Carss Bush Park Fenced Dog Park

Carss Bush Park's fenced dog park sits inside the wider bushland reserve on the shores of Kogarah Bay, and it is the reason plenty of St George locals drive out of their way. The enclosure is fully fenced with a double-gated airlock entry, open 24 hours, and big enough for a fast dog to properly open up.

Where the lead comes off

Off-leash is permitted only inside the fenced enclosure; everywhere else in Carss Bush Park, dogs stay on lead, and parts of the foreshore are Wildlife Protection Areas where on-lead dogs are limited to formed paths. Keep your dog in sight and under control, clean up after them with fines applying, and note the informal cap of four dogs per handler.

Dogs are asked to stay at least 10 metres clear of the playground and barbecue areas, and any dog showing aggression should be leashed and removed straight away.

The enclosure

Inside the fence it is open grass with a scatter of trees for shade, a drinking water station, timber benches and wheelchair-accessible entry through the airlock gate. Locals rate it for the secure fence and the room to run rather than for agility equipment.

Max: check the airlock gate is fully shut behind you before the lead comes off. The double gate exists precisely because one gate is easy to slip through in the scrum of dogs waiting to get in.

Getting there and parking

The park is on Carwar Avenue, Carss Park, reached off the Princes Highway via Woniora Road, with a large free car park right beside the reserve. Bus stops on Bellevue Parade are the nearest public transport, but most visitors drive.

When to go

Weekends and the 4pm to 6pm after-work window are the busiest times, when the enclosure fills with regulars and their dogs. Weekday mornings are quieter and a better bet for a nervous or older dog that needs space to settle.

Close by with the dogs

Both Kizmet Cafe and By the Bay Cafe sit on or beside Carwar Avenue with outdoor seating, so a run in the enclosure pairs easily with coffee. For another fenced option nearby, Frys Reserve in Kogarah is a short drive north.

More options are on the NSW parks guide and the Carss Park destination page.