Hepburn Park Fenced Dog Park

Hepburn Park Fenced Dog Park is a fully fenced, off-leash park on Holland Street in the Hepburn Park sporting precinct at Goonellabah, with grass underfoot, established shade trees and a water fountain with a built-in dog bowl. It is a single open space rather than split large and small dog yards, so it suits confident, sociable dogs more than nervous ones.

The dog setup

Dogs must be under effective voice control at all times, even inside the fence, and you should carry a leash on you. The gate is single-latch, so secure it behind you both entering and leaving to stop accidental escapes. Aggressive dogs must be removed immediately, and owners are expected to pick up after their dogs straight away. Benches and shaded seating let owners sit while dogs play, council supplies free poop bags and rubbish bins, and regulars sometimes leave communal tennis balls or agility tubes.

Max: there is no separate small-dog area, so keep a close eye on interactions if your dog is timid or tiny. It is a busy shared space, not a quiet pen.

Worth knowing

Weekday mornings and early afternoons are quietest; Thursday evenings and weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds. After heavy North Coast rain the grass turns to mud, so pack a towel for muddy paws.

Getting there and parking

The park sits just off Ballina Road (B62) via Holland Street, next to the Hepburn Park sports fields. There is ample street and off-street parking nearby. Bus stops on Ballina Road are the closest public transport, but Holland Street's incline makes driving the easier option, especially with a dog in tow.

Close by with the dogs

Bep cafe on Ballina Road is a short drive away and has dog-friendly outdoor seating, and Elizabeth Gardens Dog Off-Leash Area is the Lismore option ten minutes down the hill.

More options are on the NSW dog parks guide and the Goonellabah destination page.