In the centre of Sydney, Centennial Parklands spans more than 189 hectares of beautiful open space and gardens. With numerous walking tracks, it’s a popular spot for hound walks and meet ups alike.
Where: Centennial Park is one of three parks within Centennial Parklands. It is adjacent to Moore Park and nestled between Randwick and Woollahra. There are multiple entrance points and ways to get there, so it’s best to check out the Centennial Park website here to plan your trip. There is plenty of parking along the roads that run through the park, once you enter via the gates.
Length / Duration: The walk is as big as you want to make it! There are lots of ponds to walk around, and cafes to visit. The walking track on Grand Drive is 3.5km long, however you can easily make this longer or shorter and opt to meander through the park.
Opening hours: Opening hours change depending on what month you visit, with some gates also having differing opening and closing times. We recommend you check out this page here.
Centennial Park is a big park, and it’s beauty means it can draw a crowd. The busiest times tend to be on weekends with good weather, or during special events. While there is opportunity to find your own space and see other dogs approaching, it may be a little too busy for the more timid of hounds.
On lead / off leash: There are a number of on leash and off leash spaces within the park, however it is a requirement that you have your dog under effective control in all areas.
Dogs are allowed off-leash outside of Grand Drive, the main road that runs around the park. All areas inside of Grand Drive are on lead. Please ensure if you take your hound to the off leash areas that you abide by NSW muzzle laws. In off leash areas, unless your hound is a Greenhound, they must wear a muzzle regardless of whether on a lead or off. Additionally, dogs must be on lead within 10 metres of ponds, waterways, wildlife protection areas and horse tracks.
Make sure you check out the rules and regulations here before you visit.
For the hounds: Although there are plenty of ponds, swimming is not allowed. There is an abundance of wildlife in the park, so ensure your hound stays under your control and keeps a safe distance away. You’ll also find dog bags and bins throughout the park.
For the humans: There are plenty of cafes and toilets within the park, but we recommend you check the map and make sure you haven’t ventured into an off lead area unawares. The Spruce Goose Diner is a takeaway place in the centre of the park on Dicken’s Drive, a great spot within the on lead area.
You can find more information about what’s involved when taking your hound to Centennial Park here.