Redcliffe Dog Beach - Queens Beach North Dog Off-Leash Area

Queens Beach North on Flinders Parade, Scarborough, is the Redcliffe Peninsula's designated off-leash dog beach, covering the sand and water between the northern rock groyne and the southern access stairs.

The Moreton Bay water here is calm and shallow, which puts most of the challenge into timing the tide rather than managing the surf.

Leash status

Above: On-leash and Off-leash designations per Morten bay Council

Under Moreton Bay City Council rules, off-leash access applies on the sand and in the water only, between the northern rock groyne and the access stairs to the south.

Dogs must be on-leash everywhere else: the grassed foreshore, footpaths, car park and all areas south of the stairs. No dogs are permitted on the sand at Queens Beach South near the boat ramp or on designated swimming beaches.

Keep dogs supervised and responsive to voice commands throughout, and pick up waste using the bins near the beach access points.

Max: the southern access stairs are the line where the leash goes back on. Walk past them and you are in on-leash or prohibited territory, so call the dog back before they get there.

Water and terrain

The bay water is calm and shallow enough to suit dogs of most sizes and confidence levels.

The usable sand swings with the tide: at lower to mid tide the sand stretches out wide and gives real running room, while a high tide narrows the off-leash strip considerably.

Check the tide chart before setting out, because it changes how much beach you actually get.

Getting there and parking

The zone sits along Flinders Parade, Scarborough. Coming from Redcliffe, follow Margate Parade north until it becomes Flinders Parade.

Free street parking runs the length of the foreshore, plentiful on weekdays but filling quickly on weekend mornings.

Translink buses run to the Redcliffe and Scarborough Road area, leaving a short walk to the beach however pets are strictly prohibited on Translink buses and trains with exception of service animals so driving is the best option.

Worth knowing

Picnic tables and walking paths sit on the foreshore, though these are strictly on-leash areas. Shade exists only on the tree-lined grassed side, with none on the off-leash sand itself, so bring water and plan around sun exposure. Weekday mornings at lower to mid tide are the pick: widest sand and fewest dogs. Weekend mornings between 8 and 10am are the busiest.

While you're out there

Scarborough has a strong cafe strip for a post-walk stop: Drift Coffee Company and Bazil and Co both take dogs outdoors, and Miss Sprinkles Gelato does the cold end of the scale after a hot morning. If you want a second run, the Redcliffe dog park at Clontarf or the Clontarf dog beach are both close by.

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