Dogs are welcome in the Parklands, however we ask dog owners and walkers to be considerate of others and make sure dogs are under control at all times.

Centennial Parklands offer areas for both on and off leash dog walking. Sandstone Ridge and Federation Valley are both popular locations for off-leash dog walking.

The Parklands provides approximately 43 per cent or 154 hectares of its open space as off-leash areas and has done so for many years.

Dog walkers must pick up after your dog, so we recommend you bring some dog tidy bags with you on your walk.

Rules and regulations

There are regulations for dogs in the Parklands to make sure dogs do not compromise safety in areas where there are horses, cars, cyclists, children or sporting activities. They also help protect the Parklands' animals, plants, ponds and heritage items.

The rules are legally enforceable. You can be fined on the spot for breaking them.

On-leash and off-leash areas

The Trust's Dogs in the Parklands brochure (PDF, 683 kb) outlines your responsibilities as a dog owner and has a map of the Parklands showing on-leash, off-leash and prohibited areas.

Alternatively, the interactive map clearly indicates on-leash and off-leash zones within Centennial Parklands.

Please note: cats must be on a lead at all times when in the Parklands.

The Companion Animals Act

The Companion Animals Act (1998) introduced new standards of care for dogs and cats, as well as regulations aimed at promoting public health and safety.

To meet the requirements of the Act and to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for park users, the Trust revised its dog policy and regulations.

Under the Act, a dog that is in a public place must be under effective control by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash. It must also wear a collar with its name and the name and contact details of its owner.

The Act prohibits dogs from a range of areas for public health and safety reasons.

The Trust, as a local authority under the Act, is able to declare additional areas off-leash, on-leash or prohibited.

Federation Valley

Federation Valley remains an off-leash area. However dogs are prohibited within 10 metres of Federation Pavilion, as marked by the stone circle in the lawn.

The Dog Walkers and Professional Pet Minders Association Incorporated (DAPPA) has agreed not to walk dogs in Federation Valley to help minimise the impacts of over-use of the Valley.

Dog-training clubs

Dog-training clubs are not only helpful for training puppies but also for re-training older dogs, and socialising dogs.

The Eastern Suburbs Dog Training Club runs dog training and obedience classes most Sundays from 8.15 am at Musgrave Ave, Centennial Park.

Sessions cater for all levels and abilities.

For further information on dog training clubs, call 0412 645 154 or visit our Events Calendar. For more information on professional dog walkers visit the DAPPA website.

Injured animals

For help with sick or injured wild life visit the following websites: Wildlife and Information Rescue Service (WIRES) or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

Lost dogs

If you have lost your dog (or indeed would like to adopt one), visit Sydney Dogs Home or call (02) 9587 9611.

Further information

Local Councils also provide information on owning a dog, click on a link below:

• City of Sydney Council
• Randwick City Council
• Waverley Council
• Woollahra Council