If you needed an excuse to head to the beach, and you are lucky enough to own a pooch, then you are going to love this collection of off-leash dog beaches. Brisbane is lucky to be surrounded by many coastal inlets ensuring there is always somewhere nearby to let your dog have some free off-leash puppy fun!
Dog Off-leash Considerations
- Check the local council website before visiting as things change. (Please let us know in comments below of any changes or if you find a new beach for you and your pooch to enjoy.)
- When you get there, always follow signage. Sometimes only certain areas of the beach are open to off-leash dogs.
- Be respectful of seabirds and other wildlife in the area.
- Avoid having your dog off-leash in public places if you don’t have command control over them, for your safety and the safety of others and their dogs.
- Be aware of sharks, in all waterways, particularly at dawn and dawn. If you do take your dogs during these times, be mindful that letting them swim beyond the shallows could put them at risk.
- Like any outdoor areas, your pooches poop is your responsibility. If they poop, then you need to put it in a bag and take it back to a bin.
- When we have our dogs off-leash at a beach and another dog joins the fun, we usually leash for a short while to allow them to grow accustomed to each other. Like humans, sometimes even the most social dog just won’t gel with another.
- Always consider the safety of your children at dog off-leash beaches, both in terms of the water and other dogs. Always be cautious when new dogs arrive to assess their friendliness with children. Explain to your children that like your dog, other dogs are there to enjoy the beach with other dogs and not play with children.
Off-Leash Dog Beaches in Brisbane
NORTH
- Tuckeroo Park (Nudgee Road) – This designated off-leash area at the mouth of Kedron Brook waterway is a good place for your pups to splash in the water and when they are done they can try out the agility course at the nearby fenced off-leash area.
- Sandgate/Shorncliffe Foreshore – A good-sized off-leash area for dogs runs from the stairs to the foreshore on the corner of Flinders Parade/Second Avenue, Sandgate all the way to the corner of Park Parade/Zeehan Street, Shorncliffe.
- Deception Bay Foreshore – The mudflats at Deception Bay are a great place for your pup to play in the water (between Wallin Avenue and Joseph Crescent.) Use of this off-leash area is restricted – off-leash before 8am and after 4pm only.
- Queens Beach (North), Scarborough – At picturesque Scarborough there is a stretch of beach (about 700m) where dogs can enjoy being off-leash in the water. This area runs along the Flinders Parade beachfront, between Donkin Street and Flinders Lane.
SOUTH
- Manly Beach – Dogs can play in the shallow waters at the end of Davenport Drive in Manly, between the southern rock wall, northern rock wall and boundary fence.
- GJ Walter Park, Cleveland – Puppies can enjoy the designated dog-friendly beach area on Shore Street East, (there’s even a small playground for the kids!)
- Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Cleveland – At the end of Masthead Drive you can find a picturesque off-leash beach for your four-legged friend to frolic in.
- Colmslie Recreation Reserve, Morningside – Located just off Lytton Road, this Reserve features a spacious off-leash dog area complete with agility equipment and a nearby sandy beach on the Brisbane River, where the doggies can cool off.
Other Nearby Off-Leash Dog Beaches
- Woorim Beach (South), Bribie Island
- Beachmere (North)
- Beachmere (South)
- Queens Beach North
- Buddina Beach, Buddina (at the bottom of Point Cartwright)
- Dog Beach, Noosa Heads (the spit end of Hastings Street)
- The spit at the Gold Coast
- Sunshine Beach, Sunshine Beach (from beach access 27 and north)
- Currimundi Beach, Currimundi (only in signed areas)
From time to time things change which means the addition and removal of dog beaches. Brisbane City Council has a helpful Google Map set up which will connect you with not only the above off-leash dog beaches, but also popular fenced dog parks throughout Brisbane. Here are some links to the appropriate councils and their maps.
Brisbane City Council Dog Park Directory
Moreton Bay Regional Council Dog Beaches
Dog Parks near awesome playgrounds
If you find the idea of kid wrangling with your dog off-leash too much to handle then consider taking your dogs to a fenced dog park. You will love our resource which is all about dog parks near awesome playgrounds.
Hiking Brisbane Dogs
Do you like to wear your fur-kids out in the hope they will sleep all night? Perfect for energetic pooches, these parks allow for a LONG rambling walk off leash.
- Downfall Creek Reserve, accessed from Brickyard Road, Geebung or Jefferis Street, Wavell Heights, is a huge four hectares of unfenced, off leash, doggy heaven. There is lots of open space to play, areas to chase a ball or a stick and plenty of opportunities to catch up with other local dogs here. On the other side of the creek, a bike track connects all the way to Seventh Brigade Park, Chermside.
- Kroll Gardens Park in Clontarf at Redcliffe is another huge park covering five hectares of parkland for you and your hound to explore. This recreation area is at the corner of Duffield Road and Snook Street. It’s very close to the Redcliffe water treatment plant so choose a day where you’ll be upwind!
- Toohey Forest Park at Mount Gravatt offers 25 different walking tracks. Wildlife abounds, so your dog must be on a leash and you should be mindful of native critters crossing your path.
- Dogs on-leash are welcome in Mount Coot-tha forest including the JC Slaughter Falls walk. This popular and iconic walk is a lovely idea for a weekend adventure with six popular walking trails, BBQs and parking for the perfect picnic destination.
So now you have all the information you need to get out and get active with your Brisbane dogs and kids! Why not try out a new dog park or beach this weekend?
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