11 dog-friendly beaches on the Sunshine Coast

If you and your pup find yourself in Caloundra during the winter months, dip your paws in the glistening rock pools on Shelly Beach. Unpatrolled, you’ll often have this little stretch of sand all to yourself—unusual for this part of the world.

You’ll find this dog-friendly beach between Russell Street and Victoria Terrace (beach access 276 - 281). Off leash times are from 4pm to 8am between May and October, so make sure to time your visit right.

Currimundi

Unrestricted off-leash action, the softest sand, inland trails and nearby adjoining lake; it’s unsurprising why Currimundi Beach is the one of the best dog-friendly beaches on the Sunshine Coast.

The easiest access to the expansive off-leash area is from Ann St and Gothic Parade and stretches between access points 249-262. BYO picnic (and dog treats).

Wurtulla Beach

A stretch of beach so large, it has not one, but two, dedicated off-leash dog sections. 

The north stretch of this golden stretch of sand between Maloga Street and Wurley Drive (beach access points 226 to 247), and the southerly point between Moondara Drive down to Currimundi Lake (beach access 249 to 253) are your dedicated sections.

Keep heading north of beach access point 247 and you’ll find the beginning of Point Cartwright Walk. Leash up and explore this magnificent coastal walk, complete with cliff faces, lookout points and working lighthouse. You know what to do…

Buddina

Let your pup chase waves 24/7 at Buddina’s dedicated dog-friendly, off-leash beach along the eastern side of Point Cartwright headland and access the beach between 198 to 201.

Pack a picnic and pit-stop anywhere along the grassed foreshore area around Point Cartwright. The views are breathtaking.

Maroochydore River

Prefer the calmer waters of the river vs the choppy sea? While not technically a beach, the Maroochy River park offers off-leash, round the clock water play, from the intersection of Bradman Ave and Fisherman Rd for 500m down to the river mouth.

Twin Waters

South of Mudjimba Beach, on the southern-most point of North Shore Beach in Twin Waters, is the calmest, most relaxed dog-friendly beach on the Sunshine Coast. Boasting off-leash play time for your pup at all times from the Maroochy River mouth to about 500 metres of beach access 132, watch your pup play in the protected shallows and soft sand cay.

Coolum Beach

Make tracks with your pack to Stumers Creek along Coolum Beach for quintessential Sunshine Coast beach time. Dog-friendly beach time starts just north of the caravan park, it’s an off-leash zone for one glorious kilometre of beach from Stumers Creek.

Tip: make a weekend of it with your four-legged friend by booking in at the Coolum Beach Caravan Park. Dogs are permitted on site, nut remember it’s leash-on until paws hit the sand.

Marcus Beach

Dreaming about the blue waters of the Pacific but not so keen on the crowds? Pack your pooch and head to Marcus Beach (wedged neatly between Sunshine and Peregian Beaches) for unrivalled dog-friendly beach time—minus the mayhem.

From beach access 47 all the way north to beach access 38 at Sunrise Beach this is the kind of dog-friendly beaches on the Sunshine Coast that makes you stop and take it all in.

Bonus? Both Sunshine and Peregian Beaches have a bustling café scene, with plenty of alfresco seating for you and your furry friend to kick back with a drink post-swim.

Sunshine Beach

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, Sunshine Beach’s off-leash area also happens to be one of the quietest. A favourite among locals, hit the beach access from point 27 for round-the-clock off-leash beach time.

Noosa

The aptly named Dog Beach at the mouth of the Noosa River is perfect for lazy days by the water. Protected from the coastal winds, Dog Beach has the best of both worlds; a ton of golden sand, and gentle rippling waves. Enter via Claude Batten Drive at Noosa Spit. This dog-friendly beach is just moments from Noosa’s iconic Hastings Street, should you fancy, well, just about anything.