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Sit, stay, swim: Australia’s best dog-friendly beaches revealed

Credit: Getty/Mario Guti

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
Because all dogs deserve more than just a walk around the block.

The mercury is rising, summer is approaching and Aussies are itching to hit the beach. But we’re not the only ones in need of a refreshing dip; our four-legged family members could also use a little relief from the heat.

While a lot of Australia’s best beaches are reserved exclusively for humans, there are plenty of seaside spots where your canine companion can cool off, too. You just have to know where to look.

To help point pet owners in the right direction, Aussie pet nutrition brand Eureka Pet Co has examined 129 coastal locations to determine the country’s top 10 dog-friendly beaches. Let the tail-wagging begin!

Australia’s top dog-friendly beach

It turns out, you don’t need to venture beyond the city limits to find Australia’s best dog-friendly beach. Nestled in the leafy suburb of Mosman, you’ll find Sirius Cove Reserve, one of Sydney’s ultimate secret swimming spots.

Sirius Cove Reserve, Sydney NSW
Sirius Cove Reserve opens up onto Sydney Harbour. (Credit: Danny Butler Photography)

Just a stone’s throw from Taronga Zoo, this sheltered pocket of Sydney Harbour is paradise for your pooch, boasting calm waters and a wide shoreline with endless space to run. You won’t have to battle it out for a parking spot either; there are three car parks within a one kilometre radius of the sand.

Sirius Cove Reserve carries an off-leash designation under Mosman Council, a legally approved classification that allows dogs to exercise and socialise freely without the constraint of a lead.

Dog-friendly beaches Australia
Dogs can enjoy unrestricted off-leash access throughout the week. (Credit: Getty/Vesnaandjic)

There are no time restrictions during the week, but off-leash access is limited to before 9am and after 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. A long-time favourite among local dog owners, its appeal extends well beyond the beach itself, with 60 dog-friendly tracks nearby, including Clifton Gardens Reserve.

Sirius Cove also backs onto one of the city’s top coastal trails, the Curlew Camp Artists’ Walk, which welcomes explorers of both the two- and four-legged kind.

Sirius Cove Reserve, Sydney NSW
Soak up Sirius Cove scenery as boats bob gently offshore. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Grab a takeaway brew from local coffee haunt Cafe Monstera before heading down to the beach, where you can settle into a shady spot on the grass while your pooch plays. With sweeping views across the sparkling boat-studded harbour, it’s hardly a chore to sit back and supervise.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

The top 10 dog-friendly beaches in Australia

While Sydney may have claimed the crown, it’s not the only NSW destination to appear among the rankings. In fact, another three beaches from across the state secured a position in the top 10. Bagnalls Beach in Port Stephens came in 3rd, while Clontarf Beach Reserve and Rose Bay Foreshore, both in Sydney, took 5th and 9th place respectively.

Rose Bay Foreshore, Sydney NSW
Three Sydney beaches made the list, including the Rose Bay Foreshore. (Credit: Destination NSW)

The remaining six spots were split evenly between Queensland and Victoria, proving the east coast reigns supreme when it comes to keeping our canine companions cool this summer. Here’s the definitive list of dog-friendly beaches in Australia:

  1. Sirius Cove Reserve, Sydney, NSW
  2. Middle Park Beach, Middle Park, Vic
  3. Bagnalls Beach, Port Stephens, NSW
  4. Sandridge Beach, Port Melbourne, Vic
  5. Clontarf Reserve Beach, Sydney, NSW
  6. Port Cartwright Beach, Buddina, Qld
  7. Currimundi Beach, Currimundi, Qld
  8. St Kilda Beach, Melbourne, Vic
  9. Rose Bay Foreshore, Sydney, NSW
  10. North Shore Dog Beach, Twin Waters, Qld

How the rankings were determined

To determine Australia’s best dog-friendly beaches, Eureka Pet Co assessed 129 locations across the country, using data from local council websites and official apps like AllTrails, Booking.com, Google Places and Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beachsafe.

Dog-friendly beaches Australia
A total of 129 dog-friendly beaches were assessed to determine the top 10. (Credit: Getty/Mario Guti)

Each candidate was measured against five key criteria: proximity to dog-friendly walking trails, pet-friendly accommodation, campsites/caravan parks and veterinary services, and public reviews.

The study considered amenities within five or 10 kilometres of each beach (depending on the category), with public ratings adjusted to account for the number of reviews. The results were then weighted and combined into a single index score out of 100 to reveal the final top 10.

“Every summer we hear from owners who’ve found a gorgeous beach, only to realise there’s nowhere to walk their dog or nowhere to stay the night nearby," says Eureka Pet co-founder and CEO, Tara Medina.

“Planning a trip that actually works for your dog shouldn’t be a headache, which is why we thought dog owners would appreciate this list."

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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The top 10 events you don’t want to miss in Victoria in 2026

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    From cycling and comedy to boating and begonia appreciation, there’s an event in regional Victoria that’s sure to have you circling dates on your calendar.

    1. Festival of Sails

    the Melbourne to Geelong passage race, Festival of Sails 2025
    The Melbourne to Geelong passage race will be held for its 183rd year. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    When: 24–26 January
    Where: Melbourne and Geelong

    This five-day regatta of sailing and onshore entertainment at Geelong’s waterfront includes Australia’s oldest sporting event, the Melbourne to Geelong passage race which, in 2026, will be held for its 183rd year. But you don’t have to be a yachtie, sailor or boat-enthusiast to enjoy the nautical excitement; there’s also a three-day line-up of entertainment, food and live music, including the anchoring of tall ships – ever a firm family favourite.

    2. Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

    cyclists during the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
    Catch the best cyclists as they wind through Victoria’s coastal towns. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    When: 31 January – 1 February
    Where: The Bellarine Peninsula

    Meandering (at pace) along the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast is this annual cycling event that welcomes everyone from families to serious athletes. Since its beginnings in 2015, the race has become a huge hit with spectators flocking along to cheer on Lycra-clad competitors. Starting and finishing in Geelong’s Velo Village, this is the hub of the non-race activity with food and drink, roaming performers, lawn games and face painting.

    3. Riverboats Music Festival

    the performers at Riverboats Music Festival, Murray River
    The annual music festival is staged under majestic red gums by the Murray River.

    When: 13–15 February
    Where: Echuca–Moama

    Get along to bop and sway under the canopy of red gums at this annual music festival. Hosted by the twin towns of Echuca–Moama, the stage is set for Murray River-adjacent revelling as historic paddlesteamers peacefully chug alongside the event. As well as music, there’s dancing, food trucks and plenty of atmosphere to absorb.

    4. Neerim ArtsFest

    the Neerim ArtsFest south sculptures
    Admire stunning works at Neerim ArtsFest. (Image: Nicky Cawood)

    When: 28 February – 15 March
    Where: Gippsland

    This biennial Gippsland festival celebrates sculptural artists with an esteemed award in two categories, large outdoor and small indoor. The public is invited to enjoy the works over the exhibition period as they’re placed throughout Neerim South and surrounding venues. For 2026, the theme ‘The Spirit Soars’ leads artists to create stunning pieces that explore the expression of freedom in a thrilling visual capacity.

    5. ChillOut Festival

    a street parade during the LGBTQIA+ ChillOut Festival
    Think colourful street parades and burlesque performances.

    When: 5–9 March
    Where: Daylesford

    Pride in the country has been cheered on every March in Daylesford since 1997 with the riotous annual LGBTQIA+ ChillOut Festival. This colourful regional spectacle is an inclusive celebration of diversity that plays out across a vibrant parade, burlesque performances, a bush dance and a carnival. Get bedazzled, find a wig and stick on the false eyelashes for this fun party.

    6. Port Fairy Folk Festival

    Missy Higgins at the Port Fairy Folk Festival
    Celebrate folk music at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. (Image: Lucinda Goodwin)

    When: 6–9 March
    Where: Port Fairy

    In 2026, this beloved festival will be one year shy of its 50th anniversary. From folk fans to festival-lovers, this long-running event brings plenty of good vibes to guarantee an incredible experience. While music is at the heart of the festival, there’s also a range of workshops, exhibitions and family entertainment across dance, film and folk art. For its 49th year, the line-up so far includes Blair Dunlop, Elephant Sessions, and the musical duo Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham.

    7. The Ballarat Begonia Festival

    a woman admiring flowers at The Ballarat Begonia Festival
    Gasp at delicate blooms at The Ballarat Begonia Festival.

    When: 7–9 March
    Where: Ballarat

    In bloom since 1953, this horticultural event places a collection of rare begonias at the centre of festivities, honouring the flower’s presence in Ballarat since the 1800s. During its history, the event has been visited by Queen Elizabeth II and, in 2015, it featured the launch of the largest outdoor Lego flower. Apart from a display of around 500 species of the flower of the moment, there’s also a begonia parade, entertainment, live music, food and presentations.

    8. The Bendigo Easter Festival

    Chinese dragon Dai Gum Loong dance at The Bendigo Easter Festival
    The majestic Chinese dragon Dai Gum Loong dance is an annual tradition at The Bendigo Easter Festival.

    When: 3–6 April
    Where: Bendigo

    Held in the city’s Rosalind Park, the annual Easter Festival has been a highlight of Bendigo’s calendar of events since 1871. A carnival of colourful activity, the festival welcomes everyone and rolls out the good times with everything from a Good Friday Easter egg hunt to live music and performances, a Rotary market and Gala Parade. Don’t miss the world’s longest imperial dragon rhythmically roaming the historic streets as part of the Easter Sunday festivities.

    9. Grape Escape

    a glass of wine at the Grampians Grape Escape
    Enjoy a wine tasting experience. (Image: Anthony Evans Photography)

    When: 1–3 May
    Where: The Grampians

    Backdropped by gorgeous Grampians/Gariwerd National Park, this much-loved bacchanalian-inspired festival of food, wine and music is a high-priority for gourmands. Held at Halls Gap Reserve, a Tasting Ticket includes a tumbler that unlocks free wine, beer and cider tastings and, if you are partaking, there’s a shuttle bus to get you back to your digs afterwards. Be sure to book your accommodation early for this one – its popularity is undisputed.

    10. Comedy in the Vines

    Comedy in the Vines at Cherryhill Orchards
    Get the good times rolling at Cherryhill Orchards. (Image: Saige Prime)

    When: 24–26 October
    Where: Yarra Valley

    The premise of Yarra Valley’s Comedy in the Vines, held at Cherryhill Orchards, is that wine and laughs pair well. Few arguments can be made, so get along this month (or next year), to have a giggle and a gamay. This year, taking the stage is the likes of Merrick Watts, Tommy Little, Ray O’Leary and Takashi Wakasugi. There are also masterclasses, a riesling and oyster shot bar, and plenty of food and music between gigs.