10 Doggo Friendly Days Out In The Shire

From Shopping To Canoe Rides, Breweries And Beyond

Playtime at Greenhills

Heaven is a place on earth and it is found between the hours of 3:00pm and 10:00am (or 4:00pm to 10:00am during daylight savings) at Greenhills Beach. You can get a solid walk in by cruising the beach all the way to Boat Harbour or set up camp and prepare yourself for some seriously good dog spotting.

Cruise the Shire Farmers Markets

The Shire Farmers Markets is a real scene for doggos and their humans. You’ll glimpse all kinds of good boys and gals donning their best outfits (no, really - we once saw a pug in a raincoat) and pats are bound to be abundant. Stock up on goodies for the week ahead whilst your pooch indulges in a few treats from the Loyal K9 stall.

*Brick Pit Espresso. Photo credit: JSR Visuals.*

Doggo Friendly Dining

Almost all outdoor eateries in The Sutherland Shire welcome furry friends so there are plenty of options to choose from. Some of our favourites include Kuroneko in Sutherland, Next Door or Salt Meats Cheese along Cronulla Mall, Brick Pit Espresso in Kirrawee and Jack Gray in Gray’s Point. Check out our top dog-friendly venues in the Shire here. We may or may not have ordered a side of grilled chicken breast at Blackwood Pantry on a number of occasions for a certain special someone.

All-day Fun at Silver Beach

The western end of Silver Beach in Kurnell is a favourite with dog owners as it offers off-leash time at all hours. It is important to note the signage as dogs are not permitted on any other area of the beach. The calm waters are perfect for splashing and once you’re done, you can pop across to Cook at Kurnell for a bite to eat. The cafe is dog-friendly, has plenty of scrummy breakfast and lunch options and even a refreshing cocktail list if you’re so inclined.

Paddle the Woronora River

The good people at The Boatshed love a four-legged visitor so be sure to bring your pupper along for this adventure. Fuel up with a tasty breakfast and then get yourself sorted with a kayak or canoe (yep, your furry friend is invited!) The Boatshed can even sort you out with a packed picnic lunch if you fancy a full-day adventure. Be sure to bring along a life jacket for your pet if they aren’t a strong swimmer.

Slims brewhouse engadine — *Sunday Road Brewing, Kirrawee*

Grab a Brew

The Shire is blessed with a handful of quality breweries of which are dog friendly. You can choose from Hairymans Brewery in Taren Point as well as Sunday Road and Shark Island Brewing both in Kirrawee. Follow along on their respective ‘grams to stay abreast of all the delish food trucks they host of a weekend. Read more about the Shire’s breweries here.

Shopping in Cronulla Mall

Being an outdoor mall, Cronulla is a great place for a day out if your doggo will be in tow. Plenty of eateries along the strip welcome dogs and a handful of stores are openly dog friendly including The Best Little Bookshop In Town and Berkelouw Book Store. Now, what could be better than browsing books with your furry best friend?

Dedicated Doggy Zones

The Shire has ample dedicated dog parks and we love to see it. Make a morning of it and bring along a coffee to sip whilst your four-legged friend tumbles about. Both The Ridge Dog Off-Leash Bush Park and Helena Street Dog Park in Kirrawee offer small and large dog sections. Read more about the Shire’s 8 best dog-friendly parks in our article here.

*Cronulla Esplanade. Photo credit: SVPlace*

Promenade The Esplanade

The Esplanade offers just as many dog watching opportunities as people watching moments and is a great way to tire out your furry friend whilst soaking up some delicious ocean views. There are plenty of places to detour along the way for a coffee or juice (try The Nuns Pool, Barefoot on the Beach and Six Smith Cafe). If you’re feeling extra prepared, pack a picnic to enjoy and plonk yourself down on any scenic patch of grass you find along the way. Don’t forget to include a few treats for your bestie.

Hit the Trails

Whilst the National Park is off-limits to dogs, there are a few bush trails that your furry friend is welcome to accompany you on. The Woronora Loop Trail is one of our faves and provides plenty of opportunities for a splash in the river. The Glen Reserve in Bonnet Bay and Coonong Creek Bushland Reserve are great if you’re looking for something a little shorter.