West Bathurst Fenced Dog Park

West Bathurst Fenced Dog Park, also known locally as Hector Park Fenced Dog Park, sits at 65 Vittoria Street on the western edge of Bathurst. It gives off-leash dogs a fully enclosed, double-gated space to run without the usual worry about traffic or bolting, and it is open around the clock.

The dog setup

The park is split into separate areas for small dogs under 10 kilograms and larger dogs, which helps if you have a nervous or small breed who does not want to be bowled over. Agility equipment is there for dogs that want a proper workout, and water taps with bowls, dog waste bag dispensers and bins cover the basics. Seating exists, but shade across the site is limited, so hats and sunscreen are part of the kit on sunny days.

Bathurst Regional Council rules apply: owners stay inside the park with their dogs, keep them within sight and under effective voice or hand control, and pick up droppings immediately using the supplied bags and bins. Check both gates are latched before you unclip, as the double-gate entry only works as an escape stopper if it is used properly. Aggressive dogs need to be leashed and removed straight away, and puppies without full immunisation or bitches in season should stay away.

Max: Work the double gate properly. Close the outer gate before you open the inner one, every single time, even when the park looks empty.

Getting there

The park is off Vittoria Street near the Mitchell Highway on Bathurst's outskirts, so it is a car trip for most people rather than a walk-up, with on-site parking that includes accessible spaces. It is close to town without being in the middle of it, which keeps the crowd local and the ground quieter than a city park.

Make a day of it

The Kefford St Off-Leash Dog Park closer to central Bathurst is the other council off-leash option if you are touring both. Cafe Viva and Gunthers Lane Cafe in town keep outdoor seating where a leashed dog is a normal sight, and the Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst is one of the city's pet-welcoming stays if you are visiting with the dog overnight.

Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the calmest windows, with the after-work crowd arriving from about 5pm. See more New South Wales dog parks or check what else is dog friendly in West Bathurst.