Fremantle Groyne

The rocky groyne at the northern end of South Beach marks the start of Fremantle's year-round off-leash dog stretch, where calm, shallow water meets a grassed reserve looking straight out to sea. The combination of a safe swim and a shaded lawn to dry off on is what keeps this spot busy with locals.

The dog setup

The City of Fremantle designates the sand and immediate grass off-leash from the groyne south to the Douro Road boundary, open 24/7. South of that line the beach shifts to on-leash or prohibited, so read the signs at each access point before letting go.

Voice control is required, dogs need a current registration tag, and you must carry bags. Dogs go back on-lead in the car parks and on shared paths, and stay at least 5 metres from any playground.

The water

The groyne shelters a calm, shallow stretch that suits nervous swimmers and older dogs far better than open surf. At low tide the sand opens into a wide flat run; at high tide the beach narrows and dogs push up onto the grass, so it feels busier for the same crowd.

Facilities are good by Perth beach standards: a dog wash with hose and tap, community water bowls, picnic tables and shaded gazebos, and public toilets near the cafe.

Pepsi: time it for low tide near sunset. The wide flat sand and the light off the water are the whole reason locals keep coming back.

Getting there and parking

Turn off Marine Terrace and follow the signs to the South Beach dog area; free parking lines Marine Terrace and the South Beach car park. Several Transperth routes run along South Terrace a short walk away, and the coastal shared path connects from central Fremantle and North Coogee on foot or by bike.

Close by with the dogs

South Beach Cafe sits right on the sand for a post-swim coffee, and the wider South Beach off-leash area continues south of the groyne. If you are making a weekend of it, Fremantle Village is a pet-friendly base nearby.

Weekday mornings and late afternoons are quietest; summer evenings around sunset draw the crowd. Good for calm swimmers and social dogs who enjoy company.

More options are on the Western Australia parks guide and the South Fremantle destination page.