Melbourne's best pet-friendly beaches

There’s nothing quite like a trip to the beach over summer to enjoy the sand, surf and to cool off. It’s even better when you can take a four legged friend AKA fur baby with you. But what are the best beaches to take your dog to? Here’s a list of five that allow dogs to be off leash and loving it.

Sandown Street Beach (Brighton Dog Beach)

Beach days are the best days?. I had a ball with all my friends ???

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Brighton Dog Beach is a Melbourne favourite especially since it was designed with furry friends in mind. It has a completely fenced-off area for dogs to play, meaning owners can relax without worrying their pooch will wander off.

• Off-leash: all times

Burns Reserve, Altona

We’ve been practising ‘sit’ so we can get a cute pic for ‘da insta’ #nailedit #huskyeverything #huskygram #siberianhusky #aquadog #perthisok #puppychulo

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Just 30 minutes from the CBD, Altona Dog Beach is a lovely day trip for those with a pampered pet. And with so many other dogs to play with, it could soon become your dog’s favourite place to visit.

• Off-leash: all times

St Kilda West Beach

Beautiful breakfast at West Beach Bathers Pavilion with @maxminidachshund this morning for my mums birthday. I love this joint . . . . ________________________________ #sausagedogcentral #puppy #weinerdog #doxielove #WeenTeam #dachshundappreciation  #sausagedoglove #dachshund #doxie #dachshundsofinstagram #doxiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #dogsofinsta #dogstagram #dachshundpuppy #dachshundpuppylove #miniaturedoxie #miniaturedachshund #sausagedog #miniaturedachshunds  #dachshundsunited #melbournedogs #pawsomedachshunds #dailydachunds #melbournepuppy #dachshunds #cutedogsofinstagram #featuremydach #dachshundoftheday #fuzzyard

A post shared by Hamish The Wee Hound (@hamish_the_wee_hound) on Dec 16, 2017 at 5:27pm PST

Many of the inner city beaches have restrictions over summer, but St Kilda West Beach, located between Langridge and Cowderoy Streets, has an off-leash play spot for puppies all year round. There’s even shallow sandbars which means even the small doggos can enjoy a dip.

• Off-leash: all times

Sandringham Harbour Beach

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This beach between Hampton Pier and the wooden groyne (small wall) south of Small Street  is the perfect place for your pooch to enjoy a paddle in the water and playing around on the sand.

• Off-leash: all times

Gardiners Creek Reserve, Burwood

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So, it’s technically not a beach, but Gardiners Creek still has water. It’s the perfect place for Eastern Suburban dogs and their owners to visit to have a swim and plenty of room to exercise and play.  Like the beaches, Gardiners Creek Reserve offers off-leash at all times.

• For more information on pet safety at the beach (and over summer) visit PETstock’s blog: www.petstock.com.au