Shelley Beach Dog Off Leash Area

Shelley Beach is Portsea's quieter off-leash option, a sheltered stretch of sand and boat sheds between Point Franklin and Hemston Avenue on the bay side of the peninsula. It sits well away from the ferry traffic and the surf beaches, and you reach it down a staircase from the clifftop, which keeps the crowds down most days.

Leash status

The permitted off-leash stretch runs between Point Franklin and Hemston Avenue under Mornington Peninsula Shire rules. From March through November the beach is off-leash at all times. Over the peak summer months the beach closes to dogs during the middle of the day, with off-leash hours before and after that window, so check the signage at the top of the steps for the current times before you head down.

Off-leash still means under effective voice control, and the zone does not extend past the Hemston Avenue boundary towards the pier, so watch where the permitted stretch ends. Keep the lead handy for the stairs, the car park and any wander past the boundary.

Water and terrain

This is Port Phillip Bay water, so it is generally calm and shallow with none of the swell that hits the ocean back beaches. At high tide the sand narrows sharply against the sea wall, while low to mid tide opens a decent strip for running and fetch. The staircase down the cliff is steep and there is no ramp, so it is a tougher outing for older dogs or anyone carrying a lot of gear.

Max: check the tide before committing to the steps. At high tide the sand strip nearly disappears and you do not want to be choosing between a wade and the climb back up.

Getting there and parking

The beach sits off Point Nepean Road, with access via a small gravel parking area off Hemston Avenue. That car park fills quickly on weekends and warm mornings, so an early arrival is worth the alarm. If you are not driving, the 788 bus between Frankston and Portsea stops nearby along Point Nepean Road.

Worth knowing

Facilities are minimal once you are on the sand, so bring your own water, bags and shade. There is little to rely on at the beach itself, and the nearest proper toilets and taps are back up in the village.

When to go

Early morning is the reliable window year round, and in summer the evening session outside the daytime ban is the other good bet. Aim for low to mid tide so there is actual beach to run on, and expect company on fine weekends given how small the sandy strip is.

While you're out there

Le Capucin in the Portsea village does coffee and pastries with dog friendly outdoor seating, an easy stop on the drive back. Sorrento's foreshore is five minutes further and Sorrento's off-leash beach makes a good second stop on a bay-side day, or park the caravan base at Kanasta Caravan Park in Rye if you are making a weekend of it.

More options are on the Victoria dog beaches guide and the Portsea destination page.