Back Beach

Back Beach sits just west of Mersey Bluff off Coles Beach Road, and it is Devonport's designated dog exercise beach. Dogs can run off-leash here around the clock under effective control, on a stretch that is rockier and more rugged than the main Bluff beach and usually quieter too.

The dog setup

Off-leash is fine as long as your dog stays close, responds when called, and you keep an eye on other beach users. Devonport City Council lists Back Beach as an animal exercise area with no time restrictions, though signage at the car park is worth a glance in case designations change. Bags and bins sit at the top of the concrete stairway, and picking up is a legal requirement, not a courtesy.

Water, tides and terrain

This is a mixed rock and sand beach, and the tide changes it completely. Low tide exposes long open sand for running; high tide swallows most of the beach and leaves it rocky. Time your visit to the falling tide if your dog wants a proper run, and watch tidal currents and loose beach rock underfoot.

Max: check the tide before you commit. At high tide this beach shrinks to rock, but on a low tide it is the best run on this coast.

Getting there and parking

Drive to the car park at the end of Coles Beach Road, immediately west of the Mersey Bluff precinct, and take the concrete stairway down. Alternatively, the coastal walking track from the city centre takes about 20 to 30 minutes on foot. Public transport to the beach itself is thin, so car or foot is the practical choice.

While you're out there

One thing to know: dogs are prohibited on nearby Bluff Beach and the Mersey Bluff precinct, so Back Beach is the correct stop. For a fully fenced alternative, the Devonport Dog Park is close by, and The Little Goat welcomes dogs for a post-beach coffee.

If you are staying over, Mersey Bluff Caravan Park puts you within walking distance. More options are in the Tasmania dog friendly beaches guide and on the Devonport destination page.