Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Invercargill
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Invercargill, with the council's rules for each.
In Invercargill and Bluff, dogs must be on a leash on streets, walkways and tracks, and in parks and reserves. They can be off leash only in six council dog exercise areas, and never in ponds or lagoons such as Silver Lagoon at Sandy Point. 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
Dog parks (6)
Turnbull Thomson Park dog exercise area
Off leash Directions Read the guideDonovan Park dog exercise area
Off leash No dogs at the pond DirectionsElles Road Dog Park
Off leash Fenced Shelter and seat Water Poo bags DirectionsOcean Beach Reserve dog exercise area
Off leash DirectionsSandy Point Domain dog exercise area
Off leash Large off leash area DirectionsWalks and reserves (24)
Invercargill Estuary Walkway
On leashMulti-use trail.
Directions Read the guideOtepuni Walkway
On leashMulti-use trail.
Directions Read the guideForks Flat Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsFoveaux Walkway
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
Directions Read the guideGlory Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsLong Hilly (Round Hill) Walking Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsOcean Beach Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsPourakino Picnic Area Loop Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsSeaward Downs Loop Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsAnderson Park walking track
On leash DirectionsBluff Hill/Motupōhue tracks: Millennium Track, Pearce Street Track, Topuni Track
On leash DirectionsDonovan Park walking track
On leashOff leash on the open park away from sports fields and the pond.
DirectionsGreenpoint Reserve walking track
On leash DirectionsOmaui Reserve walking track
On leash DirectionsOtatara Scenic Reserve walking track
On leash DirectionsSandy Point: Daffodil Bay Loop
On leash DirectionsSandy Point: Kilmock Bush
On leash DirectionsSandy Point: Rover Track / Petrie's Track
On leash DirectionsSandy Point: Silver Lagoon, including McShanes Track
On leashNo dogs in Silver Lagoon itself at the end of Round Tree Track.
DirectionsSeaward Bush walking track
On leash DirectionsSouthern Greenway
On leashMulti-use trail.
DirectionsTaiepa Dune Reserve walking track
On leash DirectionsTalbot Street Reserve
On leashMulti-use trail.
DirectionsThomsons Bush walking track
On leash DirectionsBeaches (1)
Oreti Beach
Dogs allowedNo dog rule for Oreti Beach was found in the council's Dog Control Bylaw 2022, Dog Control Policy 2022 or dog areas leaflet. See notes.
DirectionsNo dogs (6)
Martin's Hut/Merrivale Tramping Track
No dogsDOC: Only with a DOC permit.
DirectionsNorth West Circuit Stewart Island/Rakiura
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsTurnbulls Tramping Track
No dogsDOC: Only with a DOC permit.
DirectionsAwarua Wetlands
No dogsControlled dog area: a Department of Conservation permit is needed.
DirectionsSilver Lagoon, at the end of Round Tree Track (Sandy Point)
No dogs DirectionsTiwai Peninsula
No dogsDepartment of Conservation land under DOC rules.
DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashElles Road Dog Park (fenced), Sandy Point Domain away from the walking tracks, Donovan Park, Turnbull Thomson Park, Elizabeth Park, and Ocean Beach Reserve in Bluff. Keep off the sports fields and away from playgrounds in these parks.
On a leashStreets, roads, footpaths, walkways and cemeteries. All parks and reserves outside the exercise areas, including Queens Park. All formed walking tracks, including the tracks inside Sandy Point Domain, the Estuary Walkway, Otepuni Walkway and the Bluff Hill tracks.
No dogsPonds and lagoons on reserves, including Silver Lagoon and the Donovan Park pond. Within 10 metres of play equipment, skate ramps and paddling pools, marked sports fields, and council events. Tiwai Peninsula, and Awarua Wetlands without a DOC permit.
Invercargill City Council dog areas and tracks Invercargill Dog Control Bylaw
Dog services in Invercargill
VetsSmall Animal Surgery, Dental and Imaging
Pet groomersFull Grooms, Puppy Cuts and Mobile Grooming
Dog trainersPositive Reinforcement Experts
Pet shopsQuality Supplies and Expert Care
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Invercargill?
Yes, Elles Road Dog Park in Appleby is fenced, with a shelter and seat, water, poo bags and lighting at night. Parking is on the street. The other exercise areas, such as Sandy Point Domain and Donovan Park, are open parks, not fenced.
Can dogs be off leash at Sandy Point?
Yes, in the large off leash area of Sandy Point Domain, but they must be on a leash on all the formed walking tracks there. Dogs aren't allowed in the ponds, lagoons and wildlife areas, including Silver Lagoon at the end of Round Tree Track, or within 10 metres of play equipment.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Invercargill?
Yes, on streets, footpaths, walkways and tracks, in cemeteries, and in parks and reserves. They can be off leash only in the six council dog exercise areas, and must still be under effective control there.
Sources: Invercargill City Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.