Dog Friendly Beach (seasonal)

The seasonal dog-friendly beach in Inverloch is the 250 metre stretch of the town foreshore between Wave Street and Ozone Street, a separate patch of coast from the year-round Anderson Inlet off-leash area. The sand here meets gentle waves rather than the inlet's flat calm, and the catch is that access rules change with the season.

The rules. Between 1 December and 31 January, dogs must be on-leash from 9am to 6pm; outside those hours in peak season, they can be off-leash. From 1 February through to 30 November, the beach is off-leash at all times. Wherever off-leash applies, dogs still need to be within sight and under effective voice control. Carry poop bags: fines for not doing so run up to $370. For a year-round off-leash option regardless of season, the Anderson Inlet beach between Grandview Grove and Cuttriss Street is the more reliable choice.

What's there. Waste bag dispensers and bins are placed near the beach access points along the foreshore, and a few walking tracks lead down from the Esplanade to the sand.

Getting there. Inverloch is about 143km from Melbourne, roughly a two-hour drive via the M1 and the South Gippsland Highway. Parking is available along the Esplanade and the side streets near Ozone and Wave Streets. If you are staying in central Inverloch, it is a short walk straight down to the foreshore.

Nearby with the dogs. The Bayside Lady and Vela 95, both on A'Beckett Street, offer outdoor dog-friendly seating. BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park has pet-friendly sites, and pet-friendly holiday homes are listed locally through platforms such as Airbnb.

Before 9am or after 6pm is the easiest window in summer, when the on-leash rule lifts and the crowds thin out. Outside December and January the whole stretch is off-leash all day, though it is worth checking the tide before you go, since the beach narrows considerably at high tide.

Sources

• Where can I walk my dog - Bass Coast Shire Council · basscoast.vic.gov.au

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