Dog Walks in Auckland

Although summer dog rules restrict our options, Auckland still has a lot of great dog walks.

There's something for all, whether you’re looking for a dog-friendly bushwalk, coastal walk, a new adventure, or want to go for an evening walk with your dog at a park, go for a coastal walk, or skip across town for a new adventure.

Check out our team's top 7 Summer Auckland dog walks.

Sanders Walk & Reserve, North Shore

180-186 Sanders Road, Paremoremo, Auckland

Distance: 4km loop | Time: 45 minutes | Difficulty: easy

Dog walking restrictions Sanders Reserve: there is a dedicated off-leash dog area. Your dog must be on a leash all other times at the reserve.
Sanders Reserve is a 16.5-hectare scenic coastal reserve looking over the Waitematā Harbour. The walking track around the edge is just under 4km, however, there are many other gravel tracks throughout the reserve and a dedicated dog area at the south end of the reserve. A great park to go for a dog walk.
Sanders Reserve is located in Paremoremo on the North Shore, 35 minutes from Auckland CBD and 12 minutes from Albany.

Ōrewa Estuary Walkway, Hibiscus Coast

214 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa, Auckland

Distance: 7.6km loop | Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes | Difficulty: easy

Dog walking restrictions Ōrewa Estuary: dogs are allowed off-leash on the reserve areas around the estuary, however, they are prohibited on the foreshore.

The Ōrewa Estuary path is a 7.6km scenic dog-friendly loop. The walkway hugs the water’s edge and is flat making it great for all fitness levels. There is a large car park and another path across the road which follows the estuary and takes you to Orewa beach.

Orewa Estuary walk is 40 mins from Auckland CBD or 20 minutes north of Albany.

Ōrākei Basin Loop Walk, Central Auckland

249 Orakei Road, Remuera, Auckland

Distance: 2.9km loop | Time: 40 minutes | Difficulty: easy

Dog walking restrictions Ōrākei Basin Reserve: dogs can be off-leash in the park areas at all times.

Ōrākei Basin is an easy scenic dog walk in central Auckland. It is a loop track around a lagoon located in a volcanic crater. The walk is tidal and made up of a mix of gravel track, stairs, boardwalk, and concrete. The reserve that runs around half of the walk is off-leash all year, so is a great option for your dog to get a run.

The Ōrākei Basin Loop walk is located in Meadowbank, 12 minutes from Auckland CBD.

Mangemangeroa Kōwhai Walk, East Auckland

38 Hayley Lane, East Tāmaki Heights, Auckland

Distance: 7.2km return | Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes | Difficulty: easy

[Dog walking restrictions Mangemangeroa Kōwhai walk:](Dog walking restrictions Mangemangeroa Kōwhai walk:) dogs must be on-leash at all times.

The walkway runs along the Mangemangeroa Stream, through native bush and farmland. It is a return trip either from Hayley Lane or Somerville Road. A beautiful scenic walk, with stunning views of Beachlands as you reach Somerville Road.

At Somerville end, the path links onto Shelly Park Beach Path (5km) and the Mangemangeroa Rotary Loop Path (1km).

The Mangemangeroa Kōwhai walk is located just past Huia, 35 minutes from Auckland CBD and 10 minutes from East Tāmaki.

Ōmana Perimeter Walk, East Auckland

10 Omana Beach Road, Maraetai, Auckland

Distance: 2.8km loop | Time: 45 minutes | Difficulty: easy-moderate

Dog walking restrictions Ōmana park: dogs can be off-leash at the regional park at all times, except on or near the playground.

The Ōmana Perimeter walk is a relatively easy walk around the edge of the Ōmana regional park and is a great place to take your dog for a walk in East Auckland. The track is a mixture of gravel, sealed and boardwalks through native bush and open fields. At the top, you’ll have an amazing view out to Waiheke Island. The park is signposted well, but be mindful dogs are prohibited from the short farm walking track. If you’d like to go for a longer walk with your dog or make a day out of it, Ōmana Beach is 1km away.

The Ōmana Perimeter park is located in Maraetai, 45 minutes from Auckland CBD, or 25 minutes east of Ōtara.

Tōtara Puhinui Creek Walk, South Auckland

90R Wairere Road, The Gardens, Auckland

Distance: 5.2km return | Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes | Difficulty: easy

Dog walking restrictions Tōtara Park: dogs can be off-leash at the park at all times, however, they need to be on-leash on the walking track, near the picnic area or near the playground.

The path is along the fringe of the Tōtara forest following the Puhinui Creek to the off-leash dog area at the end is large and great to let your dog stretch their legs. The park is scenic and a popular option for taking your dog for a walk. The gravel track takes you through native bush and you’ll see and hear lots of native birds. There are other tracks you can follow that will take you up to the lookout that overlooks the Manukau Harbour.

The Tōtara Puhinui Creek walk is located next to the Botanical Gardens, 25 minutes from Auckland CBD.

Wattle Downs South Walk, South Auckland

Hadley Wood Drive, Wattle Downs, Auckland

Distance: 3km return | Time: 35 minutes | Difficulty: easy

Dog walking restrictions Moko-kauri / Kauri Point Reserve: dogs can be off-leash at the park at all times, however, they need to be on-leash on the walking track.

The entire Wattle Downs South walk is a total of 8km from 53 Hadley Wood Drive to 27 Frangipani Avenue. To keep it a short 3km return walk, start from Hadley Wood Drive and walk to Moko-kauri / Kauri Point Reserve where the dog can be off-leash.

The walk is paved and a nice easy coastal track with scenic views out to the Manukau Harbour so is best at high tide.

The Wattle Downs South walk is located 30 minutes from Auckland CBD.

What walks can I take my dog on?

There are summer dog restrictions from 1 December until 1 March, with dogs prohibited or restricted to being on-leash at many Auckland beaches, parks, and reserves between 10 am - 5 pm. The Winter rules apply from 2 March to 30 November.

If you’re looking to explore and find a new walk with your pup it is always best to check online first.

You can search for Auckland paths on the Auckland Council website, however, there’s often no guidance on dog rules. We find it’s best to search for a path first, and if there is no guidance on dogs we fall back on the general guidance of dogs must be on a leash at all times in public places. We also use the Auckland Council’s separate search function to find out about any dog restrictions for parks or beaches. In many instances, there is an area your dog can be let off the leash.