NearMeDog-friendly places in Waverley
Last updatedThe main dog outing in Waverley is an off-leash run at Varna Park, then coffee at The Walrus, a 5-minute walk away on weekends. For a shady start on any day, walk on lead at Simpson Park, then breakfast at Bellagio Cafe, which opens at 6am. Both cafes close by 4pm, and The Walrus closes at 3pm, so finish coffee before then.
A day with your dog in Waverley
| Time | Where dogs can go |
|---|---|
| Weekdays, 5:45am to 3pm | The Walrus opens at 5:45am and closes at 3pm, and Bellagio Cafe runs from 6am to 4pm, both with outside seating for dogs. |
| Saturdays, 6:15am to 3pm | The Walrus opens at 6:15am and closes at 3pm, while Bellagio Cafe is open from 6am until 4pm. |
| Sundays, 6:30am to 3pm | The Walrus opens at 6:30am and closes at 3pm, while Bellagio Cafe is open from 6am until 4pm. |
| After 3pm | The Walrus has closed for the day, so only Bellagio Cafe, which closes at 4pm, is left for a coffee with a dog. |
Weekends in Waverley: an off-leash run at Varna Park, then coffee at The Walrus
Varna Park in Waverley has a designated off-leash dog area, and The Walrus is a 5-minute walk away. The area is marked but not fully fenced, and dogs are not allowed within 10 metres of the playground. Owners will find poo bags, seating, shade trees, a free outdoor gym and a water bubbler. When the run is done, The Walrus is at 29 Albion Street. Visitors single out the brunch and salads, and describe the staff as friendly and attentive, including towards dogs. Dogs are allowed at the outside tables only, so ask for one. Order the green salad bowl with quinoa and corn if you want something light. A 9:30am coffee fits inside both the Saturday and Sunday hours. For a smaller or nervous dog, the next plan starts somewhere quieter.
Any day in Waverley: a shady walk at Simpson Park, then breakfast at Bellagio Cafe
Simpson Park in Waverley is a leash-only park, and Bellagio Cafe is a 5-minute walk away. Dogs must be on lead at the park, and ball games are banned, so it suits a small or nervous dog. The grassed park has some shady trees, a small children's play area, a BBQ and a picnic table. On a hot day, go early, while the shade is most useful. Walk 5 minutes to Bellagio Cafe at 285 Bronte Road, which opens at 6am and closes at 4pm every day. Visitors praise the breakfast menu and the quick, friendly service. The next section sets out the dog rules that apply to both parks.
Dog rules in Waverley: where dogs can't go
Simpson Park and Varna Park are a 2-minute walk apart, but their dog rules differ. Dogs must be on lead at Simpson Park, and ball games are banned there. At Varna Park, dogs may run off-leash only inside the designated area, which is marked but not fully fenced. Dogs are not allowed within 10 metres of the Varna Park playground. Off-leash dogs outside the marked area have been a compliance issue, so keep them inside it at all times. Both cafes allow dogs at outside tables only. Confirm the off-leash rules with Waverley Council before a visit.
Every dog-friendly place in Waverley
| Place | Type | Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Simpson Park | Park | On lead |
| Varna Park | Park | Off-leash area |
| Bellagio Cafe | Cafe | Dogs outside |
| The Walrus | Cafe | Dogs outside |
FAQ
Where can I take my dog off-leash in Waverley?
Varna Park, on the corner of Varna and Leichhardt Streets, is the place to take a dog off-leash in Waverley. Its designated off-leash dog area is marked but not fully fenced, so dogs need to stay inside the marked zone. Dogs are prohibited within 10 metres of the playground, so keep the run away from the play equipment. The park has open grass, shade trees, a water bubbler, poo bags and seating for owners, and a free outdoor gym. Simpson Park, the other park for dogs in Waverley, is on lead only, so it is not a place for an off-leash run. It also has a playground, a BBQ and a picnic table.
Is there a fenced dog park in Waverley?
No, neither of Waverley's dog-friendly parks is fully fenced. Varna Park has a designated off-leash area, which is marked but not fully fenced, so dogs there must stay inside the marked zone. Simpson Park allows dogs on lead only, and ball games are banned there. For a small or nervous dog, Simpson Park is the calmer option, since the lead keeps the dog close and the grassed park has shade trees to walk under. Owners who want a dog to run freely will find that only at Varna Park, inside its marked area.
What can I do with my dog in Waverley?
Waverley has two ways to spend a day out with a dog, each built around a park and a cafe a few minutes apart. On weekends, let your dog run in the off-leash area at Varna Park, then take a coffee at The Walrus, a 5-minute walk away. On any day, start with a leashed walk at Simpson Park, where the shade trees help on a hot day, and finish with breakfast at Bellagio Cafe, which opens at 6am. Both cafes have outside tables where dogs are welcome, so ask for one. Finish the cafe stop before closing: The Walrus shuts at 3pm and Bellagio Cafe at 4pm.
Which cafes in Waverley allow dogs?
Bellagio Cafe and The Walrus both allow dogs in Waverley, but only at outside tables. Bellagio Cafe is at 285 Bronte Road and opens from 6am to 4pm every day, with a street-front patio, and it is known for breakfast and brunch. The Walrus is at 29 Albion Street, opens from 5:45am on weekdays and closes at 3pm, and has a compact room of about 25 seats with outdoor tables. Both cafes sit a 5-minute walk from one of Waverley's dog-friendly parks, so a coffee and a run fit into one outing.