The coastal city of Shellharbour is located just south of Wollongong, about a 90 minute drive south of Sydney – perfect for a dog-friendly day trip or a weekend away. Find out what you can do in Shellharbour when visiting with a dog.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Shellharbour
Shellharbour is home to multiple beaches, but officially dogs are not allowed on any of the beaches – which is a real shame!
At the moment, many dog owners allow their dogs on the black sand beach at The Shallows. Dogs are permitted off-leash at this reserve next to Bass Point Tourist Road, in between the gravel loader, near the entrance to Bass Point Reserve, until just west of Harbour Boulevard.
There is plenty of easy parking, with three carparks alongside the reserve. Note that there is no fence in between the reserve and the carparks and the road. However, it hasn’t previously been clear that dogs are only permitted on the large expanse grass, not also on sand.
There is currently an investigation to officially allow dogs on the sand. However, I must admit the beach is not the greatest compared to others in the area, composed of gravelly grey sand, rather than regular sand.
There was previously a proposal with the council for two new off-leash dog beaches, located at North Shellharbour Beach and Kiyong Beach at Warilla. However, both were either deemed unsuitable or not supported by the council. Instead, they are looking at officially allowing dogs at the beach at The Shallows.
Instead, it’s best to head to one of the off-leash dog beaches to the north of Lake Illawarra, located in the Wollongong council area. Perkins Beach at Windang is one of the off-leash dog beaches in the Wollongong area.
The off-leash section of this beach starts close to Murrie Street in Windang, where there is a carpark and pathway to the beach. (Search for “Windang Dog Beach” on Google Maps.) The off-leash beach stretches 4km north to Port Kembla Beach. The long off-leash beach lies alongside bushland reserve, but there are a few other access paths along it.
Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in Shellharbour
Dog-friendly sightseeing options in Shellharbour are limited. Some of the most popular attractions in Shellharbour don’t permit dogs, including the Killalea Regional Park and Bass Point Reserve, popular for snorkelling and home to an Indigenous Cultural Walk.
However, check out these dog-friendly activities in Shellharbour, including multiple dogs that permit on leash dogs.
#1 Explore Shellharbour Marina
Shellharbour Marina only opened in 2021 and is a wonderful addition to the region. It’s also a great spot to head with your dog, as long as you keep them on a leash.
While many of the homes and apartments surrounding the marina were still under construction when I last visited, the promenade walk around the marina was also completed in 2021. The waterside walkway extends for 2.5km in total, including onto the breakwall on either side of the marina entrance.
It’s a great spot to walk with your dog, whether the entire length or just part of it. There’s even water fountains for both humans and dogs along the way. Just make sure you clean up after your dog and keep them out of any playgrounds, plus the Kids Beach next to the Town Centre.
#2 Enjoy a Whale Watching Cruise
Shellharbour Wild operates cruises departing from the Town Centre of Shellharbour Marina – with small pets welcome to join you, in addition to support animals.
Between May and November, make a booking for a 1 1/2 hour Whale Cruise. During the rest of the year a 2 hour Eco-Scenic Cruise may depart (this is not running as of January 2025), with the chance to spot dolphins and sea lions, plus view the Blowhole at Kiama from the sea.
Double check whether the cruises are running and the latest departure times. Advance bookings are recommended during peak periods.
#3 Stroll Along the Village Waterfront
The original town of Shellharbour is centred just north of the Marina on Addison Street. Since the major shopping centre to the west has began to be known as Shellharbour City Centre, this town centre has been dubbed Shellharbour Village.
Situated right next to the beach, it’s a popular spot for a stroll, with dogs on a leash allowed along the waterside path, although not onto the beach. The path starts next to the dog-friendly NRMA Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park (see below).
#4 Check out the Lake Illawarra Art Trail
The Shellharbour area extends as far as the southern shoreline of Lake Illawarra. A popular destination for fishing, boating and swimming (during the summer months), one of the most popular reserves on the southern side is Reddall Reserve in Warilla. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the paths through the reserve.
Reddall Reserve is the starting point of the Lake Illawarra Art Trail. There are about 10 artworks dotted along the lake shore next to the walking path, created in response to the lake, its history and its people.
The trail starts from the carpark opposite Windang Street then follows the shoreline west, passing underneath Windang Road next to the bridge. Follow Reddall Parade back to your starting point for a loop just under 2km long.
#5 Bushwalk at Blackbutt Forest Reserve
While most of the reserves around Shellharbour don’t permit dogs, including Killalea Regional Park, Bass Point Reserve and further afield in Macquarie Pass National Park, dogs on a leash are permitted at Blackbutt Forest Reserve.
Note though there may be some parts of the reserve where dogs are not allowed – I spotted one faded sign prohibiting dogs from a section near the Blackbutt Way Entrance. The main newer signs though don’t mention this.
The reserve is criss-crossed by multiple walking paths, fire trails and cycle paths, passing through sections of regenerated forest and some grassy expanses. However, signposts for the walking paths are quite limited and vague.
One potential dog-friendly walk is this Blackbutt Forest Reserve Loop. Starting from the Wattle Road Carpark, the 4.3km loop follows a mixture of fire and walking trails, along with the cycle path extending to the eastern side of the reserve.
Dog-Friendly Parks at Shellharbour
In addition to the off-leash dog exercise area at The Shallows mentioned above, there are six more off-leash areas in the Shellharbour Council area, including three fenced dog parks.
Oak Flats Dog Park is an excellent dog park with two separate areas for large dogs (over 15kg) and small dogs (15kg and under). Both areas are securely fenced, with bins, water fountains and seating, although there is only limited shade in the Small Dogs area.
The Large Dogs area also has some agility equipment, plus there’s plans to add some to the Small Dogs area. There’s plenty of parking alongside the park on Kingston Street.
Another fenced dog park is located closer to the centre of Shellharbour in Flinders. The Flinders Dog Park is also securely fenced, although there is only a single area for all size dogs. The park also contains agility equipment, plus a sheltered picnic table and seats. The park is nicely grassed, although it’s located on a slope.
A new fenced dog park also recently opened in Warilla, at the Shellharbour War Memorial Park on Benaud Crescent behind Warilla Pool. This park has two separate areas for small and large dogs, with agility equipment and lots of facilities in both areas.
There are also three off-leash exercise areas at Barrack Heights (the south side of Jock Brown Oval), Mount Warrigal (Alex Hoffman Park, access from Cuthbert Drive and Matthews Drive), and Albion Park Rail (part of Croome Road Sporting Complex, near John O’Dwyer Oval, with a proposal to add dog agility equipment at a nearby spot). The council website has maps.
Dog-Friendly Cafes & Pubs in Shellharbour
While visiting Shellharbour Marina, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Georgia Rose, in the waterfront dining precinct next to the Waterfront Tavern. Georgia Rose has a large semi-enclosed area where dogs can join you – anywhere on the concrete floor in the front of the cafe and bar.
Georgia Rose is open for extended hours every day – generally from 7am until 9pm or sometimes 11pm, serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a beer or coffee (from the next door cafe).
The salmon poke bowl and pulled pork burger we ordered were both delicious and delivered quickly – although I believe there have been some issues with slow service at times, plus the prices are on the expensive side.
If you want to sample the local beer, they have a large variety of beers on tap, including options from the local Bass Point Brewery. Order a middy or schooner, or select four beers for a tasting paddle.
There are also multiple cafes on Addison Street in Shellharbour that have outdoor dining areas where dogs are generally welcome – although it’s always best to check in advance. Consider heading to Bayside Pantry, J’s on the Deck or Pacino’s Cafe. The Ocean Beach Hotel unfortunately doesn’t allow dogs, despite their large outdoor dining area.
Further north, check out Cafe Els at Warilla Grove, where dogs are welcome in the outdoor area. The cafe is open daily for breakfast and lunch.
Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Shellharbour
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The NRMA Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park in the centre of Shellharbour is a pet-friendly caravan park. Small dogs (plus cats and birds) are welcome on their powered and waterfront holiday sites, although not in any cabins. Up to one small dog per site is permitted, with no listed seasonal restrictions, but direct bookings essential.
There are limited options for pet-friendly holiday rentals around Shellharbour, especially when it comes to larger dogs. One pet-friendly option is Beachside Bliss #2 in Warilla. This four-bedroom house can accomodate up to eight, with the owners living next door.
Up to two house-trained dogs are welcome – make sure you notify the owners in advance. They are also welcome inside, as long as they are not wet or dirty, and kept off the furniture and out of the bedrooms. The yard is also securely fenced.
Another nearby pet-friendly option, just north of Lake Illawarra, are the Windang Inns. Both their Lakeside Inn and Golf Place Inn properties have pet-friendly rooms available for a small premium (double check the listing), including apartments and Lakeside Cabins. It’s a short drive to the off-leash Perkins Beach.
However, be warned that it’s rather budget-style, and many recent reviews for both properties haven’t been flattering. I wish there were some better pet-friendly alternatives in the area!
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.