Carrum Dog Beach

Carrum Dog Beach is a long sandy off-leash stretch on the Kingston foreshore in Melbourne's bayside south-east, running south of Old Post Office Lane near Keast Park. Its defining feature is that it swings between 24/7 off-leash in the cooler months and a strict daytime ban over summer, so the season decides your visit. Shallow, calm water and clean sand make it a favourite with regular dog walkers.

Leash status

The off-leash zone sits south of Old Post Office Lane on the City of Kingston side. From 1 November to 31 March, dogs are prohibited on the sand from 10am to 7.30pm, and off-leash is allowed only before 10am and after 7.30pm. From 1 April to 31 October it is off-leash 24/7. Dogs off-leash must be under effective voice control, and you must carry a lead at all times. Check the signs carefully, because council rules differ across the nearby boundary, and fines apply for breaches.

Max: the summer daytime ban is enforced and fined. In the warm months, run before 10am or come back after 7.30pm, and always have the lead on you.

Water and terrain

The water is shallow and calm, good for a paddle and a swim rather than surf, and it shelves gently enough for cautious swimmers. Tide sets how much beach you get: low tide opens up the most sand for running, while high tide narrows it to a strip better suited to swimming.

Getting there and parking

Drive via the Nepean Highway to Johnson Avenue and park at the Keast Park car park, which has accessible bays and a paved walk through to the foreshore. Ticketed parking applies through the day and fills fast on good weekends. Carrum Station on the Frankston line is a short walk away, and the Bay Trail runs along the coast for anyone arriving on foot or by bike.

Worth knowing

Public toilets sit at the Keast Park pavilion, and dog waste bins and bag dispensers run along the foreshore. The park itself, with its playground, picnic tables and electric BBQs, is on-lead territory, so keep the leash on until you are on the sand. The beach draws a social, friendly crowd of regular walkers, and it gets crowded on weekend mornings even out of summer.

When to go

Weekday mornings and midweek evenings are the quietest; Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest. In summer, aim for a run finishing just before 10am or a sunset walk after 7.30pm. In winter, the whole day is open and a midweek low tide gives you the beach nearly to yourself.

While you're out there

The Roy Dore Reserve Fenced Dog Park is minutes away for a fenced session, Seaford (Keast Park) Off-Leash Dog Beach continues the sand to the north, and Gretel Coffee Roasters covers the post-beach coffee.

More options are on the Victoria dog beaches guide and the Carrum destination page.