Melbourne metro dog beaches
Brighton Dog Beach is the best-equipped dog beach in Melbourne with a fenced off-leash area, water stations, and dedicated facilities. The calm bay water suits all dog swimming abilities and the adjacent cafe strip is excellent. St Kilda Harbour has a popular off-leash area and is one of the most social dog spots in Melbourne particularly on weekend mornings. The esplanade adjacent has good walking. Mordialloc, Aspendale, and Carrum beaches along the bayside have off-leash sections that are less crowded than the inner-bay options.
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula has the best concentration of dog beaches in Victoria. The Mount Martha Beach Walk passes through four separate off-leash areas in sequence. Safety Beach is long and flat. Rye Dog Beach is reliable year round and good for all sizes. Flinders Dog Beach on the ocean side is dramatic and less crowded. The peninsula has both bay side beaches with calm water and ocean side beaches with surf. Bay side beaches suit smaller dogs and nervous swimmers. Ocean side beaches suit larger, more confident swimming dogs.
Gear we would pack
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Durable Fetch Balls for Playful Pets
Durable balls are fantastic for active pets who join you on adventures.
Durable Fetch Balls for Active Dogs
These balls are durable and perfect for keeping your dog entertained while travelling.
Quiet 62L Pet Dryer Box with Smart Control
This ensures your pet stays comfortable and dry during your travels.
Dog Ear Muffs for Noise Protection
These ear muffs help keep your pet calm in noisy environments during travel.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road requires planning for dog owners. Most of the dramatic scenery is inside national park where dogs cannot leave the car. The dog-friendly sections are worth doing. Anglesea has council-managed beach access. Lorne has foreshore areas. Apollo Bay has beach access outside the national park sections. Be aware that coastal scrub along the Great Ocean Road is prime tiger snake territory. Keep dogs on short leashes near any scrub or trail edges.
Gippsland
The Gippsland coast is underrated for dog owners. Inverloch has good dog beach access and the town has a relaxed pace. The Ninety Mile Beach region has extensive beach access though the scale of the beach requires good recall for off-leash time. Wilsons Promontory National Park does not allow dogs. The state forest and coastal reserve areas immediately outside the park boundary do have some accessible areas.
Victoria has some of Australia's most beautiful dog beaches. The Mornington Peninsula alone is worth the trip. Write to us at hello@pawtrips.com.au with your Victorian beach recommendations.
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