Stuarts Point Beach

Stuarts Point Beach is a quiet off-leash stretch on the Macleay Valley coast, reached from Stuarts Point village across the timber footbridge over the Macleay Arm and through the dunes. It is an unpatrolled, low-key beach where the off-leash status under Kempsey Shire Council rules and the near-empty sand are the main draw.

Leash status

Kempsey Shire Council designates the beach itself as a leash-free exercise area, with dogs under effective voice control the whole time. The lead stays on in the car park, on access paths and on the walk through the dunes, and clips back on near the signposted dune protection zones, which are off-limits to dogs along with school and playground land. Carry your own bags as bins are not guaranteed at every access point.

Max: the footbridge path through the dunes is the long way onto the sand but it is the easy way. Keep the lead on until you are past the signposted dune area.

Water and terrain

The sand runs north towards Grassy Head and opens up at lower tide, with the firm going near the waterline and soft dune sand behind. The estuary side is calm and shallow and suits paddlers, while the open beach takes whatever swell is running, so pick the stretch that suits your dog. The beach is unpatrolled, so swim where you can see the bottom and keep an eye on rips.

Getting there and parking

Take the Stuarts Point turn-off from the Pacific Highway and follow Ocean Avenue or Marine Parade to the small parking area at the beach end of town. From the car park it is a short walk across the footbridge and through the dune track to the sand. There is no public transport to speak of, so arriving by car is the practical option.

Worth knowing

Amenities are minimal: no showers, taps or fenced enclosures, so bring your own water and shade for a longer stay. Shade on the beach itself is limited and the sand heats up through summer, so go early in the warmer months. The riverside parkland near the footbridge is a good on-lead warm-up before you hit the sand.

When to go

Early morning and the last hours before sunset are the quietest windows and the kindest on hot days. Low tide gives the most room to run, particularly near the creek mouth. The beach rarely feels crowded even in holiday periods, but summer weekends bring more traffic through the village.

While you're out there

The flat waterside walk along Marine Parade towards Fisherman's Reach is a steady on-lead option if your dog has had enough sand, with uninterrupted views over the Macleay Arm estuary. For more sand further up the coast, Tathra Beach off-leash area is a good South Coast comparison.

More options are on the New South Wales dog beaches guide and the Stuarts Point destination page.