00 a.m. and after 4.00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Q Sirius Cove all day during the weekday and before 9.00 a.m. and after 4.00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. 22 GREAT Sydney DOG WALKS

MANLY Full time off-leash access is available at Manly Lagoon Park. Okay, so it’s technically not a beach, and the water quality is questionable, but the dogs enjoy it!

A popular dog gathering area is Clontarf Reserve. Here, dogs are allowed on the beach but only on a lead. You can walk your dog on a lead between the hours of 10am and 6pm (eastern standard time) and 10am and 8pm eastern summer time) on weekends, school holidays and public holidays.

You can also walk your dog on a lead at Fairlight beach – which is part of Manly Cove and along North and South Steyne Reserve between and Queenscliff Surf Club including Marine Parade Reserve and Merrett Park Flora and Richie Roberts Reserve is full time off-leash. Again, water quality in Curl Curl Lagoon isn’t that great, especially after rain. BAYVIEW Full-time off-leash access is available at Rowland Reserve. Swimming is permitted. GLEBE The off-leash areas of Bicentennial Park offer water access via steps into Blackwattle Bay. While this area has come a long way in terms of improving water quality, best to use your judgement!

Many of the walks in this book pass by lovely stretches of the harbour. You may be tempted to let your dog run into the water, but be warned. There are plenty of oyster shells on these rocky shores that can easily cut your dogs feet!