Pialba Foreshore Off-Leash Beach

This stretch of the Pialba foreshore is Hervey Bay's long-running off-leash beach for dogs under control, running along the Esplanade between Taylor Street and Zephyr Street. For years it ran on timed access, open to off-leash dogs from 3pm to 8am, and Fraser Coast Regional Council has since moved the Pialba to Scarness foreshore toward 24-hour off-leash, so check the signage at your access point for the current rules.

The rules at the sand

Whatever the posted hours, the standing rules are constant: dogs must be under effective control and respond to recall, and any section not signed off-leash is on-leash by default. Cleaning up is mandatory, with bag stations and bins along the foreshore.

Keep clear of the marked prohibited section of foreshore near the main swimming areas, and give swimmers, fishers and families with small children a wide berth. Registration tags are required under council rules.

Max: treat the tide, not the clock, as the thing to plan around. Hervey Bay's water retreats a long way at low tide and leaves shallow, firm sand that suits a nervous swimmer far better than the high-tide strip.

What you'll find

Public water taps, dog-bag dispensers and bins run along the Esplanade foreshore, alongside picnic shelters and seating. A paved path follows the beachfront, so an on-lead stroll between off-lead sessions is easy, and the Pialba cafe strip sits directly behind the sand.

Getting there

The beach sits off the Hervey Bay Esplanade in Pialba, with car parking along the Esplanade near the access tracks. It is roughly half an hour from the Bruce Highway turn-off at Maryborough, and the foreshore path connects it to Scarness on foot.

Close by with the dogs

The neighbouring stretch is covered in Scarness beach Dogs off leash 24/7 area, which is the continuation of the same foreshore. For coffee after the swim, The Hungry Pelican Cafe and The Kozy Corner cafe are both in Pialba.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly beaches guide and the Pialba destination page.