{"id":20485,"date":"2023-12-21T10:28:26","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T00:28:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelnuity.com\/?p=20485"},"modified":"2023-12-21T10:28:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T00:28:28","slug":"dog-friendly-beaches-sunshine-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelnuity.com\/dog-friendly-beaches-sunshine-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog-Friendly Beaches on the Sunshine Coast, QLD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Sunshine Coast<\/a> is home to many stunning beaches, from Noosa in the north to Caloundra in the south. Fortunately, there are plenty of dog-friendly beaches that you can enjoy with your dog. Choose between these Sunshine Coast dog beaches for a fun day enjoying the sand and water in the sunshine!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Dog-Friendly<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Noosa Spit Dog Beach, Noosa Heads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re visiting Noosa<\/a>, one of the most popular dog beaches in the area is the Noosa Spit at Noosa Heads. Lying just behind Noosa Main Beach, where not surprisingly dogs are prohibited, dogs are allowed off-leash on a whole section of the spit extending into the Noosa River and the beaches on either side. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Noosa
Head to the Noosa Spit for off-leash fun with your pup<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Probably the most popular option is on the northern side (search for “Doggy Beach” on Google Maps), although I found the section of sand larger on the southern side when I visited. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Dog
The popular Noosa Doggy Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Double check the map on the council website<\/a> to find out which area is off-leash, or look out for the cute Dog Exercise signs when visiting, although it would be good if there were a few more erected.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Dog
The cute Dog Exercise Area signs at Noosa<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Sunshine Beach Dog Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another fabulous off-leash dog beach near Noosa is at Sunshine Beach North. The off-leash exercise area starts at Seaview Terrace North, near the small carpark, and extends north to the Noosa National Park boundary, after which dogs are prohibited. Search for “Sunshine Beach Dog off leash area” on Google Maps. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Sunshine
Dogs are allowed off-leash at the northern end of Sunshine Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This dog beach is a particularly good beach when the wind is from the west, as it stays sheltered, although the water is too rough for most dogs to swim. On the day we visited multiple locals were hanging out on the sand with their dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Sunshine
A beautiful afternoon at Sunshine Beach North<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Castaways Beach & Marcus Beach Dog Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further south along the Sunshine Coast, there’s a long stretch of off-leash beach running alongside the suburbs of Castaways Beach and Marcus Beach. It extends from beach access 38 (near Orient Park South) through to beach access 47 (at Tasman Trespasser Park), nearly 4km in length. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Castaways
Plenty of room for off-leash walks and runs at Castaways Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This Sunshine Coast dog beach is a great spot for long off-leash walks<\/a> with your dog. Just be wary of the often rough surf if you have a small dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stumers Creek Dog Beach, Coolum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular off-leash dogs beaches along the whole of the Sunshine Coast is Stumers Creek, on the northern side of Coolum. Dogs are allowed off-leash in between beach access 67 and 72, between the Coolum Beach Caravan park and 1km north of Stumers Creek, plus the waters of the adjacent lagoon. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Stumers
On the beach at Stumers Creek<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The highlight of this dog beach are the calm waters of the lagoon, perfect for doggie paddling. There’s also a convenient dog wash down area in between the lagoon and carpark, a great spot to rinse off your sandy dog before you climb back in your car. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Stumers
The dog wash down area at Stumers Creek Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

North Shore Beach, Twin Waters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another great spot along the Sunshine Coast with calm waters for dogs to swim is at Twin Waters. At Twin Waters, dogs are allowed off-leash at North Shore Beach, from 140m north of beach access 132 down to beach access 136, including the calm waters at the entrance of the Maroochy River. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"North
Dogs are allowed off-leash along the Maroochy River at North Shore Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

To find this dog beach, head to the carpark at the end of North Shore Road or search for “Dog Beach Mudjimba” on Google Maps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Point Cartwright Beach, Buddina<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Point Cartwright in Buddina, there are two areas where dogs can go off-leash on the beach. On the day that we visited during the week, the more popular spot was Point Cartwright Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This beach is located next to Point Cartwright Reserve, on the eastern side of the breakwall at the Mooloolah River entrance. You’ll need to walk on-leash with your dog through the reserve or along the Mooloolah River from La Balsa Park to access this beach – there is no adjacent road access.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Point
Point Cartwright Beach next to the Mooloolah River entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Note that dogs are only allowed off-leash before 8am and after 4pm, and then only on weekdays. During the rest of the day on weekdays they need to stay on-leash, while they are prohibited from the beach on weekends. Currently this is a temporary arrangement and will be trialled until 30 June 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buddina Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the other side of Point Cartwright, there is also another off-leash dog beach. Dogs are allowed off-leash at the northern end of Buddina Beach, from beach access 198 to 201 (near Gulai Street), with no time restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Buddina
The off-leash dog exercise area at the northern end of Buddina Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

However, on the day that we visited, the beach was quite rough, so I can understand why this beach isn’t as popular for doggy paddling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ocean-facing beach in Buddina is also home to a second off-leash area, in between beach access 210 and 217, roughly from Mawarra Street to Talinga Street. This long stretch of beach has lots of room so it’s never crowded, plus easier parking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kawana Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

South of Kawana Surf Club, there is another off-leash dog beach at the southern end of Buddina. Dogs are allowed off-leash in between beach access 226, close to Maloga Street in Buddina, past Warana, to beach access 245, near Blue Haven Court in Bokarina.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Kawana
Kawana Beach is another off-leash beach on the Sunshine Coast<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This long 4km stretch of beach is a relatively quiet stretch of sand to visit with your dog, largely backing onto the Warana Foreshore Bushland Reserve and Bokarina Foreshore Bushland Reserve. There’s plenty of access points – take your pick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Off-Leash Dog Beaches on the Sunshine Coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The above beaches are not the only dog-friendly beaches on the Sunshine Coast. Dogs are also allowed off-leash on these other beaches, from north to south:<\/p>\n\n\n\n