No matter the time of year, and whether the weather is forecasting rain, hail, or shine, it’s always a good day for the beach – and we’re pretty sure your doggo would agree. With the salt in their fur, the sand between their paws, and a sunkissed nose, there’s no better place to be than at one of Australia’s best dog-friendly beaches.
So, if you or your local Dog Walker are taking them to the seaside for the day, make sure to check out one of these top-notch options.
Check beforehand to see if your chosen beach has strict doggo clauses. Many beaches only allow dogs at certain times of day, while some are always dog-friendly. A few require you to keep your dog on a leash at all hours or between certain times, while others are off-leash 24/7. Numerous beaches are entirely dog friendly, while a selection have designated dog areas.
You may also find that rules change on weekdays and weekends, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment!
New South Wales
North, south, and in the sparkly state capital of Sydney, New South Wales is brimming with beaches. While not all of them allow puppers (even on a leash), there are plenty of dog-friendly patches of sand stretching up and down the coastline.
Dog-friendly beaches in Sydney
- Federal Park, Annandale
- Rowland Reserve, Bayview
- Horderns Beach, Bundeena
- Clontarf Reserve Beach
- Greenhills Beach, Cronulla
- Flora and Richie Roberts Reserve, Curl Curl
- Fairlight Beach
- Bicentennial Park, Glebe
- Silver Beach, Kurnell
- Manly Lagoon
- Clifton Gardens Beach, Mosman
- Sirius Cove Reserve, Mosman
- Spit East Reserve and Spit West Reserve, Mosman
- Rose Bay Foreshore, between Percival Park and Dumaresq Reserve
- Kutti Beach, Vaucluse
Regional beaches
- Durras Main Beach, Batemans Bay
- Washerwomans Beach, Bendalong
- Belongil Beach, Byron Bay
- Tallow Beach, Byron Bay
- Brunswick Heads Beach
- Lakes Beach, Budgewoi
- North Wall Beach, Coffs Harbour
- North Shelly Beach, Central Coast
- Aslings Beach, Eden
- Werri Beach, Gerringong
- Lions Park Beach, Pambula Beach
- Pearl Beach
- Nobbys Beach, Port Macquarie
- Bagnalls Beach, Port Stephens
- Terrigal Beach
- Nine Mile Beach, Tuncurry
- McCauley’s Beach, Wollongong
Australian Capital Territory
Bear with us here. The ACT may technically be landlocked, but we couldn’t forget our furry friends in the nation’s capital! Canberra’s showstopping central lake, Lake Burley Griffin and the rivers and lakes around the ACT, make great swimming spots for doggos of all shapes, sizes, and abilities.
Dog-friendly swimming in Canberra
- Barrenjoey Peninsula, Lake Burley Griffin
- Diddams Close Park, Belconnen, on Lake Ginninderra
- Uriarra Crossing, Coree, on the Murrumbidgee River
- Point Hut Crossing, Gordon, on the Murrumbidgee River
- Yerrabi Pond, Gungahlin
- Oaks Estate on the Molonglo River
- Brown Street, Yarralumla, on Lake Burley Griffin
- Kurrajong Point, Weston Park, Yarralumla
Victoria
Melbourne may not be known for its beaches, but its dog-friendly seaside spots are plenty. The rest of Victoria has much more in the way of incredible coastline, some of it world-famous and much of it perfect for puppers. And, thanks to the state’s compact size, each regional beach is relatively easy to drive to.
Dog-friendly beaches in Melbourne
- Seaholme Bay Beach, Altona
- Ricketts Point, Beaumaris
- Black Rock Beach
- Brighton Dog Beach
- Carrum Beach
- Elwood Beach
- Sandringham Harbour, Hampton
- Mentone Beach
- Middle Park Beach
- Port Melbourne Dog Beach
- Sandridge Beach, Port Melbourne
- Sandringham Beach
- St Kilda Beach
- St Kilda West Beach
- Campbells Cove Beach, Werribee
- Cyril Curtain Reserve, Williamstown
Regional beaches
- Sandy Gully Beach, Aireys Inlet
- Anglesea Beach
- Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads
- Flinders Beach
- Inverloch Dog Beach
- Jan Juc Beach
- Shelly Beach, Kilcunda
- Lorne Beach
- Fosters Beach, Mornington
- Royal Bay Beach, Mornington
- Hawker Beach, Mount Martha
- Ocean Grove Beach
- Ventnor Beach, Phillip Island
- Point Richards
- Narrows Beach, Queenscliff
- South Beach, Somers
- Whites Beach, Torquay
- Warrnambool Beach
Queensland
In a state famed for its beaches, you’d be hard-pressed not to find one fit for doggos. The Queensland capital, Brisbane, has a few good options, but the rest of the state is overflowing with beautiful dog-friendly beaches. White sand, azure waters, doggos frolicking… What more could you want?
Dog-friendly beaches in Brisbane
- Beachmere Dog Beach
- Deception Bay Dog Beach
- GJ Walter Park, Cleveland
- Raby Bay Dog Beach, Cleveland
- Ninjas Dog Beach Strip, Clontarf
- Kedron Brook Dog Beach, Gordon Park
- Colmslie Recreation Reserve, Morningside
- Nudgee Beach Reserve
- Queens Beach North, Redcliffe
Regional beaches
- Red Beach, Bribie Island
- Point Cartwright Beach, Buddina
- Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast
- Currimundi Beach, Sunshine Coast
- Palm Beach, Gold Coast
- Tallebudgera Beach, Gold Coast
- Marcus Beach, Sunshine Coast
- North Shore Dog Beach, Mudjimba
- Doggy Beach, Noosa Botanic Gardens
- Sunshine Beach, Noosa
- Home Beach, North Stradbroke Island
- Woorim Beach
South Australia
In Adelaide and around the rest of the state, doggos and their humans have lots of choice when it comes to beaches. Whether you’re sticking to the South Australian capital or heading out on a coastal road trip, these dog-friendly options won’t disappoint.
Dog-friendly beaches in Adelaide
- Aldinga Beach
- Glenelg Beach
- Hallett Cove Beach
- Moana Beach
- O’Sullivan Beach
- Port Noarlunga South
- West Beach
Regional beaches
- Turnbull Beach, Arno Bay
- Butler’s Beach, Marion Bay
- Picnic Beach, Mount Hope
- Boomer Beach, Port Elliot
- Rapid Bay Beach, Second Valley
- Parsons Beach, Yorke Peninsula
- Sheoak Beach, Yorke Peninsula
Western Australia
Western Australia is perfect for doggos who love the outdoors. The state has a whopping 12,000 kilometres of coastline, so naturally it’s packed with amazing beaches. Here are the best dog beaches in Perth and beyond.
Dog-friendly beaches in Perth
- City Beach South
- Peasholm Dog Beach, Floreat
- Hillarys Dog Beach
- Mosman-Leighton Beach
- North Beach Dog Beach
- CY O’Connor Beach, North Coogee
- North Floreat Beach
- Quinns Dog Beach, Quinns Rocks
- Rockingham Dog Beach
- Secret Harbour Dog Beach
- Shoalwater Beach
- South Cottesloe Beach
- South Fremantle Dog Beach
- Trigg Dog Beach
Regional beaches
- Middleton Beach, Albany
- Back Beach, Bremer Bay
- Lights Beach, Denmark
- Ocean Beach, Denmark
- Dunsborough Beach
- Greys Beach, Geraldton
- Sunset Beach, Geraldton
- Emu Point Marina
- Hansen Bay, Cervantes
- Jurien Bay (the bay offers two dog-friendly beaches)
- Geographe Bay, Margaret River
- Peaceful Bay Dog Beach
- Smiths Beach, Yallingup
- Yallingup Beach
Tasmania
There’s so much to love about the “Apple Isle”. It’s got great food, a thriving arts and culture scene, and no shortage of dog beaches. Whether you’re travelling to Tassie for a getaway with your pupper or are fortunate enough to live there, check out these dog-friendly spots.
Dog-friendly beaches in Hobart
- Short Beach, Battery Point
- Bellerive Beach
- Kingston Dog Beach, Bonnet Hill
- Windermere Beach, Claremont
- Howrah Beach, Clarence
- Clarks Beach, Coningham
- Shelly Beach, Opossum Bay
- Blinking Billy Beach, Sandy Bay
- Long Beach, Sandy Bay
- Nutgrove Beach, Sandy Bay
Regional beaches
- Suicide Beach, Bay of Fires
- Beaumaris Beach
- Rice Pebble Beach, Bicheno
- Binalong Bay Beach
- Lagoon Beach, Chain of Lagoons
- Primrose Sands Beach
- Sayers Beach, Recherche
- Mayfield Bay Coastal Reserve, Rocky Hills
- Four Mile Creek Beach, Scamander
- Scamander Beach
- Seymour Beach
- Stieglitz Foreshore, St Helens
- Cressy Beach, Swansea
Northern Territory
Our furry friends up north have a few options when it comes to dog-friendly beaches. Darwin has a good selection of seaside spots that allow doggos to play along the sand and in the water. However, much of the Northern Territory is made up of national park, so the rest of the state is limited. And make sure to watch out for giant crocs around the NT!
Dog-friendly beaches in Darwin
- Casuarina Beach, Brinkin
- Lameroo Beach, Darwin City
- Bundilla Beach, Fannie Bay
- Cullen Bay Beach, Larrakeyah
- Lee Point Beach
- Rapid Creek Beach
