Currimundi Beach Access Point 255-262 Dog Off Leash Area

This stretch of Currimundi Beach between access points 255 and 262, running roughly from Gothic Parade down to Ann Street, is one of the Sunshine Coast's most generous off-leash beaches. It is a proper surf beach rather than a calm bay, with room for dogs to run flat out and swim, and Sunshine Coast Council allows off-leash here around the clock.

Leash status

Off-leash applies on the sand between access 255 and access 262, 24 hours a day, every day. Dogs must be on-lead in the car parks and on the pathways up to the beach access sign, and the off-leash freedom only begins past it. Keep your dog under effective voice or hand control at all times, and stay out of the dunes and foreshore reserve entirely: that ground is protected for wildlife and is not part of the off-leash area.

Water

Expect waves and a shore break rather than calm water, so this suits dogs that are confident swimmers; low tide opens the most sand for running and high tide narrows the beach but still allows a swim. There is no lifeguard patrol on this stretch, so read the conditions before letting a keen swimmer out deep.

Pepsi: a full stretch of sand at low tide is about as good as beach zoomies get, just save the big swim for when the waves look calm.

Hazards

The dune system is the main no-go: keep dogs off it at all times, as rangers do enforce the protection zones. On busy summer days the beach draws a big crowd of dogs and swimmers, so an over-excited dog needs managing, and the shore break can be punchy after onshore winds.

Facilities and parking

Free parking sits at both ends of the stretch, the northern end near Gothic Parade and the southern end near access 262, and both fill early on weekend mornings. A dog wash station handles the sand-and-salt rinse before the drive home, water bowls are set out at the access points, and toilets are a short walk away at Cliff Hargreaves Park. A coffee van is a regular fixture near the sand.

When to go

Early weekday mornings and late afternoons give the most space; weekends and school holidays bring the crowds. Timing a visit around low tide rather than the clock alone gets you the widest running beach.

Pair it with

After the beach, Penny G's Coffee in Currimundi does outdoor seating for dogs, and the fenced Ridgehaven Park Fenced Dog Park is nearby if your dog needs contained play. Further along the coast, Two Tides Cafe in Caloundra is a good second stop.

More options are on the Queensland dog beaches guide and the Currimundi destination page.