Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Whangārei
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Whangārei, with the council's rules for each.
In Whangārei, dogs must be on a leash in parks and reserves unless the council lists the park as off leash, while most beaches are off leash. From 20 December to 31 January, dogs are banned from most beaches between 9am and 5pm, and places like Parihaka, Pukenui Forest, the Quarry Gardens and Bream Head are dog free all year. Every place below shows its rule and how to get there.
Map of dog parks, walks and beaches
Every place on this page as a pin. Tap a pin for its dog rule, directions and our guide.
Dog parksWalksBeachesNo dogsHas our guideGroup, tap to zoom in
Dog parks (2)
Whangārei Dog Agility Park
Off leash Fenced Double gated entry Six dog play structures Two covered shade areas DirectionsWalks and reserves (41)
Abbey Caves
On leash Directions Read the guideHātea Loop
On leash Directions Read the guideHātea River Walkway
On leashThe swing bridge between AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park and Whangārei Falls is closed for now.
Directions Read the guideMair Park
Some rulesOff leash on the grass west of the river north of the footbridge and on the walkway to Deveron Reserve; on leash elsewhere.
Directions Read the guideMander Park
Off leash Directions Read the guideWaimahanga Track
On leash Directions Read the guideAmber Drive Reserve
Off leashListed in the policy as Corks Road/Amber Drive reserve.
DirectionsAnzac Park
Off leash DirectionsBarge Showgrounds
Some rulesOff leash on the main fields up to the wetlands; no dogs in the wetlands; on leash elsewhere.
DirectionsBeazley Park
Off leash DirectionsBiller Road Walkway
On leash DirectionsBlacksmiths Creek walkway
Some rulesOff leash on the open grass from the start of the walkway to the second bridge; no dogs in the wetlands or beyond the second bridge.
DirectionsCairnfield Reserve
Off leash DirectionsCobham Place Reserve
Off leash DirectionsDeveron Reserve
Off leash DirectionsElgin Place Reserve
Off leash DirectionsHodges Park
Off leash DirectionsKorau Road Reserve
Some rulesOff leash on the grass beyond the low fence; on leash elsewhere.
DirectionsLake Waro
Some rulesOn leash, with an off-leash grass area south of the transfer station.
DirectionsLimeburners Creek Walkway
On leashDogs banned from the wetland areas off the walkway.
DirectionsMoody Avenue Reserve
Off leash DirectionsNottingham Road Reserve
Off leash DirectionsPah Road Reserve
Off leash DirectionsPanorama Drive Reserve
Off leashUpper and lower reserves; on the upper reserve, the open grass southeast of the playground.
DirectionsRaumanga Valley Scenic Reserve
Some rulesOff leash on the grass west of the playground; on leash elsewhere.
DirectionsRaurimu Avenue Park
Off leash DirectionsRiverside Reserve
Off leash DirectionsRoss Street Park
Off leash DirectionsShearwater Reserve
Off leash DirectionsStation Road Reserve
Off leash DirectionsTarewa Park
Some rulesOff leash on the grass at the southwest end beyond the footpath; on leash elsewhere.
DirectionsTauroa Reserve
Off leash DirectionsTe Paka Reserve
Off leash DirectionsTiki Place Reserve
Off leash DirectionsTikipunga Sports Park
Some rulesOff leash on the grass off Ngunguru Road and the grass between the walkway and the Hātea River; marked sports fields are dog free.
DirectionsTotara Parklands
Some rulesOff leash on the large grass area off Wairau Drive by the walkway and river; on leash elsewhere.
DirectionsWaiarohia Reserve
Off leash DirectionsWaikaraka Beach Road grass area
Off leashRoad reserve beside the off-leash Waikaraka foreshore.
DirectionsWaipu Caves Reserve
On leash DirectionsWhale Tail Park/Kopipi Reserve
Off leash DirectionsWilliam Jones Reserve
Off leash DirectionsBeaches (15)
Matapōuri Bay
Some rules Seasonal rulesNot listed by name; the council map shows the default beach rule. The estuary boat launch area is on leash, and Whale Bay, Matapōuri Reserve and Otito Reserve are dog free.
No dogs 9am to 5pm, 20 December to 31 January
Directions Read the guidePātaua
Off leash Seasonal rulesDefault beach rule. Pātaua South grass by the bridge and toilets is on leash 9am to 5pm in the summer period. Pātaua Island Recreation Reserve is a DOC no-dog area.
No dogs on the beach 9am to 5pm, 20 December to 31 January
Directions Read the guideUretiti Beach
Some rulesOff leash all year from the south boundary of the Uretiti Beach DOC Campsite to the Tip Road access. No dogs from Tip Road south to Waipū Cove, including the Waipū River mouth.
Directions Read the guideWaipū Cove
Some rules Seasonal rulesNot listed by name; the council map shows the default beach rule. No dogs from the Waipū River mouth to the access track at the north end of the campground.
No dogs 9am to 5pm, 20 December to 31 January
Directions Read the guideBland Bay
Some rules Seasonal rulesNo dogs at the north end; the rest is on leash, with no dogs 9am to 5pm in the summer period.
No dogs 9am to 5pm, 20 December to 31 January
DirectionsLangs Beach
Off leash Seasonal rulesNot listed by name, so the default beach rule applies. Langs Beach Scenic Reserve (DOC) is a no-dog area.
No dogs 9am to 5pm, 20 December to 31 January
DirectionsMarsden Bay
Some rulesOn leash northwest of the channel to the groyne; no dogs from the groyne east to Northport and south to Papich Road.
DirectionsNgunguru beach (Kauakarangi Bay sandspit to Whangaumu Bay)
Off leashOff leash all year. The Kauakarangi Bay sandspit opposite Ngunguru School is on leash.
DirectionsNgunguru estuary foreshore (village side)
Off leashOff leash all year.
DirectionsOcean Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesMain beach follows the default beach rule (off leash). No dogs at the north end (Kauri Mountain Beach from Awarua Rock) or the south end around Bream Head.
No dogs 9am to 5pm, 20 December to 31 January
DirectionsOne Tree Point
Off leashOff leash all year from the Marsden Yacht Club southeast to the carpark area and the access opposite 189 One Tree Point Road.
DirectionsRuakākā Beach
Some rulesOff leash all year from the Mair Road access south to the east end of Taotahi Walk, and from the boardwalk access between 117 and 119 Bream Bay Drive south to the Uretiti Beach DOC Campsite access. No dogs at the Ruakākā River, the Princes Road foreshore, or from the Racecourse access south to the river. Marsden Point (Ralph Trimmer Drive to Mair Road) is on leash.
DirectionsTūtūkākā Marina beach
Off leashOff leash all year.
DirectionsWaikaraka foreshore
Off leashOff leash all year at the Waikaraka Beach Road foreshore.
DirectionsWhananaki North (between the boat ramps)
Off leashOff leash all year. Rockell Bay is on leash; Motutara Beach around to the Whananaki Wharf Road boat ramp, the inlet and the sandspit are dog free.
DirectionsNo dogs (55)
Coronation Scenic Reserve
No dogs Directions Read the guidePukenui Forest
No dogs Directions Read the guideWhale Bay
No dogsIncludes the Whale Bay access track.
Directions Read the guideWhangārei Quarry Gardens
No dogs Directions Read the guideHorokaka Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsKauri Bushman's Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsKauri Dam Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsLangsview Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMain Ridge Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMangawhai Cliffs Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMorepork Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMotukiore Island Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMotutara Recreation Reserve Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMount Manaia Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideNorthern Tangihua Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsOpua Kauri Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsOtaika Valley Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsPakotai Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsPaparahi Reserve Access Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsPeach Cove Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guidePiroa Falls Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
Directions Read the guidePuriri Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsRuakaka Pipeline Road Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsRuapekapeka Pā Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTangihua Forest Nature Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsTe Haua Uru Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsTe Whara Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideTohumoana Lookout Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTokatoka Scenic Reserve Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsTutukaka Head tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideWaipū Caves Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsWaro Limestone Scenic Reserve Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideWhakapono and Tumanako tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsWhangaruru North Head walking tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsAH Reed Park
No dogsExcept the Hatea River Walkway, Elizabeth Track.
DirectionsBland Bay (north end) and Whangaruru North Head
No dogs DirectionsBream Head (Urquharts Bay carpark around the headland to the south end of Ocean Beach)
No dogsCoastal dog ban.
DirectionsKauri Mountain Beach
No dogsAwarua Rock south to the north end of Ocean Beach.
DirectionsKauri Mountain Reserve and Kauri Mountain Trail
No dogs DirectionsMatakohe/Limestone Island
No dogs DirectionsMaungatapere Bush Reserve
No dogs DirectionsMcLeod Bay Reserve (opposite Fire Station) and Neptune Drive Reserve
No dogs DirectionsMimiwhangata Coastal Park (Parapahi Point to Ruatahi Inlet)
No dogs DirectionsMt Aubrey, Reotahi Walkway and Mt Aubrey Walkway
No dogsWhangārei Heads.
DirectionsNgunguru Sandspit
No dogsAround the sandspit to the south side of the Horahora River mouth.
DirectionsOkara (former Old Boys rugby grounds playing fields)
No dogsNormally off leash, but temporarily closed to the public and dogs until further notice.
DirectionsOtamure Bay
No dogs DirectionsParihaka Reserve and Parihaka Mountain Bike Park trails
No dogs DirectionsReotahi Road to Little Munro Bay foreshore
No dogsWhangārei Heads foreshore from the end of Reotahi Road to Little Munro Bay: Little Munro Bay itself is not included.
DirectionsRuakākā River, Princes Road foreshore, and Racecourse beach access south to the Ruakākā River
No dogsCoastal dog ban.
DirectionsTip Road south to Waipū Cove campground, including the Waipū River mouth and estuary
No dogsCoastal dog ban.
DirectionsTutukaka Lighthouse Walk and Kukutauwhao Island
No dogsIncluding the beach and foreshore by the walkway.
DirectionsUrquharts Bay and Bream Head coast
No dogsFrom the Urquharts Bay carpark around the headland to the south end of Ocean Beach.
DirectionsWhale Bay/Matapouri Reserve
No dogsIncludes the Whale Bay access track, and Otito Reserve at the north end of Matapōuri Bay.
DirectionsWhananaki Coastal Walkway, Whananaki Sandspit and Whananaki Inlet
No dogs DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashThe Dog Agility Park and small fenced dog area on Pohe Island, the listed off-leash reserves (such as Hodges Park, Beazley Park, Mander Park, Anzac Park and Tauroa Reserve), and most beaches outside the summer daytime ban. Some beaches are off leash all year, including Ngunguru, Tūtūkākā Marina beach, One Tree Point and Waikaraka.
On a leashRoads, footpaths, council car parks and shared paths, the city centre, and any park or reserve not listed as off leash. This includes the Hātea Loop, the Hātea River Walkway, Waimahanga Track, Abbey Caves and Waipu Caves Reserve, plus beaches such as Rockell Bay and parts of Marsden Bay.
No dogsParihaka Reserve and its mountain bike trails, Pukenui Forest, Coronation Scenic Reserve, AH Reed Park (except the walkway), the Quarry Gardens, Matakohe/Limestone Island, Whale Bay, Bream Head, Kauri Mountain Beach, Ngunguru Sandspit, Otamure Bay and DOC no-access reserves. Also playgrounds, skateparks and marked sports fields.
Summer and seasonal rulesMost beaches: no dogs 9am to 5pm, 20 December to 31 January, off leash at other times. Bland Bay Beach: no dogs 9am to 5pm in the same period, on a leash at other times. Pātaua South grass, Whananaki North Boatramp Reserve, Logan Nick Reserve and Parua Bay boat ramp grass: on a leash 9am to 5pm in the same period.
Whangārei District Council dog areas Whangārei dogs on beaches
Dog services in Whangārei
VetsPets, Livestock and Equine Care
Pet shopsAquariums, Raw Food and Grooming
Dog trainersPuppy Classes, Obedience and Behaviour Help
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Whangārei?
Yes. The Whangārei Dog Agility Park on Pohe Island is fenced with a double gated entry, play structures, a dog bath, water and shade, and it's open 24/7. There's also a small fenced dog area on Pohe Island.
Can I take my dog to Ocean Beach?
Yes, the main beach is off leash, but not from 9am to 5pm between 20 December and 31 January. Dogs aren't allowed at the north end (Kauri Mountain Beach from Awarua Rock) or the south end around Bream Head.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Whangārei?
Yes, on roads, footpaths, car parks, in the city centre and in parks and reserves unless the council lists the park as off leash. Most beaches are off leash outside the summer daytime ban.
Sources: Whangārei District Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.