Pelican Waters Dog Park

The Pelican Waters Dog Exercise Area is a fenced off-leash park within the Pelican Waters community on the Sunshine Coast, enclosed by 1.2 metre chain wire fencing with twin self-closing gates. It is a modest, well-kept suburban setup rather than a large regional dog park, so temper expectations if you are after vast open running space, but for a secure off-lead leg stretch it does the job.

The dog setup

Inside the enclosure dogs run off-lead under voice control and supervision, and the park stays open around the clock. There is a shaded shelter with seating, a water tap with a dog bowl, concrete access paths, shade trees and rubbish bins, with open turf that suits fetch. Regulated dogs are not permitted in off-leash areas, and dogs must be back on lead anywhere outside the fenced zone. Pick up and bin droppings, and check your dog wears its current council registration tag.

Max: check the gate has clicked shut before you unclip the lead, self-closing hinges can stick in humidity and a half-open gate defeats the point of a fenced park.

Worth knowing

The broader Scribbly Gum Park precinct around the enclosure adds picnic shelters, barbecues, a playground and connected pathways, which makes it workable for a family outing with a dog that wants playtime first. There is no small-dog and large-dog split here, so judge the crowd before letting a timid dog off. This is an inland fenced park rather than a water spot, so bring water in summer even with the tap on site.

Getting there and parking

The park sits in Pelican Waters off the boulevard network, reached most easily by car along Pelican Waters Boulevard, with on-site and street parking nearby. Buses serve the wider area, but for most owners a car is the practical option. It is about 10 minutes south of Caloundra's centre.

Close by with the dogs

Bean There Done That Espresso Bar covers the post-park coffee in the Pelican Waters Shopping Village, Little Mountain Common Fenced Dog Park adds another fenced option inland, and Currimundi Beach's off-leash section is the closest sand for a swim.

More options are on the Queensland dog parks guide and the Pelican Waters destination page.