NearMeDog-friendly places in Kurnell
Last updatedThe best dog-friendly outing in Kurnell is an off-leash run at Silver Beach Reserve, then breakfast at Kurnell 1770 Bakery & Cafe, a 5-minute walk away. The Silver Beach off-leash zone is open to dogs at all times, and dogs must be on a leash when they enter and leave it.
A day with your dog in Kurnell
| Time | Where dogs can go |
|---|---|
| Any time | The Silver Beach off-leash zone is open to dogs at all times, with dogs on a leash entering and leaving. |
| Monday to Saturday, 7am to 2pm; Sunday, 7:30am to 2pm | Milkhouse takes dogs at its outside tables during those hours. |
| Every day, 6am to 5pm | Kurnell 1770 Bakery & Cafe takes dogs at its outdoor tables throughout those hours. |
| Every day, 6:30am to 2:30pm | Cafe K @ The Bay takes dogs at its outdoor tables, and its windows look out over the bay from inside. |
| At all times | Marton Park is on lead only, and it has no fenced area. |
Silver Beach off-leash dog area in Kurnell: a morning run, then breakfast at Kurnell 1770
Silver Beach Reserve has the only off-leash zone on Silver Beach in Kurnell, between the third and fourth rock groynes at the western end of the sand. Start there. The reserve covers 1.67 hectares and has a netted swimming area (not patrolled), bushland trails, a bubbler, a boat ramp and toilets, including an accessible one.
A 5-minute walk brings you to Kurnell 1770 Bakery & Cafe on Captain Cook Drive, which opens at 6am and closes at 5pm every day. Dogs are welcome at its outdoor tables. Regulars rate the food and coffee, and visitors say orders come out quickly. Dishes to order include the lemon cheesecake, the chicken burger with chips and the chicken soup with garlic bread.
For a smaller dog or a calmer walk, the next plan starts on lead.
Small or nervous dogs in Kurnell: an on-lead walk at Marton Park, then coffee at Milkhouse
Marton Park on Captain Cook Drive is 1.97 hectares of open space with a full-size rugby league field, a playground, a BBQ area, a picnic area and a free outdoor gym. Dogs are permitted only on a leash, and there is no fenced area, so this is the stop for a small or nervous dog that does better on lead. Walk the park at your dog's pace before you head to the cafe.
Milkhouse is a 3-minute walk away on Torres Street. It is a family-friendly cafe, deli and pastry shop with outdoor tables, and visitors enjoy its fresh, well-presented food. Order the bacon and egg roll or the halloumi, egg and avocado plate. An 8am arrival leaves plenty of time to eat before the 2pm close.
The rules for both walks are below.
Dog rules in Kurnell: where dogs can and can't go
Dogs can run off-leash in one place in Kurnell: the Silver Beach zone between the third and fourth rock groynes, right of the Bonna Point Boat Ramp at 312 Prince Charles Parade. The zone sits within Silver Beach Reserve. Dogs must be on a leash when they enter and leave it, and owners must clean up after their dog. Dogs declared dangerous or menacing by council, and restricted breeds, are not permitted.
Dogs are prohibited everywhere else on Silver Beach, and in the tidal baths. Marton Park is leash-only at all times. The three cafes that take dogs seat them outside only: Milkhouse, Kurnell 1770 Bakery & Cafe and Cafe K @ The Bay. Shark protection measures have been ruled out for the off-leash area, so keep close watch on any dog that swims.
Sutherland Shire Council's page on the zone, as it stood in January 2026, says dogs are allowed on the beach at all times within the zone. Confirm with Sutherland Shire Council before you go.
Every dog-friendly place in Kurnell
| Place | Type | Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Beach Reserve | Park | Off-leash area |
| Don Lucas Reserve | Park | On lead |
| Marton Park | Park | On lead |
| Milkhouse | Cafe | Dogs outside |
| Kurnell 1770 Bakery & Cafe | Cafe | Dogs outside |
| Cafe K @ The Bay | Cafe | Dogs outside |
| Silver Beach | Beach | At all times (council page: 'Dogs are allowed on the beach at all times' within the zone) |
FAQ
Where can I take my dog off-leash in Kurnell?
Kurnell's off-leash area is the dog zone on Silver Beach, between the third and fourth rock groynes at the western end of the beach. It sits right of the Bonna Point Boat Ramp and inside Silver Beach Reserve. It is the only stretch of Silver Beach where dogs can be off-leash, so the rest of the beach is closed to dogs. Council also excludes dogs it has declared dangerous or menacing, along with restricted breeds. Keep your dog on lead as you walk in and out of the zone, and bag its mess.
What can I do with my dog in Kurnell this weekend?
On a weekend in Kurnell, the easy plan is a run at Silver Beach, then breakfast at Kurnell 1770 Bakery & Cafe. The off-leash zone is open at all times, and the cafe takes dogs at its outdoor tables from 6am to 5pm every day, so you can go early or wait until the afternoon. A second option suits a small or nervous dog: an on-lead walk at Marton Park, which has a playground and an outdoor gym, followed by coffee at Milkhouse. Milkhouse opens at 7am on Saturdays and 7:30am on Sundays, and closes at 2pm both days. Keep a dog on lead for the whole of Marton Park, since that is the rule there.
Which cafes in Kurnell allow dogs?
Three cafes in Kurnell allow dogs, and all three seat them at outdoor tables only. Milkhouse on Torres Street is open from 7am to 2pm, with Sunday opening at 7:30am, and it is a good place for a sandwich or pastry to take to the beach. Kurnell 1770 Bakery & Cafe on Captain Cook Drive is open from 6am to 5pm every day, and it suits a stop before or after the Cape Baily walk. Silver Beach Reserve is a 5-minute walk from it. Cafe K @ The Bay on Prince Charles Parade serves an early breakfast, brunch and lunch from 6:30am until 2:30pm, with bay views from inside and dogs welcome outside.
Are dogs allowed on the beaches in Kurnell?
Yes, in Kurnell dogs are allowed on one stretch of sand: the off-leash zone at the western end of Silver Beach, between the third and fourth rock groynes. Beyond the zone, the rest of Silver Beach and the tidal baths are closed to dogs, so look for the groynes before you walk the sand. The zone sits beside the Bonna Point Reserve car park, right of the boat ramp at 312 Prince Charles Parade. Council allows dogs on the beach at all times within the zone, and they must be on a leash when entering and leaving it.