One of the largest off-leash dog beaches close to the centre of Brisbane is the Sandgate Foreshore, or Sandgate Dog Beach. Located on the mudflats of Moreton Bay to the northeast of Brisbane, find out everything you need to know about visiting Sandgate Dog Beach with your dog.
Location of Sandgate Dog Beach
Sandgate Dog Beach is located on the northeastern edge of the Brisbane City region, on the shores of Moreton Bay and adjacent to the suburbs of Sandgate and Shorncliffe.
The northern edge of the off-leash dog exercise area starts near the corner of Flinders Parade and Second Avenue in Sandgate. Its southern boundary is near the corner of Eagle Terrace and Yundah Street in Shorncliffe. The off-leash area stretches for about 1km along the shore.
This “beach” consists of a huge expanse of mudflats. There’s multiple staircases to get down onto the mudflats, with three stairs at the northern end along Flinders Parade and a fourth stair at the southern edge next to Eagle Terrace.
When Are Dogs Allowed on Sandgate Dog Beach?
There are no time restrictions for dogs visiting Sandgate Dog Beach. Dogs are allowed off-leash in the designated off-leash exercise area all day long, in both summer and winter.
Tips for Visiting Sandgate Dog Beach
Its best to visit Sandgate Dog Beach close to low tide, when the mudflats extend far out into the distance and there’s plenty of room to run around for all types of dogs. It’s best if you have a towel to clean off your pup afterwards.
Make sure you keep your dog on leash on the footpath when accessing the off-leash dog beach – the off-leash area only starts on the mudflats. The mudflats immediately north and south of the off-leash area also permit dogs on them, but they need to be leashed.
Dog-Friendly Cafes Near Sandgate Dog Beach
There’s multiple dog-friendly cafes close to the Sandgate Dog Beach. At the northern end, head to Baaia, on Flinders Parade in between Third and Fourth Avenue. The highly rated cafe is open daily for breakfast and lunch, with dogs allowed at the outdoor tables with views of the bay.
At the southern end, Matthew Thomas Cafe on Eagle Terrace is also dog-friendly at its outdoor tables and popular with local dog owners. The cafe is also open daily for breakfast, lunch or just a coffee.
Another quick option just south of the edge of the off-leash beach is Cocoa Biscotti, a coffee van in the car park at Moora Park. Early risers can grab a takeaway coffee from 5:30am each morning, at least in the summer months.
Note that Doug’s Seafood Cafe near Second Avenue is no longer dog-friendly at its outdoor tables. If you’d like a seafood feast in the evening with your dog, instead order takeaway and enjoy it along the waterfront.
What Else to Do Near Sandgate Dog Beach
Just near the southern edge of the off-leash dog beach is Shorncliffe Pier. One of the longest recreational piers in Australia, it’s a popular spot to enjoy the sunrise in Brisbane.
Take a walk along the pier with your dog any time of day – just make sure you keep them leashed. Conveniently, the nearby coffee van opens at 5:30am in summer.
Another great walk with your dog is to follow Lover’s Walk, the footpath that follows the shoreline in Sandgate and Shorncliffe. Over 2km long, combine a walk along the footpath with some time on the mudflats, or enjoy the walk on days you want to keep your dog dry and clean.
Alternative Dog-Friendly Beaches
The next closest off-leash dog beach to the Sandgate Dog Beach is the Kedron Brook Off-leash Swimming Area in the beachside suburb of Nudgee Beach. This off-leash beach is located next to the fenced Tuckeroo Dog Park and is marked as “Nudgee Beach Dog Park” on Google Maps.
Like Sandgate Foreshore, the beach is also largely mudflats. Sometimes a coffee and dogwash van sets up in the carpark, like on the busy Sunday afternoon we visited.
If you’re after a nearby dog beach that isn’t mudflats, instead head to Queens Beach North, or the Redcliffe Dog Beach. Dogs are allowed off-leash on Queens Beach to the north of the stairs near Griffith Road. This beach consists of a gritty sand.
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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.