By: Vanessa Pogorelic
Let them feel the sand between their paws at these off-lead dog beaches in the Margaret River region.
If you’re taking your four-legged bestie with you on a break down south, a trip to the beach to run off some energy each day is a must.
Luckily the Margaret River region’s stunning coastline is dotted with plenty of unspoilt sandy stretches where you can both enjoy some extra-special walkies.
Just make sure you head in the right direction, as some beaches are out of bounds for dogs altogether, and others have areas where dogs are permitted and others where they are not. There are also seasonal restrictions on some beaches between certain dates and times.
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And as always, when out and about with your dog, make sure you keep them under control at all times and remember to pick up after them.
So here are some great off-lead dog beaches from Busselton to Gnarabup where dogs are free to run, swim, and explore alongside their humans.
Geographe
Just north of Busselton at Geographe, the stretch of beach along Geographe Bay Road is dog-friendly between Morgan Street to the north-east and Ford Road to the south-west, where there are also car parks with beach access.
North-east from Morgan Street to Guerin Street there is a seasonal restriction from 1 December to 28 February when dogs are only allowed off-lead in this area before 9am and after 5pm. At all other times of the year, this whole stretch from Ford Road right up to Port Geographe is open for you to unleash your fur baby.
Busselton
South of Busselton Jetty, the dog beach begins at the end of West Street and continues south to the King Street car park. Dogs are restricted from the beachfront between King Street south to Wattle Street from 9am-5pm during the summer months each year (1 December-28 February).
West Busselton
From Wattle Street in West Busselton you have a long, dog-friendly stretch of beach all the way south to Dolphin Road. Then you’ll hit another seasonally restricted area from Dolphin Road to the Mandalay carpark, with dogs not permitted 9am-5pm from 1 December to 28 February. But from Mandalay carpark to Holgate Road, they can run free anytime.
Quindalup
Just west of Siesta Park Road, is where the dog-friendly stretch of beach begins in Quindalup. You can walk from there all the way along to the Quindalup boat ramp. One sections of this beach walk is away from any properties and roads so you can enjoy the serenity. There’s parking in Siesta Park off Smith Street and plenty of parking at the other end at Quindalup boat ramp.
Dunsborough
You’ll find another long and peaceful stretch of dog-friendly beachfront from Tulloh Road in Quindalup all the way to Centennial Park in Dunsborough. If you’re starting in Quindalup, there’s a beach access path just off Tulloh Road. Centennial Park in Dunsborough has many access points to the beach along with other facilities, including barbeques, picnic tables and a playground, all set amongst a canopy of trees. Just note that the beachfront at Centennial Park is not an off-lead dog area.
Just a little further along from Gifford Road to Burt Court your dog is free to wander off lead again, with several access paths down to the beach from this area. From Burt Court to the northern end of Vincent Steet, the beach has the summer seasonal restriction for dogs from 1 December to 28 February between 9am and 5pm. But from Vincent Street to the far end of Bay View Cresent, dogs have free rein once again.
Eagle Bay and Bunker Bay
Just near Reidle Park off the Eagle Bay-Meelup Road is a carpark with access to the beach at Eagle Bay. From here, all the way north until the beach becomes rocky, is where you can unclip the leash. Your next stop after that is the long and wide beach at Bunker Bay, where the north-west end of the beach is dog-friendly and also relatively sheltered. Remember to check the signs for boundaries.
Yallingup
On the other side of Cape Naturaliste, your next stop is Yallingup Beach. At the corner of Hammond Road and Dawson Drive is a carpark with a beach access path. Anywhere north of the beach from that point, it’s open slather for dogs.
Smiths Beach
Past the rocky and inaccessible coastline south of Yallingup, Smiths Beach begins. The far southern end of the beach is where you can set your doggo loose, but the summer restriction applies here, so from 1 December to 28 February, you’ll need to go before 9am or after 5pm. The dog-friendly section starts where Gunyulgup Brook trickles out onto the beach all the way down to the rocky southern end near Canal Rocks Beachfront Apartments.
Gracetown
Getting closer to Margaret River, Gracetown’s curved bay is dog-friendly for off-lead runs and swims at the southern end of the beach. The area starts just a little south of the public toilets near the large carpark off Cowaramup Bay Road and continues down to the Melaleuca Beach picnic area, where there’s also another parking area nearby. So no off lead dogs at the main Gracetown Beach or the boat ramp, as well as the beach just south of that.
Prevelly and Gnarabup
The beach adjacent to Riflebutts Reserve is where the long stretch of off-lead dog beach starts at Prevelly. This northern end of Prevelly Beach, down to the beach access path at the bottom of Georgette Street, is your dog-friendly zone. There’s a large carpark near Rifflebuts Reserve (where dogs are also allowed off lead) and two more parking areas with beach access further south along Mitchell Drive.
A little further down the coast at Gnarabup Back Beach, you have a short 300m of coast for your dog to run off some steam. It begins just south of the rocky area at the northern end of Gnarabup Back Beach and extends for approximately 300m to the beach adjacent to Point Marmaduke Drive. Beach access is from the carpark off Reef Drive. After walkies, head to the dog-friendly White Elephant Café, which is open daily for breakfast, lunch and amazing views.
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