Gaffer Atlas Dog Park

Gaffer Atlas Dog Park is the fenced off-leash enclosure at Jerry Bailey Reserve in Shoalhaven Heads, a securely enclosed space where dogs can run flat out without traffic worries. It sits inside the wider reserve near the beach and the river inlet, alongside a skate park, pump track and picnic shelter, so it doubles as a family hub on busy weekends.

The dog setup

The enclosure is fully fenced with a double-gated entry airlock, which makes it a safe pick for dogs still working on their recall. Water access and waste bags are usually stocked, though the tap can sit just outside the fence, so carry a bowl in. Shoalhaven City Council rules apply: dogs wear a collar with current owner contact details, restricted breeds and dogs declared dangerous or menacing are not permitted in off-leash areas, and you keep your dog under supervision and pick up with the bins provided.

Worth knowing

The one catch is shared ground: the same oval works as a junior cricket field in season, and whenever sport or training is on, dogs go back on-leash. Check the ground before you unclip on winter and spring weekends. Seating inside is unshaded, so mornings and late afternoons are the comfortable slots in summer.

Getting there and parking

Access is off Staples Street or Wagin Street, with on-street parking generally available nearby and local Shoalhaven buses running through town. Weekends, public holidays and the early-morning and late-afternoon peaks draw the crowds; a weekday afternoon is the quiet option.

While you're out there

The 24-hour off-leash section of Shoalhaven Heads Beach is a short drive away and best walked at low tide. For food with the dog, Bangalay Dining and Shoalhaven Heads Hotel are the local picks. The New South Wales dog parks page and the Shoalhaven Heads destination guide round out the area.

Pepsi: the double gate is the feature that matters. Check the cricket schedule, then let the airlock do its job and enjoy a fully fenced run near the beach.