North Beach Dog Beach

The North Beach dog beach runs along West Coast Drive between Castle Street and Margaret Street, one of the quieter off-leash strips in Perth's northern beachside suburbs. It is a smaller, part-sandy part-rocky beach where dogs can run off-lead 24 hours a day, year-round.

The rules at the water's edge

Off-leash access applies only inside the marked zone between Castle and Margaret Streets, under effective control at all times. Keep your dog on the lead until you are past the markers, because the beaches either side are off-limits to dogs.

The City of Stirling expects owners to carry bags and clean up immediately, with dispensers and bins along the foreshore, and on-the-spot fines apply for failures. Dogs are also not permitted at nearby Star Swamp Bushland Reserve or in the play and grassed areas around the North Beach Community Centre.

Sand, reef and tides

Sandy shallows give nervous swimmers an easy entry, while rocky reef sections reward a good sniff but need watching underfoot. Low to mid tide opens up the most sand; at high tide the usable beach shrinks and more rock is exposed, so check conditions before a keen swimmer bolts in.

Pepsi: the reef sections are interesting but sharp in patches, so time your run for low to mid tide and keep an eye on paws around the rocks.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking runs along West Coast Drive, with a dedicated car park between Margaret and Ada Streets, and beach access is via ramps and stairs from the foreshore path. Transperth buses service the West Coast Drive corridor, and the coastal dual-use path links the beach from Trigg through to Hillarys for walkers and riders.

While you're out there

Charles Riley Memorial Reserve Fenced Dog Park is the fully enclosed alternative a few minutes inland if your dog needs a fence rather than a shoreline.

Trigg Dog Beach continues the coastal run south, Peasholm Dog Beach is the bigger, busier option further down, and Lawley's Bakery Cafe handles the post-swim coffee.

Browse more dog beaches in WA or plan the area with our guide to North Beach with the dogs.