Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve

The short version. Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve sits at the northern end of Curl Curl Beach, wrapped around Curl Curl Lagoon, and it is one of the Northern Beaches' most-loved 24/7 off-leash areas. The draw is the combination: open grass to run on plus a shallow, calm lagoon edge for a swim, all a few steps from the coast.

The rules. The off-leash zone is the reserve and lagoon foreshore at the northern end, and it runs 24 hours a day. Dogs are not permitted on the main Curl Curl Beach sand or inside the flagged surf-lifesaving zones, and they must be on-lead on the walkways leading in and in the surrounding on-lead reserves. This is a sensitive lagoon habitat, so keep your dog under genuine voice control near the water birds. Northern Beaches Council rangers do patrol, so effective control is not optional. Pick up after your dog; bag dispensers and bins are provided.

The water. The lagoon is the appeal for water-loving dogs: shallow, protected and calm, without the swell of the open beach. It swims best at high tide. At low tide the water drops right back and exposes soft mudflats, so time a proper swim around the tide if that is why you came.

What's there. A mix of fenced and unfenced grassy open space, direct lagoon access, public toilets, waste bins and bag dispensers, and some shaded seating. A coffee van often parks up in the car park, so you can grab a coffee while the dog plays.

Getting there. Drive in via Carrington Parade and turn into Adam Street, North Curl Curl; the main car park is at the end of Adam Street by the lagoon. It is free but fills fast on sunny weekends. Buses run along the Pittwater Road corridor with a short walk down to the reserve, and the coastal path connects in from Curl Curl and Freshwater on-lead.

When to go. Weekends between 7 and 9am and again 4 to 6pm are the busy, social peak. For a nervous dog or training space, come mid-morning or early afternoon on a weekday. On hot days the car park fills early and there is limited shade, so go early or late and bring water. Good for confident water dogs and big runners who want grass and a calm swim in one stop.

Sources

• Flora and Ritchie Roberts Reserve Dog Off-leash Area · northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
• North Curl Curl Beach · northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
• Curl Curl Lagoon - Hello Manly · hellomanly.com.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.