Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Wellington
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Wellington, with the council's rules for each.
In Wellington City and Lower Hutt, dogs must be on a leash except in the council's listed dog exercise areas, while in Upper Hutt parks and on most Porirua beaches they can be off leash if they're under control. Zealandia, Scorching Bay, Princess Bay and Freyberg Beach are off limits, and Oriental Bay, Seatoun, Petone, Days Bay and Titahi Bay have summer rules. Every place below shows its rule and how to get there.
Map of dog parks, walks and beaches
Every place on this page as a pin. Tap a pin for its dog rule, directions and our guide.
Dog parksWalksBeachesNo dogsHas our guideGroup, tap to zoom in
Dog parks (7)
Ascot Park Dog Exercise Area
Off leash Fenced Airlock gates Water Gravel paths DirectionsKainui Reserve (lower Treasure Island) dog exercise area
Off leash Fenced DirectionsLes Dalton Dog Park
Off leash Fenced Small dog area Walking paths Stream beach DirectionsMount Albert Park dog exercise area
Off leash Fenced DirectionsPlimmerton Domain Dog Recreation Area
Off leash Fenced High energy zone Low energy zone Limited zone DirectionsTaylor Park dog exercise area
Off leash Fenced DirectionsWalks and reserves (114)
Akatarawa Forest
Some rulesDogs welcome under control in most areas; on a lead on the southern Cannon Point Walkway (Tulsa Park and Zig Zag entrance) over private land
Directions Read the guideBelmont Regional Park
Some rulesDogs welcome except on farmland; on a lead in the Korokoro, Stratton Street and Dry Creek valleys; some Porirua side trails allow dogs on and off lead as signed
Directions Read the guideHataitai Park
Off leash Directions Read the guideHutt River Trail (Upper Hutt)
Off leashOff lead in Upper Hutt under control; on lead on stopbank paths and sealed shared paths
Directions Read the guideKaitoke Regional Park
Some rulesDogs welcome under control, including the campground; on a leash in the pest control areas until further notice
Directions Read the guideKarori Park
Off leash Directions Read the guideNewtown Park
Off leash Directions Read the guideQueen Elizabeth Park
Off leashDogs welcome in all parts of the park except the Te Ara o Tipapa Loop; no lead required but keep them under control
Directions Read the guideRichard Prouse Park
Some rulesEastern section when not in use for sport, and outside the sports surfaces in the western section
Directions Read the guideSeton Nossiter Park
Some rulesOn leash on the access path
Directions Read the guideTrelissick Park
Some rulesOn leash from the Waikowhai Street entrance to the picnic area near Wightwicks Field
Directions Read the guideUpper Hutt parks
Off leashDogs may be off leash under control in Upper Hutt parks, except playgrounds, sports fields during games, parks during council approved activities, and Birchville and Te Haukaretu parks
Directions Read the guideWainuiomata Regional Park
On leashOn a lead at all times (kiwi). Dogs on leads welcome on Gums Loop, Sledge Track, Lower Dam Walk and Tana Umanga Track.
Directions Read the guideWrights Hill
Some rulesParade ground area
Directions Read the guideBig Bend Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsButcher Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsCatchpool Loop Walk
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsCattle Ridge Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsFive Mile Loop Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsMcKerrow Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsMiddle Ridge Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsMt Matthews
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsRemutaka Rail Trail
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsTawa Grove Walk
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsWaikanae Link Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsWhakanui Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsŌrongorongo Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsArthur Carman Park
Off leash DirectionsAva Park
Off leash DirectionsBann Street/Orchy Crescent Reserve
Off leash DirectionsBell Park
Off leashExcluding sports surfaces
DirectionsBelmont Recreation Reserve (north of Owen Street)
Off leashSouthern end is dog free
DirectionsBlack Creek
Off leash DirectionsBothamley Park
Off leash DirectionsBrandon Reserve
Off leash DirectionsBurden Avenue Riverbank Reserve
Off leash DirectionsCamborne Walkway (north of the boatsheds)
Off leash DirectionsCardiff Park
Off leash DirectionsCaribbean Drive Reserve
Some rulesTrack only
DirectionsCashmere Park
Off leash DirectionsCharles Plimmer Park, Mount Victoria Town Belt
Off leash DirectionsChelmsford Street Reserve
Off leash DirectionsChurton Park Reserve
Off leash DirectionsCliff Gaskin Reserve
Off leash DirectionsCog Park
Off leash DirectionsCummings Park
Off leash DirectionsDelaney Park
Off leashExcluding sports surfaces
DirectionsDorrie Leslie Park
Off leash DirectionsDuncan Park
Some rulesAccess path is on leash
DirectionsEast Harbour Regional Park (Northern Forest)
On leashNo dogs at Baring Head or the Parangarahu Lakes
DirectionsEastern Walkway / Rangitatau Reserve
Off leash DirectionsEdward Wilson Reserve
Off leash DirectionsEllice Street Quarry
Off leash DirectionsElliot Park
Off leash DirectionsFlinders Place Reserve
Off leash DirectionsFrank Cameron Park
Off leash DirectionsGrasslees Reserve
Off leash DirectionsGreenmeadows Reserve
Off leash DirectionsHauora Reserve
Off leash DirectionsHine Road Reserve
Off leash DirectionsHuntleigh Park / Silverstream Road play area
Off leash DirectionsHutt Recreation Ground
Off leashExcluding sports surfaces
DirectionsHutt River Trail (Lower Hutt riverbanks)
Some rulesBylaw dog exercise areas along both banks, from Moera and Ava to Stokes Valley and Belmont; dogs must be on a leash on the sealed pathway on top of the stopbank. Route may change during Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi works.
DirectionsIvey Bay Reserve
Off leash DirectionsIzard Park
Off leash DirectionsKamahi Park
Off leashExcluding sports surfaces
DirectionsKaraka Park
Off leashExcluding the playground
DirectionsKelson Reserve
Off leash DirectionsKenepuru Park
Off leash DirectionsKhandallah Park and Johnsonville Park
Off leash DirectionsKowhai Park Lookout
Off leash DirectionsLeonard Wood Park
Off leashExcluding the playground
DirectionsMacalister Park
Some rulesSmall tracks off the main track are on leash
DirectionsMark Avenue Park
Off leash DirectionsMaupuia Walkway (Carter Park)
Off leash DirectionsMeekswood Reserve
Off leash DirectionsMonaghan Avenue Reserve
Off leash DirectionsMount Albert Park tracks
Off leash DirectionsMuri Reserve (western grassed area)
Off leash DirectionsNaenae Park
Off leashExcluding sports surfaces
DirectionsNgāti Toa Domain (foreshore area)
Off leash DirectionsNorth Park
Off leashExcluding sports surfaces
DirectionsOdell Reserve
Some rulesOn leash at the gate and driveway, off leash on the grass
DirectionsOwen Street Park
Off leash DirectionsPapakōwhai Reserve
Off leash DirectionsPencarrow Hall Reserve
Off leash DirectionsPetone Recreation Ground
Off leashExcluding the playground and sports surfaces
DirectionsRangituhi Park
Off leash DirectionsRedvers Drive Reserve
Off leash DirectionsReef Street
Off leash DirectionsRotary Park
Off leash DirectionsSinclair Park
Off leash DirectionsSladden Park
Off leashExcluding the playground and sports surfaces
DirectionsSpenmoor Street Reserve
Off leash DirectionsSpinnaker Reserve
Off leash DirectionsStebbings Dam
Some rulesOn leash on the track from Rochdale Drive to Westchester Drive
DirectionsStuart Park
Off leash DirectionsTakapūwāhia Park (between Tangare Drive and Main Road)
Off leash DirectionsTanera Park / Ohiro Park
Off leash DirectionsTawa Tawa Reserve
Some rulesAccess opposite 19 Murchison Road
DirectionsTe Ahumairangi Hill (slopes and top)
Off leash DirectionsTe Mome Stream (east side)
Off leashBracken Street along the back of Wilford School to the Petone Central Croquet Club
DirectionsTe Whiti Park
Off leashExcluding sports surfaces
DirectionsTerrace Gardens
Off leash DirectionsTrafalgar Park
Off leashExcluding sports surfaces
DirectionsTukanae Street Reserve
Off leash DirectionsVice Regal play area
Some rulesOn leash through the play area
DirectionsWaddington Canal
Off leash DirectionsWaihinahina Reserve (Dennis Duggan) and Gilberd Bush Reserve
Off leash DirectionsWainuiomata Riverbank
Off leash DirectionsWhitireia Park
Some rulesUnder control; on a lead at Onehunga Bay and along the penguin nesting coast
DirectionsWillowbank Park
Off leash DirectionsWood Street Reserve
Off leash DirectionsYork Park
Off leash DirectionsBeaches (21)
Days Bay Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesNorth of the wharf: off leash outside summer daytime hours. Picnic and leisure areas signed for summer bans.
North of the wharf: no dogs 9am to 8pm, 1 December to 31 March
Directions Read the guideHoughton Bay Beach
Off leashOff leash at all times
Directions Read the guideIsland Bay Beach
Some rulesOff leash from the pier to the western end; dog free east of the pier, in the dunes and on Taputeranga Island.
Directions Read the guideLyall Bay Beach
Some rulesOff leash from the seawall steps opposite 30 Lyall Parade to the airport end; dog free on the western side.
Directions Read the guideOriental Bay Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesLong section west of the rotunda and short section east of it have different summer rules. Freyberg Beach is dog free.
Long section: no dogs 1 November to 30 April. Short section: off leash before 10am and after 7pm only, 1 November to 30 April. Both off leash 1 May to 31 October.
Directions Read the guidePukerua Bay Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff leash outside the summer daytime ban
No dogs 10am to 7pm, 1 November to 31 March
Directions Read the guideSeatoun Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesNo dogs north of the pier. The Churchill Park section is on leash with a summer daytime ban.
Main beach: off leash before 10am and after 7pm only, 1 December to 1 March; Churchill Park section no dogs 10am to 7pm in that period
Directions Read the guideWorser Bay Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff leash at all times outside summer
No dogs 10am to 7pm, 1 December to 1 March
Directions Read the guideHataitai Beach
On leash Seasonal rulesBeside 159 Evans Bay Parade
No dogs 10am to 7pm, 1 December to 1 March
DirectionsKarehana Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesSandy beach south of Plimmerton Boating Club to south of Cluny Road; off leash at other times
No dogs 10am to 7pm, 1 November to 31 March
DirectionsKio Bay Beach
Off leashOpposite 208 to 230 Evans Bay Parade
DirectionsLittle Karaka Bay Beach
Off leash24 to 76 Evans Bay Parade
DirectionsMuritai Beach / Robinson Bay
Off leashFrom 200m south of Rona Bay Wharf (Rata Street) to Miro Street, excluding the bird protection area beside HW Shortt Recreation Ground
DirectionsMākara Beach
Off leashStony beach foreshore
DirectionsOnehunga Bay
On leashGreater Wellington park; on a lead
DirectionsParemata Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesPascoe Avenue to the Dolly Varden toilets; off leash at other times
No dogs 10am to 7pm, 1 November to 31 March
DirectionsPetone Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff leash west of Petone Wharf (excluding Honiana Te Puni Reserve and Te Ara Tupua path) and at Petone Beach East (Marine Parade)
No dogs between Hikoikoi Reserve and Petone Wharf 9am to 8pm, 1 December to 31 March
DirectionsPlimmerton Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesSouth of the Fire Station from Sunset Parade to Taupō Stream: on leash 1 April to 31 October, no dogs in summer. Other parts of the beach are off leash.
No dogs 1 November to 31 March on the southern section (one bylaw clause says 10am to 7pm only)
DirectionsRona Bay
Some rules Seasonal rulesNo dogs at any time on the beach beside CL Bishop Park and its bird protection area. Picnic and leisure areas signed for summer bans.
Signed areas: no dogs 9am to 8pm, 1 December to 31 March
DirectionsTitahi Bay Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff leash outside the summer daytime ban
No dogs between the signs 10am to 7pm, 1 November to 31 March
DirectionsWeka Bay Beach
Off leash130 to 148 Evans Bay Parade
DirectionsNo dogs (33)
Battle Hill Farm Forest Park
No dogsWorking farm; no dogs anywhere, including in cars
Directions Read the guidePrincess Bay Beach
No dogsIncludes Te Raekaihau Point.
Directions Read the guideScorching Bay Beach
No dogs Directions Read the guideClay Ridge Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsDobson Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMatiu/Somes Island Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideMākara Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guidePapatahi Crossing
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsSmith Creek - Tauwharenīkau River
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsWhareroa Farm tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsBalaena Bay Beach
No dogs DirectionsBaring Head and Parangarahu Lakes, East Harbour Regional Park
No dogs DirectionsBelmont Recreation Reserve southern end
No dogs DirectionsBreaker Bay (Palmer Head and Tarakena Bay)
No dogsCoast from Moa Point to Wahine Memorial Park; on leash on the Tarakena Bay track only
DirectionsCatchpool Valley camping and picnic areas, Remutaka Forest Park
No dogsCamping areas beside Catchpool Stream, the former DSIR field station, and picnic areas upstream of the ford
DirectionsDays Bay Pumping Station site
No dogs DirectionsEvans Bay Marina
No dogs DirectionsFreyberg Beach, Oriental Bay
No dogs DirectionsHW Shortt Recreation Ground bird protection areas, Eastbourne
No dogs DirectionsMcEwan Park eastern section, Petone
No dogs DirectionsMemorial Park, Petone
No dogs DirectionsMitchell Park, Epuni
No dogs DirectionsPalmer Head and Tarakena Bay coast (Moa Point to Wahine Memorial Park)
No dogsOn leash on the Tarakena Bay track only
DirectionsPercy Scenic Reserve, Petone
No dogs DirectionsQueen Elizabeth Park: Te Ara o Tipapa Loop
No dogsGreater Wellington page also mentions the Dune Swamp Loop
DirectionsSorrento Bay
No dogsAt all times (bird protection).
DirectionsSpeldhurst Park, Stokes Valley
No dogs DirectionsSunset Point bird protection area, Seaview
No dogsThe small fenced section
DirectionsTaputeranga Island, Island Bay
No dogs DirectionsTe Rāhui o Rangituhi and Porirua Scenic Reserve
No dogsDogs only on a leash on the summit road up to the stock gate
DirectionsWainuiomata Regional Park: Lower Dam walk beyond the Gums Loop junction
No dogs DirectionsWhiorau Reserve bird protection area, Lowry Bay
No dogs DirectionsZealandia, Karori
No dogs DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashWellington City's listed dog exercise areas, such as Ian Galloway Park, Kainui Reserve, Taylor Park, Te Ahumairangi Hill, Khandallah Park, Houghton Bay, the airport end of Lyall Bay and Island Bay west of the pier. Lower Hutt's exercise areas along the Hutt River banks and in parks such as Hutt Recreation Ground and Ava Park. Most Upper Hutt parks, and most Porirua beaches and listed reserves.
On a leashEverywhere else in Wellington City and Lower Hutt, including footpaths, most of the Town Belt and the Hutt River Trail sealed path. Upper Hutt streets, Birchville Park and Te Haukaretu Park. Porirua's suburban streets and parks, and Aotea Lagoon. Wainuiomata Regional Park, East Harbour Northern Forest, and parts of Belmont Regional Park and Whitireia Park.
No dogsZealandia, Scorching Bay, Princess Bay, Freyberg Beach, Balaena Bay, Island Bay east of the pier, the western end of Lyall Bay, Seatoun north of the pier, the Palmer Head coast, Memorial Park in Petone, Sorrento Bay, Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, Baring Head and Te Rāhui o Rangituhi. Also playgrounds in Wellington City, Lower Hutt and Porirua, artificial sports fields in Wellington City, and Lower Hutt libraries, pools and marked sports fields.
Summer and seasonal rulesOriental Bay: no dogs on the long section 1 November to 30 April, and on the short section east of the rotunda only before 10am and after 7pm in that period. Seatoun and Worser Bay: no dogs 10am to 7pm, 1 December to 1 March. Hataitai Beach and Churchill Park have the same summer ban and are on a leash at other times. Petone Beach (Hikoikoi to the wharf) and Days Bay north of the wharf: no dogs 9am to 8pm, 1 December to 31 March. Titahi Bay, Pukerua Bay, Paremata and Karehana beaches: no dogs 10am to 7pm, 1 November to 31 March. Plimmerton Beach south section, the Taua Tapu Track and Pencarrow Road have their own rules, shown on each card.
Wellington City Council dog exercise areas Hutt City Council dog exercise areas Upper Hutt animals in parks and reserves Porirua City Council Dog Control Bylaw
Dog services in Wellington
VetsVaccinations, Desexing, Dentistry and Surgery
Pet groomersBreed Cuts, Puppy Grooms and Cat Grooming
Dog trainersPositive Reinforcement and Behaviour Specialists
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Wellington?
Yes. Wellington City has fully fenced dog exercise areas at Kainui Reserve (lower Treasure Island) in Hataitai, Ian Galloway Park in Northland and Taylor Park in Tawa. Les Dalton Dog Park in Wainuiomata has a fenced grassy area with a separate small dog area, and Porirua has fenced areas at Plimmerton Domain and Ascot Park.
Can I take my dog to Oriental Bay?
Only part of the year. From 1 November to 30 April dogs aren't allowed on the long section west of the rotunda, and on the short section east of it they can only be there before 10am and after 7pm. From 1 May to 31 October both sections are off leash. Freyberg Beach is dog free all year.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Wellington?
In Wellington City and Lower Hutt, yes, except in the council's listed dog exercise areas. In Upper Hutt they must be on a leash on streets but can be off leash under control in most parks. In Porirua they're on a leash in the suburbs and most parks, but can be off leash on most beaches.
Sources: Wellington City Council; Hutt City Council; Porirua City Council; Greater Wellington Regional Council; Upper Hutt City Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.