Gooseponds Dog Park

Gooseponds Dog Park on Willis Street in North Mackay is a fully fenced off-leash park that council formally lists as Police Dog Tunza Dog Park. It sits opposite North Mackay State School on the edge of the Gooseponds wetland parklands, so a fenced play session can turn into a flat on-lead loop around the lagoons without moving the car.

The dog setup

The enclosure is fully fenced with a double-gate entry, open 24 hours, and takes dogs of all sizes in the one shared yard. There is basic agility equipment for exercise, tree shade and bench seating for owners, drinking water for dogs and people, and waste bag dispensers with bins, though carrying spares is wise in case the station is empty. Council asks that dogs are registered and up to date with vaccinations.

Worth knowing

The off-leash rule stops at the fence. Once you step onto the Gooseponds walking trails and shared parklands your dog goes back on lead, and that matters here because the wetland pulls plenty of birdlife and families feeding the ducks. The lagoon loop is flat concrete and an easy warm-up or cool-down. After heavy rain, low sections of the parklands can hold water and mud, but the fenced area itself is shaded and drains back to usable quickly.

Max: the ducks are not playmates. Keep the lead on along the lagoon and save the zoomies for inside the fence.

Getting there and parking

The park sits on Willis Street in North Mackay, reached off Glenpark Street or via Sams Road from the Bruce Highway side. Free parking is on site along Willis Street. Buses run along Mackay Bucasia Road, but with pets generally restricted on public transport, driving is the practical option.

Close by with the dogs

For a coffee afterwards, the Botanic Gardens Cafe in West Mackay sits inside the regional botanic gardens with outdoor seating. If a full weekend is on the cards, Mackay Caravan Park is in the same suburb, and Mackay Off Lead Fenced Dog Park gives you a second fenced option to rotate through.

More options are on the Queensland dog parks guide and the North Mackay destination page.