Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Timaru
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Timaru, with the council's rules for each.
In Timaru District, dogs must be on a leash on streets, footpaths, parks, reserves and walkways, except in the council's dog exercise areas. Caroline Bay is dog free, but its tidal beach is an off leash area from 1 April to 30 September, and Aorangi Park and Otipua Wetlands are off limits. 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 (1)
Walks and reserves (17)
Geraldine river area
Some rulesListed in the bylaw schedule; not on the council's exercise areas web page. No dogs: Geraldine Domain (except the walking track). No dogs: Geraldine Motor Camp and Raukapuka Reserve playing fields.
Directions Read the guidePleasant Point river areas
Off leashRiverbed, shingle, stream and berm areas.
Directions Read the guideTemuka Domain (exercise area section)
Some rulesOff leash south of the Temuka Holiday Park, along the stormwater channel by the Temuka Golf Course, and east of the Torepe Fields car park, sports field and training area. The section between the golf course and Fergusson Drive is dog free.
Directions Read the guideTemuka river areas
Off leashRiverbed, shingle, streams and berm areas.
Directions Read the guideGunns Bush Track
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsKelceys Bush tracks
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsAshbury Park
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area. No dogs within 10 m of play equipment or on playing surfaces.
DirectionsDomain Avenue tree walkway
Off leashBetween Rayner Street and Murray Street.
DirectionsGeraldine Domain walking track
On leashThe rest of Geraldine Domain is dog free; walkways are on leash by default.
DirectionsMarchwiel Park
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsPleasant Point Domain (Fire Brigade practice area)
Off leashOnly when the Fire Brigade is not using it.
DirectionsRedruth Park
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsReserve opposite the Fire Station
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsSalt Water Creek Walkway
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsScenic Reserve (Centennial Park)
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area. Picnic areas on leash.
DirectionsTodd Park
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsWest End Park
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsBeaches (4)
Caroline Bay
Some rules Seasonal rulesCaroline Bay park is dog free except the winter access route on lead. The tidal beach is an off leash exercise area in winter, between the penguin friendly area signs.
No dogs on the tidal area 1 October to 31 March; off leash 1 April to 30 September
Directions Read the guideOtipua Beach
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area. Otipua Wetlands next to it are dog free.
DirectionsSouth Beach
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsWaimataitai Beach
Off leashCouncil dog exercise area.
DirectionsNo dogs (8)
Claremont Bush Reserve
No dogs Directions Read the guideOtipua Wetlands
No dogs Directions Read the guideMt Nimrod Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsStudholme Bush Scenic Reserve tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsAorangi Park
No dogs DirectionsStafford Street, Sefton Street to North Street, and The Royal Arcade
No dogs DirectionsTemuka Domain, between the western boundary of the Temuka Golf Course and the eastern boundary of Fergusson Drive
No dogs DirectionsTemuka Motor Camp
No dogs DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashTimaru Dog Park on Leckie Street (fenced), South Beach, Waimataitai Beach, Otipua Beach, Salt Water Creek Walkway, Centennial Park, and Ashbury, Marchwiel, Redruth and West End parks. In the towns, the Temuka, Geraldine and Pleasant Point river areas, Todd Park in Geraldine, and parts of Temuka Domain. Picnic areas inside these are on a leash.
On a leashStreets, footpaths, berms, parks, reserves and walkways outside the exercise areas. Cemeteries, sports ground spectator areas, picnic areas with council tables, and the Temuka, Geraldine and Pleasant Point town centres. The Geraldine Domain walking track.
No dogsCaroline Bay park, Aorangi Park, Otipua Wetlands, Claremont Bush Reserve, Stafford Street (Sefton Street to North Street) and The Royal Arcade, Geraldine Domain off the track, and the Temuka and Geraldine motor camps. Also playgrounds and within 10 metres of play equipment, sports playing surfaces, pools, libraries and food premises.
Summer and seasonal rulesCaroline Bay tidal beach: no dogs 1 October to 31 March, off leash 1 April to 30 September between the penguin area signs (the penguin areas at each end are always dog free). Pleasant Point camping grounds: no dogs from Labour Weekend to Easter.
Timaru District Council dog exercise areas Timaru District dog control bylaw
Dog services in Timaru
VetsDentistry, Surgery and Digital X-Ray
Pet groomersFull Grooms, De-Shedding and Mobile Salon
Dog trainersPuppy Classes, Obedience and Behaviour
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Timaru?
Yes, Timaru Dog Park, also called Leckie Street Dog Park. It covers about 2 hectares, with an agility course, drinking water, a dog wash, seating and bins. There's no parking on site. Temuka, Geraldine and Pleasant Point have open off leash areas instead of a fenced park.
Can I take my dog to Caroline Bay?
Only in winter. From 1 April to 30 September the tidal beach is an off leash area between the penguin area signs, reached on a leash by the signed access routes. From 1 October to 31 March dogs aren't allowed on the beach, and the Caroline Bay park itself is dog free all year.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Timaru?
Yes, away from home they must be on a leash on streets, footpaths, berms, parks, reserves and walkways. They can be off leash only in the council's dog exercise areas, such as South Beach, Centennial Park and Timaru Dog Park, where they must be under effective control.
Sources: Timaru District Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.