A guide to the best off-leash dog beaches in Victoria

DON’T go barking up the wrong beach. These are the best off-leash sandy spots to take your pup this summer.

Two dogs play in the water off St Kilda Beach. Photo: Hamish Blair

Does your pooch enjoy brunch dates and long walks on the beach?

If so, here are the best 24-hour, off-lead dog beaches in Victoria, for puppies that are too cool for pool.

MELBOURNE

Sunset Sandringham Beach. Picture: Chris Eastman

Sandown Street Beach (AKA Brighton Dog Beach), Brighton

Sandringham Harbour, Sandringham

Rickets Point Marine Sanctuary, Beaumaris

Mentone Beach, Charman Road to Plummer Road

Port Melbourne Beach between Bay Street and Lagoon Pier

West Beach, St Kilda

Seaholme Bay Beach, Williamstown

Burns Reserve, Altona

MORNNIGTON PENINSULA

Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake shake, shake, shake. Shake it off. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Beach North of Cove Lane, Flinders

Hawker Beach, Mt Martha

Hastings Foreshore Reserve, Hastings

Safety Beach, between Martha Cove entrance and Bruce Road, Safety Beach

Fosters Beach, Mornington

Royal Bay Beach, Mornington

Eastern end of South Beach, Somers

GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Cooling off at Lorne. Picture: Mitch Bear

Logans Beach, Warrnambool

Outside town centre, Torquay

Beach between O’Donohue Road and Melba Pde, Anglesea

Between Stony Creek and Doble Street, Lorne

SOUTH GIPPSLAND

It’s a dog’s life at Ninety Mile Beach. Picture: Richard: Justin Brierty

Harmers Haven Beach

Kilcunda Beach

Pioneer Bay Beach

Wonthaggi Beach

Loch Sport Beach

Ninety Mile Beach at Causeway, Lions Park and Golden Beach foreshore (on lead).

The Wreck Beach, Golden Beach (on lead)

BELLARINE PENINSULA

Playing it sun smart at Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads. Picture Simon Cross

Indented Head beach between Grassy Point Road and Hood Road

Indented Head beach from McDonald Street southward, all year round.

Narrows Beach between Roddick Grove (Point Lonsdale) and Fraser Street (Queenscliff).

Ocean Beach from Fellows Road westwards, Point Lonsdale

Between Point Richards boat ramp and Portarlington Sailing Club, Portarlington

Beach from Fischer Street and Grassy Point Road, Portarlington

Beach from Second Avenue northwards, St Leonards

Beach between Trewin Street and Beach Road, St Leonards

Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads

From Tuckfield Street to the esplanade, Ocean Grove