Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Whanganui
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Whanganui, with the council's rules for each.
In Whanganui, dogs must be on a leash in all public places unless they are in one of the council's off-leash areas. The town centre, Virginia Lake, Bason Botanic Gardens and Cooks Gardens 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)
Springvale Park
Off leashExcept when in use
Directions Read the guideWaitaha Pā Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsBabbage Place Reserve
Off leash DirectionsBamber Street road reserve
Off leash DirectionsBurton Avenue road reserve islands
Off leash DirectionsEastown Road grass reserve
Off leashBeside the railway line
DirectionsGonville Domain
Off leash DirectionsHandley Street Reserve
Off leash DirectionsKowhai Park bridges walkway
Off leashOff leash east of the stop bank along the bridges walkway between Nile Street and Ikitara Road, and north of the Whanganui Multisport Club to the railway line. No dogs in the playground area.
DirectionsParsons Street road reserve
Off leashNext to the Bridge Club, 16 Parsons Street to 1 Kent Road
DirectionsRiverbank Reserve, Taupo Quay
Off leashBetween 2 Mason Terrace and 274 Taupo Quay
DirectionsSeafront Road grass reserve
Off leash DirectionsSeddon Street road reserve
Off leashKaikokopu Road to Barrack Street
DirectionsSomme Parade Riverbank Reserve
Off leashOpposite the cemetery
DirectionsTawa Street Reserve
Off leash DirectionsVictoria Park
Off leashExcept when in use
DirectionsWembley Park
Off leashExcept when in use
DirectionsBeaches (3)
Castlecliff Beach
Some rulesOff leash under control between the Mowhanau bluff and the northern bank of Karaka Stream. On leash between Karaka Stream and the North Mole.
DirectionsMowhanau Beach
Some rulesOff leash under control north of the southern bank of Kai Iwi Stream. On leash between Kai Iwi Stream and the bluff at the southern end of the beach.
DirectionsSouth Beach
Off leashOff leash under control south of the South Mole
DirectionsNo dogs (16)
Bason Botanic Gardens
No dogs Directions Read the guideCooks Gardens
No dogs Directions Read the guideRotokawau/Virginia Lake Reserve
No dogs Directions Read the guideWestmere Lake
No dogs Directions Read the guideWhanganui National Park
No dogsNo dogs on this Department of Conservation land
Directions Read the guideAtene Skyline Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideBridge to Nowhere Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideBruce Park Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsMatemateāonga Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
Directions Read the guideDeer Park Reserve
No dogs DirectionsKowhai Park Playground area
No dogsThe playground end of Kowhai Park near Marshall Avenue and Anzac Parade
DirectionsLaird Park
No dogs DirectionsLake Wiritoa beach
No dogsLake beach and boat ramp area.
DirectionsMatipo Park
No dogs DirectionsSpurdle Street Reserve
No dogs DirectionsTawhero Golf Course
No dogs DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashOtamatea Reserve, the Kowhai Park bridges walkway, Gonville Domain, Springvale Park, Victoria Park and Wembley Park (except when in use), several riverbank and road reserves, most of Castlecliff Beach north of Karaka Stream, Mowhanau Beach north of Kai Iwi Stream, and South Beach south of the South Mole.
On a leashEvery public place that is not an off-leash area, including Pukenamu Queen's Park, Hutton Park, Lorenzdale Park, Aramoho Motor Camp Park, Peat Park and Williams Domain, Castlecliff Beach from Karaka Stream to the North Mole, and the south end of Mowhanau Beach.
No dogsThe town centre (Victoria Avenue from Taupo Quay to Ingestre Street and the blocks around it), Virginia Lake, Westmere Lake, Bason Botanic Gardens, Cooks Gardens, the Lake Wiritoa beach and boat ramp, the Kowhai Park playground, Tawhero Golf Course, Deer Park, Spurdle Street Reserve, Matipo Park, Laird Park and Whanganui National Park.
Whanganui District Council dog access areas
Dog services in Whanganui
Vets24/7 Emergencies, Pets, Horses and Livestock
Pet groomersSalon, Clinic and Mobile Grooming
Dog trainersClasses, Clubs and One on One
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Whanganui?
The council does not list a fenced dog park. Otamatea Reserve is its designated dog exercise area, and dogs can also be off leash on the Kowhai Park bridges walkway, at Gonville Domain and on most of Castlecliff Beach.
Can I take my dog to Virginia Lake?
No. Dogs are not allowed in the Rotokawau Virginia Lake Reserve, even on a leash. The same goes for Westmere Lake and Bason Botanic Gardens.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Whanganui?
Yes, in every public place that is not a council off-leash area. Off-leash areas include Otamatea Reserve, several parks and reserves, and parts of Castlecliff, Mowhanau and South beaches.
Sources: Whanganui District Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.