Coastal Walkway
On leash13.2 km path; leash required on the walkway, the grass and rock wall beside it and the listed car parks.
Directions Read the guideDog Parks and Dog Walks in New Plymouth
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around New Plymouth, with the council's rules for each.
In New Plymouth, dogs can be off leash under control anywhere the council does not list as on-leash or dog-free, but they must be on a leash on the Coastal Walkway, in Pukekura Park and in the shopping areas. Ngāmotu Beach, the central city and playgrounds are off limits, and Fitzroy, East End, Ōākura and part of Back Beach have summer rules. Every place below shows its rule and how to get there.
Map of dog parks, walks and beaches
Every place on this page as a pin. Tap a pin for its dog rule, directions and our guide.
Dog parksWalksBeachesNo dogsHas our guideGroup, tap to zoom in
Walks and reserves (10)
Kawaroa Park
On leashAll of the park seaward of the access road is part of the Coastal Walkway leash area.
Directions Read the guideLake Mangamahoe
Some rulesNo dogs at the lake or on the lakeside grassland; on leash on the access road and the gravel path from the first swing bridge to the main car park.
Directions Read the guidePukekura Park
On leashIncludes Brooklands Park; no dogs in the playgrounds, Fernery, zoo or event areas during events.
Directions Read the guideTe Henui Walkway
Some rulesOn leash from the lower footbridge to the Devon Street East bridge; the rest of the walkway is not listed, so the off-leash default applies.
Directions Read the guideLee Breakwater
On leash DirectionsPeringa Park/Lake Rotomanu wetlands
On leashIncluding the walkway to Weka Street. No dogs on Lake Rotomanu island.
DirectionsRotokare (Barrett) Domain
Some rulesOn leash on the access route from Rotokare Crescent/Kororako Grove; no dogs in the pond and wetlands.
DirectionsTe Henui Cemetery
Off leashThe only council cemetery where dogs may be off leash under control.
DirectionsTongapōrutu Domain
On leashSeaward of the SH3 bridge.
DirectionsBeaches (10)
Back Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesMain stretch is off leash (the council kept the Back Beach run). Northern end dunes near Paritutu and Mataora/Round Rock are on leash at all times. Southern end stream, beach and reserve are on leash.
Southern end (headlands to lower car park): no dogs 10am to 6pm, Labour Weekend Saturday to Easter Monday
Directions Read the guideFitzroy Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff leash outside the summer hours. Dunes and rock wall are dog free all year.
No dogs 10am to 6pm, Labour Weekend Saturday to Easter Monday
Directions Read the guideBell Block Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesAt the end of Mangati Road.
On leash 1 August to 30 April; off leash May to July
DirectionsEast End Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff leash outside the summer hours. Dunes and rock wall are dog free all year.
No dogs 10am to 6pm, Labour Weekend Saturday to Easter Monday
DirectionsOnaero Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOnaero Domain, adjoining beach and campgrounds; off leash outside the summer hours.
No dogs 10am to 6pm, Labour Weekend Saturday to Easter Monday
DirectionsPukearuhe Beach (Parininihi Marine Reserve)
Some rules Seasonal rulesWaipingau Stream to Clifton Road.
On leash 1 August to 30 April; off leash May to July
DirectionsTapuae Marine Reserve coast
Some rules Seasonal rulesFrom the Tapuae Stream to the Herekawe Stream, south of Back Beach.
On leash 1 August to 30 April; off leash May to July
DirectionsTongapōrutu
On leashTongapōrutu Domain seaward of the SH3 bridge is on leash; the beach itself is not listed.
DirectionsWai-iti Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOn leash 1 August to 30 April; off leash May to July
DirectionsŌākura Beach
Some rules Seasonal rulesOff leash outside the summer hours; the restricted stretch runs from Tasman Parade to the Wairau Road area.
No dogs 10am to 6pm, Labour Weekend Saturday to Easter Monday
DirectionsNo dogs (42)
Ngāmotu Beach
No dogsBeach and reserve, all times.
Directions Read the guideAmbury Monument Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsAround the Mountain Circuit
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsBoars Head Mine Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsCave Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsConnett Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsDavies Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsDawson Falls - Stratford Plateau tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsDawson Falls Power Station Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsDover Route
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsEverett Park Scenic Reserve walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsHolly Hut Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsKamahi Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsKōkōwai Track round trip
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsLake Dive tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMaketawa Hut Circuit
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsManganui Gorge Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMangorei Track to Pouākai tarns
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideMaude Track to Mangakotukutuku Falls
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsNature Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsNgatoro Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsNgatoro, Waiwhakaiho Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsPanitahi and Syme Hut Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsPotaema Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsPouākai Crossing
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsRidge Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsSefton Ridge Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsStony River (Hangatahua) Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideStratford Plateau Lookout
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTahurangi Translator Tower round trip
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTaranaki Maunga Summit Climb
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsVeronica Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsViewing Platform Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsWaimoku Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsWaingongoro Hut tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsYork Road Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsFitzroy and East End dunes and rock wall (Te Henui Stream mouth to Waiwhakaiho groyne)
No dogsDogs may use the access ways on a leash.
DirectionsFitzroy Seaside Park swimming pool and adjacent playground
No dogs DirectionsHickford Park cycling facilities
No dogsCycle park, BMX track, velodrome and cycle track.
DirectionsLake Rotomanu island
No dogs DirectionsTe Papakura o Taranaki (Egmont National Park)
No dogsDogs banned under the National Parks Act 1980, including road reserves inside the park.
DirectionsUrenui Beach
No dogsUrenui Domain, beach and estuary, all times.
DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashAnywhere in the district not listed as on-leash or dog-free, including the main stretch of Back Beach, most of the Te Henui Walkway, Te Henui Cemetery and sports parks outside organised events. Carry a leash at all times.
On a leashThe Coastal Walkway and the grass and rock wall beside it, Kawaroa Park, Pukekura Park and Brooklands Park, the lower Te Henui Walkway, Lee Breakwater and the port, Peringa Park and the Lake Rotomanu wetlands, the Lake Mangamahoe access road and path, the shopping areas in Fitzroy, Moturoa, Westown, Bell Block, Waitara, Inglewood, Ōākura and Ōkato, and council cemeteries other than Te Henui.
No dogsThe New Plymouth central city (Ariki, Gill, Devon and Egmont streets, and Puke Ariki Landing), Ngāmotu Beach, Urenui Domain and beach, the Fitzroy and East End dunes and rock wall, Lake Mangamahoe's lake and lakeside grass, the Pukekura Park Fernery and zoo, Hickford Park's cycling facilities, Egmont National Park and all playgrounds.
Summer and seasonal rulesSaturday of Labour Weekend to Easter Monday, 10am to 6pm: no dogs on Fitzroy and East End beaches, the southern end of Back Beach, Ōākura Beach, Ōākura River and Corbett Park, and Onaero Domain and beach. 1 August to 30 April: dogs on a leash at the Tapuae Marine Reserve coast, Bell Block Beach, Wai-iti Beach and Pukearuhe Beach.
New Plymouth District Council walking your dog NPDC Dog Control Bylaw 2022
Dog services in New Plymouth
VetsPet, Dental and Farm Animal Care
Pet groomersFull Clips, Puppy Trims and Medicated Baths
Dog trainersPositive Reinforcement Experts
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in New Plymouth?
No. The council has no fenced dog parks or set dog exercise areas, because dogs can be off leash under control anywhere that is not listed as on-leash or dog-free. Back Beach and most of the Te Henui Walkway are popular off-leash spots.
Can I take my dog to Fitzroy Beach?
Yes, outside summer hours. From the Saturday of Labour Weekend to Easter Monday, dogs are not allowed on Fitzroy and East End beaches from 10am to 6pm. At other times they can be off leash. The dunes and rock wall are dog free all year.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in New Plymouth?
On the Coastal Walkway, in Pukekura Park, in the shopping areas and in the other places the council lists, yes. Everywhere else that is not dog-free they can be off leash if they are under control, and you must carry a leash.
Sources: New Plymouth District Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.