There are regulations for dogs in the Parklands to make sure dogs do not compromise safety in areas where there are horses, cars, cyclists, children or sporting activities. These regulations also help us to protect the Parklands' animals, plants, ponds and heritage items.

The rules are legally enforceable. You can be fined on the spot for breaking them.

In short, the Regulations state or imply the following:

• Dogs must be on a lead inside and on the Grand Drive circuit, and within 10 metres of Federation Pavilion.
• You may exercise your dog off-leash outside Grand Drive, but you must keep it under control at all times.
• Dogs are not allowed on the horse or cycle tracks, roads, equestrian grounds, children’s playgrounds, Learner’s Cycleway, in ponds or on sporting fields when in use.
• Dogs must be kept 10 metres away from BBQs and children’s playgrounds.
• Dogs must not be led by cyclists, rollerbladers, horse riders or from vehicles.
• Dog owners must clean up their dog’s droppings and dispose in proper bins.
• A single person can lead a maximum of four dogs.  
• Greyhounds must be muzzled.
• Restricted breeds such as pit bull terriers and Argentinian fighting dogs must be on a leash, muzzled and under the control of a person over 18 years at all times.

Centennial Parklands has a dog brochure that you can pick up from our Visitor Information Counter or various brochure racks across the Parklands, or download here (PDF, 683 kb).

The above information is paraphrased from the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust Regulation 2009. For the full text and the Regulation in its entirety, visit the NSW Legislation website.

The Trust's Dogs in the Parklands brochure (PDF, 683 kb) outlines your responsibilities as a dog owner and has a map of the Parklands showing on-leash, off-leash and prohibited areas.

Alternatively, the interactive map clearly indicates on-leash and off-leash zones within Centennial Parklands.

Please note: cats must be on a lead at all times when in the Parklands.

There are a number of areas where, by law or by agreement, dogs are not permitted. These are to balance the needs of dog owners, but also the needs, of other park visitors and businesses that operate within the Parklands.

These exclusion areas include (but not exclusively):

• Federation Valley remains an off-leash area. However dogs are prohibited within 10 metres of Federation Pavilion, as marked by the stone circle in the lawn. The Dog Walkers and Professional Pet Minders Association Incorporated (DAPPA) has agreed not to walk dogs in Federation Valley to help minimise the impacts of over-use of the Valley.
• Dogs are not permitted within 10 metres of the Centennial Parklands Dining facility - this means that they are not permitted on the decking of the takeaway kiosk. The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust understands many owners desire to remain close or in visual contact with their dogs, so have provided a range of conveniently located dog tethering posts around this facility.
• Dogs are not permitted to swim in any pond in Centennial Parklands.
• Dogs are not permitted in children's playgrounds within Centennial Parklands.

The rules are legally enforceable. You can be fined on the spot for breaking them.

The Companion Animals Act (1998) introduced new standards of care for dogs and cats, as well as regulations aimed at promoting public health and safety.

To meet the requirements of the Act and to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for park users, the Trust revised its dog policy and regulations.

Under the Act, a dog that is in a public place must be under effective control by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash. It must also wear a collar with its name and the name and contact details of its owner.

The Act prohibits dogs from a range of areas for public health and safety reasons.

The Trust, as a local authority under the Act, is able to declare additional areas off-leash, on-leash or prohibited.

If you lose your dog in Centennial Parklands, we would encourage you to contact our Parklands Rangers on 0412 718 611 or report it to the Parklands Office or Visitor Information Counter.

The Trust often has lost dogs brought in to the Office by other park visitors, or alternately the Rangers may be able to do a visual search, or keep an eye out, for your dog if available.

Alternaltey, if have lost your dog (or indeed would like to adopt one), the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home is the place to start. You can visit their website or call (02) 9587 9611.

Any lost dogs found in Centennial Parklands will often be transferred to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home. This organisation do a wonderful service and you may even consider supporting them.

Centennial Parklands has a number of key requests for park visitors if they come across injured dogs or other wildlife.

Please do not handle, or attempt to handle an injured animal you are unfamiliar with. The animal may not react kindly if it is in pain and feels you are a threat.

We would recommend, firstly, contacting the Parklands Rangers on 0412 718 611 or reporting the injured animal to the Parklands Office or Visitor Information Counter.

Alternately, two NFP organisations are available to contact regarding injured animals:

• Wildlife and Information Rescue Service (WIRES)
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)

Centennial Parklands works regularly with these organisations, who do a great job, and you may even consider supporting them.

Dog-training clubs are not only helpful for training puppies but also for re-training older dogs, and socialising dogs.

The Eastern Suburbs Dog Training Club runs dog training and obedience classes most Sundays from 8.15 am at Musgrave Ave, Centennial Park.

Sessions cater for all levels and abilities.

For further information on dog training clubs, call 0412 645 154 or visit our Events Calendar. For more information on professional dog walkers visit the DAPPA website.

Centennial Park has its very own dog grooming service open seven days-a-week.

Find out more information.

The following local councils that surround Centennial Parklands provide information and resources on dogs (and other pets) management and awareness:

• City of Sydney - Dog Education and Awareness Information
• Randwick Council - Dogs and Cats information
• Waverley Council - Responsible Dog Ownership
• Woollahra Council - Animals and pets information