Dog-Friendly Christchurch, NZ: Beaches, Parks & Places to Eat

Did you know that nearly 10% of Christchurch locals own a furry friend? This means the city’s totally geared towards pup parents, pooch pals, and even those house sitting in Christchurch. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best bits of dog-friendly Christchurch, from the top spots to grab a bite to eat to the most gorgeous parks and adventure trails.

Local pet parents and Christchurch sitters – read on to discover all there is to do in the beautiful Garden City!

Dog-friendly cafes, Christchurch

Whether you’re after seaside views, cozy interiors, or a puppuccino pitstop, these dog-friendly cafes have tails wagging all over Christchurch!

Under the Red Verandah

A local favourite since 1997, this eastside cafe is known for its fresh, nourishing food made with local ingredients (organic, where possible). Pooch pals can join in the outdoor seating area, and staff might even have a treat tucked away for them! This is a popular spot, so booking ahead is a smart move.

Location: 29 Tancred Street, Linwood, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

Brighton Beach House

When hunting for a dog-friendly cafe, Christchurch canines won’t be disappointed here! With brekkie and grazing plates for humans, plus a choice of treats, dog beds, and plenty of furry regulars to befriend, there’s something for everyone.

Location: 16A Beach Road, North New Brighton, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand

Hello Sunday

Housed in a beautifully restored old post office, Hello Sunday serves up one of the most unique brunch menus in town – smashed pumpkin croast (not a typo), beef cheek hash, and crème brûlée overnight oats. Furry friends are welcome inside and can enjoy a puppuccino (and maybe a side of bacon) while you sip your flat white.

Location: 6 Elgin Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand

Black Betty Cafe

Specializing in coffee and serving a mouth-watering brunch menu along with sweet treats and freshly made lunch bites, Black Betty is on to a winner. Oh, and bring your pup along – they’re always welcome.

Location: 165 Madras Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

Niche Coffee + Eatery

Pancake stacks, eggs your way, and bánh mì are just a few of the items you’ll find on this all-day menu, along with an array of caffeinated and refreshing drinks. Pet-friendly seating is located outside, complete with water bowls.

Location: Unit 18/42 Marriner Street, Sumner, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand

The Lil Brew

Grab a coffee and a doggy ice cream and watch the world go by, inside or out! Everyone’s covered with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly options on the menu of freshly-baked goodies.

Location: 186a Main Road, Redcliffs, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand

Dog-friendly restaurants, Christchurch

Who says fine dining is just for humans? In Christchurch, your four-legged foodie can join in everything from sizzling BBQ to slow-cooked classics, all without missing a beat.

No.4 Bar and Restaurant

Whether you’re dressed to the (ca)nines or stopping by after a long dog walk, No.4 offers a warm welcome to all. Try the legendary Beef Wellington or a prime cut of steak – there are plenty of options for veggies and vegans, too!

Location: 4 Mansfield Avenue, St Albans, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand

BEERS by Bacon Brothers

Smoked meats, loaded burgers, and an ever-changing menu of weekly specials are served in this laid-back joint. Your pooch might even score a dog-friendly beer while you explore the tasty selection of beverages on tap!

Location: 477B Blenheim Road, Sockburn, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand

The Old Vicarage Cafe, Restaurant & Bar

Fresh, local Kiwi fare is served in this homely setting, which was once a vicarage (hence the name). Best of all, Fido can join you inside and out!

Location: 335 Halswell Road, Halswell, Christchurch 8025, New Zealand

Joe's Garage Wigram

This friendly neighborhood eatery is open from early ‘till late, and dishes up everything from brekkie to burgers, salads, and rolls. Everyone’s welcome at Joe’s – just make sure pups stick to the dog-friendly area outside.

Location: 98 The Runway, Wigram, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand

Sumner Beach, Christchurch

Dog-friendly beaches, Christchurch

Of all the dog-friendly places in Christchurch, these might just be your favorite! With pine-lined paths, ocean views, and plenty of spots to splash or sunbathe, the city’s beaches are perfect for a day out.

But before you let your pup loose, it’s important to know the rules – many beaches have seasonal restrictions to keep swimmers and wildlife safe, especially in summer.

Here’s a roundup of the best dog-friendly beaches in Christchurch, along with what to expect in the warmer months.

Waimairi Beach Park

This quiet beach has a pine forest backdrop and wide, open sand perfect for strolling, sniffing, and stick-chasing. Note that summer restrictions apply near the Surf Life Saving Club.

Location: Waimairi Beach Park 1 Beach Road, Waimairi Beach, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand

Sumner Beach

Just a 20-minute drive from Christchurch, this is a great place to meet fellow pet parents and hang out with your furry beach bud. Note that parking can be tricky on sunny weekends, and be mindful of the no-dog zones near the Surf Life Saving Club.

Location: Canterbury Region 8081, New Zealand

Scarborough Beach

Bring your four-legged friend here for a seaside stroll along the esplanade. Enjoy the sea breeze, let your pup feel the sand under their paws, and finish off with a coffee from one of the nearby cafes!

Location: Sumner, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand

Corsair Bay Reserve

This sheltered bay is ideal for a quick dip in the sea or a full day out. With toilets, changing rooms, and plenty of parking, it’s an easy go-to. Just keep an eye out for seasonal restrictions in this area – dogs are prohibited on the beach in the summer months.

Location: Park Terrace, Corsair Bay, Christchurch 8082, New Zealand

Seasonal dog restrictions

To keep Christchurch’s beaches safe and fun for everyone, dogs aren’t allowed off-leash in designated Summer Beach Prohibition Areas from 1 November to 31 March, between 9am and 7pm.

These areas include:

Waimairi, Spencer Park, North & South New Brighton: Within 100 metres of Surf Life Saving Club pavilions.
New Brighton: 100m north of the Surf Club and 100m south of the Christchurch Pier.
Sumner: From 100m north of the Surf Club to Cave Rock.
Taylor’s Mistake: 50m around the Surf Club pavilion.
Corsair Bay, Cass Bay, Diamond Harbour & other Lyttelton Harbour beaches: Entire foreshore areas.
Akaroa beaches & surrounding bays, including Le Bon’s Bay, Little Akaloa, Okains Bay, and Tikao Bay.

Outside of these hours and months, these beaches become ‘under effective control’ areas, meaning dogs are welcome as long as they’re well-behaved and supervised.

Dog-friendly parks, Christchurch

Christchurch City Council has gone above and beyond for local pooch pals, with heaps of open spaces specially for them! Honestly, even putting this list together made our legs tired – there are hours (maybe even days!) of tail-wagging fun to be had at these dog exercise areas.

The Groynes Dog Park

This spacious park has everything a pup could want – multiple fenced zones, agility equipment, shady trees, and fresh streams to splash in. There’s also drinking water, a dog wash station, and parking nearby.

Location: Groynes Drive, Northwood, Christchurch 8051, New Zealand

Horseshoe Lake Dog Park

Split into two fenced areas, each section has its own bins, taps, water bowls, obstacle courses, and even picnic tables under the trees.

Location: Horseshoe Lake Road, Burwood, Christchurch 8061, New Zealand

Rawhiti Dog Park

This shady park features agility equipment, a double-gate entry system to prevent escape artists, and plenty of room to sniff and zoom. Fresh water and waste bins are also on hand.

Location: 100 Shaw Avenue, New Brighton, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand

Styx Mill Dog Park

Spacious and well-fenced, Styx Mill has grassy fields and even a secure pond area for pups to swim. It’s a great choice for social butterflies and water babies, with tennis balls and free parking nearby.

Location: 130 Hussey Road, Northwood, Christchurch 8051, New Zealand

Victoria Park Dog Park

This large hilltop park has a mix of open grasslands, natural rock formations, and views over the city. Pups can roam freely inside the dog park, but they’ll need to be on a leash to explore the walking trails outside.

Location: Cashmere, Christchurch 8022, New Zealand

Bexley Park Dog Park

Located within the larger reserve, this small fenced area is separated into zones for big and small dogs. It currently includes waste bins and has plans to add climbing obstacles and doggy drinking fountains soon.

Location: Bexley Road, Bexley, Christchurch 8061, New Zealand

Halswell Quarry Park, Christchurch

Dog-friendly walking tracks, Christchurch

Looking to go beyond the designated dog park? Pups can roam off-leash in most parks and reserves unless signs say otherwise – just make sure they’re always under control.

Here are some of the top dog walks in Christchurch:

Bottle Lake Forest Park

Four-legged pals can explore off-leash throughout this beautiful forest as long as they’re kept under control. There are endless trails of varying difficulty – snap a photo of the map before you head in so you don’t get lost!

Length:

Blue Track – 11.4km loop
Blue Coastal Track – 4.7km
Green Track – 3km loop

Location: Waitikiri Drive, Bottle Lake, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand

Halswell Quarry Loop

On a clear day, you can see as far as the Southern Alps from this hilltop walk! Pooch pals need to be kept on a leash until you reach the designated exercise area – then they’re free to run wild.

Length: 2km

Location: Kennedys Bush Road, Kennedys Bush, Christchurch 8025, New Zealand

Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon River Trail

This easy riverside trail stretches from the city center all the way to New Brighton. Some sections allow furry friends to explore off-leash, so check signs along the way.

Distance: 13km

Location: 345 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand

Godley Head Walkway

For a coastal walk with history, start at Taylors Mistake and follow the trail past WWII fortifications and views of the Pacific. Pups must stay leashed, but the sights more than make up for it.

Length: 9km round trip

Location: 224 Taylors Mistake Road, Te Onepoto / Taylors Mistake, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand

Tips for pet owners in Christchurch

Carry a leash

In Christchurch, furry friends must be on a leash in most public areas unless clearly signposted as an off-leash zone. Many parks and reserves allow off-leash play, but pups must always be under effective control, which means they come when called and stay close.

Make the most of the dog parks

Christchurch has some fantastic fenced dog exercise areas, including The Groynes, Styx Mill, and Horseshoe Lake. These parks often include agility equipment, shaded areas, and fresh water.

Plan ahead for time away

Next time you’re heading out of town, find a verified in-home sitter to take care of your furry family member in the comfort of their own home. Forget the stress of travel or taking them someplace new; enjoy true peace of mind on your trip knowing your pets are in safe, loving hands.

Find out more

Tips for pet sitters in Christchurch

Be aware of beach restrictions

During the summer season (1 November to 31 March, from 9am to 7pm), dogs are prohibited in designated areas, especially near Surf Life Saving Clubs.

Use CCC’s dog-friendly map

Christchurch City Council has an interactive map to help visitors find leash-free parks, walking tracks, and prohibited zones. It’s a handy tool for planning dog-friendly outings!

Explore Christchurch as a pet sitter

Outdoor adventures are part of everyday life in Christchurch, making it a dream destination to explore with a pup! Live like a local and exchange loving pet care for a place to stay, and turn your Garden City getaway into a tail-wagging reality.