Best dog-friendly beaches in NSW

It’s one of dog ownership’s simplest delights: watching the look of unbridled joy as your four-footed friend races along the beach and splashes into the shore-breakers.

But knowing where and when it’s okay to let your doggo off leash at the beach is crucial to being a responsible pet owner.

Fortunately, NSW is blessed with hundreds of kilometres of pristine beaches and many have designated off-leash areas for pooches with energy to burn.

Before you let Fido free, however, check online or look for signage that confirms a beach is dog-friendly and if there are any additional restrictions, such as certain times when dogs are permitted off leash.

Listed below are some of our favourite NSW beaches that welcome man’s best friend.

Nine Mile Beach, Tuncurry

Four-legged friends and 4WDs alike are welcome anytime at the aptly-named Nine Mile Beach in Tuncurry. Few places are as pet friendly as Tuncurry, and not far from the beach itself is Beach Street Reserve, a fenced dog park with expansive grassed areas for general frolicking and an obstacle course of ramps, hurdles and tunnels for the more working-minded canine. The NRMA holiday park in Tuncurry also has free dog-washing facilities for guests.

Nine Mile Beach in Tuncurry.

Silver Beach, Kurnell

Dogs have frequented Kurnell in southern Sydney for as long as anyone can remember. It remains a popular spot for pet owners, with its calm Botany Bay waters and long stretches of sand. Dogs are allowed off leash at Silver Beach on the section between the third and fourth breakwalls at the western end (also referred to as Kurnell Dog Beach).

Manly Lagoon, Manly

While not strictly a beach, Manly Lagoon’s waters empty at nearby Queenscliff Beach and the entire space between Bridge Road and Pitwater Road is off-leash 24/7. Large grassy areas and playgrounds also make Manly Lagoon a good family option, although water quality can be iffy after rain (not that your dog will probably care). 

North Shelly Beach, Toowoon Bay

If you’re holidaying on the Central Coast and have a big dog with big energy (or a small dog with big energy for that matter), the off-leash area at North Shelly Beach in Toowoon Bay is for you. The 700-metre dog-friendly section stretches from Bombora View to the northern end of the beach (much of which makes up NRMA Toowoon Bay Holiday Park’s pristine beach frontage).

The entrance to North Shelly Beach.

Belongil Beach, Byron Bay

The expansive Belongil Beach, just north of the main beach at this tourist mecca, has a designated 24/7 off-leash area running from western side of the Byron Bay Beach carpark up to Manfred Street, and there are multiple access points along its 2km length. Dogs are prohibited in the areas at either end, though, so keep an eye out for signs and don’t stray too far. 

Broulee Beach, Broulee

The southern half of this gorgeous beach (between Smith Street and Broulee Island) is available to frisky fur kids 24 hours a day – but don’t drift down to Shark Bay or South Broulee Beach, as dogs are prohibited there. Just up the road from Broulee Beach is an NRMA holiday park with dog-friendly accommodation and a dog run on site.

The off-leash dog area in NRMA Broulee Beach Holiday Park.

Culburra Beach, Culburra

If it’s space you’re looking for, look no further than Culburra Beach on the NSW South Coast. This 4km strip of golden sand welcomes off-leash dogs between 4pm and 8am from October to April and from 3pm to 10am between May and September. Note that dogs are prohibited on nearby Wollumboola Lake due to endangered bird nesting sites. 

Tathra Beach, Tathra

The NRMA Tathra Beachfront Holiday Park offers ‘pet villas’ (which feature an enclosed balcony so your pooch can watch the world go by off leash) and ‘pet cottages’ (with small, fenced yards). Tathra Beach, just over the hill on the park’s eastern side, welcomes dogs and is immensely beautiful as the sun dips toward the western skyline. Tathra Hotel, perched high up on the town’s headland, has a limited number of dog-friendly tables along the front balcony.

Sun-drenched Tathra Beach.

The NRMA has pet-friendly holiday parks Australia-wide, including nearly 20 in NSW alone. Enquire with your chosen park about policies and availability.