North Road to St Kilda Pier via Elwood Beach

This is 8.9 km of the Bay Trail from North Road in Brighton up to St Kilda Pier, and the thing to understand before you start is that the path is on lead the entire way while the sand beside it changes rules three times.

The walk. Flat sealed shared path, about two hours at a steady pace, running north past Elwood, Point Ormond and St Kilda West to the pier. It is a cycling route as much as a walking one, so a short lead beats a long one. The pier itself is Parks Victoria ground rather than council: dogs are permitted on the pier structure but must be kept on a lead at all times, and they are prohibited from the breakwater beyond it.

The rules. Bayside City Council covers the Brighton end and is blunt about the path: all areas adjacent to beaches, including footpaths and reserves, are on leash at all times, along with car parks and anywhere within 20 metres of playgrounds and barbecues. City of Port Phillip covers Elwood and St Kilda and says dogs must be on lead in all public areas unless signed otherwise, and specifically on beach pathways and boardwalks. Put the lead on before you leave the sand.

Where the sand opens up. Three arrangements on one walk. Sandown Street beach at the Brighton end takes dogs off leash on sand year round. Elwood allows dogs on the sand from 1 April to 31 October, and from 1 November to 31 March only between 7.30pm and 10am, between the rock groyne south of Point Ormond and the groyne in front of the Elwood Angling Club. St Kilda West is a year round dog beach, off leash on sand at all times, though the St Kilda Foreshore Reserve beside it is closed to dogs in every season.

Water. The bay is the water, and from April to October most of this route lets a dog into it. Carry a drink for the path, which runs exposed for long stretches between the beach entries.

Getting there. Large car park at North Road, Brighton, and more parking along Ormond Esplanade at Elwood. The Sandringham line runs close to the Brighton end and trams reach St Kilda, so a one way walk with public transport back works well.

Nearby with the dogs. Elwood Park via the Bay Trail is the shorter version of the same corridor, Plain Sailing is the reliable coffee stop, Clarke Reserve gives them a run off the sand, and Dogs Bar is the obvious finish.

When to go. April to October, when the sand is open all day and the path is quiet. In summer, start before 10am or wait until after 7.30pm for beach time at Elwood. Weekend mornings bring heavy bike traffic. Good for big runners with a long day in them.

Sources

• Dog parks and beaches, City of Port Phillip · portphillip.vic.gov.au
• Walking your dog in Bayside, Bayside City Council · bayside.vic.gov.au
• Foreshore dog regulations map, City of Port Phillip · portphillip.vic.gov.au
• St Kilda Pier and Breakwater, Parks Victoria · parks.vic.gov.au
• Summer dog restrictions on beaches, Bayside City Council · bayside.vic.gov.au

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