The great New Zealand dog walks

Just 40 minutes from Auckland’s CBD, Kakamatua Inlet is the perfect weekend adventure for you and your four-legged friend. It’s a much-loved destination for Auckland dog owners so your pal is sure to find someone to play with!

A short leashed walk through some beautiful New Zealand bush opens out to dog paradise – a beach that’s off-leash 24/7, even during the summer months! As you walk into the inlet there’s a freshwater stream that’s perfect for not so confident swimmers, or for washing off sandy dogs before getting back in the car.

The beach itself is surrounded by cliffs, making it a very safe place for off-leash play. When the tide is out there’s a huge area for zooming around and chasing tennis balls, and at high tide your dog will love running in and out of the gentle waves. In the summer months many dog owners wade in the clear water with their pups, and the shallow area can be good for kids to enjoy too.

When your dog is all worn out, just five minutes down the road is The Huia Foodstore, a very dog-friendly café where you can buy treats for you and your pooch! It’s the perfect place to refuel before heading home again.

If you are searching for more of a leisurely stroll with your dog, Auckland’s waterfront is the place to go. It is lined with dog-friendly cafes on one side, stunning beaches on the other, and is a paradise for dogs and their owners all year round.

Although the beach is out of bounds much of the time in summer, your dog can still walk on the adjacent sidewalk on a leash. During the winter months you will find countless dog owners giving their companions a chance to ditch the lead and burn off excess energy on the beach. They frolic in the waves, and chase other dogs through the sand to their hearts’ content.

The flat boardwalk, sea breeze, and beautiful views also make it a great place for a relaxing family stroll. The kids can ride their bikes or scooters, or be pushed in a pram with ease, and your dog will love being a part of the family outing.

It is completely up to you how long you want to walk. It will take you about 35 minutes to walk from Saint Heliers to Mission Bay, or 20 minutes if you only want to go as far as Kohimarama. But the beauty of the waterfront is you can make a day of it. You can stop for breakfast or lunch one of the many cafes and restaurants along the way, or just spend time on the beach taking in the spectacular sights.

St Leonard’s Beach

A steep staircase descends into this beautiful North Shore beach. It’s best at low tide and is great for people swimming too in the summer months.

Waitakere Ranges

This Regional Parkland has hundreds of walks of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. Check the Auckland Council website for up to date information on where dogs are permitted.

Warkworth Cement Works

This old cement works in North Auckland offers an incredibly deep swimming hole. It’s off-leash all year for dogs so if your pooch is crazy about the water, pack a picnic and make a day of it.

Mount Eden Summit

Park at nearby Mount Eden village and enjoy a walk through suburbia and up this volcanic summit. You’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the city.

Dogs are part of the family, so during the warmer months, dog owners love nothing more than for their furry friends to join in on the fun. While this can be tricky with a dog ban on most beaches during the summer, Back Beach is an off-leash dog heaven all year round!

At low tide, a large stretch of black sand is uncovered, giving your dog plenty of room to race around. Its popularity means your dog will meet old friends, and make new ones, becoming the perfect place for a social occasion. A classic west coast beach, Back Beach is dramatic, surrounded by cliff faces, and with spectacular sunsets. Not only will your dog love the scenery, but you will too.

Although surfers and families congregate here to take advantage of the special sights Back Beach has to offer, there is an understanding that dogs are also welcome.

Tehenui

A beautiful off-leash dog walkway that follows the scenic Te Hunui River. It winds its way up from the coast through a variety of native and exotic flora, several picnic areas and swimming holes.

Barrets Domain

The domain offers three off-leash dog walks that you can enter from Roto Street. It is also a wildlife refuge, so keep your dog away from the wetlands and pond area.

Maupuia Walkway

If you are looking for an off-leash walk with views – you can’t go past Maupuia Walkway! Beginning at Akaroa Drive where you can park your car, the path follows the edge of Maupuia Heights, and boasts a breath-taking panorama.

Take your time, stop for a moment at one of the park benches and watch the yachts sail the harbour. The route is gentle and is a little under a kilometre long so a return journey will take you around 40 minutes – a good distance for a casual walk or for those doggies with little legs!

If you prefer a longer walk, once you reach Prison Road you can take a connecting path down the hill to Shelly Bay however remember to put your pooch on a leash before leaving the off-leash area.

This is a must-visit walkway for you and your best friend to take in some of Wellington’s most magnificent views!

Hutt Valley

The Hutt Valley is a great destination for Wellington dog lovers. With a designated dog-friendly beach (west of Petone Wharf), much of the Hutt River bank being off-leash dog walking areas, and beautiful bush walks – if your dog loves the water, exploring or generally frolicking with other dogs they are in for a treat!

During weekends, people from all walks of life converge on Petone beach, and on the west side of Petone Wharf it is all about dogs. Here it is a usual to see small dogs hooning with big dogs, dogs finding their perfect patch of sand to dig, and others adopting a new human who is in possession of a magical ball thrower.

The Hutt River also has a lot to offer. With various entry points, the river trail makes its way through peaceful tree and bush lined areas. At the Melling Road entrance you will find a dog exercise area with rolling green hills, backing on to the Hutt River where your dog can take a dip if they’re game. Be careful in the summertime or times of low water flow as toxic-algae can be an issue in some areas of the Hutt River and is hazardous especially to dogs.

The Hutt also has beautiful bush walks in its Regional Parks – some of which are dog friendly provided your dog is kept under control and does not enter farmland. If you fancy a longer, more intense trek, the Belmont Trig Track has it all. You will be met by the challenge of walking a steep track, but be rewarded with the beauty of mature native forest and expansive views from the Tararua to the Kaikoura ranges. Belmont Trig is 457m high, and the walk, depending on the route and your fitness level, can take 3-4 hours. It is a great walk take in the beautiful native surroundings and escape to the hustle and bustle of city life.

Oriental Parade

This gentle stroll around Wellington’s waterfront can’t be beaten on a sunny day – bring the whole family and stop for an icecream on the way.

Lyall Bay Dog Beach

The airport half of the beach is Wellington’s most popular off-leash dog exercise area. Busy even during winter, there’s lots of place to run and play fetch.

Ian Galloway Dog Park

This is Wellington’s largest fully fenced dog park and is a great place to socialise your pup.

Located right in the centre of Blenheim, the picturesque walk along the Taylor River is the place to be for any Marlborough dog owner.

It’s a popular spot, so in the evenings and at the weekends you’re guaranteed to meet a range of friends for your dog to play with (and they’re allowed off lead). While they’re occupied, enjoy the scenery of the river and native trees and shrubs.

The terrain is flat enough for all ranges of walkers and there are rubbish bins and toilets along the route for your convenience.

The best thing about the Taylor River is that you can do as much or as little as you want to. If you’re in a rush, there are six carpark access points so you can have a quick walk through the 4.6km area of concreted pathway. However, if you and your pal are feeling keen you can walk the extra 5km up to the Taylor Dam Reserve – an area which is perfect for a picnic with the whole family.

Located right in the centre of Blenheim, the picturesque walk along the Taylor River is the place to be for any Marlborough dog owner.

It’s a popular spot, so in the evenings and at the weekends you’re guaranteed to meet a range of friends for your dog to play with (and they’re allowed off lead). While they’re occupied, enjoy the scenery of the river and native trees and shrubs.

The terrain is flat enough for all ranges of walkers and there are rubbish bins and toilets along the route for your convenience.

The best thing about the Taylor River is that you can do as much or as little as you want to. If you’re in a rush, there are six carpark access points so you can have a quick walk through the 4.6km area of concreted pathway. However, if you and your pal are feeling keen you can walk the extra 5km up to the Taylor Dam Reserve – an area which is perfect for a picnic with the whole family.

This stony beach is one of Marlborough’s best kept secrets. Located Just 15 minutes from Blenheim, Rarangi offers stunning views of both the sea and the Wither Hills

Take your dog on a meander through the pine forests, explore the sand dunes or wander for miles on the beach’s stony shores. There are plenty of sticks to collect and new smells to discover along the way.

Bear in mind, Rarangi is a surf beach. Some days it’s calm but other days there can be rough swells and hidden dangers, so be careful to check the conditions before letting your pup go for a swim.

Keep your eyes peeled for seals who have also been known to frequent the beach. And for the true nature lovers, there is a dog friendly DOC campsite located on the beach where you and your family can stay overnight.

Sutherland Stream Reserve

Walk along the stunning reserve at the base of the Wither Hills Farm Park.

Pollard Park

24.6 ha of wooded parkland, meandering stream and floral gardens.