NearMeDog-friendly places in Elizabeth Bay
Last updatedThe best day out with a dog in Elizabeth Bay is a weekday run at Beare Park, finished before its foreshore goes on-lead at 9:30am, then coffee at Poppi's Place, a 3-minute walk away. On weekends, Macleay Reserve is open to dogs at all times, and Greenknowe Cafe is a 4-minute walk from it.
A day with your dog in Elizabeth Bay
| Time | Where dogs can go |
|---|---|
| Before 9:30am, any day | Beare Park's off-leash foreshore is open to dogs, and Macleay Reserve and Lawrence Hargrave Reserve are open at all times. |
| 9:30am to 4:30pm, any day | Beare Park is on lead, so use Macleay Reserve or Lawrence Hargrave Reserve for an off-leash run. |
| After 4:30pm, any day | Beare Park's off-leash area reopens, while Macleay Reserve's lighting only covers the paths. |
| Weekdays, 7am to 4pm | Poppi's Place is open for coffee, with dogs at the outdoor tables only. |
| Saturdays and Sundays, 7am to 3pm | Greenknowe Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, with dogs at the outdoor tables only. |
Weekday mornings in Elizabeth Bay: an early run at Beare Park, then coffee at Poppi's Place
Beare Park has an unfenced off-leash area on the foreshore at Elizabeth Bay Marina, open to dogs from 4:30pm to 9:30am every day. On a weekday the run comes first, finished before the area goes on-lead at 9:30am. Poo bags are provided on site, but there is no drinking water for dogs, so bring your own supply.
From the park it is a 3-minute walk to Poppi's Place at 76 Elizabeth Bay Road. The cafe is open from 7am to 4pm on weekdays, and dogs can sit at its outdoor tables only. Reviewers praise the coffee as consistently top quality, so the stop suits an owner who wants a good cup straight after the run. The weekend version of this outing starts somewhere shadier.
Weekends in Elizabeth Bay: a shady run at Macleay Reserve, then breakfast at Greenknowe Cafe
Macleay Reserve is a small, tree-filled off-leash reserve open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mature shade trees cover most of it, and benches sit under them along the paths, which keeps a warm morning manageable. The reserve is unfenced, with roads on every side, so it suits dogs that come back when called mid-run. There is no small dog area.
A 4-minute walk takes you to Greenknowe Cafe on Greenknowe Avenue, which opens at 7am on Saturdays and Sundays and closes at 3pm. Its outdoor tables take dogs, and visitors praise the Filipino-inspired menu, with the lomi, beef tapa and ube ricotta pancake among the dishes they name. Going at 9am, after the run, gives the dog time to settle before breakfast. The rules section below covers the other off-leash areas.
Dog rules in Elizabeth Bay: off-leash hours and limits
Beare Park's off-leash area is open from 4:30pm to 9:30am every day, and dogs must be on lead from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The area is unfenced, so reliable recall is needed before any dog is unclipped. Poo bags are provided, and there are public toilets on site.
Macleay Reserve is off-leash at all times under City of Sydney rules. It has no small dog area and no bins, poo bags or drinking water for dogs. Its lighting covers the paths but isn't enough for a run after dark.
Lawrence Hargrave Reserve on Elizabeth Bay Road is listed as off-leash at all times, and its new barrier fencing doesn't clearly enclose the dog area. Check with City of Sydney before relying on that listing, as its rules can change.
For the best off-leash parks ranked in one list, see best off-leash dog parks in Elizabeth Bay.
Every dog-friendly place in Elizabeth Bay
| Place | Type | Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Hargrave Reserve | Park | Off-leash area |
| Beare Park | Park | Off-leash area |
| Macleay Reserve | Park | Off-leash area |
| Poppi's Place | Cafe | Dogs outside |
| Greenknowe Cafe | Cafe | Dogs outside |
FAQ
Where can I take my dog off-leash in Elizabeth Bay?
Elizabeth Bay has three off-leash areas. Macleay Reserve is off-leash at all times under City of Sydney rules, and it sits beneath mature shade trees with harbourside views. Lawrence Hargrave Reserve on Elizabeth Bay Road is also off-leash at all times, with a picnic area and views across to Rushcutters Bay. Beare Park's off-leash area is on the foreshore at Elizabeth Bay Marina, and it is only open to dogs from 4:30pm to 9:30am every day, so dogs must be on lead from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Macleay Reserve is small and unfenced, so it suits dogs with reliable recall. Check Beare Park's window before planning a morning run there, since the other two areas have no set hours.
Is there a fenced dog park in Elizabeth Bay?
Elizabeth Bay has no confirmed fenced dog park. Beare Park's off-leash area on the foreshore is unfenced, and Macleay Reserve is unfenced too, with roads on every side. Lawrence Hargrave Reserve has new barrier fencing, but it isn't clear that the fence encloses its off-leash dog area, so it can't be counted as a fenced park. Macleay Reserve has no separate small dog area, so every dog shares the same open ground there. A dog that doesn't come back reliably is safest on a lead in all three areas, and Beare Park is on lead from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
What can I do with my dog in Elizabeth Bay this weekend?
On a weekend in Elizabeth Bay, the easiest outing is a shady run at Macleay Reserve, which is open to dogs at all times, followed by breakfast at Greenknowe Cafe, a 4-minute walk away. The reserve has mature shade trees and benches along its paths, so the run suits a warm morning. Greenknowe Cafe opens at 7am on Saturdays and Sundays and closes at 3pm, and its outdoor tables take dogs. Lighting at the reserve only covers the paths, so plan the run for daylight and leave the evenings for Beare Park, which is off-leash from 4:30pm.
Which cafes in Elizabeth Bay allow dogs?
Poppi's Place and Greenknowe Cafe both allow dogs, but only at their outdoor tables. Poppi's Place is a small local cafe at 76 Elizabeth Bay Road, open from 7am to 4pm on weekdays and to 3pm on Saturdays. Its coffee gets strong praise, and the menu includes an egg and bacon roll. Greenknowe Cafe on Greenknowe Avenue is open daily from 7am to 3pm, and its menu adds lomi and beef tapa. Both are within a short walk of Beare Park and Macleay Reserve, so the cafe stop fits easily into a run.
Where can I walk my dog and get a coffee in Elizabeth Bay?
Macleay Reserve and Poppi's Place are one minute apart. Macleay Reserve is off-leash at all times, so a dog can have its run whenever Poppi's Place is open. The cafe opens at 7am on weekdays and closes at 4pm, and dogs sit at its outdoor tables only. For a second option, Greenknowe Cafe is a 4-minute walk from Macleay Reserve and is open daily from 7am to 3pm. Beare Park's foreshore is 3 minutes from Poppi's Place, but it is off-leash only before 9:30am and from 4:30pm, so it works best as an early start.