Dog-Friendly Beaches Gippsland: The Ultimate Guide
Pet Travel
Dog-friendly beaches in Gippsland are among the most stunning stretches of coast in Victoria. Melbourne and all its city comforts are wonderful, but a quiet getaway with a dog-friendly beach at the end of the drive is every bit as precious. Pet-friendly beach stays can be found all around Victoria, and yet Gippsland remains very hard to beat.
Dog-Friendly Gippsland: The Best Dog Beaches in Gippsland
Perhaps it is the pristine coastline, or the gentle charm of the region's small coastal towns. Whatever the reason, Gippsland has a way of making visitors feel they have been let in on a lovely secret. South Gippsland even made Time Out's list of underrated holiday destinations to visit in Victoria.
If a pet-friendly beach holiday in Victoria is on the horizon, these Gippsland dog-friendly beaches deserve a place on the itinerary. This guide covers year-round on-lead and off-lead dog beaches, a little about each coastal town, and the dates dogs are allowed on beaches during the summer holiday season.
The route begins in Inverloch and heads east all the way to Loch Sport in the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, taking in the best dog-friendly beaches in South and Central Gippsland to explore with your furry best friend. Pack the sunscreen and all your pup's travel essentials, and let the beach days begin.
Inverloch Dog Friendly Beach
Less than two hours' drive from Melbourne, the coastal town of Inverloch is home to one of the loveliest dog-friendly beaches in the region: Anderson Inlet. The first sight of it is a true wow moment. With calm, shimmering water and driftwood scattered across pristine white sand, Anderson Inlet offers both safety and spectacular scenery, making it the perfect dog-friendly beach in Inverloch.
Known to locals as "Invy", dog-friendly Inverloch is a delight for dog-spotting (a discreet glance at other people's dogs is entirely forgivable) and has dog-friendly cafes, pet-friendly beach houses, and pet-friendly caravan parks.
ANDERSON INLET: DOG-FRIENDLY BEACH AT INVERLOCH
- Dogs are permitted off-lead at all times along the Anderson Inlet beach area east of Grandview Grove to Cuttriss Street.
- Dogs are permitted off-lead and on-lead at various times of the year, depending on the summer and Easter holidays. See where can I walk my dog? on the Bass Coast website for details, including a handy map you can download.
- For environmental reasons, dogs are not permitted at any time on the Anderson Inlet beach between the eastern boundary of BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park and Screw Creek.
While you're there: The Local cafe is well worth a visit for delicious baked goods and some of the best coffee in Inverloch. Look for the wave wall.
For detailed tourist information about Inverloch, see Visit Gippsland.
Venus Bay Dog Friendly Beaches
Nestled on a narrow peninsula around 180 km southeast of Melbourne, Venus Bay is a truly special part of the world, and its sweeping stretch of coastline is breathtaking at first sight. Its relaxed, unhurried pace is the kind that draws visitors back again and again. As a small, laid-back coastal town, Venus Bay has a warm, welcoming feel that lets you fully unwind and enjoy quality time with your furry best friend.
Whether you stay in town or nearby, you will want the closest beach that allows dogs. Please keep your pup on lead, in line with council rules, to protect the local wildlife. A single afternoon on the beach can bring sightings of stingrays, echidnas, and wombats.
DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES VENUS BAY:
- Venus Bay has five designated ocean beaches, numbered 1 to 5.
- From December 1 to March 31, between 9am and 6pm, dogs are prohibited from all beaches.
- Outside those times, dogs are permitted on-lead at all beaches.
While you're there: Stop in at The Bay Gourmet Food & Wine Store. There are tables out front, so your dog can join you for a delicious breakfast or lunch made with quality local ingredients. A jar of preserves makes a lovely souvenir to take home, too.
For more information on dog-friendly Venus Bay, see Visit Victoria.
Sandy Point Dog-Friendly Beaches
Sandy Point first came to Pretty Fluffy's attention through frequent furry visitors My Aussie Tribe, and it is a gem well worth knowing about. Located at the northern end of Wilsons Prom National Park, Sandy Point is a quiet holiday retreat with a breathtaking stretch of beach. Because the beach is dog-friendly, it is an idyllic spot for long walks with your pup and for golden and pink sunsets that are simply spectacular.
Next door lies secluded Shallow Inlet, a vast dog-friendly beach with calm, shallow water bordered by sand dunes that dogs love to sniff out and explore. Reaching Shallow Inlet means driving right on the beach, which makes the outing feel like a small adventure. There is also a beautiful dog-friendly walking trail from Shallow Inlet to Sandy Point.
SANDY POINT DOG-FRIENDLY BEACH:
- A year-round off-lead dog beach sits 200m west of Ned Neale's lookout, accessed via the western side of Beach Parade.
- Between 9am and 6pm from December 1 to April 30, dogs are prohibited on the main part of Sandy Point beach, from east of Ned Neale's Lookout to Manuka St South. Before and after these hours, dogs can be walked on a lead.
- Dogs are welcome on-lead on all other beaches in Sandy Point.
- On the beaches along Shallow Inlet, dogs are permitted on-lead at all times.
While you're there: Drive 20 minutes north to the charming historic village of Fish Creek, home to Long John Pickles, one of the most welcoming dog-friendly cafes in all of Gippsland. With tables out front and a spacious deck at the back, there is plenty of room for your dog while you enjoy one of their delicious all-day breakfasts.
Seaspray Dog-Friendly Beaches
At the start of the tranquil, scenic Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, dog-friendly Seaspray has it all: surf, seclusion, and the stunning shoreline of Ninety Mile Beach. It is one of the most rewarding dog-friendly beaches in Gippsland because it offers you and your dog the best of both worlds. There is the surf beach, and there are the calmer waters of Merriman Creek at the western end of Foreshore Road, with a lovely picnic area to enjoy together.
For anyone looking for pet-friendly caravan parks in Gippsland who loves a coastal holiday off the beaten track, the sleepy town of Seaspray is the ultimate place to relax and unwind with your dog by your side. Find out more about Seaspray Caravan Park here.
DOGS ON BEACHES AT SEASPRAY
- Dogs are permitted on-lead on all beaches at any time.
TIP: For beautiful golden hour photos with your pup, rise early together and watch the sun come up over the water. The early alarm is well worth it.
For more information about Seaspray, visit Travel Victoria.
Golden Beach Dog-Friendly Beaches
A little further east of Seaspray along Ninety Mile Beach lies the quiet seaside town of Golden Beach, a haven for dog lovers and nature lovers alike.
Less than a 30-minute drive from Sale, postcard-worthy Golden Beach, along with neighboring Paradise Beach a little further along the coast, has a wonderfully undiscovered feel. With a secluded coastline stretching as far as the eye can see in both directions, it is a perfect dog-friendly beach in Gippsland to visit. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, emus, echidnas, and wombats, and, for bird lovers, the noisy and striking yellow-tailed black cockatoos.
DOG-FRIENDLY GOLDEN BEACH:
- Dogs are permitted on-lead between campsites 1 to 6 on Shoreline Drive, The Wreck, and Flamingo Beach.
- Dogs are prohibited from all other beaches.
- Dogs are permitted on-lead on all beaches at Paradise Beach.
For more information on Golden Beach, visit Beach Stays.
Loch Sport Dog-Friendly Beaches
Loch Sport is a sleepy, unspoiled place where bush meets coast, and it has a way of surprising first-time visitors. Popular for fishing and water sports, this dog-friendly beach town has a rugged charm that will draw in anyone who loves nature as much as their pup does.
The beach and foreshore walk offers panoramic views of Lake Victoria, with stretches lined by weathered, twisted trees. It is a wonderfully photogenic dog-friendly beach walk, so keep the camera close. Park at The Boulevard Boat Ramp at the edge of the Lakes National Park and set off on the foreshore walk from there.
LOCH SPORT DOG-FRIENDLY BEACH
- Dogs are allowed on-lead at the Foreshore Lions Park Playground Area.
- Outside that area, dogs are allowed off-lead in Loch Sport at all other times.
Find out more about Loch Sport on the Visit Gippsland website.
List of Off-Lead Dog-Friendly Beaches in Gippsland
With more than 500 kilometers of stunning coastline, Gippsland is a true playground when it comes to dog-friendly beaches in Victoria. The Visit Gippsland website is a wonderful resource for dog-loving holidaymakers, and it includes this complete list of off-lead dog beaches in Gippsland.
SOUTH GIPPSLAND
- Corinella & Coronet Bay
- Grantville
- Inverloch
- Kilcunda
- Port Welshpool
- Sandy Point
- Venus Bay
- Walkerville
- Waratah Bay
- Wonthaggi & Cape Paterson
- Yanakie
CENTRAL GIPPSLAND
- Golden Beach & Paradise Beach
- Port Albert
- Seaspray
EAST GIPPSLAND
- Lakes Entrance
- Mallacoota
- Marlo
- Metung
- Paynesville
TIP: See this handy map of all the dog-friendly beaches in Gippsland on the Dogs on Holidays website, another helpful source of pet-friendly travel information around Australia.
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