Dog Friendly Walks in NSW
A collection of the best dog friendly walks in NSW. Organised by region, we’ve put together a series of great trails where you can bring your pup along for the adventure.
We’ve done our best to ensure these walks are dog friendly, however boundaries and policies from land managers can change. Before you set off, double check with the relevant authority that the trail is dog friendly.
Some of the tracks are only partially dog friendly as part of the trail veers into an area where dogs aren’t allowed, we have only included options where the dog friendly part of the track is long enough and beautiful enough to still be worth doing. Check before you go to know where the boundaries lie.
Barrington Tops
Problem Creek Falls is a beautiful gorge waterfall that cascades into a small but crystal clear swimming hole. We’re sharing exactly what to expect from the trail conditions and swimming hole.
Batemans Bay
How to find one of Batemans Bay’s least well known rockpools, as well as the required tide and swell for a safe visit.
Blue Mountains (full walk Dog Friendly)
Dog friendly walks in the Blue Mountains don’t have to be dull! Some of the best trails in the whole area allow dogs, so you don’t need to choose between a great walk and leaving your pup behind. These aren’t paved trails but proper hikes, so we’ve given some details on the paths to help you choose which are right for your dog.
Less of a cave and more of a huge overhang, Ferris Cave is impressive. The walls soar above you and the dark ferny interior blocks out the light even on the sunniest of days. We’re sharing how to reach the cave via the quickest route as well as the longer circuit walk which is more adventurous.
All the best swimming holes along the stunning Terrace Falls circuit walk, including difficulty and trail conditions as well as what the pools are like for swimming.
Everything you need to know about Minnehaha Falls - one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Blue Mountains. We’ll tell you all about the walk to the base of the falls, what to expect, how difficult it is and why we love Minnehaha.
How to find the gorgeous swimming hole on the River Lett at Hyde Park Reserve in the Blue Mountains.
Birdwood Gully is a beautiful short bushwalk with fern lined paths, picturesque overhangs and even a small area of rainforest. By night it comes alive and the caves and cliffsides are illuminated with hundreds and hundreds of glow worms! We’ll tell you exactly what to expect by day and by night, as well as where you’ll find the densest colony of glow worms.
Peggy’s Pool is a secluded oasis in the heart of Faulconbridge. There’s a small waterfall and gorgeous fern covered overhang which keeps the whole area completed shaded. It’s the perfect picnic spot on a hot day. It’s not signposted and finding the trailhead can be difficult, but we have exact instructions in this post.
Mermaids Cave is an incredible sandstone overhang in a dramatic setting, which feels like a large amphitheatre. If you’re lucky there will also be an impressive waterfall cascading over the cave. We’re sharing everything you need to know about this little gem in the Megalong Valley.
Knapsack Bridge is an old sandstone viaduct built in the 1860’s which sits above a lovely little patch of rainforest. It’s a great spot to visit and a short and relatively easy bushwalk will take you there. We’re sharing all the details, including the side trails and another old heritage bridge nearby.
Breenhold Gardens is the biggest of all the gardens in Mount Wilson and a gorgeous place to visit in autumn and spring when the garden is at its best. We’re sharing tips for your visit, as well as the best photography spots in the garden so you don’t miss a thing.
Bushrangers Cave is a fantastic hidden gem in the Blue Mountains. You can be as adventurous as you want, exploring just the main cave, or head up the rickety ladder to the passages above. The walk to get there, if you take the slightly longer route is just as fabulous, with more caves and wonderful views. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk including difficult and trail conditions.
Coxs Cave sits on top of a cliff and has epic views out to the mountains and bushland beyond. Accessing the cave is quite an adventure, as it requires climbing up a tall ladder. It’s a fantastic hidden spot in the mountains and doesn’t require long to get to. We’re sharing everything you need to know including difficulty and trail conditions.
The walk to Terrace Falls is an absolute delight. Time your visit to coincide with recent rain and the whole forest will be alive with cascades and the waterfalls will be really powerful. It’s hard to believe such a gorgeous walk can be as quiet as this one. We’re sharing everything you need to know including difficulty and trail conditions.
The Porters Pass, Colliers Causeway and Centennial Glen Circuit walk is one of the best short trails in the Blue Mountains. It remains incredibly quiet despite how much there is to see along the way, with fantastic waterfalls, rainforest, and even a hidden slot canyon. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the trail including difficulty and terrain.
The South Lawson Waterfall Circuit really comes to life after, or during rain! The forest becomes more beautiful and the five waterfalls located along the track thunder down the cliffs. We’re sharing what to expect from the trail; including difficulty, track conditions and a big secret that will really add some magic to your experience.
Horseshoe Falls is one of our favourite waterfalls in the Blue Mountains. It’s a gorgeous waterfall which you can even walk behind, but it also offers so much more than that. We’ll tell you what makes this waterfall so special, as well as four other falls which you can reach on one very short walking track.
Blue Mountains (only part of the walk is Dog Friendly)
Everything you need to know about walking Florabella Pass, including what the detour down to the swimming hole on Glenbrook Creek is like.
The North Lawson Waterfall Circuit with Empire Pass takes you to four stunning waterfalls and is a pretty wild trail! We’ll tell you exactly what to expect, and why we think this trail is an underrated gem - especially as it’s very unlikely you’ll see anyone else for much of the walk.
Canberra
How to find the hidden gorge waterfall in the small mining village of Captains Flat, close to Canberra.
Everything you need to know about the Molonglo Gorge walk, including difficulty and terrain, as well as where to find the best swimming spots.
Everything you need to know about visiting the swimming holes of Micalong Creek Reserve, one of the best day trips from Canberra.
Central Coast (all is Dog Friendly)
Everything you need to know about visiting one of the best dog friendly areas on the Central Coast, Strickland Falls. We’re sharing how to see the waterfall in flow as well as details on the walking tracks.
How to find Ironbark Falls, a stunning hidden waterfall on the Central Coast, including difficulty, trail conditions and detailed directions.
Central Coast (only part of the walk is Dog Friendly)
Abbotts Falls is hidden away in a gorgeous rainforest grotto. The walk to get there takes you through a jungle with real Indiana Jones vibes. You’ll have to descend a rock chute with the aid of sturdy ropes to reach the base of the falls. We’re sharing everything you need to know, including coordinates as the waterfall is not signposted.
Central West
The Forge is an incredible stretch of the Macquarie River which is squeezed between jagged rocks forming small but powerful waterfalls before gushing out into large deep swimming holes. There are no signposts or set path, we’re sharing how to find it as well as everything you need to know to visit safely.
Coffs Harbour (Partially Dog Friendly)
The Mobong Cascades are a pretty set of small waterfalls and plunge pools located in a beautiful rainforest near Coffs Harbour. We’re sharing the quickest route to reach them as well as the longer walk through a stunning rainforest.
Jervis Bay & Nowra
How to find the stunning turquoise rockpools at Bendalong, a short drive from Jervis Bay. We’re sharing all the details from what the walk is like to the required tide and swell and what it’s like to swim there.
Everything you need to know about visiting the incredible Gosangs Tunnel, as well as other worthwhile detours along the same track.
Everything you need to know about Bens Walk in Nowra, including difficulty, trail conditions and how to find the hidden Aboriginal art site.
Walk beneath towering cliffs and endless overhangs on the picturesque She-Oak Crossing Walk at Bomaderry Creek. We’re sharing everything you need to know, including difficulty and trail conditions.
How to find the incredible Grotto in Nowra. With secret caves, boulders and rock formations that feel like you’ve entered the set of Tomb Raider!
Port Macquarie
Some of the most spectacular swimming holes in the entire state can be found at the The Bluff and Wild Bull Campgrounds. We’re sharing where they are, what to expect and what the access road is like.
Where to find the best swimming holes at Swans Crossing Campground, as well as details on the walking tracks and campsite.
Ellenborough Falls is the highest single drop waterfall in NSW and an absolutely jaw-dropping sight. You can view it from a number of different vantage points and even swim in the pool at the base. We’re sharing everything you need to know about each lookout and which are worth the walk.
South Coast
Everything you need to know to visit Cathedral Rocks, including details on the sea cave, beach and rockpools. We’re sharing details on the easiest access point and which tide and swell you need for a safe visit.
How to find the Bundewallah Waterfall which flows into a heart shaped grotto, as well as what to expect from the trail conditions.
Southern Highlands
See Thru Pool is a gorgeous spot for a swim, with a picturesque waterfall and large pool surrounded by pretty rock walls. We’re sharing directions, trail conditions and how to access the less well known pool nearby.
Mermaid Pool is spectacular but it’s not safe to swim there. In this guide we share what the walk to Mermaid Pool is like plus many other incredible and safe wild swimming spots along the same trail. We also detail the full Tahmoor Gorge Circuit Track including how difficult it is and what the route finding is like.
This circuit walk takes you via Forty Foot Falls deep into Nattai Gorge with its beautiful blue river. The track ends with a steep climb up the incline and onto the Box Vale Track.
The Box Vale Track is a beautiful walk and easy walk in the Southern Highlands. With spectacular forest, an incredible gorge lookout and a lot of history, this track has it all. You’ll follow the old railway line through gaps hewn out of the cliffs and finish by walking through an 84m tunnel. We’re sharing the possible routes, how difficult it is and how to add on the pretty 40 Foot Falls.
A detailed guide on how to find Sixty Foot Falls which include exact instructions on the route via the coke tunnel, as well as how difficult it is and what trail to take if you want a more leisurely walk.
Sydney
How to find the gorgeous Rob Walker Rockpool, a natural rockpool just a few minutes walk from the nearest residential street in Maroubra.
Everything you need to know about the walk to the Kentlyn Basin swimming hole, including difficulty and track conditions.
The Needles is a fantastic wild swimming spot in Sydney, with deep green water and a pretty bush setting. We’re sharing both the long and short route to get there and what to expect from the swimming hole.
Engadine Lagoon is an incredible wild swimming spot in Sydney, with clear water and a pretty bush setting. We’re sharing how to reach the lagoon and how to form an offtrack circuit which also visits The Needles.
Everything you need to know about the Bondi to Coogee Walk - one of the best coastal tracks in Australia. We’ve got insider tips to help you get the most out of the trail.
Is this the best short walk in Sydney? We’ll tell you why we absolutely love the Cremorne Point walk, and why you should add on the stroll to Mosman Bay. You’ll also find out about one of Sydney’s best secret gardens, the best things to see and what makes this walk so special.
If you want the best harbour views in Sydney, head for the Balls Head to Lavender Bay Walk. This trail offers stunning views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, as well as native bushland, history and a secret garden along the way.
The Dee Why to Manly walk is one of our favourites on the Northern Beaches. With stunning views, the chance to whale watch and visit the scenic Manly Wormhole, this trail has it all. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk, including difficulty and how to find the wormhole.
Everything you need to know about the Coogee to Maroubra walk, a beautiful coastal track in Sydney. We’ll tell you about the highlights, the low tide route, how difficult it is and why you should do one of the easiest, but most picturesque ocean walks in the city.
The Cronulla Beach Walk is a gorgeous circuit track which offers incredible ocean views for much of the way. It’s an easy walk that shows you the best of the area. There’s even the chance to stop and watch the sunset from one of Cronulla’s prettiest beaches. We’re sharing exactly what to expect on the trail.
The truth about the Bondi to Watsons Bay Walk is that it’s not all great. Whilst there are plenty of stunning views, there’s also a lot of road walking. We’ll tell you about the bits that are well worth doing, as well as the bits to skip, on this popular Sydney coastal walk.
The complete guide to the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail and 6 other fun things to do there. We’ll tell you everything you need to know before you visit, including: where to park for free, how to make the most of your trip and a section by section breakdown of the lagoon circuit trail.
The complete guide to Manly Dam - a pocket of wilderness on the Northern Beaches. Manly Dam has something for everyone; bushwalks, wild swimming spots, wildlife and beautiful picnic areas by the reservoir. Here’s some tips for a great day out.
If you haven’t been to Lake Parramatta Reserve yet you should definitely give it a try. There’s loads to do from bush walking to wild swimming and many lovely picnic spots. Here’s how to spend the perfect day there.
Everything you need to know to visit the spectacular swimming holes at Ladies Well, from how easy the pools are to access, to what the road to get there is like.