11 Best Off-Leash Dog Beaches in Melbourne
What makes a great off lead beach for dogs? Firstly access, because many beaches have restrictions on where and when dogs can be allowed off-leash. There are generally more restrictive hours during the summer daylight savings times. The following beaches have year round off leash access.
Large sandy areas and shallow clean water, bins and water taps and easy access without car parking fees are also attributes of the great off lead beaches.
Melbourne has some fantastic beaches where dogs can frolic off-leash in the water and along the beach. Our dog loves skimming through the shallow water and then shaking off the excess water while standing right beside us. Dogs and their owners can happily play, exercise and socialise at these places.
It can be complex to understand when and where dogs are permitted off leash. Follow the links for each beach to get a summary of the rules and follow any signage. Some beaches have picnic facilities and playgrounds where dogs must be on a leash.
Best Dog Beaches Melbourne Northern Bayside
1. Sandridge Dog Beach (Port Melbourne)
This beach offers accessibility with the bonus of lots of free parking, Caps Cafe, the brilliant Maritime Cove Community Park playground which was constructed using re-purposed maritime equipment, picnic facilities and views across to Station Pier where cruise liners and the Spirit of Tasmania dock. Part of the beach has year round off leash access.
Dogs are allowed off-leash at all times of the year on the 220m long stretch of beach between the rock groyne opposite Cumberland Road (2nd groyne from Sandridge Beach) and the rock groyne opposite Barak Road (3rd groyne from Sandridge Beach). For the remainder of the beach from 1 April - 31 October dogs permitted at all times and from 1 November - 31 March dogs are prohibited at all times.
2. Port Melbourne Dog Beach (Port Melbourne)
The Port Melbourne beach extends between Station Pier and Lagoon Pier with the 240m long southern section between Port Melbourne Yacht Club and Lagoon Pier being off-leash year round while the northern half is a dog off leash area from 1 April through to 31 October. There is a cafe along the beach and it is only a short walk to great shops and cafes along Bay Street.
Best Dog Beaches Melbourne South East Bayside
3. St Kilda Dog Beaches (St Kilda)
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Dogs can enjoy three off-leash beach areas in the St Kilda region - St Kilda West / St Kilda Harbour Dog Beach and St Kilda Foreshore Dog Beach north of the St Kilda Marina.
Apart from the environmentally sensitive area of the West Beach sand dunes (opposite Cowderoy Street) where dogs are prohibited, dogs are allowed off leash in the St Kilda West beach and St Kilda Harbour beach areas at all times. The West Beach has wide open expanses of shallow water and sand which makes it ideal for water play. The shallow sandbars mean that the area is ideal for dogs who are reluctant to go into the water or puppies having their first dip in the water. Dog friendly West Beach Pavilion cafe is right next to the beach.
The off-leash part of St Kilda Foreshore beach is at the southern end of the beach between Brooks Jetty and the northern end of the car park towards St Kilda Marina.
There are a number of eating places when you get south of St Kilda pier and we love to grab some fish and chips from Paper Fish.
There is plenty of ticketed parking beside the beaches but it isn't cheap.
4. Elwood Dog Beach (Elwood)
Elwood beach is a long beach which has a concrete walking path and a separate bike path which runs beside the beach the whole length. It is often bustling and lively with some places to get a snack and drink. There is ticketed parking next to the beach but on the side streets there is free 2P parking.
The best time to visit is between 1 April and 31 October when dogs are permitted off-leash at all times. During the summer period from 1 November - 31 March, dogs are only allowed on the northern end of the beach near Point Ormond off-leash in the morning between 5.30 am - 9.30 am and for the remainder of the beach (to the south) dogs are prohibited during this part of the year.
5. Brighton Dog Beach (Brighton)
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Brighton Dog Beach is also known as Sandown Street Dog Beach and some free parking can be found in Sandown Street.
This large triangular sandy area jutting into the bay is a brilliant area for dogs. It is fenced with a gate and dogs can run off leash all year round. The beach is very popular with dog owners and you'll always find some doggy friends there. There are some cafes nearby but prices are high and be prepared to take out an extra mortgage for a meal.
Take a walk (on leash) to the Brighton Bathing Boxes which are 1.7km to the south.
6. Sandringham Harbour Dog Beach (Sandringham)
There is a 750m long section of sand and shallow water which is great for dogs whether they like running along the beach, having a swim or a wade through the shallows. There are bins in the area and a track from the pier leads to toilets, water tap with dog bowl and the Sandy Beach kiosk. The beach is off-leash all year round.
There are a number of paths down to the beach. Jetty Road leads to several car parks at the Hampton Pier end which have paid parking (8am - 8pm). There is also a carpark on the north side of Trevor Barker oval. A few tracks lead down from Beach Road. Parking next to the beach is expensive but it is possible to find some free parking if you are willing to walk a bit.
7. Mentone Dog Beach (Mentone)
The western part of Mentone beach which runs for 500m between Charman Road and Plummer Road is a year round 24 hour dog off leash zone. The eastern part of the beach has more complicated access rules which will make your head spin, but there is plenty of room at the western end. It's a popular place with lots of dogs and owners enjoying the beach. There are facilities such as bins, water tap and toilets at the Mentone Life Saving Club where there is a car park. There is short wall running along the back of the beach which is handy to keep dogs within the beach area.
8. Keast Park Dog Beach (Seaford)
The beach at Keast Park is the only year round dog off leash beach in the Frankston council area. There is a 200 metre section of sand for dogs to run and play. There is a basic playground at the park and a walkway through to the beach from the carpark which has paid parking.
The reserve is home to the Keast Park Pavilion which houses the Carrum Bowls Club, toilet facilities and Crackerjack Cafe which offers bay and city views.
Best Dog Beaches Melbourne Mornington Peninsula
9. Tassells Cove Dog Beach (Safety Beach)
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Tassells Cove is a lovely little beach about 180m long which has shallow, calm water and a sandy beach. The beach is backed by cliffs and some colourful beach huts. This is a popular beach for dogs and is off-leash all year round. There is only a small carpark which holds about 25 cars and you may have to park in the back streets and take a short walk to the beach. There is no water tap at the beach, so bring along a bowl and some water during warmer weather.
10. Flinders Dog Beach (Flinders)
There is a stretch of long sandy beach at Flinders which extends for 2km from Dodds Creek beach, along Mornington Park beach to Manton Creek beach. This is a great area for dogs to explore, especially during low tide when rockpools are exposed.
There are a number of access points. Near #1 The Esplanade, Flinders there is a small car park where a steep path leads down to the southern end of Dodds Creek beach. Another path leads to the northern end of Dodds Creek beach from #1 Spindrift Avenue, Flinders. Alternatively, you can park near the Flinders Jetty and walk 500m along the beach to reach Dodds Creek beach.
Best Dog Beaches Melbourne West
11. Altona Dog Beach (Altona)
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The beach comprises wide tidal flats and especially when the tide is out, there are huge expanses of shallow water and sand which dogs love to frolic in. There are facilities such as bins, water taps with bowls. The beach is well protected from the road and even if your dog runs off, it should be quite safe.
The beach is next to the P A Burns Reserve which has large fenced dog off-leash areas.
Web Links
→ Melbourne Beaches with Year Round Dog Off-Leash Access
→ Dog Parks & Services
→ The Best Family Beaches in Melbourne
→ The Best Playgrounds Near Beaches
