Dog beaches in Newcastle: where your dog can run off the lead
Where your dog can run off the lead at the beach in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, with the hours and the rules from each council.
Dogs can run off the lead at five places on the Newcastle side, according to City of Newcastle, and on three beaches in Lake Macquarie, according to Lake Macquarie City Council. Horseshoe Beach, by Nobbys, is the one closest to the city.
In City of Newcastle leash free areas dogs can be off the lead from sunrise to sunset, except at Dixon Park, where it's only before 9am and after 5pm.
In Newcastle
Off the lead from sunrise to sunset, except at Dixon Park.
Horseshoe Beach
4.5(500)Google reviews
The city's dog beach, on the harbour side of Nobbys Head. Visit Newcastle calls it the city's only off-leash city beach. It's reached past Camp Shortland, near the Nobbys breakwall.
The land is owned and run by the state's waterways authority, and City of Newcastle lists it as a leash free area.
Good to know
- Off leash
- Sunrise to sunset
- Where
- Horseshoe Bend Road, off Nobbys Road, Newcastle East
- Good to know
- Pick up after your dog; there are dog waste bins
Dixon Park Reserve
4.4(77)Google reviews
A time-restricted leash free area at Dixon Park, between Bar Beach and Merewether, on the Bathers Way. Dogs can be off the lead early and late in the day only, so plan a morning or evening run.
The fenced Dixon Park Playground is behind the beach, and dogs must stay 10 metres from any playground.
Good to know
- Off leash
- Sunrise to 9am, and 5pm to sunset
- Where
- Ocean Street, Merewether
- Good to know
- Outside those hours, dogs must be on a lead
Pitt Street Reserve and Little Beach, Stockton
4.2(17)Google reviews
A leash free reserve off King Street in Stockton, which Google lists as Little Beach.
Good to know
- Off leash
- Sunrise to sunset
- Where
- Pitt Street Reserve, off King Street, Stockton
Ballast Ground, Stockton
4.2(26)Google reviewsA leash free area at the Ballast Ground, off Fullerton Street, on the Stockton side of the harbour.
Good to know
- Off leash
- Sunrise to sunset
- Where
- Fullerton Street, Stockton
Carrington Foreshore
4.5(13)Google reviews
A leash free area on the Carrington foreshore, on the harbour.
Good to know
- Off leash
- Sunrise to sunset
- Where
- Hargrave Street, Carrington
In Lake Macquarie
Nine Mile Beach, Blacksmiths
4.7(30)Google reviewsNine Mile Beach at Blacksmiths, in Lake Macquarie. The council lists it as leash free at all times.
Good to know
- Off leash
- At all times
- Access
- Off Awabakal Avenue, Blacksmiths
Nine Mile Beach, Redhead end
4.7(374)Google reviewsDogs are not allowed on Redhead Beach itself, but south of Second Creek the beach is leash free at all times, Lake Macquarie council says. Access is off Cain Street.
Good to know
- Off leash
- South of Second Creek, at all times
- Access
- Off Cain Street, Redhead
- Good to know
- No dogs on Redhead Beach north of Second Creek
Hams Beach, Caves Beach
4.8(42)Google reviewsA beach at Swansea Heads, near Caves Beach. Lake Macquarie council has recently changed the off-leash area here, so read the signs when you arrive.
Good to know
- Off leash
- Council lists it as leash free at all times; check the signs
- Access
- Off Mawson Close, Caves Beach
The rules
These rules apply in every City of Newcastle leash free area, from the council's own list:
- Your dog must be with you, supervised, and come back when called without a lead.
- Pick up after your dog. It's the law, not a courtesy.
- Dogs declared dangerous or menacing, and restricted breeds, can't use leash free areas.
- Dogs aren't allowed within 10 metres of a playground, or on the Newcastle Memorial Walk.
- Rangers patrol, and penalties apply.
Dogs can only be off the lead in leash free areas approved by the council. When in doubt, read the sign at the entrance.
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Questions people ask
Where is the dog beach in Newcastle?
Horseshoe Beach, on the harbour side of Nobbys Head off Nobbys Road, is Newcastle's off-leash dog beach. Dogs can be off the lead there from sunrise to sunset.
Can dogs go on Merewether Beach?
Merewether Beach isn't a leash free area. The nearest one is Dixon Park Reserve, from sunrise to 9am and from 5pm to sunset.
Are there dog beaches in Stockton?
Yes. Pitt Street Reserve off King Street, including Little Beach, and the Ballast Ground off Fullerton Street are both leash free from sunrise to sunset.
Which Lake Macquarie beaches allow dogs off leash?
Lake Macquarie council lists Nine Mile Beach at Blacksmiths, Redhead south of Second Creek, and Hams Beach at Caves Beach as leash free at all times.
How we made this guide
We read City of Newcastle's leash free areas page and off leash brochure, and Lake Macquarie City Council's off-leash areas page, on 14 October 2026, and each place's Google listing for its position. Councils change these areas, so check the signs when you arrive. Nobody paid to be in this guide. If something has changed, tell us.