Coolum Beach Off leash dog beach

The off-leash zone at the northern end of Coolum Beach wraps around Stumers Creek, where a shallow, slow creek meets open surf beach on the Sunshine Coast. That combination is the draw: small dogs and cautious swimmers paddle the creek while confident runners get a long stretch of sand to burn off energy.

Leash status

Sunshine Coast Council's dog rules changed on 3 July 2026, and the current setup works like this: dogs stay on-leash from the car park until you are at least 10 metres beachside of it, then they are off-leash under effective control beyond that point. The off-leash stretch runs roughly 3 kilometres north and south of the creek, though only the section between the patrolled main beach and the creek mouth is the classic dog run. Dogs are not permitted on the patrolled main Coolum Beach to the south, in the dunal areas or in the Stumers Creek Bushland Conservation Reserve. Bag and bin all waste.

Water and terrain

The creek is at its best around low tide, when it spreads into wide, shallow sandbanks that suit small or timid dogs. At high tide the creek mouth runs deeper with a stronger current where it meets the surf, so keep a closer eye on keen swimmers and call them back before they drift into the channel. The beach itself is open surf sand; there are no flags here, so swimming is at your own judgement.

Max: the creek is the dog pool, the ocean is the big kid's end, and I hold memberships at both.

Getting there and parking

Drive to the end of Stumers Creek Road off David Low Way, where a large free car park sits right at the beach access, with accessible bays included. Public toilets are nearby, along with a tap for rinsing sand and salt off your dog. TransLink buses run along David Low Way, but that leaves a moderate walk to the entrance. The car park fills fast on weekend mornings, so arrive early or expect a short roadside park.

Worth knowing

Natural shade is very limited on this stretch, so bring your own umbrella and water for anything longer than a quick run. The creek mouth attracts shorebirds at times, and dogs that chase wildlife are the reason the buffer rules exist, so keep recall honest. Council signage at the access point is the authority if boundaries change again.

When to go

Mid-week, or early and late in the day, gets you the most room to move. Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest windows year round. Time your visit around the tide: low tide for creek paddlers and wide sand, and avoid summer midday when the sand is scorching.

While you're out there

The Stumers Creek Dog Offleash Area behind the beach adds grass for a dry-off run, and the Coolum to Point Arkwright Foreshore Trail makes a good on-lead leg stretch. Coffee with dogs works at Ma Boulange Cafe in town, and Coolum Beach Holiday Park is a dog-friendly base for a weekend of it.

More sand options are in the Queensland dog beaches guide and the Coolum Beach destination page.