Rose Bay

The beach's calmer, more local end, where the coastal walk starts and the grassed reserves open up. Salty, relaxed and far comfier with a dog than the tourist strip.

Bondi-close and leafy, with Waverley Park's green and quiet village streets. Walkable, easy-going and good with a dog.

A beloved eastern beach with a grassy park and the coastal walk on tap. Salty, relaxed and made for a sea-air stroll.

Sydney's most famous beach and the coastal walk that follows. Salty, lively and made for a clifftop wander.

A tiny clifftop cove on the Bondi-to-Bronte walk, all sea air and ocean views. Salty, scenic and made for a coastal stroll.

The coastal-walk icon. The sand itself is a no-dog zone, but the parks, cafes and clifftop paths above more than deliver. Come for the views, not the beach romp.

City-close and leafy-edged, with harbour glimpses and parks nearby. Walkable, handy and good for a quick lap.

Queen Street antiques, boutique storefronts and leafy terrace streets on Centennial Park's edge. The east at its most polished, made for a window-shop wander with a well-bred dog.

Sandstone terraces, boutique-lined Oxford Street and the leafy hush of Five Ways. Paddo does fashion and Sunday strolls in equal measure — bring a well-dressed dog.

Harbour beach, clifftop Gap walks and ferry-stop calm at the headland's tip. Scenic, breezy and made for a sea-air wander.