Stunning 2bed /2bth-CottonTrees 3BLK Beach /Dogs OK

This ground floor two-bedroom, two-bathroom rental in Cotton Tree puts you three blocks from Maroochydore Beach and the Maroochy River, with a fenced yard and an outdoor dog shower at the door. For dog owners it works as a base: the flat streets of the Cotton Tree precinct make daily beach and river walks easy, and everything you need for a dog is either in the yard or a short walk away.

Leash status

Sunshine Coast Council tightened its dog rules in July 2026, so check current signage before you plan a beach run. Off-leash exercise at Maroochydore Beach is permitted in the signed zone between beach accesses 145 and 147 on Alexandra Parade, with dogs under voice control, while the Cotton Tree foreshore itself stays on-leash. Dogs are prohibited from the dunes, active sports fields, and anywhere within five metres of playgrounds or barbecue areas along the river and beach reserves.

Max: the rules changed in mid 2026, so do not trust old blog posts or memory. Walk to the accesses either side of 145 to 147 and read the signs on the day, because the boundaries are enforced.

Water and terrain

You get both water types here. The ocean side is a open surf beach that suits dogs who like waves, and the river side along the Maroochy is calm, shallow and better for a relaxed paddle or an older dog. The whole precinct is flat, so pushing a stroller or walking a senior dog is easy, and the esplanade loop around the point makes a good on-leash evening walk.

Getting there and parking

The house sits near First Avenue and the Esplanade in Cotton Tree, roughly 10 to 15 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport. There is off-street parking at the property, which matters in Cotton Tree where street spaces tighten over summer. Sunshine Plaza, Cotton Tree Pool and bus stops are all within walking distance if you want to leave the car once you arrive.

Worth knowing

Dogs are welcome only with prior host approval and a pet deposit, so confirm before booking rather than arriving with the dog unannounced. Inside, pets stay off the furniture and beds, and you are expected to clean up immediately, especially outdoors. Check-in is 4pm and check-out 10am, and as a residential property it runs strict quiet hours with a no parties rule. The practical draw for dog owners is the secure fenced yard plus the outdoor surfboard and dog shower, so sandy dogs never get past the patio. Beach gear, including towels, chairs, a cooler and an umbrella, is supplied.

When to go

Early mornings and late afternoons are the quiet windows on the beach and the coolest for exercise; school holidays and summer weekends pack the Cotton Tree foreshore by mid morning. The riverside leash-free park on Bradman Avenue is busiest before work and after 4pm.

While you're out there

The riverside Unfenced Dog Leash Free Park on Bradman Avenue is a short drive for a proper run, and Ocean Folk Espresso and MURRAYS on sixth both welcome dogs at outdoor tables. If the holiday runs long, the dog friendly BIG4 Maroochy River sits just up the road.

More ideas are on the Queensland dog beaches guide and the Maroochydore destination page.