Melbourne Dog Beaches List
Did you know Melbourne has some fantastic off-leash dog beaches? A romp near or in water is generally beneficial to your dog’s health and well-being, and it’s a nice change of pace from a walk around the block.
Although the majority of the city’s parks are dog-friendly, you must still keep your pet on a leash. Try one of these parks or beaches for a more unrestricted excursion, where dogs can run around, sniff along eucalyptus-lined walking routes, or play in the shallows – all without the need for a leash.
Here are the best dog beaches in Melbourne for off-lead exercise, play, and socialization, all of which are beneficial to your dog’s health and enjoyment.
Footscray Park, Footscray
Footscray Park is a large regional park with several garden beds and other amenities. It offers views of the metropolitan skyline, as well as connections to the Maribyrnong River Trail and the Flemington Racecourse.
On the western side of Thomson Water Garden, in Footscray Park, there is a designated dog off-leash area (Victoria University side).
When within five meters of the Maribyrnong River walk, dogs must be on a leash. Dogs must be on a leash in all other areas of Footscray Park.
In the playground area, dogs are not permitted at any time.
Any dog owner or handler who violates the foregoing provisions may face penalties.
Sandridge Dog Beach, Port Melbourne
Sandridge Beach is bordered by the port, but it has been groomed, making it a beautiful beach to walk along if you live nearby.
During the summer months, the beach is frequently patrolled by surf lifesavers, so look for the red and yellow flags on the beach. These flags show where on the beach it is safest to swim.
Large shaded picnic tables, BBQ facilities, and clean water are just a few of the things that make this beach worth visiting. On-site, there is also a cafe and a shop that sells hot and cold refreshments. The cycling path that travels east can also be used by fitness enthusiasts. There is also free parking.
Altona Dog Beach, Altona
The beach at Altona is relatively shallow, thus the tide goes out rather far . Many people bring their dogs to the beach at low tide to socialize and romp around because it is an Off-Leash area. You may also take in the expansive views of the city, Williamstown, and Port Phillip Bay from the open sky. The beach is located between the Altona Sports Club and the Seaholme train station. It’s also on the common Bay Trail West trail. The mouth of the Kororoit Creek is nearby, as are the world’s most southerly mangroves. Because the walk is on the beach and there are many streams and puddles, gumboots or bare feet are the best options.
Among the rocks, there is interesting fossicking can be done, as well as the ruins of an earlier shipwreck. The Cheetham marshes, located to the south, attract a huge number of birds in the spring and summer, including migrants from Siberia.
Mentone Dog Beach, Mentone
The Bay Trail, which is bordered on one side by coastal scrub and on the other by the shore, is a long, lovely on-leash walk. However, as soon as you arrive at Mentone Dog Beach, your dog is free to roam. The off-leash beach is open 24 hours a day between Charman and Plummer roads. Bins and taps can be found on the beach and outside the Mentone Life Saving Club.
St Kilda Dog Beach, St Kilda
West Beach, St Kilda Harbour, and St Kilda Beach shoreline near St Kilda Marina are the three dog-friendly beaches in St Kilda.
If you visit West Beach in the fall or winter, you can extend your vacation to Middle Park Beach, which allows dogs off-leash at all times from April to October. Between November 1 and March 31, dogs are only allowed off-leash on Middle Park Beach between the hours of 7.30 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Elwood Dog Beach, Elwood
Elwood Beach is a prominent off-leash dog-friendly beach. Dogs can be off-leash 24 hours a day from April 1 to October 31.
Dogs are only allowed on the northern end of the beach, near Point Ormond, from November 1 to March 31, and they can be off-leash from 5.30 to 9.30 a.m. From November to March, dogs are not permitted on the southern end of the beach at any time.
Sandringham Dog Beach
This beach, located in Sandringham Harbour, is not far from Brighton. There are plenty of open areas where your dog can run about and play. The landscape is kept beautiful by boats bobbing around in the distance. There are lots of walking trails to choose from outside of the off-leash beach.
Beaumaris Beach/ Ricketts Point
Apart from the dogs, Rickett’s point is a pet’s heaven; down at the yacht club end, it’s usually a calmer affair than others. This gorgeous little length of the beach, which wraps around the point and boasts pristine views and rockpools for your dog to enjoy, has been a strong contender for the finest dog beach in Victoria over the years.
Seaholme Dog Beach
Seaholme Dog Beach is located along the foreshore of the Altona Coastal Park and is undoubtedly one of Melbourne’s top dog beaches. There are no complicated hours to figure out; dogs are allowed to be off-leash all year.
Make sure to check the tides before going out to play with your dog because the experience is greatest when you can wade and splash your way out to sea on the sand flats and shallow water. You can walk out into the sea for at least 50 meters.
Elwood Beach, Elwood
There are two zones on Elwood Beach, each with its own set of rules.
Dogs are only permitted between 5.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. between the rock groyne south of Point Ormond and the beach access ramp 35 meters south-east of Normandy Road from November 1 to March 31. Dogs are permitted at all times between April 1 and October 31.
Dogs are not permitted on the rest of the beach (to the south) from November 1 to March 31, but are allowed between April 1 and October 31.
Simple Dog Etiquettes To Keep In Mind When Bringing Them To The Beach
- Unless in the authorized off-leash zones, keep your dog on a leash.
- If your dog is prone to being aggressive toward other dogs, put it on a short leash to avoid dog fights.
- In the summer, when there are more people around, bring a leash and keep your dog under effective control on off-leash beaches.
- In their pursuit of excitement, be sure your frolicking dog does not disturb nests or kill local wildlife.
- Be responsible for your dog’s droppings.