Five of the best: Places to take your dog

Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Watching dogs run around with plenty of room to play, splash in the sea and frolic in the fields brings a smile to the face. Okay, not all of us are dog owners, but there's no harm in finding out the five best places to take a hound. Here are the best according to our dog-parent pals.

1: Waiatarua Reserve

Abbotts Way, Remuera

Set in the middle of Auckland's eastern suburbs, this big, open wetland is off-the-leash all the time. There are plenty of different walking tracks, but if you make it around the 3km loop it's decent exercise for owners as well. There are no nearby roads, eliminating traffic concerns. All dogs must be kept within 10m of their owner and away from wetland areas where there is protected bird life. There are bins and bags provided in case you forget.

2: Meola Reef

171-181 Meola Rd, Pt Chevalier

Long grass, a muddy estuary, trees and plenty of other pooches - Meola Reef is a field day for your four-legged friend. The off-leash area is fenced so it's a great spot to get your dog used to the idea of running free without any worries. Be warned, this place can get so popular it's hard to find a car park during popular times. And it can get very boggy in the rain - which might seem awesome to your excitable dog, but be prepared.

3: Grey Lynn Park

Grosvenor St

Grey Lynn Park ticks a lot of boxes. There's a flashy playground complete with a skate ramp, heaps of walking tracks and a free, supervised, paddling pool in summer. It's also dog friendly and we hear a large, social dog community gathers. A great place to socialise your pet and mingle with other pet parents.

4: Takapuna Beach

Off-lead all the time in winter, but only before 10am and after 6.30pm during daylight saving. Here you will find heaps of dogs excitedly sprinting in the sand, chasing driftwood, digging in the sand and splashing in the sea. Great for those who appreciate a bit of silly dog watching (like us). It's best at low tide when you can walk the entire length of the bay around to St Leonards Beach, which is off-leash all the time, all year. We also rate this spot for owners - grab a coffee or ice cream at the Takapuna Beach Cafe, where dogs are welcome to wait patiently outside.

5: Kakamatua Inlet

Huia Rd, Waitakere Ranges

Kakamatua Inlet is about a 15-minute drive from Titirangi and a short walk to the beach. When the tide is out at, the bay is massive, with a large expanse of sand for your canine to run along. It's also very safe - there are no roads nearby, the water is shallow and there are no big waves. A fresh-water stream runs out to the sea - a great place for dogs to swim or take a sip.