Noosa Heads Doggy Beach

Doggy Beach is the off-leash stretch on the river side of the Noosa Spit, along Claude Batten Drive in Noosa Heads. The draw is the water: a calm, shallow, sandy inlet with no surf, which makes it one of the better swimming beaches in the state for nervous swimmers, small dogs and anyone whose dog hates a dumping wave.

The dog setup

The designated off-leash zone runs along the riverfront section of the Spit and is open around the clock. Dogs must be registered, wearing tags and under effective voice control at all times, and Noosa Shire Council does enforce the rules with fines. The general limit is two dogs per person. Dogs stay out of the marked bathing reserve at Main Beach and off the sand dunes, and outside designated zones across the shire the leash cap is two metres.

Worth knowing

The sheltered river mouth water is far calmer than the open beaches, but the channel near the actual river entrance is a different story: outgoing tides can run strong enough to sweep a swimming dog towards the deeper water by the bar. Keep a swimming dog close if the tide is running out. A large sand and dirt car park sits right beside the beach, with public toilets on the Spit, bins near the car park and scattered trees for shade. Water is not guaranteed, so bring a bowl and fresh water.

Pepsi: low to mid tide opens up the most sandbar for running and shallow paddling, and high tide suits a dog that would rather swim than sprint.

Getting there and parking

From Hastings Street, follow Noosa Drive towards Noosaville and turn onto Claude Batten Drive; the beach runs along the left. It is also a 15 to 20 minute walk from Hastings Street along the foreshore path. The car park fills fast on weekend mornings, so arrive early or expect to park further back and walk.

Pair it with

Wet dogs dry off on the walk to The Scoop @4567, which takes dogs at its outdoor tables, and muse Noosa pours for the humans nearby. If one beach session is not enough, Elysium off leash dog park adds a grass option close by.

Best early morning before 9am or late afternoon, especially on weekends. More swimming spots are in the Queensland beaches guide and the Noosa Heads destination page.