Clarks Beach

Clarks Beach at Coningham, about 30 minutes south of Hobart on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, is the go-to off-leash spot for local dog owners: a sheltered sandy beach with calm, shallow water, and a dedicated fenced off-leash enclosure so dogs can run without reaching the car park or the open beach. The main Coningham Beach next door is generally restricted for dogs, which makes this small beach the designated spot.

Leash status

Kingborough Council designates Clarks Beach as a dog exercise area, but the off-leash allowance applies only inside the fenced enclosure on the beach. Outside that fence, dogs stay on a physical leash at all times, and even inside, effective voice or visual control is required. Dogs are kept out of marked sensitive environmental areas, playgrounds and sports reserves along the frontage. Carry bags and use the council waste bins near the main entry.

Max: fenced beach, warm shallows, and a tide that decides how far the fetch goes. Low tide turns this place into a racetrack.

Water and terrain

The Channel does the sheltering here: flat sand, gentle shallows and none of the swell that hits the open coast, which suits paddle dogs and fetch rather than surfers of the canine kind. The terrain is straightforward, flat sand running into shallow water. Facilities are basic, with toilets positioned closer to the main Coningham Beach area rather than at the enclosure, so bring your own water and shade for a longer stay.

Getting there and parking

Access runs off Coningham Road, about 200 metres past Old Station Road, down a well-maintained gravel track to the beach. A small car park sits close to the beach access, and it can fill on fine weekend afternoons, so arrive early on good days.

Worth knowing

Tide shapes the visit more than anything else. At low to mid tide there is plenty of sand for running and games; at high tide the water pushes up near the scrubline and the usable strip shrinks hard. Check the Bureau of Meteorology tide predictions for the D'Entrecasteaux Channel before you set out, and plan around it if your dog needs room to move.

When to go

Early mornings are the quietest window and when the regular walkers come through. Weekends and sunny afternoons bring families, swimmers and other dogs, so expect company and share the space accordingly. Winter mornings can be close to a private beach.

While you're out there

Pair the beach with nearby stops: Dru Point fenced dog park in Margate adds a second fenced run with shoreline views, Appelflap Cafe and The Old Corner Shop cover coffee in Margate, and Taroona dog park sits on the drive back to Hobart. More options are on the Tasmania dog beaches guide and the Margate destination page.