Billy Beach Off-Lead Dog Exercise Area

Billy Beach Off-Lead Dog Exercise Area sits at 4 Bay St, Mallabula, on the harbour side adjacent to Caswell Reserve. The single defining reason to make the trip: at low tide, enormous white sand flats emerge, opening up a vast, shallow, safe expanse for dogs to run and socialise off-leash.

The rules. The beach offers 24/7 unrestricted off-leash access, and dogs are permitted to exercise freely. The catch is that the boardwalk and certain designated areas adjacent to the beach are usually on-lead or excluded from the off-leash zone, so check the Port Stephens Council dog exercise areas map for precise boundaries before unclipping.

The water and terrain. Timing matters here. Low tide exposes large, shallow sandy flats that give dogs plenty of room to splash and roam. At high tide, the usable beach narrows significantly, so plan around the tide chart for the best experience.

What's there. The adjacent reserve has a water fountain for dogs, public toilets within Caswell Reserve, benches, and picnic tables. A children's playground sits nearby. There are no poo-bag dispensers anywhere on site, so bring your own.

Getting there. Head to the end of Bay Street, reached via Lemon Tree Passage Road. There is a free dedicated carpark on site. No public transit runs directly to the beach, though regional buses travel along Lemon Tree Passage Road and you will need to walk from the nearest stop to reach the waterfront.

When to go. Weekday mornings are the quiet window. Weekends and sunny afternoons draw bigger crowds, so arrive early if your dog prefers space. Check the tide times and aim for low tide to get the full benefit of those sandy flats.

Sources

• Tilligerry Dog Exercise Areas map · portstephens.nsw.gov.au

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