Warnbo Dog Beach parking

This is the southern access point for Warnbro Dog Beach, reached off Bayeux Avenue in Port Kennedy, and for many dogs it is the quickest way onto the off-leash sand at the southern end of Warnbro Sound. The beach here is wide, the water is shallow and usually calm, and the zone is a designated dog exercise area under City of Rockingham rules.

Leash status

The off-leash zone begins at the signposted area just south of Bayeux Avenue and runs along the beach between marked boundaries. Dogs must stay under effective voice control and you are required to carry a leash with you at all times. Keep at least 10 metres clear of playgrounds and barbecue areas, and do not let your dog drift past the boundary markers at either end of the zone.

Keep the lead on while you walk from the street to the sand, and clip it back on near anglers. This stretch is a popular fishing spot, so check around lines and bait before letting your dog off.

Max: the boundary signage is easy to miss at speed, so find the markers before unclipping the lead and keep an eye on the fishing lines further down the sand.

Water and terrain

Warnbro Sound faces west but the water here is typically gentle, with small waves suiting paddlers and swimmer dogs rather than surf chasers. At high tide the usable beach narrows against the dunes, while low tide opens a broad flat run that is ideal for fetch. There is no shade or drinking water on the sand, so bring water and plan around the sun in warmer months.

Getting there and parking

From the Kwinana Freeway, take Safety Bay Road towards Port Kennedy, then Ocean Road and into Bayeux Avenue. Parking is free casual street parking along Bayeux Avenue and the surrounding residential streets, with the most direct access at the end of the avenue. That end fills first on summer weekends and public holidays, so arrive early or park a street back. A concrete ramp near the end of Bayeux Avenue gives stroller and wheelchair access, and a paved coastal path runs behind the dunes if you would rather walk a stretch of it.

Worth knowing

Waste bins sit at the main access points but carry your own bags rather than relying on them. There are no toilets or water fountains at this southern entry, so treat it as a bring-your-own-everything beach. If you want fenced play before or after the swim, St Clair Reserve Fenced Dog Park is a few minutes inland, and St Raphael Reserve gives another off-leash option nearby.

When to go

Mornings before 10am are the pick of the day, ahead of the strong afternoon sea breeze that rolls in along this coast. Weekdays stay quiet, and lower tides give more running room than high tide. Summer weekends are busy with swimmers and fishers alike, so early starts win.

While you're out there

For coffee after the swim, Bean at the Beach sits by the Rockingham foreshore a short drive north, and The Warnbro Tavern is the closest pub for a dog-friendly outdoor table on the way home.

More sand along the coast is covered in the Western Australia dog beaches guide and the Port Kennedy destination page.