Dog Beach - Inverloch

Dog Beach - Inverloch runs along Anderson Inlet from Grandview Grove to Cuttriss Street, and it is one of the few Bass Coast off-leash areas open 24/7, all year. The water is calm and shallow rather than surf, which suits nervous swimmers and older dogs, and at low tide the inlet pulls back to leave a wide flat of sand and shallow pools to explore.

The rules. Off-leash is permitted at all times between Grandview Grove and Cuttriss Street. Dogs must stay under effective voice control and owners need to carry a leash even when it is not in use. The stretch from the eastern boundary of BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park to Screw Creek is off-limits to dogs year-round, and the main lifesaving club beach (Wave Street to Wreck Creek) bans dogs from 9am to 6pm between 1 December and 28 February and over Easter. Fines for not carrying or using poop bags run up to $370, so bring your own.

What's there. Waste bag dispensers and bins are usually stocked near the Grandview Grove access point. Shade on the sand itself is minimal, so pack water and something to shelter under on hot days. For dogs that want a run without water, the newer fenced Headland Way dog park sits a short distance inland.

Getting there. Inverloch is about a two-hour drive from Melbourne via the South Gippsland Highway. Street parking runs along The Esplanade, with the easiest access at the corner of The Esplanade and Grandview Grove. V/Line buses reach Inverloch from Melbourne, though it is a 20 to 30 minute walk from the bus stop to the beach.

Nearby with the dogs. Teepees has a dog-friendly courtyard, and the Inverloch Corner Store has covered outdoor seating opposite the off-leash beach. BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park takes dogs on specific sites, so check the pet policy when booking.

Early morning or evening is the easiest time to visit in summer, both to dodge the 9am to 6pm restriction on the main beach and to skip the heat. Outside December to February, the inlet stretch is relaxed and rarely crowded, and low tide gives the most room to let a dog off-leash safely.

Sources

• Where can I walk my dog - Bass Coast Shire Council · basscoast.vic.gov.au
• Council says dog beach access won't change as dog park opens · sgst.com.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.