Walking Your Dog Around Ramsgate This Autumn: What You Need to Know

The Cook Park Foreshore: Beautiful But On-Leash

The long promenade running from Kyeemagh through Brighton-Le-Sands, Monterey, Ramsgate Beach, Sandringham, and Dolls Point to Sans Souci is one of the great dog walks in Sydney's south. It's also fully on-leash from one end to the other.

What the rules mean along this stretch:

• The promenade and Cook Park lawns: on-leash at all times
• The beach and water: dogs are prohibited on all beach and bathing areas, including tidal pools, at all times — this applies along the entire Lady Robinson's Beach foreshore regardless of the time of year
• Within 20 metres of any playground: your dog must be on-leash, even if you're in an otherwise open area
• Car parks: on-leash at all times

The good news for autumn: the summer restrictions that apply to many Bayside foreshore areas from 1 November to 31 March have now ended. The foreshore is at its most dog-friendly right now, provided your dog is on a leash.

The thing to watch: daylight saving ended on 6 April. If you're used to an after-work walk along Grand Parade at 6pm, you're now walking in near-darkness. The promenade is well-lit in sections but patchy in others, particularly between Ramsgate Beach and Sandringham. Take a light, use a reflective lead, and keep your dog close to the footpath edge rather than the road side.

The Off-Leash Options Near Ramsgate

There is no off-leash area within Cook Park itself or along the Lady Robinson's Beach foreshore between Ramsgate and Sans Souci. The closest designated off-leash areas are:

Bona Park — 46 Sandringham Street, Sans Souci (Bayside Council)The most local off-leash option for Ramsgate residents. A fenced section of the park is designated off-leash. It's a short drive or a longer walk from central Ramsgate. A good option for dogs that need a proper run.

Civic Avenue Reserve (Scarborough Park) — Kogarah (Bayside Council)An off-leash area a little further north in Kogarah, convenient if you're heading toward Kogarah station or Rocky Point Road.

Frys Reserve — 1 Warialda Street, Kogarah (Bayside Council)Another Kogarah option, particularly pretty during jacaranda season. Off-leash area available.

Moore Park — 22a Ferry Avenue, Beverley Park (Georges River Council)Convenient for residents in Beverley Park and northern Ramsgate. Off-leash area within the park.

Hogben Park — 2 Railway Parade, Kogarah (Georges River Council)Currently an unfenced off-leash area with some safety concerns noted by locals due to proximity to a busy intersection. However, Georges River Council endorsed an upgrade in March 2025 that will add new fencing with airlock gates, seating, a bin and dog bag dispenser, and agility equipment. Georges River Council Works are expected during 2025–26 — worth keeping an eye on as it will significantly improve this park for local dog owners.

Lady Robinson's Beach, Kyeemagh (Bayside Council)A 24/7 off-leash beach area established at Lady Robinson's Beach, Kyeemagh, between gates 60 and 61. Nsw It's a drive north from Ramsgate but worth it — the only off-leash beach option in the area and open around the clock, year-round. If your dog loves the water, this is the spot.

Autumn Walk Reminders

• Evening walks are darker now — reflective gear for both you and your dog is worth having along Grand Parade and any unlit park sections
• Grass seeds are active in autumn — check paws, ears, and coat after any walk through unmown grass or the park borders along the foreshore, particularly in Dolls Point and the southern sections of Cook Park
• Keep vaccinations current — Bona Park and Hogben Park both attract dogs from across the area. If your dog's C5 is overdue, book in before the next park visit
• Pick up and bring bags — rangers patrol along the Cook Park foreshore and fines apply