Shirley Blue
Dog-friendly beach in Byron Bay, NSW — off-leash area
- Dogs
- Welcome
- Size cap
- No cap
- Where
- Byron Bay, NSW
- Policy checked
- 2026-06-09
Pet policy
Belongil's off-leash zone sits north of the rock wall towards Ewingsdale, roughly a 10 to 15 minute walk from the cottage via the bike path and over the railway line; if you drive, there is parking at the end of Kendall Street. Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement, typically one dog and breed-dependent, with a pet fee; confirm the current terms, your dog's size and breed, and the fee directly with the host when you book, since conditions are set per stay.
Shirley Blue is a fully fenced, pet-friendly cottage near the Shirley Street and Butler Street corner in Byron Bay, a quiet pocket that is still a short walk to both the town centre and the Belongil dog beach. The fenced tropical garden and an outdoor hot-and-cold shower for rinsing off salt and sand are what set it apart for dog owners.
Dogs at the cottage
Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement, typically one dog and breed-dependent, with a pet fee; confirm the current terms, your dog's size and breed, and the fee directly with the host when you book, since conditions are set per stay. The place is a tropical cottage with a fully fenced rainforest garden, an outdoor cabana, a covered deck and a six-burner barbecue, usually offered as a house plus a self-contained studio. House rules include no parties and no excessive noise after 9pm.
Pepsi: fenced garden plus a hot outdoor shower means you can let a salty, sandy dog dry off and crash out without trekking sand through the house.
The walk to the beach
Belongil's off-leash zone sits north of the rock wall towards Ewingsdale, roughly a 10 to 15 minute walk from the cottage via the bike path and over the railway line; if you drive, there is parking at the end of Kendall Street. Dogs stay on lead through town, the residential streets and the beach entry paths, and the main town beach plus Arakwal National Park are dog-prohibited. Check Byron Shire signage on site, as off-leash boundaries can change. The setup works for a near car-free stay: the Thursday farmers market is on the walk into town.
Who it suits
Travellers who want a secure yard and walking-distance beach access rather than a resort. Book ahead for peak season, and if your dog needs guaranteed off-leash time on sand, pair the stay with the designated Belongil exercise area rather than assuming any stretch of beach is open to dogs.
Close by with the dogs
The Belongil Beach South Dog Exercise Area is the closest sand, Otherside Cafe is an easy dog-friendly feed near the cottage, and the Tallow Beach Dog Exercise Area at Suffolk Park is a longer stretch if you have the car.
More options are on the New South Wales pet friendly stays guide and the Byron Bay destination page.
Policy verified 9 June 2026 Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
