The Central Coast is home to a collection off-leash parks, reserves, picturesque shared pathways and beautiful beaches where your four-legged mate can enjoy the great outdoors with the whole family. To make your next outing easier to plan with Scooby in tow, we've collected some of the most loved spots to explore right here.
Dog friendly cafes on the Central Coast
The Central Coast is a great place to visit with your dog, with a long list of cafes and restaurants where four-legged guests are welcome. When planning your breakfast, brunch or evening meal outdoors, it helps to know where the Central Coast’s most pet-friendly spots are located - so we've retrieved some brilliant spots to try in our guide to Puppuccino spots. This Central Coast dog-friendly café list should make it easier than ever to enjoy a fuss-free day out with your best friend!
Image: Supplied by Terrigal Beach House
For four-legged forest fun
Strickland State Forest is the perfect spot to kick off the fun and get amongst nature with your little furry pal. It’s as pet-friendly as you can get on a bushwalk, with endless walking trails that are easy to navigate via signage, spots to stop and let your dog sniff around. There are also plenty of dedicated areas to park yourselves when it’s time to rest and re-fuel (don't forget to pack some doggy treats!).
This managed forest is a great place for your pup to play among the tall trees and scrub, but just keep in mind it’s also a great spot for ticks so check the season you are visiting in and ensure they have tick protection.
The forest is the Central Coast's very own ecotourism gem, and one of the oldest arboretums in the area. Wherever you tread, whatever you set your eyes upon, this is a spot to be in awe of Mother Nature. There’s such an impressive diversity of flora and fauna that greets you every step of the way - from wildflowers and heath woodland, to tall and fallen eucalypts that form bridges, to lush green rainforest.
The dog-friendly site is run by the Forestry Corporation, who provide a detailed map of the area. Strickland State Forest is a gated site and for day use only, open from dawn to dusk.
Image: @stacebrog via Instagram
Best beaches, paws down
A good chuck of the stick. An endless stretch of soft, white sand. Rolling waves. Your little pal will almost wag its tail off! The Central Coast has plenty of beaches that are fur-baby friendly.
At the northern end of the Coast, Budgewoi Beach, Lakes Beach, The Entrance North, and North Shelly Beach both feature a long stretch of pristine coastline for your pooch to run leash-free. Just follow the signs to enter the beaches at the points where doggos are permitted.
Image: @kelpie_chaos via Instagram
If you are located around the southern end of the Central Coast, the best beaches for your pooch to run leash-free include:
- Avoca Beach between View Street and the shark tower
- Wamberal Beach between Surfers Road and Pacific Street
- Copacabana Beach from the southern end down to Macmasters Beach
- The middle section of Killcare Beach at Putty Beach Road Reserve
- Pearl Beach with its beautiful outlook across Broken Bay - just be wary of the big waves at the northern end.
- Patonga Beach for calmer waters
- Umina Beach also ideal with less crazy waves for your dog to paddle in.
Ettalong Beach is another great southern spot if you’re a little more inland and travelling around the Woy Woy area. Ettalong Beach has a great stretch of sandbanks and the water is more like a protected bay so your pet can simply let loose and play, with water stations along the way.
Image: @_walterthegolden via Instagram
Picturesque waterside pathways
The Central Coast is lucky to have an abundance of picturesque shared pathways that pooches just love to sniff their way along. Tuggerah Lakes Cycleway is a 12km path that frames Tuggerah Lake from Chittaway to The Entrance before heading north over The Entrance bridge to Magenta. You can also pop to The North Entrance beach nearby, which has a dog-friendly section.
Don't miss the experience of walking along Gosford Waterfront, a stunning location to soak up views of Brisbane Water National Park, exploring sniffing routes from Point Frederick right along the scenic waterfront pathway through Gosford. Eat Street Cafe is perched on the path so you can easily stop and grab a coffee or bite to eat. Continue past the Leagues Club Park and Central Coast Stadium, over Brian McGowan Bridge, and onto Adcock Memorial Park. Here at this safe and open expanse, you'll find an off-leash dog area by the velodrome and salt marshes.
Down the south end of the Coast, take in the serene views of Broken Bay while walking your canine along the shared path, The Esplanade, between Ettalong Beach, Ocean Beach and Umina Beach, or stroll past the waterways and wetlands on the shared pathway between the neighbourhoods of Kincumber and Saratoga.
For more shared pathways inspiration, see our human-friendly Waterside walks guide!
Image: @bindi_and_minka via Instagram
Central Coast dog parks and dog off-leash areas
There are an extensive list of dog parks and designated off-leash areas all across the region. This includes some key dog parks located in Tuggerah Dog Park, Buff Point (Buff Point Oval) and Davistown (From Mirren Avenue carpark to Pippi Point), which allow your furry friend to enjoy some fun in the sun off their leash in a wide-open space, some even with agility obstacles!
Some lovely dog-friendly parks on the Central Coast to visit include:
- Adcock Memorial Park, Gosford
- Captain Cook Reserve, Green Point
- Colongra Bay Reserve, Lake Munmorah
- Fagan Park, Point Clare
- Hylton Moore Oval, East Gosford
- Kariong Recreation Reserve
- Mataram Ridge Park, Woongarrah
- Sorrento Road Reserve, Empire Bay
- Terrigal Haven
Check out many more on Council’s website where you'll find a full list of designated dog walks, paths and reserves available.
Doggie etiquette
While dogs are allowed on designated beaches and reserves unleashed, as an owner you remain liable if the dog attacks another person or animal or causes a nuisance to people on the beach. For your dog’s safety and the safety of others, dogs must be on a lead and in control of a competent person when out in public places.
Seeing (or smelling) dog waste on the street, footpaths, in the parks or on the beach is not pleasant - and it has a negative impact on native wildlife too. Dog poo can also be washed into the stormwater system when it rains, further polluting waterways. Remember your dog's poo is on you – always take a bag and bin it!
If you would like to give your dog some leash free time visit one of the Central Coast's allocated off-the-leash areas remember, when within this area you are still required to have effective command control over your dog. It's important to be aware that if you walk your dog without a leash other than in an "off-the leash" area fines may apply.