Moffat Beach Motel Caloundra

Moffat Beach Motel is a small, owner-run motel at 56 Roderick Street, a few minutes from one of Caloundra's best dog beaches. It is genuinely pet-friendly, and the off-leash sand within walking distance is the reason to book here with a dog rather than anywhere else on the strip.

Dogs at the motel

Per the motel's own site, pets are welcome with a cleaning fee and conditions, and pet bookings are made by phone. There is one catch worth knowing before you get attached: the motel now only accepts poodles, non-shedding and hypoallergenic breeds, so check with the owners before assuming your dog fits. Pet-friendly rooms are available on both ground and upper levels.

Because the motel is small and owner-operated, the reliable move is to call directly and confirm the fee, the breed conditions and a pet room for your dates rather than hoping a third-party booking site gets it right.

The vibe

This is a casual, budget-friendly beachside motel: 12 understated rooms with split-system air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, microwaves and flat-screen TVs, plus an outdoor pool, a barbecue area for guests and one allocated car park per room. Families are welcome. It suits owners who want to walk from the room to the sand and back without fussing over resort facilities.

The beach out front

Under Sunshine Coast Council rules, dogs run off-leash on the sand between 4pm and 8am along the designated stretch of the Moffat Beach foreshore, with on-lead hours from 8am to 4pm. Dogs are kept off the rocky foreshore and shelf areas at all times, and council requires effective control even off-lead. The Caloundra coastal walkway runs along the headland nearby for on-lead walks with a view.

Getting there

The motel is an easy drive from Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast Airport, with free self-parking on site. The Moffat Beach cafes and brewery cluster is walkable, so morning coffee runs happen without moving the car.

While you're out there

Groundskeeper Willie Coffee Roasters is the local coffee stop, and Coochin Park Dog Off Leash Area at Dicky Beach is a short drive up the coast. If the motel is full, Shipton Lodge is nearby. See more pet friendly stays in Queensland or explore Caloundra.

Max: off-lead sand two minutes from the room, and the humans did not book anywhere else all week.