Des Dwyer Walkway

The Des Dwyer Walkway is the paved stretch of Sunshine Coast coastal path that carries you from Shelly Beach around the headland to Moffat Head. Dogs stay on lead on the path, but the beach below opens up for off-lead runs at the right times of day.

Leads and the beach below

Sunshine Coast Council requires dogs on a lead along the pathway. On the beachfront north of Russell Street, dogs can go off lead from 4pm to 8am.

The rest of Shelly Beach follows the same 4pm to 8am window, but only between 1 May and 31 October. Dogs are excluded around playgrounds.

The walk

The path is sealed the whole way and links Shelly Beach with Moffat Head and on to Moffat Beach. Viewing platforms look out over open ocean, surf and the rock pools on the shelf below.

Shade comes and goes under the headland trees, and the ocean-facing sections sit in full sun.

Getting started

Park on the street or in the small bays near Shelly Beach Park and the Russell Street access. Bins sit at the main access points, but taps are few, so carry water and a bowl.

Pepsi: Save the walk for after 4pm and finish with an off-lead run on the sand north of Russell Street.

Make a day of it

Grab a coffee at Joe Crow and Stormbird in Shelly Beach, or finish at One Block Back at the Moffat Beach end.

Early morning or late afternoon suits this one best, when the off-lead beach hours line up and the exposed stretches are cooler.