Walking your dog is great exercise for the whole family, and we’re lucky to have so many dog parks and dog beaches on the Gold Coast to choose from.
Regularly walking your dog will keep them well socialised, happy and healthy, and your family will feel the benefits too. We’ve searched the Gold Coast for the very best on, and off-leash areas on beaches and in parks for your canine friend, so pack the kids, a Frisbee and your dog in the car and head on out to one of these great locations.
Wondering what the best family dog is? We know! Read our guide for basic dog training tips here.
Best Dog Parks on the Gold Coast
Robina Parkway
Located at the end of Boowaggan Road, this is one of the busiest parks for playful pups. Fully fenced, it has lots of dog agility equipment to keep you and your pooch fit, and exhausted.
Musgrave Avenue, Southport
A huge park, fully fenced and well provisioned with doggy play equipment and lots of shady trees. It’s so big it even has toilets for humans and a couple of BBQs within its boundary.
Botanic Gardens, Benowa
This is a great place for the whole family to spend a few hours together, having lots of on-leash walking trails and an off-leash area for your dog to run around. There’s a lake, boardwalk, and several themed gardens to enjoy. Keep an eye open for signs as there are some areas where dogs are prohibited to protect the resident wildlife.
Best Dog Beaches on the Gold Coast
You can walk your dog, leashed, on most Gold Coast beaches, but if your dog wants to feel the sand between his toes and the wind in his fur then these are the top places to be:
Palm Beach
945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Follow the blue paw prints from the Palm Beach Parklands car park around the Tarrabora Reserve (where dogs are prohibited) to reach this beautiful dog off-leash beach. There’s a café nearby and plenty of space on the sand to throw down a picnic blanket or chase a ball.
Tallebudgera
1505 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
A hidden gem that’s perfect for dogs who aren’t comfortable in crowds, but still love to dip their paws in the surf. Follow the path from the SLSC to one of the quietest beaches on the Gold Coast, with plenty of wide-open space to run.
The Spit
No surprise here; The Spit is doggy utopia bursting with four-legged friends to chase and play with! It’s great for well-socialised dogs and those who take a little longer to tire out.
Sensible dog ownership:
Wherever you walk your dog please remember to practice responsible dog ownership by following these City of Gold Coast by-laws at all times when you are out and about with your dog:
- On the Gold Coast dogs must be leashed in public places unless in a designated dog off-leash area.
- Scoop the poop! No one wants to be taking your dog’s mess home on their shoes.
- Dogs are not allowed in children’s playground areas, or within 200 metres of flagged beach bathing areas.
- Whether on- or off-leash keep your dog under your control.
- Please ensure your dog always wears a collar with its registration tag.
Now clip on that lead and take your pooch out for some fun.
Camping your thing? Check out these dog friendly camping spots in South East Queensland.
