Dog-Friendly Beaches in Gippsland for Off-Lead Days
Pet Travel
The dog-friendly beaches in Gippsland are, in our book, some of the most beautiful you will find anywhere in Victoria. As much as we love Melbourne and everything city life has to offer, we love a quiet getaway with our dogs by the water just as much. Over the years we have stayed in pet-friendly accommodation in beach towns all over the state, and in our experience, nothing quite beats Gippsland.
Dogs are allowed on most Gippsland beaches, with a mix of year-round off-lead areas and on-lead foreshores. From 1 December to 31 March, many beaches close to dogs between 9am and 6pm to protect summer crowds and nesting shorebirds, so the calmest months for a beach escape are autumn through spring. Outside that window, this whole coast opens right up.
Maybe it is the pristine coastline, or the sleepy charm of the region's little coastal towns. Whatever it is, Gippsland feels like a secret you are in on (South Gippsland even made Time Out's list of underrated Victorian holiday destinations). This guide runs town by town, starting in the south around Inverloch and heading east along the coast to Loch Sport, with the leash rules, off-lead zones and a favorite dog-friendly cafe for each. Before we load the car, we always run through a proper dog packing list so nothing essential gets left on the kitchen bench.
Best Dog Beaches in South Gippsland
South Gippsland is where we always start, and for good reason. The coastline here is a string of calm inlets and golden surf beaches, many with generous off-lead zones, all within a two to three hour drive of Melbourne.
Inverloch Dog Beach: Anderson Inlet
Less than two hours from Melbourne, the coastal town of Inverloch is home to one of our favorite ever dog beaches: Anderson Inlet. The first time we laid eyes on it was a proper "wow" moment. With calm, shimmering water and driftwood piles scattered across the pristine white sand, Anderson Inlet is as safe as it is scenic, which is exactly what you want when the dogs are bounding in and out of the shallows. Known as Invy to locals, it is also wonderful for dog-spotting (yes, we check out other people's dogs in front of our own, slyly) and is dotted with dog-friendly cafes, beach houses and caravan parks.
Dogs are allowed off-lead year round at Anderson Inlet along the beach east of Grandview Grove to Cuttriss Street. On-lead and off-lead hours vary over the summer and Easter holidays, and dogs are not permitted at any time between the eastern boundary of the Inverloch holiday park and Screw Creek, where shorebirds nest. The Bass Coast council page has the current detail and a downloadable map.
Anderson Inlet dog rules at a glance:
- Off-lead year round east of Grandview Grove to Cuttriss Street
- On-lead and off-lead hours change over the summer and Easter holidays, so check current council signage before you go
- No dogs at any time between the eastern boundary of the holiday park and Screw Creek, for environmental protection
While you are there: we highly recommend The Local for delicious baked goods and the best coffee in town. Just look for the wave wall. For more on the area, Visit Gippsland has detailed tourist information.
If this is your dog's first long coastal trip, these tips for traveling with a dog will make the drive down easier on everyone.
Venus Bay Dog-Friendly Beaches
Nestled on a narrow peninsula around 180 km south-east of Melbourne, Venus Bay holds a special place in our hearts. We literally gasped the first time we laid eyes on this glorious stretch of Ninety Mile Beach, and we have returned several times since for the chilled-out vibe. It is a small, laid-back town with a genuinely welcoming feel, the kind of place where you completely unwind and soak up quality time with your dog. The wildlife is part of the magic too. In just one afternoon we spotted a stingray, an echidna and a wombat on the beach, so keeping the dogs on-lead here really does matter.
Venus Bay has five numbered surf beaches, and dogs are welcome on-lead at all of them outside the summer window. From 1 December to 31 March, dogs are not allowed on any Venus Bay beach between 9am and 6pm, so an early morning or evening walk is the way to go in peak season. Visit Victoria has more on the town.
Venus Bay beach dog rules at a glance:
- Five designated ocean beaches, numbered 1 to 5
- On-lead at all beaches outside the summer restriction
- From 1 December to 31 March, no dogs on any beach between 9am and 6pm
Venus Bay is also an easy place to base yourself for a few nights. For somewhere to stay within a short walk of the sand, this guide to pet-friendly accommodation in Venus Bay is where we would start.
While you are there: stop in at The Bay Gourmet Food & Wine Store. There are tables out front so your pup can join you for a delicious breakfast or lunch built on local produce, and it is hard to leave without a jar of something to take home.
Sandy Point Dog Beach and Shallow Inlet
We discovered beautiful dog-friendly Sandy Point thanks to our frequent furry visitors My Aussie Tribe, and we are so grateful we did. At the northern end of Wilsons Promontory National Park, Sandy Point is a quiet holiday town with a breathtaking sweep of beach and some of the best golden and pink sunsets on this coast. Next door, secluded Shallow Inlet offers calm, shallow water bordered by dunes that the boys loved to sniff out and explore. To reach Shallow Inlet you drive literally along the sand, which is an adventure in itself. There is also a lovely walking trail linking Shallow Inlet and Sandy Point.
Yes, Sandy Point is absolutely dog-friendly. A year-round off-lead dog beach sits about 200 m west of Ned Neale's lookout, reached from the western side of Beach Parade. On the main beach, dogs are not allowed between 9am and 6pm from 1 December to 30 April, and can be walked on-lead before and after those hours.
Sandy Point and Shallow Inlet dog rules at a glance:
- Year-round off-lead beach about 200 m west of Ned Neale's lookout, via the western side of Beach Parade
- On the main beach, no dogs 9am to 6pm from 1 December to 30 April; on-lead before and after
- On-lead welcome on all other Sandy Point beaches
- On-lead at all times along Shallow Inlet
While you are there: drive 20 minutes north to the historical village of Fish Creek, where you will find Long John Pickles, one of our favorite dog-friendly cafes in the whole of Gippsland. With tables out front and a roomy deck around the back, there is plenty of room for your pup while you work through one of their all-day breakfasts.
Dog Beaches Along Ninety Mile Beach in Central Gippsland
Follow the coast east and the scenery opens into the long, wild ribbon of Ninety Mile Beach. The towns here are smaller and sleepier, and the beaches feel wonderfully undiscovered, perfect for a dog who loves room to roam.
Seaspray Dog-Friendly Beach
At the start of the tranquil Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, Seaspray is one of our favorite dog beaches in the region because it gives you and your dog the best of both worlds: the open surf of Ninety Mile Beach, and the calmer water of Merriman Creek at the western end of Foreshore Road, where a lovely picnic area makes an easy base for the afternoon. If you love a coastal holiday a little off the beaten track, you will adore sleepy Seaspray. You can find out more about Seaspray Caravan Park here, or read more about the town at Travel Victoria.
Seaspray dog rules at a glance:
- On-lead on all beaches at any time
Tip: for the perfect golden-hour photos with your pup, head down early and catch the sunrise over the water. Pics or it didn't happen!
A long lead, a travel water bowl and a quick-dry towel go a long way on a day like this, and these dog travel accessories cover the rest of the kit.
Golden Beach and Paradise Beach
A little west of Seaspray along Ninety Mile Beach, the quiet seaside town of Golden Beach is 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 on the western side of the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park) has that undiscovered feel we loved, its secluded coastline stretching out of sight in both directions. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, emus, echidnas and, if you are a bird lover, the squawky and stunning yellow-tailed black cockatoos overhead.
Golden Beach is dog-friendly on-lead, with dogs permitted between campsites 1 to 6 on Shoreline Drive, along The Wreck and at Flamingo Beach. Dogs are welcome on-lead on all beaches at nearby Paradise Beach, while other sections of Golden Beach are closed to dogs. For more, Beach Stays has a helpful local rundown.
Golden Beach and Paradise Beach dog rules at a glance:
- On-lead between campsites 1 to 6 on Shoreline Drive, The Wreck and Flamingo Beach
- No dogs on other sections of Golden Beach
- On-lead on all beaches at Paradise Beach
Loch Sport Dog-Friendly Beach
Loch Sport is a sleepy, unspoiled pocket where bush meets coast, and it really surprised us. We honestly did not expect to be wowed the way we were. Popular for fishing and water sports, it has a rugged charm that will draw you in if you love nature as much as your pup does. We loved taking in the panoramic views of Lake Victoria along the beach and foreshore walk, lined with weathered, twisted trees, and we took so many photos here. Park at The Boulevard Boat Ramp at the edge of the Lakes National Park and set off on the foreshore walk from there. Visit Gippsland has more about the town.
Loch Sport dog rules at a glance:
- On-lead at the Foreshore Lions Park playground area
- Off-lead elsewhere in Loch Sport at other times
Off-Lead Dog Beaches Across Gippsland
With more than 500 kilometers of stunning coastline, it is no wonder Gippsland is the ultimate playground when it comes to dog-friendly beaches in Victoria. Beyond the towns above, there is a long list of dog-friendly beaches worth exploring across the south, center and east. Rules vary from one council to the next, so treat this as a starting map and confirm the current signage at each beach before letting a dog off the lead.
South Gippsland:
- Corinella and Coronet Bay
- Grantville
- Inverloch
- Kilcunda
- Port Welshpool
- Sandy Point
- Venus Bay
- Walkerville
- Waratah Bay
- Wonthaggi and Cape Paterson
- Yanakie
Central Gippsland:
- Golden Beach and Paradise Beach
- Port Albert
- Seaspray
East Gippsland:
- Lakes Entrance
- Mallacoota
- Marlo
- Metung
- Paynesville
Tip: for a handy visual, the Dogs on Holidays map plots all the dog-friendly beaches in Gippsland in one place.
Planning Your Gippsland Dog Beach Trip
A few habits make every Gippsland beach day smoother. Beach rules change with the seasons and from one council to the next, so we always check the signage at the entrance before letting the boys off-lead. Carry a lead even at off-lead beaches, for the moments when wildlife appears or the crowds build. Pack fresh water and some shade, since much of this coast is open and exposed, and always bring more waste bags than you think you will need.
If a longer stay is on the cards, a little reading on dog hotel etiquette helps keep pet-friendly places welcoming for the next dog that visits too.
For the full regional picture, Visit Gippsland keeps an up-to-date guide to dog-friendly Gippsland with maps and seasonal notes. Pack your sunscreen and all your dog's travel essentials, and we will see you at the beach!
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