Craignish Park Fenced Dog Park

Craignish Park Fenced Dog Park is the dedicated off-leash facility inside the larger Craignish Park community precinct at 45 Petersen Road, Craignish, on Hervey Bay's southern fringe. Run by Fraser Coast Regional Council, it is fully fenced with separate sections for large and small dogs, permanent agility equipment, and established trees that throw real shade across the enclosures.

The dog setup

Under council rules, dogs stay on lead everywhere in the general park and go off-leash only inside the designated fenced enclosures, entering through the double gates into the correct size section. You must stay in the area with your dog and keep effective voice or visual control, carry a leash at all times, and leash up immediately if your dog turns unruly or when you leave. Waste bag dispensers and bins are provided, and a water tap keeps dogs hydrated. Females in season and declared dangerous or menacing dogs are not permitted.

Max: this park's double advantage is shade and agility gear, so come early even in summer. The established trees actually cover the runs, unlike most new estate dog parks.

The vibe

Early mornings, late afternoons between 4 and 6pm, and weekend mornings from 7 to 9am draw the biggest crowds. Weekday mid-morning to early afternoon, roughly 10am to 2pm, is the quiet window if your dog is still learning recall or prefers a calmer room. The wider precinct keeps the whole family busy with a children's playground, BBQs, picnic shelters, walking tracks, a basketball court and a BMX and pump track, so it works as a full-day stop rather than a quick run.

Getting there and parking

The address is 45 Petersen Road, Craignish QLD 4655, on the corner with Pialba-Burrum Heads Road, which makes it an easy drive from Hervey Bay or Torquay. On-site parking sits right at the park entrance. Driving is effectively the only way in; public transport options in this semi-rural pocket are extremely limited, so plan on a car.

Close by with the dogs

For a post-park coffee, Aquavue Beachfront Bar & Eatery in Torquay takes dogs in outdoor areas with water bowls, and Arkarra Gardens Cafe Restaurant serves leashed dogs in its garden gazebos with lagoon walking trails attached. If the beach is the follow-up, the Pialba Foreshore Off-Leash Beach is a short drive east.

More options are in the Queensland dog parks guide and on the Craignish destination page.