NearMeDog-friendly places in Five Dock
Last updatedA good outing in Five Dock is a big off-leash run at Timbrell Park on the Parramatta River, then a coffee at The Sisu Coffee House & Bar, a 9-minute walk away. Halliday Park's off-leash area is open only before 9am and after 5pm, so plan a Halliday run early or late.
A day with your dog in Five Dock
| Time | Where dogs can go |
|---|---|
| Before 9am, any day | Halliday Park's off-leash area is open, and Storey Park is listed as a 24-hour dog park. |
| After 5pm, any day | Halliday Park's off-leash area reopens. |
| Any time, any day | Timbrell Park's off-leash area, Five Dock Park's fenced enclosure and the open grounds at Charles Heath Reserve have no set hours. |
| Weekends | The Sisu Coffee House & Bar opens at 6:30am on Saturdays and 7am on Sundays, and closes at 3pm on both days. |
| Weekdays and weekends | The Lab - Black Poison opens at 6am on weekdays and 8am at weekends, and closes at 2pm every day. |
Weekends in Five Dock: a big off-leash run at Timbrell Park, then breakfast
Timbrell Park has an unfenced off-leash area in its western end, beside the Bay Run. The area has no set hours, so a weekend morning gives a long run on open ground. Afterwards, The Sisu Coffee House & Bar is a 9-minute walk away on Great North Road. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor area only, so order the breakfast burger or the corn fritters and sit out on the timber deck at the back. The next plan is for a small or nervous dog, and it starts at a fenced park.
Small or nervous dogs in Five Dock: a fenced run at Five Dock Park, then Storey Park
Five Dock Park has a fenced off-leash area, and according to City of Canada Bay Council, it is the only enclosed off-leash area among Five Dock's parks. Dogs can be let off the lead inside the fence. Concrete paths link the dog area to the playground, skate park and picnic areas, and the ground is relatively flat, so the walk in is easy. When the run is done, Storey Park is a 5-minute walk away. It has well-maintained paths for walking, jogging and hiking, and it is listed as a 24-hour dog park. A hot day calls for a different plan, and that one starts in the shade.
Shady dog parks in Five Dock for a hot day: Charles Heath Reserve, then an early coffee
Charles Heath Reserve has open grounds with off-leash access and well-maintained pathways, and its BBQ area sits outside the fenced all-abilities playground. Stay on the grounds near the shaded picnic areas, then walk 5 minutes to The Lab - Black Poison on Queens Road. The Lab is a spacious, warm all-day cafe, pantry and bakery, and its panini and shakes are the items to order. Dogs can sit in the outdoor seating only. The last plan starts before 9am, when Halliday Park's off-leash area is open.
Early dog walks in Five Dock: Halliday Park before 9am, then coffee
Halliday Park is a waterfront park on McGrath Avenue, and by the park's own figure it covers 6.5 acres. Its off-leash area is unfenced, with no clear physical boundary from the paths, and it is open only before 9am and after 5pm. The park also has a children's playground with a shade structure, picnic tables with water views and a large open grass area. Finish the run before 9am, then walk 9 minutes to The Sisu Coffee House & Bar for breakfast at 9am. The rules, and the hours that matter most, come next.
Dog rules in Five Dock: where dogs can't go
Dogs can't go inside either cafe. The Sisu Coffee House & Bar and The Lab - Black Poison both take dogs in the outdoor area only. Off-leash running is limited to the designated areas: Timbrell Park's western end, Charles Heath Reserve's open grounds, Five Dock Park's fenced enclosure and Storey Park. Halliday Park's unfenced area is open to dogs off the lead only before 9am and after 5pm. Confirm the hours with City of Canada Bay Council before relying on them, because its parks page gives no hours for these off-leash areas, including Storey Park. For more options, see the best off-leash dog parks in Five Dock.
Where these are in Five Dock
- Great North Road: Halliday's off-leash area before 9am, then Storey Park, listed as a 24-hour dog park, and breakfast at The Sisu, 9 minutes from Halliday.
- Queens Road: Shaded picnic areas and open off-leash grounds at Charles Heath Reserve, then coffee at The Lab, 5 minutes away.
Every dog-friendly place in Five Dock
| Place | Type | Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Timbrell Park | Park | Off-leash area |
| Halliday Park | Park | Off-leash area |
| Charles Heath Reserve | Park | Off-leash area |
| Five Dock Park | Park | Off-leash area, fenced |
| Storey Park | Park | Off-leash area |
| The Sisu Coffee House & Bar | Cafe | Dogs outside |
| The Lab - Black Poison | Cafe | Dogs outside |
FAQ
Where can I take my dog off-leash in Five Dock?
Timbrell Park, Halliday Park, Charles Heath Reserve, Five Dock Park and Storey Park all have designated off-leash areas, and each one is covered in the plans above. Timbrell Park's area is unfenced and sits beside the Bay Run, and it has no set hours, so it suits a long run. Charles Heath Reserve's open grounds are also off-leash with no set hours, which makes them a good choice on a hot day with shade nearby. Halliday Park's off-leash area is open only before 9am and after 5pm, so it suits early or evening walks. Storey Park is listed as a 24-hour dog park, so check with the council before planning a late visit. Five Dock Park is the enclosed choice, with dogs let off the lead inside its fence.
Is there a fenced dog park in Five Dock?
Yes, Five Dock Park has a fenced off-leash area, and City of Canada Bay Council describes it as the only enclosed one among Five Dock's parks. Inside the fence, dogs can run free, and the area has no set hours. The park is relatively flat, with public toilets and grandstand toilets on site, and it also has a playground, a lit sports field and tennis courts. Timbrell Park and Halliday Park both have unfenced off-leash areas, so the fenced option matters most for a nervous or small dog. The council manages the park, and street parking is plentiful on Great North Road and Waterview Street.
Which cafes in Five Dock allow dogs?
Two cafes in Five Dock allow dogs, and both only in the outdoor area: The Sisu Coffee House & Bar on Great North Road and The Lab - Black Poison on Queens Road. The Sisu opens at 6am on weekdays, 6:30am on Saturdays and 7am on Sundays, and it closes at 3pm on weekends. The Lab opens at 6am on weekdays, 8am at weekends, and closes at 2pm every day. The Sisu's breakfast burger and corn fritters are worth ordering, and The Lab's panini, shakes and pastries are the ones to try. Both cafes have outdoor seating, so the dog stays out with its owner.
Where can I walk my dog and get a coffee in Five Dock?
The shortest walk from an off-leash park to a coffee in Five Dock is 5 minutes, from Charles Heath Reserve to The Lab - Black Poison on Queens Road. Five Dock Park and Storey Park are each a 6-minute walk from The Sisu Coffee House & Bar, and Halliday Park is 9 minutes from the same cafe. Timbrell Park is also 9 minutes from The Sisu, so that pair suits a longer morning outing. The Lab closes at 2pm every day, so plan that coffee stop before 2pm. Storey Park is a 14-minute walk from The Lab, so for a Storey run it's easier to pair it with The Sisu.
What can I do with my dog in Five Dock?
Five Dock has four day-out plans for a dog. On a weekend, Timbrell Park's big run leads to breakfast at The Sisu Coffee House & Bar, a 9-minute walk away. On any day, Five Dock Park's fenced enclosure is followed by a 5-minute walk to Storey Park. On a hot day, Charles Heath Reserve's shade comes first, with coffee at The Lab - Black Poison a 5-minute walk later. Before 9am, Halliday Park's off-leash area is followed by breakfast at The Sisu, which is a 9-minute walk from the park.