Tallebudgera Island Dog Off Leash Area

Tallebudgera Island Dog Off Leash Area is a genuine island given over entirely to dogs, tucked inside Eddie Kornhauser Recreational Reserve in Elanora. It is ringed by tidal water with sandy swimming spots along the banks and open grass for running, which makes it one of the Gold Coast's standout outings for dogs that love water.

The rules

Dogs can run off-leash on the island itself, but they stay leashed on the paths from the car park to the bridge and through the surrounding reserve. The island is not fenced; the water does the containing, with generally gentle banks. Keep voice control, collect waste immediately, and remember the channel is tidal, so a dog that wanders can end up on the wrong side of deeper water at the wrong hour.

On the island

A dedicated agility area with pipes, beams and ramps sits at one end for dogs that like to work. Several small sandy beaches around the edge give easy water entry at most tides, shaded benches are scattered through the trees, and bins sit near the bridge and agility gear. Toilets and a playground are back near the car park, so keep dogs leashed through that zone.

The water and the tide

The channel around the island is tidal. High tide brings deeper water for swimming; low tide opens up mudflats, and the ground underfoot can turn muddy after heavy rain, though it dries reasonably fast. Check the tide before you go if swimming is the point of the trip, and skip the stronger tidal flow if your dog is not a confident swimmer.

Getting there and parking

Access is via Casuarina Drive with free parking near the reserve entrance. From the car park shelter, follow the path and veer right over the bridge onto the island. Translink buses on Pine Ridge Road or Murraba Street get you within walking distance if you are not driving.

Close by with the dogs

There is no cafe on the island, so bring water and snacks. Afterwards, Spoon And Bean Cafe in Elanora is the nearest stop, and the dog-friendly strip toward Palm Beach runs deep, with Barefoot Barista, the Palm Beach Dog Off-Leash Beach and Melaleuca Dog Park all within a short drive.

More options sit in the Queensland dog parks guide and the Elanora destination page.

Pepsi: an island with my name on it. Swim the channel, do the pipes, dry off on the sand. That is a full morning.