North Coogee Dog Beach

North Coogee Dog Beach, known locally as C.Y. O'Connor Beach, is the City of Cockburn's off-leash stretch running along Ocean View Parade and Rollinson Road. The draw is straightforward: a wide white-sand cove with shallow, clear water calm enough for nervous paddlers, a coastal shared path linking it to South Fremantle and Port Coogee, and a cafe sitting right on the sand.

The dog setup

The off-leash zone covers the beach north of the former South Fremantle Power Station up to the Catherine Point groyne, and it is open around the clock. Dogs need to stay under effective voice or signal control, and you should carry a lead even inside the zone because rangers can ask you to clip one on.

Boundaries are the catch here: dogs are not permitted at Ngarkal Beach near the Port Coogee Marina, in the main Coogee Beach family swimming area further along, or on Chelydra Beach, so read the signage before unclipping. Pick up and bin waste straight away.

Worth knowing

Facilities are better than most off-leash beaches: a dog wash shower for rinsing sandy coats, public toilets, benches, a playground near the access points, and drink fountains. The Salty Dog Beach Cafe operates right by the sand for coffee and snacks, and sunset over the water is a genuine drawcard in its own right.

Getting there

Drive in via Cockburn Road and turn into Rollinson Road, with parking along Ocean View Parade and in the Rollinson Road carpark. Transperth's 532 and 533 routes stop along Cockburn Road near the coastal access points, and the shared path running up from South Fremantle makes it a natural stop on a longer coastal ride or walk.

Max: the off-leash stretch runs to Catherine Point groyne, and the beaches on either side of it are no-dog zones. Check the signs before you let go.

Pair it with

Keep the coastal theme going at South Beach Dog Off Leash Area or Jervoise Bay Dog Beach, or head up to the South Fremantle Groyne reserve for grass and shade.

More options are on the Western Australia dog beaches guide and the North Coogee destination page.