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14 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Melbourne, Australia 2024: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go

Chelsie Fraser

By Chelsie Fraser

golden retriever dog lying on the sand beach

If you’re looking for dog-friendly beaches in Melbourne, you’re in luck! Melbourne has a treasure trove of dog-friendly beach locations. Some of them are well-known but require your dog to stay on a leash, while others are hidden gems with quiet off-leash areas. Here is a list of 15 amazing dog-friendly beaches in Melbourne!

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Top 14 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Melbourne, Australia

1. South Melbourne Beach (Albert Park Beach)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Chy0nn9LE8u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

🗺️ Address: 📍74 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, between April 1 and October 31
  • It is located near Melbourne’s café scene.
  • There’s a long, straight, sandy beach.
  • Dogs are allowed off-leash between April 1 and October 31.
  • Dogs are prohibited from November 1 to March 31.
  • There’s easy parking.

2. Middle Park Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: At certain times during the summer, at all times between November 1 and March 31
  • It is a central Melbourne location.
  • It is connected to a scenic walk through downtown Melbourne.
  • Dogs are permitted off-leash at all times between April 1 and October 31.
  • From November 1 to March 31, dogs are only allowed off-leash between 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
  • Dogs are allowed on-leash year-round.

3. West Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • It’s located right next to Middle Park Beach, in Bayside Melbourne.
  • Dogs are permitted off-leash at all times, year-round.
  • It’s a popular beach for dog owners.
  • The West Beach pavilion offers dog-friendly outdoor dining.
  • The restaurant offers dog water bowls.

4. Albert Park Lake

🗺️ Address: 📍30 Aughtie Dr.
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Off-leash designated areas
  • It’s a lakeside rather than an ocean-side beach.
  • There are two off-leash areas within the park.
  • There’s an on-leash walking track around the lake.
  • Dogs are not permitted in the water.
  • There’s plenty of available parking.

5. Kilda Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍20 Jacka Blvd.
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, between April 1 and October 31
  • No dogs are permitted between November 1 and March 31.
  • There’s a wide, flat running area.
  • The beach is shallow enough for dogs that aren’t expert swimmers.

6. Elwood Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍67 Ormond Esplanade, Elwood
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: At all times during the winter season, between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. during the summer
  • It’s located between Point Ormond and Brighton.
  • There’s a clean, sandy beachfront with great views.
  • The water is shallow.
  • There is low algae growth.
  • Dogs are permitted off-leash at all times between April 1 and October 31; off-leash hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. the rest of the year.

7. Brighton Dog Beach/Sandown Street Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍Beach Rd &, South Rd, Brighton VIC 3186
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, year-round
  • It’s located in Bayside.
  • It’s a fully fenced dog park.
  • There are multiple walkways.
  • It has a great view of Brighton’s pier and marina.

8. Mentone Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍Mentone Parade
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in the western section
  • Dogs are allowed off-leash on the western section of the beach.
  • Dogs must be on leashes on pathways.
  • Check rules for dogs carefully, as they change throughout the year.
  • Toilets and coffee shops are on the beach area on the north side.
  • Dogs are allowed off-leash on the south side from sunrise to 10 a.m.
  • Dogs are prohibited on the south side from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

9. Keast Park, Seaford

🗺️ Address: 📍Nepean Hwy, Seaford, VIC
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, on the sand
  • There’s an open park space.
  • Chairs, tables, barbeques, and drinking fountains are available.
  • Grassy areas and trees are around for shade.
  • The only year-round off-leash beach is near Frankston.
  • There’s a 200-meter section of sand for dogs.

10. Fossil Beach, Mornington

🗺️ Address: 📍Mornington 3931
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • It’s a 10-minute walk off the main road.
  • Dogs must be on-leash until arrival at the beach.
  • It’s secluded and quiet.
  • It’s a rocky beach.
  • The water is shallow.

11. Royal Beach, Mornington

🗺️ Address: 📍Mornington, VIC
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, year-round
  • It’s a short walk from Mornington’s center.
  • It’s a year-round off-leash beach.
  • There’s a view of Melbourne.
  • There are rugged off-path sections.

12. Sandringham Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍Victoria
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, at certain times
  • It’s quiet and doesn’t get overcrowded.
  • Dogs are permitted off-leash from sunrise to 10 a.m. on the north side and at all times on the south side during the winter months. Off-leash hours on the south side during the summer are 7:30 p.m. to 10 am.

13. Tassells Cove Dog-Friendly Walk, Safety Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍Marine Dr, Safety Beach
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • It’s located at the north end of Safety Beach.
  • There’s a small cove for dogs surrounded by sandstone cliffs.
  • It’s separated from the main beach and dog-friendly year round.
  • Dogs are permitted off-leash at all times.

14. Altona Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍Altona Rd., Altona
🕐 Open Times: Any time
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • The water is shallow.
  • It’s best at low tide.
  • There are expansive city views of Williamstown and Port Phillip Bay.
  • There’s a long pier to walk out on.
  • It’s patrolled by surf lifesavers.
  • It’s off-leash year round, but watch for reserve areas where dogs are not permitted.

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Conclusion

Not all beaches are dog-friendly, but Melbourne is a hot spot for off-leash dog beaches. Be sure to check the off-leash hours and areas before going, though, and don’t stray out of dog-friendly areas, or you’ll risk a fine. Hopefully, this list gives you a few options for a fun day at the beach with your four-legged friend!

See also:


Featured Image Credit: alexgo.photography, Shutterstock

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