Missingham Park Off Leash Area

Missingham Park Off Leash Area sits on the Richmond River foreshore at the Ballina Spit, minutes from the Ballina CBD. It is one of the few spots in town where a dog can paddle, dig and swim straight off a sandy bank, and the draw is calm, shallow river water rather than open surf.

The dog setup

Dogs run off-leash only within the marked riverbank zone. In the surrounding parkland, pathways and car parks they must be back on the lead, and the area is unfenced, so this suits dogs with reliable recall rather than serial wanderers.

Ballina Shire Council asks that dogs stay under effective voice control, that you carry a leash and clean up after your dog, with bins provided along the foreshore. Keep your dog clear of wildlife, and note that dangerous, menacing and restricted breeds are not permitted in the off-leash area. The zone is open 24 hours.

The water behaves differently with the tide. At low tide the sand opens up and gives waders and nervous dogs an easy entry, while at high tide the off-leash strip narrows and suits dogs that would rather launch straight into a swim off the bank.

Worth knowing

The wider Missingham Park has a playground, skate park and picnic shelters, and dogs are kept away from those zones, so keep the lead handy when walking through to the riverbank. Toilets, drinking water and some shade sit close by, and the riverside path links the whole foreshore for an on-lead stroll afterwards.

Pepsi: low tide is the best paddling window here, the water stays calm and the sandbanks are made for digging. Bring a towel, that river sand gets everywhere.

Getting there and parking

The off-leash area runs near the corner of Kingsford Smith Drive and Bentinck Street, Ballina 2478. Off-street parking sits beside the boat ramp at the end of Kingsford Smith Drive, a short walk from the sand, and local bus routes stop on the main road within walking distance.

While you're out there

The Wharf Bar & Restaurant is close by on the river with outdoor seating, and Nosh in town covers the coffee stop before or after.

If your dog would rather have a fenced run than a riverbank, Kingsford Smith dog park is the local alternative, and Seven Mile Brewing Co pours dog-friendly after the drive home.

Browse more dog parks in NSW or plan a longer stay with our guide to Ballina with the dogs.