Dog-Friendly Activities in New Zealand

Don’t leave Fido in the hotel room when you’re on vacation. Get out and play! No matter where you’re headed in New Zealand, we can point you towards the nearest off-leash dog park, the most popular dog beach, a really great hiking trail, and lots of other places to play with Fido.

Pet Friendly The Groynes Dog Park
The Groynes Dog Park The Groynes is a securely fenced park with a number of different areas including spring fed streams, trees and open spaces and three agility courses. A BBQ and picnic area is also within the park, although dogs must be leashed in this area. Car parking available. See Details
Pet Friendly Bottle Lake Forest Park
Bottle Lake Forest Park Bottle Lake Forest Park is a pet-friendly recreation area in Christchurch, NZ. This popular mountain biking spot offers more than 1000 hectares of of pine forest. Fido is welcome to enjoy the walking and biking trails through the beach and forest, but must dogs be kept on a leash. Please clean up after your pets. See Details
Green Island Dog Park Spacious green area with a fenced-in section and obstacle course ideal for small dogs. See Details
Styx Mill Conservation Reserve Dog Park The Styx Mill Conservation Reserve offers a securely fenced area with two small ponds, lot of trees, and wide open spaces. Off road parking and toilets available. See Details
Templeton's Reserve Templeton's Reserve has great open spaces with plenty of room for pups to run. There are no gates or fences. The large pond is not suitable for swimming, but it is easy to walk around it. See Details
The Sheepdog Memorial The Sheepdog Memorial in New Zealand is pet-friendly. In the 19th century, Scottish shepherds came to work in this area. The high country could not have been farmed without the border collies they brought with them. These have been immortalized forever in the form of a statue in Lake Tekapo. Dogs are welcome to view the statue on a leash, as long as all mess is cleaned up after them. The trails around the lake are also pet-friendly and lead to beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. See Details
Botanic Gardens, Wellington, New Zealand The Wellington Botanic Garden features 25 hectares of unique landscape, protected native forest, conifers, specialised plant collections, colourful floral displays, and views over Wellington city.

Dogs are allowed if they are on lead and the owners clean up after them.

he Botanic Garden is minutes from downtown Wellington, and is easily accessed.

There are many entrances to the Garden including from Tinakori Road, Glenmore Street, Salamanca Road, Upland Road and the Cable Car.
See Details
TECT All Terrain Park Dog Park The new Off-Leash Dog Exercise Area was officially opened by Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Paterson and Tauranga City Council Mayor Crosby on Saturday 26 September 2015. This is located to the right hand side of the mountain biking car park.

The area of about 1 hectare, is fully fenced and is suitable for ALL types and sizes of dogs, over the age of 4 months.

The following rules apply:

Park hours apply to this area Owners should carry a leash at all times Dogs and children must be accompanied by an adult Please do not bring food or cigarettes into the area This is no place for a dog under 4 months of age Owners must clean up after their dogs Please keep female dogs in heat, at home Dogs must be under VOICE CONTROL Dogs should be registered (and muzzled, if required by the Animal Control Act)
See Details
Otari-Wilton's Bush Otari-Wilton's Bush is New Zealand's most significant native botanic gardens and Wellington's largest area of original native forest. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free to enter. This website aims to provide you with all the information you need to appreciate this natural resource to its fullest. Otari-Wilton's Bush is only 5 kilometers from downtown Wellington. You can easily get there by car, bus, bicycle or on foot. Within the reserve, only foot traffic, wheel chairs and prams are allowed. Dogs must be on a lead at all times. See Details
Lyall Bay Beach Lyall Bay beach has a dog-exercise area available (off lead) all day. It's a great area to socialise your dog any time of the day with the other dogs playing on the beach.

There's a great walk between the end of Seatoun beach, just past the children's playground (the other parts of the beach next to Marine Parade have certain hours only for dogs) and follow the path all the way around to Breaker Bay beach. Dogs can be off lead. The beaches are fabulous and you can even walk back over the mountain back to Seatoun if you're feeling energetic (follow the path)!
See Details
Radley Park Radley Park was the first known dog agility course in New Zealand. The park is unfenced and offers six agility obstacles. Open all day. See Details
Te Puna Quarry Park Dogs are allowed to visit the park, but they must be kept on a lead at all times and owners should be prepared to remove any doggy doos. The circular track takes about 45 minutes to walk, but if you like exploring you could spend twice as long and still not see it all. See Details
York Park A area within Motueka that is designated a "off the leash" dog area. Great space to play with your dog See Details
Wesley Knight Park Off Leash Area Fido can play off leash at Wesley Knight Park in Paraparaumu, NZ. The area features walking paths in wooded areas and open grassy space for your pup to run, play fetch, or relax in the sun. The park includes water fountains, waste bags, and trash receptacles. See Details
Miles Lane Reserve Dog-friendly Miles Lane Reserve is a picturesque waterfront recreation area in Tauranga, NZ. Fido can explore off leash and expend his energy during a swim in the Wairoa River. See Details
Taupo Visitor Information Centre You and Fido can stop by the Taupo Visitor Information Center to gather a list of dog-friendly activities to enjoy while in Taupo, NZ. The area is known for its outdoor recreation and features numerous off-leash areas and miles of hiking and biking trails. You can also request information about dog-friendly tours in the area. See Details
Snow Farm NZ Hit the trails with Fido at Snow Farm NZ in Cardrona, NZ. This pet-friendly outdoor adventure destination welcomes you and your pup to enjoy their trails outside of their winter operating period, or you can purchase a Dog Day Pass or Dog Season Pass to enjoy a cross-country ski or snowshoe outing with your favorite four-legged friend. Check out their website for further details on their dog passes and rules. See Details
Mangawhero River Trail Check out the pet-friendly Mangawhero River Trail in Ohakune, NZ. This 2.9-mile riverside walkway will take you from the Junction end of Ohakune to the town proper, also presenting the option to link up to the Jubilee Walkway. Following the natural meander of the Mangawhero River, the well-maintained track makes most of the beautiful waterway path an easy, family-friendly walk. Leashed dogs are welcome. See Details
Maxwells Road Esplanade Maxwells Road Esplanade is a pet-friendly beach in Tauranga, NZ. Bring Fido along to this charming spot, where he can frolic in the water or enjoy the sandy shores. Additionally, this location is a designated freedom camping area, allowing you to stay overnight on council-controlled public land. The Daisy Hardwick track is also nearby. See Details
Heretaunga Park Leashed dogs are welcome to join you as you explore Heretaunga Park, a popular, pet-friendly park in Upper Hutt, NZ. The park offers trees, streams, picnic tables and sports fields. There is even a designated off-leash area of the park for canines to enjoy. Please remember to clean up after Fido with the waste bags provided throughout the park. See Details
New Zealand