6 Top Dog-Friendly Walks on the Gold Coast, QLD

The Gold Coast is home to plenty of waterfront paths, perfect for easy walks any time of year. Best of all, many of the walks are dog-friendly, with leashed dogs welcome to join you. Take your pick from these dog-friendly walks on the Gold Coast for a fun outing…

#1 Federation Trail at the Spit

Distance: Up to 4.1km one way
Difficulty: Easy-Medium (Flat but mainly gravel)
On-leash, but off-leash alternative along beach

One of the best places on the Gold Coast to visit with your pup is The Spit. Home to not just one but two dog-friendly beaches (the ocean-facing Spit Dog Beach and the sheltered Marine Stadium Foreshore), you can also enjoy a walk before or after hitting the beach.

There are multiple paths criss-crossing the Spit. There are some short paved paths that you can follow at the end of the Spit, where there are also handy tables and chairs – great for sitting and watching the sun set with your pup by your side.

For a longer walk, consider following the Federation Trail. This 4.1km long gravel track runs along the length of the Spit, terminating at the carpark just south of the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. Dogs are allowed along the path, but need to be kept leashed.

I recommend parking at the northern end of the Spit, near the Seaway Kiosk, and combining the walk with some time on the beach. In particular, dogs are allowed off-leash along the ocean-facing beach south to the access path opposite Muriel Henchman Park, then on-leash when over 200m away from flagged areas elsewhere. Perhaps walk one way on the beach, then return along the trail?

#2 Palm Beach Off-Leash Walk

Distance: 1.2km loop
Difficulty: Easy-Medium (Flat but mainly on sand)
Off-leash along beach and paths

If you’re looking for a fully off-leash walk with your dog, a great spot to visit is the Palm Beach Parklands, home to the Palm Beach Dog Beach. Dogs are permitted off-leash around much of the reserve, including the northern side of the lagoon, the ocean-facing beach as far as lifeguard tower 13 and the reserve in between.

After parking in the carpark, we kept our dog on his leash until the start of the off-leash area, at the beach along the northern side of the Currumbin Creek entrance. Walk along the lagoon beach, enjoying a paddle in the calm waters, then continue down to the rock groyne. Just note dogs aren’t allowed off-leash on the groyne.

We then walked back along the ocean-facing section of Palm Beach, before cutting back along the beach access track to the edge of the off-leash area. There’s also some paths criss-crossing through the bush in the centre of the reserve, which are often quieter.

#3 Gold Coast Botanic Gardens Loop

Distance: 2.7km loop
Difficulty: Easy (Flat and mainly paved)
Mix of on- and off-leash

The Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens is a great spot to head with your dog, thanks to the large off-leash area on the western side of the gardens, adjacent to the lake. But you can also enjoy a walk around the gardens with your dog.

This full loop around the gardens is 3.7km long. However, as dogs are prohibited from most of the shore of the Feature Lake, I recommend skipping that part of the loop, reducing the total distance by about 1km. (Signs show a designated dog walking route to bypass part the lake, but it’s easier to just skip this part.)

Along the rest of the loop you’ll follow the Mangroves to Mountains Walk, visit the pretty Butterfly Food Plants Garden and loop through the off-leash area. Note that dogs need to be kept on a leash outside of the designated off-leash section, which is clearly signposted, especially considering the gardens are also a popular picnic spot.

#4 Gold Coast Oceanway

Distance: Up to 36km one way
Difficulty: Easy (Flat and paved) if just walking a short section
On-leash

For a longer walk with your dog, take advantage of the Gold Coast Oceanway. This 36km long shared cycling and pedestrian path runs nearly all the way from The Spit to the southern edge of the Gold Coast at the NSW border.

According to the above website, there are still some gaps in the path, with plans to upgrade or construct more paths. But you can also follow this route mapped on AllTrails.

I recommend just choosing one section of the path to walk – there are so many options! There are also plenty of cafes along the way to break up the walk – many are dog-friendly if they have an outdoor seating area, although always check in advance.

Make sure you keep your dog on a leash at all times, as the path is also busy with many cyclists. There are a few off-leash parks along the way, such as part of Pratten Park in Broadbeach.

#5 Surfers Paradise Esplanade Walk

Distance: Up to 4km one way
Difficulty: Easy (Flat and paved)
On-leash

One of the most popular sections of the Oceanway to walk along is the Surfers Paradise Esplanade. This wide section of the shared path runs along the beachfront of Surfer Paradise, in between the beach and The Esplanade road, through a reserve dotted with picnic and other facilities.

If you walk all the way from Narrowneck Park in the north to Eileen Peters Park in the south, the total distance is 4km, but you can also just walk a shorter section then retrace your footsteps (or pawsteps).

Note that dogs are not permitted inside patrolled sections on the beaches that you’ll pass, but over 200m away from flagged areas dogs are allowed on-leash on the beach, unless otherwise signposted. Perhaps enjoy an on-leash paddle along the route?

#6 Eddie Kornhauser Recreational Reserve Loop

Distance: 2km loop
Difficulty: Easy (Flat and paved)
On-leash, but near off-leash area

Eddie Kornhauser Recreation Reserve in Elanora is best known to dog owners as the home of a popular off-leash dog area, dubbed the Tallebudgera Off Leash Agility Dog Island. But it’s also a great spot to enjoy an easy walk with your pup.

Either park at the carpark just off Guineas Creek Road (where there’s the “Tallebudgera Off Leash Agility Dog Island” pin on Google Maps) or the other carpark off Casuarina Drive. Then rather than walking across to the off-leash area on the island, follow the paved path that loops around the reserve and the tidal water ponds.

It’s also possible to detour via the off-leash island area, shortening the loop. Or else enjoy some off-leash time before or after the leashed walk.

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