Elizabeth Daniels Park Fenced Dog Park

Elizabeth Daniels Park is Buderim's purpose-built fenced dog park, at the base of the Buderim hill on Mooloolaba Road with parking off Elizabeth Daniels Way. What sets it apart from a shared sports field with a sign is the layout: two fully fenced, double-gated enclosures split by dog size, so a quiet cavoodle is not sharing turf with a rambunctious labrador.

The dog setup

The park is off-leash inside the fenced enclosures at all times. Dogs must be on leash in the car park and on the approach, and you need to stay close enough to keep effective voice or visual control. Sunshine Coast Council rules apply: dogs wear a current registration tag, regulated or declared dangerous dogs are not permitted, you carry bags and clean up immediately, and dogs stay clear of the nearby playground and picnic areas.

Both enclosures are grassed and slope in places, with mature shade trees, weather shelters and seating in each, plus a water tap on site. The turf holds up well but can go muddy after heavy rain, so bring towels in a wet week.

Max: the ground slopes in sections, so keep an eye on a small or older dog around the fast runners. If yours is nervous, stick to the small-dog enclosure on a weekday morning when it is quiet.

The vibe

Expect company on weekday afternoons after work and weekend mornings between about 8am and 10am. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the calm windows. Being inland and well shaded, it works on hot days and drizzly ones alike, and the split fencing makes it a safe bet for social dogs and first-timers.

Getting there and parking

The park sits on Mooloolaba Road (737 Mooloolaba Road, Buderim), reached via the Sunshine Motorway or Burnett Street, with parking off Elizabeth Daniels Way and Syd Lingard Drive. The free car park is right at the entrance, so parking is rarely a problem. Nearby bus stops are on the arterial roads, but driving is the practical option.

Close by with the dogs

For coffee afterwards, Vandys Cafe is a converted garage on Burnett Street with water bowls and treats for visiting dogs, and Feeka espresso on Lindsay Road has outdoor seating where dogs are welcome. John Kyle Espresso is another Buderim option with dog-friendly outdoor tables. Public toilets are across the road at Buderim Lions Park.

More runs are listed in the Queensland dog parks guide and the Buderim destination page.