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By: Tatum Stafford
A Perth summer isn't complete without a trip to the beach - and luckily, many beaches allow you to bring your furry friend along for the ride.
While Perth’s dog-friendly walking trails are bustling on weekends, dog beaches are perfect for when the weather warms up and your dog is eager to socialise, run around, and cool off in the water.
Stretching from Quinns Rocks in the north to Secret Harbour in the far south, here are 10 dog beaches in Perth that are worth a visit this summer.
North of the river
1. Quinns Rocks Dog Beach
Located on Ocean Drive, the Quinns Rocks Dog Beach provides calm, sheltered waters for your dog to splash in thanks to a set of natural offshore reefs. The beach is popular with owners of small dogs, as it’s quite safe and rarely experiences hazardous or rocky conditions.
There are plenty of facilities available along the beach, including water stations and plenty of parking spots. If visiting after dark, keep an eye out for snakes.
Accessibility: There are accessible parking bays on site, and during summer months, beach matting is fixed for wheelchair access. There is also a Beach Trekker Wheelchair which can be booked through the City of Wanneroo for use during patrolled hours in summer.
2. Hillarys Dog Beach
The Hillarys Animal Exercise Park and Dog Beach is a large recreational area with plenty of space for your dog to run (or splash) around in. The beach has small waves and crystal-clear water all year round. You’ll be able to let your dog off its lead on the beach, just make sure they’re under supervision at all times.
The beach itself is located just north of popular swimming spot Whitfords Nodes, and there are plenty of convenient parking spots along the beachfront. There’s an extensive range of facilities here, including bins, doggy bags and even specialised dog cleaning facilities. If you’re visiting on a weekend, there’s also a coffee van that parks near the beach, perfect for a post-swim caffeine hit.
3. North Beach Dog Beach
Located a short stroll from the popular Flora Terrace café strip, the North Beach Dog Beach is one of Perth’s smallest dog beaches at just 500 metres long. The water here is quite shallow and calm – just be wary that you’ll need to climb down a steep rocky section if you’re accessing the beach from the end of Lawley Street (via the Flora Terrace strip). There are stairs at the southern end of the beach for easier access.
After a dip, make your way to one of the many dog-friendly cafes along Flora Terrace that have water bowls and dog treats for your furry friend.
4. Peasholm Dog Beach, Floreat
Nestled between the popular Scarborough and Floreat beaches, Peasholm Dog Beach (also known as the Floreat Dog Beach) is a great spot for an early morning dip, when the waves are a little smaller. As the beach is accessed via a series of sand dunes, it’s the perfect option for dog owners hoping to combine 'walkies' and play time in the one trip.
There are handy dog-washing facilities (as well as a shower block for dog owners), and plenty of parking spots along West Coast Highway.
5. South City Beach
Much like its northern counterpart, South City Beach is a beautiful, long beach that is a favourite with families thanks to calm conditions and shallow waters. This is a particularly busy beach, so it’s only recommended for dogs who are well-behaved around other dogs.
After your swim, wash off the sand and head for the City Beach dining precinct for a bite to eat. Dogs are welcome on the deck at Hamptons and Odyssea, and the café section of Clancy’s Fish Pub - or if you’d rather something more casual, head for the SSEA kiosk window at Odyssea and enjoy a refreshment on the grassed area.
6. Mosman-Leighton Dog Beach
Nestled amongst tall sand dunes, the Mosman-Leighton Beach stretches for two kilometres of soft, white sand, perfect for dogs with a little more energy to burn. The beach has a designated off-leash area on the western side of the car park, and offers beautiful views of the Fremantle Port and Rottnest Island (on a clear day).
As well as its dog-friendly facilities, this beach is a great spot for kitesurfing and surfing. There are also a few cafes and park areas, within walking distance, closer to Leighton and Port beaches.
South of the river
7. South Fremantle Dog Beach
The bustling South Fremantle Dog Beach is split into two sections; both providing calm water conditions and plenty of space for dogs to interact and run around. You’ll find dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes at this popular beach on a weekend morning – so it’s a great place to visit if you’re eager to socialise your dog. As it’s usually busy, make sure you have an eye on your dog at all times.
The beach has a great community atmosphere thanks to its recreational facilities, including a playground, temporary coffee van, shower blocks and a large grassed picnic area with barbeques. Keep an eye out for the quirky ‘Freo Stick Library’, a large wooden box filled with different-sized sticks for visiting dogs to ‘rent’ and play with.
8. CY O'Connor Dog Beach, North Coogee
Beginning at the CY O’Connor Reserve, the CY O’Connor Dog Beach is a great spot for an off-lead dog walk along the sand. The beach is also a point of historical and maritime significance, as the hull of the dismantled SS Wyola (a steam-powered tugboat) lies near the centre of the beach. The remains of the boat are beneath the sand, but you’ll be able to spot the top of the hull peeking out near the water’s edge.
After a splash in the water, head for the southernmost reserve near the beach for a picnic or barbeque on the spacious grassed area. There are large picnic shelters here, so it’s a great spot to relax no matter the weather.
9. Rockingham Dog Beach
The Rockingham Dog Beach is calm, tranquil and perfect for dogs who aren’t fond of big waves. It’s an off-leash beach, so it's an ideal spot for your dog to have a safe splash in the water.
There are plenty of parking spots at both of the beach’s entrance points. At the northern entrance you’ll find an ablution block, barbeques, picnic shelters, a playground and plenty of water bowls for dogs. There’s a doggy water bubbler at the southern entrance to the beach, located on the other side of the Naval Memorial Park.
Accessibility: Wheelchair access on the beach is available from Alexander Reserve. There are four accessible parking bays on site here. A submersible beach wheelchair can be borrowed from the City of Rockingham.
10. Secret Harbour Dog Beach
Located in Perth’s far south, the Secret Harbour Dog Beach is extremely wide with plenty of space for your dog to run around. Once you reach the sign near the Siracusa Court car park, it’s an off-lead area and your dog will be free to run, splash and interact with other dogs.
At the car park there’s a shower to help wash the sand off, and a water fountain with a dog bowl for your pup. There’s a beautiful lake across from the car park perfect for a post-swim walk – just make sure your dog is on a lead here due to swans who nest amongst the wetland.
