Unfenced Dog Leash Free Park

The Unfenced Dog Leash Free Park is a stretch of grassy, tree-shaded foreshore along Bradman Avenue, running beside the calm Maroochy River with direct water access. It is a relaxed, social spot where dogs can swim and run off-leash within set hours, but it is unfenced and edged by a busy road, so solid recall is essential.

The rules. This is a time-restricted off-leash area: off-leash is typically permitted between 4pm and 8am, with dogs on-leash at all other times. Dogs must stay on-leash in the car parks and on the shared walkways, and away from the playground and barbecue zones. Important: Sunshine Coast Council introduced new dog rules from 3 July 2026, so check the on-site signage for the current hours and boundaries before you let your dog off, as the times above may have changed.

The water and terrain. The riverbank gives easy access to calm water for a swim, with grassy, shaded foreshore for ball games and walking. It works best at lower to mid tide, when more sandy beach is exposed for dogs to run.

What's there. Picnic tables, benches, shaded grass and roadside or gravel-bay parking line the foreshore. There are no public toilets right at the main off-leash section, though general foreshore facilities are nearby. Bring your own waste bags, as dispensers are not reliably stocked.

Getting there. The address is 361 Bradman Avenue. Drive in via Bradman Avenue and park along the roadside or in the gravel bays; local Sunbus services run along Bradman Avenue, and a pedestrian path runs the length of the park.

Watch-outs. The area is unfenced and bordered by Bradman Avenue, a busy road, so keep dogs with poor recall on-lead near the verge. Mosquitoes can be active around dusk, so pack repellent for evening visits.

Nearby with the dogs. Loea Boutique Hotel at 361 Bradman Avenue offers pet-friendly rooms right by the park, and the dog-friendly cafes of central Maroochydore and Ocean Street are about a 5-minute drive.

When to go. Aim for early morning before 8am or late afternoon after 4pm: cooler, quieter, and within the off-leash window. Time it to lower or mid tide for the most beach to run on, and expect busier weekends near the picnic and boat-ramp areas.

Sources

• Bradman Avenue Foreshore - Sunshine Coast Council · sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
• New dog rules start 3 July 2026 - Sunshine Coast Council · sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
• Dogs - Prohibited areas - Sunshine Coast Council · sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.