The Gold Coast is famous for its beaches, so it wouldn’t be a visit to the Gold Coast with your pup without some time spent on the sand and paddling in the water! Luckily there’s some excellent dog-friendly beaches on the Gold Coast, so take your pick from these beaches for a fun time with your pup…
Are Dogs Allowed on Beaches on the Gold Coast?
By default, dogs are allowed on leash on beaches on the Gold Coast. The main exception is at patrolled beaches, within 200m of flagged bathing areas, plus some other prohibited areas. There are signs reminding you of this rule at beach access points, plus sometimes on the sand at the boundary points.
However, there are also some wonderful beaches on the Gold Coast where dogs are allowed off-leash, both along the coastline and on the many waterways criss-crossing the coast. These are some of the best off-leash dog beaches on the Gold Coast, from north to south…
Paradise Point Beach, Paradise Point
On the northern edge of the Gold Coast lies the suburb of Paradise Point, next to the Gold Coast Broadwater. On the eastern side of the suburb lies the calm waters of Paradise Point Beach.
Dogs are allowed off-leash all day long on this stretch of beach, on the northern side of the Sovereign Mile bridge that crosses to the Sovereign Islands. The off-leash foreshore area ends at the northern platform near the Paradise Point Parklands.
There’s plenty of parking along the street behind the beach, plus facilities including toilets, BBQs, shelters, water fountains and drinking bowls for pups. It’s a great spot to combine a walk and paddle with your pup.
The Spit Dog Beach, Southport
One of the top off-leash dog beaches on the Gold Coast, and certainly one of the most popular, is The Spit Dog Beach. This beach is located on the ocean-facing side of the Spit in Southport, just north of Seaworld.
Dogs are allowed off-leash from the access point opposite Muriel Henchman Park north to the seaway rock groyne. It’s easiest to park in the large carpark near the Seaway Kiosk. Theres’s a walkway starting next to the kiosk that leads to the beach, along with a convenient wash down area with hoses for after-beach clean-up.
I also recommend stopping by the dog-friendly Kiosk afterwards, where you can choose between multiple flavours of doggie ice cream for your pup.
Read my full guide to The Spit Dog Beach
Marine Stadium, Southport
The Spit Dog Beach is an ocean-facing beach, also popular with surfers. If the waves are too much for your pup and if they’d appreciate a paddle in calmer waters, it’s easy to just head to the other side of the Spit to the Marine Stadium.
Dogs are allowed off-leash on the eastern side of the Marine Stadium and its enclosed waters, in between Doug Jennings Park and Muriel Henchman Park, roughly the opposite side of the peninsula of the ocean-facing beach. There’s multiple carparks along its length.
Tallebudgera Beach, Palm Beach
Heading further south, another ocean-facing dog-friendly beach on the Gold Coast can be found at Tallebudgera Beach, on the northern edge of Palm Beach.
Dogs are permitted off-leash on this beach in between the Tallebudgera Creek entrance and lifeguard tower 16 at Ronnie Long Park. However, dogs are prohibited from the popular swimming area along the creek.
While previously dogs were allowed off-leash on this beach all day long, note that currently there is a restriction that dogs need to be on leash between 7am on 6pm on weekdays until mid-2023.
Parking can be difficult along Tallebudgera Creek, so I recommend instead looking for a park with your dog at Ronnie Long Park, which is also closer to the off-leash dog area on the beach. Also be careful in the water with your dog when the surf is up.
Palm Beach Dog Beach, Palm Beach
If you head to the other end of Palm Beach, you’ll also find another off-leash dog beach on the Gold Coast. Referred to under multiple names, including the Palm Beach Dog Off-Leash Beach and Currumbin Creek Dog Beach, this dog beach offers multiple options.
Dogs are permitted off-leash on the northern side of Currumbin Creek, in the calm waters of the lagoon. However, the off-leash dog area then loops around to the ocean-facing beach, excluding the groyne, stretching as far as lifeguard tower 13. So there’s also the option walks along the sand and games in the waves.
There’s some handy maps at the Palm Beach Parklands showing where dogs are and aren’t permitted, along with arrows from the carpark. Note that dogs are note permitted at the bathing area for humans and on the southern side of Currumbin Creek.
Read my full guide to Palm Beach Dog Beach
More Off-Leash Dog Swimming Spots on the Gold Coast
Along the Gold Coast there are also a number of other off-leash foreshore areas plus dog parks with sections of foreshore or a lagoon where your pup can enjoy a paddle. Not all are as gorgeous as the above beaches, but most are quieter.
The other off-leash dog swimming spots where dogs are allowed all day long include, from north to south:
- Saltwater Fenced Dog Park at Hope Island – Fenced dog park with lagoon
- Boat Harbour Park at Paradise Point – Park including adjacent foreshore
- Labrador Foreshore at Labrador – Area of foreshore stretching 450m south of Central Street (the stormwater outlet) to just south of Robert Street
- James Overell Park at Southport – Park including foreshore between 16 Biggs Place and 75 Brighton Parade
- Paradise Waters Park at Surfers Paradise – Park including foreshore between 1 Viking Circuit and 32 Commodore Drive
- Franquin Park at Surfers Paradise – Park including foreshore between 1 The Promenade and 59 The Corso
- Gladys Moncrieff Park at Bundall – Small park including foreshore
- Albert Park at Broadbeach Waters – Large park including a lake with a beach. There is a 2km walking track around the outside and another 1km track around the lake.
- Moana Park at Broadbeach Waters – Park including adjacent foreshore
- Pizzey Park at Miami – Area on the western side around the lake, avoid the surrounding playing fields where dogs are prohibited
- Salk Oval Parklands at Palm Beach – Area on the eastern side of Salk Oval including foreshore
- Eddie Kornhauser Recreational Reserve at Elanora – Also known as Tallebudgera Off Leash Agility Dog Island, includes the island connected by two bridges and the surrounding foreshore
- Preston Park at Currumbin Waters – Area near the southern end of Michel Drive and the adjacent foreshore
There are some other off-leash dog swimming spots on the Gold Coast with limited hours:
- From 5am to 8am and 4pm to 7pm daily – Biggera Waters Esplanade Foreshore at Biggera Waters – Area of foreshore from Quota Park south to Burrows Street
- From 5am to 7am and 5pm to 7pm daily – Harry Bond Park at Southport – Beachfront area adjacent to 2 Yacht Street and 71 Regatta Parade
For the latest complete list, see the map on the Gold Coast Council website, which also lists prohibited dog areas.