Hawker Beach

Hawker Beach is a quiet 600 metre off-leash stretch on the Mount Martha Esplanade, marked out by its row of private beach huts and clean, calm water. Mornington Peninsula Shire lists it as leash-free year-round, which makes it one of the more dependable dog beaches on the bay side of the Peninsula.

The dog setup

The off-leash zone runs between Augusta Street and Helena Street, and the shire's rule set still applies inside it: effective voice control, a lead carried at all times, and immediate pick-up, with fines enforceable. Stay off the dune vegetation and out of any signed conservation areas.

The beach itself is sandy with rocky edges, good for paddling and a swim, and low tide opens up the widest running sand plus rock pools at the margins. There is no drinking water on the sand, so bring a supply for your dog, and bins sit up near the path entrance rather than on the beach.

Pepsi: low tide doubles my running room and the rock pools are the best sniffing on the Peninsula.

Worth knowing

Access is the catch. A steep, narrow fire track drops down opposite Helena Street, and it is a proper climb back up, so the beach suits fit dogs and owners rather than anyone managing gradient or mobility issues. The track is single-file in places, so expect to negotiate with passing dogs at the top.

Getting there and parking

Set your GPS to 539 Esplanade, Mount Martha, south of the village shops, and use the free street parking along the Esplanade, which is limited on fine weekends. The 781 or 782 bus from Frankston station stops at the Mount Martha shops, leaving a walk south to the entrance.

While you're out there

Tassells Cove at Safety Beach is the calmer alternative a few minutes south, and Fossil Beach adds another off-leash option back towards Mornington. For a fenced run instead of sand, the Community Forest Fenced Dog Park is nearby.

Donato on Craigie Road seats dogs out the front, and Milkbar & Co. covers the coffee stop closer to the village. More sand is listed on the Victoria dog beaches guide and the Mount Martha destination page.