Inverloch Dog Beach

Inverloch Dog Beach runs along Anderson Inlet between Grandview Grove and Cuttriss Street, and it is one of the few Bass Coast off-leash beaches open at all hours, all year. The inlet water is calm and shallow rather than surf, which suits nervous swimmers, puppies and older dogs, and at low tide the bay pulls back to leave a huge flat of sand and shallow pools to explore.

Leash status

Off-leash is allowed at all times between Grandview Grove and Cuttriss Street, provided your dog stays under effective control and you carry a leash. Two boundaries matter. East of the holiday park towards Screw Creek, dogs are prohibited at all times for shorebird protection, and the sand keeps going past the sign at low tide, so watch the signage rather than the waterline. The main patrolled surf beach near Wave Street carries summer restrictions, with dogs limited during the middle of the day between December and the February school holidays and over Easter.

Max: the Screw Creek boundary is the easy one to miss when you are walking the inlet at low tide. Read the sign where you enter, not the water's edge.

Water and terrain

Anderson Inlet is sheltered, so there is no surf to fight and the shallows warm up quickly in summer. Check the tide before you go: low tide exposes the widest running sand and pooling shallows, while high tide pushes the water to the vegetation line and narrows the beach considerably. Shade on the sand is minimal, so bring water and shelter for a longer stay.

Getting there and parking

Inverloch is about a two-hour drive from Melbourne via the South Gippsland Highway. Street parking runs along The Esplanade, and the easiest access to the off-leash stretch is at the corner of The Esplanade and Grandview Grove. V/Line buses reach Inverloch from Melbourne, but it is a 20 to 30 minute walk from the bus stop to the sand, so the car is the practical option with a dog and beach gear.

Worth knowing

Waste bag dispensers and bins are usually stocked near the Grandview Grove access, but carry your own bags as backup, since Bass Coast fines for not picking up are real. For dogs who want a dry run, the fenced Headland Way dog park sits a short distance inland.

When to go

Early morning and evening are the best windows in summer, both for the tide and the heat. Outside the December to February peak, the inlet stretch is relaxed and rarely crowded, and a low-tide morning gives the most room for safe off-lead running.

While you're out there

The seasonal dog-friendly beach at Inverloch covers the summer-restricted stretches if you are visiting in peak season, and cafes around town such as The Beach Box and Bluette welcome dogs at outdoor seating. Further along the coast, NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park is a pet-friendly base for a longer Gippsland trip.

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