North Beach Dog Beach

A quieter off-leash strip on West Coast Drive, the North Beach dog beach runs between Castle Street and Margaret Street, where dogs can run 24 hours a day, year-round. It is a smaller, part-sandy, part-rocky beach that suits dogs who prefer a calmer scene than nearby Trigg.

The rules. Off-leash access applies only within the marked zone between Castle and Margaret Streets, under effective voice control. Keep your dog leashed until you are inside those markers, as beaches either side are off-limits. Bags are provided in dispensers along the foreshore, and the City of Stirling asks owners to clean up immediately. Note that dogs are not permitted at nearby Star Swamp Reserve or in the children's play and grassed areas at the North Beach Community Centre.

The water and sand. This is a mixed beach, with sandy shallows ideal for nervous swimmers and rocky reef sections that reward a sniff but need watching. Low to mid tide opens up the most sand, while high tide shrinks the usable beach and exposes more rock. Check the reef underfoot before letting a keen swimmer bolt in.

Getting there. Free street parking runs along West Coast Drive, with a dedicated car park between Margaret and Ada Streets. Beach access is via ramps and stairs from the foreshore path. Transperth buses run along the West Coast Drive corridor, and the coastal dual-use path connects the beach from Trigg through to Hillarys for those walking or cycling in.

When to go. Weekend mornings from around 6:30 to 8:30 are busiest. For a quieter run, come midweek or later on a Sunday, ideally at low to mid tide when the sandy shallows are at their best. Good for nervous swimmers and dogs who like smaller crowds.

Sources

• Dog Parks and Beaches - City of Stirling · stirling.wa.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.