Second Beach

Second Beach is the quieter northern stretch of sand at Tannum Sands, running towards Canoe Point and the Boyne River mouth, and it is the suburb's de facto dog beach: the sand north of the access track is off leash under Gladstone Regional Council rules, while the main patrolled beach to the south is dog free.

Leash status

Heading north towards Canoe Point, dogs are off leash but must stay under effective control and in sight. The southern side towards Main Beach and the Millennium Esplanade foreshore is prohibited, so keep the dog moving north at the access point. Leashes apply on the walkways, car parks and access paths until you hit the off-leash boundary.

The beach itself

It is unpatrolled and natural, with rock formations at the southern end and calm pockets towards the river mouth. Swimming is best around mid to high tide: at low tide the water pulls back over a wide, shallow sand flat that is fine for a wander and not much of a swim. Shade depends on where you settle, so pick your patch.

Max: check the signage every visit, because the zones here shift with the seasons. Voice control only counts if your dog actually comes back off a seabird or another dog.

Getting there

Drive in from the town centre via Hampton Drive or The Oaks Road, where sandy paths from the residential streets lead down to the sand and small parking areas sit near Cashin Park. The coastal path network from Canoe Point is the walking-in option.

When to go

Early morning and late afternoon beat the heat and the weekend crowd at the residential access points. Time the tide rather than the clock if a proper swim is the goal.

Close by with the dogs

Junction cafe on Hampton Drive keeps a dog-friendly outdoor area, with Blend Cafe nearby as the second coffee stop. Discovery Parks Tannum Sands is the local dog-tolerant base for an overnight.

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