Dungara Park

Dungara Park sits at 1841 Stapylton-Jacobs Well Road in Jacobs Well, a quiet bayside suburb on the southern edge of the Gold Coast, and the City of Gold Coast lists it as a designated dog off leash exercise area. For a suburb where most dog owners otherwise drive to the bigger parks, having a sanctioned off-leash space on the doorstep changes the shape of the week.

Off-leash rules

The council rules are the starting point. Off leash exercise is permitted within the designated zone of the park, so keep your dog inside that area and re-clip the leash once you move into the general park grounds, where dogs remain on leash. Dogs are prohibited from children's playground zones, and the standard council expectations apply: your dog in sight, under control, and any mess picked up. Because the off-leash zone is unfenced, recall matters; dogs with patchy recall are better suited to a short visit on the lead through the general areas.

What you'll find

Dungara Park is a neighbourhood park rather than a destination facility, which is part of its charm. Open grass makes up most of the space, with room for a ball or a frisbee session without crowding, and the playground draws local families at the after school hours. Jacobs Well sits along Coomera River waters, so the park visit pairs naturally with a walk along the local streets towards the water, keeping the dog leashed outside the designated zone.

There are no posted hours, and as a council park it is open as public space. Weekend mornings are when the regulars with dogs show up, which is useful if your dog benefits from calm, familiar company while it learns the off-leash routine.

Getting there and parking

The park is on Stapylton-Jacobs Well Road, the main run through the suburb, with street parking alongside. Jacobs Well is about a half hour drive from the Gold Coast's central beach strip, and it connects easily to the M1 for anyone coming from Brisbane way.

While you're out there

Riesenweber Park Fenced Dog Park is the suburb's fully fenced option if recall is a work in progress, and Calypso Bay Cafe covers coffee after the run. For a longer visit, Jacobs Well Tourist Park puts you on the water.

Browse more dog friendly parks in QLD or see the Jacobs Well guide.