Exercising your dog

Two people walking a dog on the Waimahunga Track.

There are many places you can exercise your dog in Whangārei. 

See our online map for dog access rules across the Whangārei District: 

Dog access rules map

Off-leash dog areas are listed below, by location. 

Popular on-leash dog walks are:

  • Hātea Loop
  • Hātea River Walkway (between Whangārei Falls and the Town Basin)
  • Waimahanga Track
  • any of our shared paths.

We also provide a dog agility park on Pohe Island and a smaller fenced area by the Pohe Island carpark.

Whangārei Dog Agility Park

If you’re planning a beach trip, visit our dogs on beaches page to find out which beaches you can take your dog to:

Dogs on beaches

Dogs are NOT allowed at playgrounds, skateparks and marked sports fields.

Off-leash area:

  • Whale Tail Park / Kopipi Reserve

Off-leash area:

  • Grass area southeast of transfer station at Lake Waro

Off-leash areas:

  • Elgin Place Reserve
  • Hodges Park
  • Station Road Reserve
  • Te Paka Reserve

Off-leash areas:

  • Amber Drive Reserve
  • Beazley Park
  • Cobham Place Reserve
  • Korau Road Reserve
  • Tikipunga Sports Park (grass area off Ngunguru Road and grass area bordered by walkway and Hātea River)
  • Totara Parklands (Wairau Drive) – large grass area bordered by walkway and river

Off-leash areas:

  • William Jones Reserve
  • Cairnfield Reserve
  • Moody Avenue Reserve

Off-leash areas:

  • Mander Park
  • Deveron Reserve
  • Former Old Boys playing fields (Okara)
  • Waiarohia Reserve

Off-leash areas:

  • Panorama Drive Reserve (upper and lower)
  • Dog exercise parks in William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island

Off-leash areas:

  • Pah Road Reserve
  • Raurimu Avenue Park
  • Ross Street Park
  • Nottingham Road Reserve

Off-leash area:

  • Barge Showgrounds (excluding wetlands and beyond)

Off-leash area:

  • Anzac Park

Off-leash areas:

  • Raumanga Valley Road Scenic Reserve (grass area west of playground)
  • Tarewa Park (grass area at southwestern end of park beyond footpath)
  • Tauroa Reserve

Off-leash areas:

  • Shearwater Reserve
  • Blacksmiths Creek walkway (open grass area from start of walkway eastward to second bridge)

Off-leash areas:

  • Tiki Place Reserve
  • Riverside Reserve