Fern Bay Fenced Off-Leash Dog Park

Fern Bay Fenced Off-Leash Dog Park, near 131 Dune Drive, is a fully fenced off-leash area on Fern Bay's northern edge, run under Port Stephens Council rules. The perimeter fence is the whole point: it is a secure spot where dogs can run and socialise without the recall test that unfenced reserves demand, which makes it rare in this pocket between Newcastle and Nelson Bay.

The fenced rules

Even inside the fence, dogs stay under the effective control of a competent person at all times, and no one handles more than four dogs at once. Waste goes in the bins immediately; pick up as you go. Dogs are excluded from the surrounding children's play areas, and on the way in and out along Dune Drive they must be back on lead. Registered greyhounds may exercise off-lead here but must wear a muzzle unless they have completed an approved retraining program and wear the designated collar.

The vibe

This is a simple, functional park rather than a destination: a secure perimeter fence, basic owner seating, waste bins, and a grass and sand surface that takes a proper run. There is little to no shade, so time hot days carefully and bring water. Expect a local crowd rather than visitors, with dogs burning off energy before or after work.

Getting there and parking

Drive in via Nelson Bay Road and turn onto Fullerton Cove Road or Dune Drive, with street parking along Dune Drive. Public transport is limited to occasional buses along Nelson Bay Road, so driving is the practical option. Note that the surrounding Worimi Conservation Lands restrict dogs to protect the dunes and wildlife, so keep to the designated areas.

Close by with the dogs

To extend the outing, the Stockton Off-Leash Dog Area over the bridge gives a second off-lead option by the water, and Little Beach at Stockton is a calm spot for a lead-on cool down. For an overnight base, the NRMA Stockton Beach Holiday Park accommodates pets.

Max: Retired greyhound? Pack the muzzle or the retraining paperwork. Council will ask which one you have.

More fenced runs are listed in our guide to New South Wales, and the Fern Bay page rounds up the local options.