Dee why dog park

Despite the name, this off-leash area sits in Curl Curl, not Dee Why, on the southern side of Curl Curl Lagoon. It is unfenced, open around the clock, and gives dogs a rare double: a big grassy run plus a sandy lagoon entry for a swim.

The dog setup

Off-leash is permitted 24 hours a day across the designated area, which covers Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve on Griffin Road and the neighbouring Adams Street Reserve, part of John Fisher Park. Dogs can go into the lagoon here to paddle and swim, but they are strictly not permitted on Curl Curl Beach itself, so watch the signage marking where the reserve ends and the sand begins. Dogs are on lead on the walkways leading into the reserve and outside the off-leash zones.

Expect a large open grassed area, boardwalks along the lagoon edge, doggie bag dispensers, a drinking station, waste bins and public toilets. Adams Street Reserve adds a sportsfield, an amenities building and picnic tables if you want to make a morning of it. Watch for organised sport on the field before letting a ball game spread.

Max: The whole area is unfenced and opens straight onto a lagoon, so this suits dogs with solid recall. Keep a lead handy near the boardwalks if yours wanders.

Pepsi: The sandy lagoon entry is calmer than the surf beach next door, a good spot for a paddle without fighting waves.

Getting there and parking Early mornings are quietest and coolest for a run on the grass, and the lagoon is at its calmest before the sea breeze picks up.

The reserve address is 79 Carrington Parade, Curl Curl, with a dedicated car park on site. It fills on weekends and summer mornings; if it is full, street parking along Carrington Parade, Bennett Street or Griffin Road is the backup.

Make a day of it

A short walk brings you to a cluster of dog-friendly cafes around Curl Curl, including Curly's on the Corner with its outdoor tables, and the reserve itself is a Northern Beaches classic: the council lists Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve among its 24/7 off-leash areas.

More dog parks across NSW and the Curl Curl guide are on PawScapes.