Scarborough Park

Scarborough Park stretches for about 61 hectares through Ramsgate, Monterey, Kogarah, Brighton-Le-Sands and Rockdale, a long green corridor of ponds and wetland. Bayside Council welcomes dogs on a lead along its walking paths.

Lead rules

Keep your dog on a lead on the paths and around the pond loops. Parts of the wider park network, such as Civic Avenue Reserve, are set aside as off-leash areas, so read the signs before you unclip.

Dogs must stay more than 10 metres from playground equipment anywhere in the park.

The walk

Paths are a mix of concrete footpath and compacted gravel through the wetland sections. The best-known circuit follows the chain of freshwater ponds, where the birdlife is the main show.

Tall old fig trees line Tonbridge Creek, one of the prettiest stretches of the walk.

Max: Waterbirds on the ponds will test a keen dog. A short lead near the water keeps everyone calm.

Pair it with

Cook Park is close by if you want a longer walk, and Roca Cafe Pink in Ramsgate makes an easy coffee stop.

When to go

Mornings are best for birds on the ponds. The paths are flat and mostly sealed, which suits older dogs and short legs.