The Best Dog Beaches in Australia

Where to go to give your canine companion the best surf-edged run-around

Sun, surf, sand… Australians love the beach, and so do our pooches, but finding a beach that accommodates both you and your furry friend can sometimes be a challenge. Here, Dog Diaries has compiled list of some of the best dog beaches, so the next time you decide to go on a holiday or spend the day at the beach, Fido can join in the fun, too!

NSW: Sirius Cove Reserve, Mosman (Sydney)
As the name of this beach suggests (Sirius is the name of the ‘dog star’), pooches are welcomed and encouraged at this picturesque beach. With nature reserve and play equipment close by, Sirius Cove also offers strategically placed doggie-doo bins and bags for a stress- (and mess-) free day out with your dog.

VIC: St Kilda Beach, St Kilda (Melbourne)
With markets every weekend, a wide promenade and grassy picnic areas just off the beach, there is something for the whole family at St Kilda beach. Picturesque and iconic, your dog will love splashing about in the water and sniffing out some new companions in the countless other pooches you’re sure to run into. It’s a good idea to remember that there is a specific area on St Kilda beach for dogs, between Brooks Jetty and the northern end of the car park towards St Kilda Marina, so if you stick between those areas you can allow your dog as much freedom as he or she wants.

WA: Peasholm Dog Beach, South Scarborough (Perth)
The beaches in Western Australia are some of the most breathtaking in the entire country. With miles of gleaming white sand stretching out before you and plenty of room for romping and playing, Peasholm Dog Beach is as close as you’ll get to doggy heaven on earth. Try to head there later in the day to catch one of the most spectacular sunsets you’re likely to see.

TAS: Muirs Beach, Cole Bay
Close to the incredible Freycinet National Park, Muirs Beach offers fun for the whole family. It’s a very long beach, so it’s perfect for really letting your pooch have a run, and it is also great for windsurfing and other activities in the waves as it’s not as sheltered as other Tassie beaches. Fines do apply for not picking up after your dog, so be sure to make use of the bags provided at the entrance to the beach.

SA: O’Sullivan Beach (Adelaide)
If you’ve ever been to the area around O’Sullivan Beach, you’ll know it is one of the most dog-friendly towns in Australia. Almost everyone you see has a dog with them (Golden Retrievers seem especially popular down here) and the beaches are wide, flat and safe for your doggie to roam free.

QLD: Sunshine Beach, Noosa
If you’re holidaying in Noosa, drive the extra 10 minutes north and you will discover Sunshine Beach (formerly Golden Beach). In typical Noosa style, the beach is laidback, the locals friendly and the potential for canine enjoyment is at a maximum. The two-legged tourist is not forgotten here, either, as Sunshine Beach is a favourite for boating, fishing and surfing.