It might be a big call, but earlier this week I took the doggo, Xyla to Queens Beach in Scarborough, Redcliffe and can hand on heart tell you that it is easily the best dog beach in Brisbane! And, yes, I know what you are going to say, Redcliffe is not IN Brisbane and technically you are right. Redcliffe is in the Moreton Bay Region but just like how we tell everyone that the Bee Gees (who are also from Redcliffe) are from Brisbane, I am claiming this beach as our own!
This could be a perfect for a day out for your family with the dog and the kids. We love checking out all the best beaches in Brisbane for kids as well as the best dog beaches, so in this article, I tell you why you need to add Queens Beach at Scarborough to your day trip bucket list and why it is the best dog beach in Brisbane…errr Redcliffe.. whatever!
Read it all, watch the video and thank me later!
Where is this dog beach in Redcliffe?
To get the this dog beach just set your sat nav to Queens Beach North on Flinders Parade, Scarborough. Or follow this map:
Obviously it depends where you live, but this is exactly where you need to go. If you know where Settlement Cove (Redcliffe Lagoon) is, it is a few minutes further north of there. And if you know Scarborough Park (with the pirate playground) is, it is a few of minutes south of there. I have marked all three stops on the map so you can zoom in and see them.
When to go to this beach with your dog
I took Xyla on a day when it was low tide, but I don’t think it makes much difference here. Unlike Sandgate Beach, that has a wide expanse of dark sand (mud?) at low tide, I don’t think the tide makes a huge amount of a difference to the expanse of actual beach you get here. As you can see in the photo above during low tide, there was a small sandy area between the water and the grass and road. But it is plenty wide enough to play on – whether you have kids that want to build sand castles or dogs that want to chase a ball or a stick. Or both!
Where exactly is the off leash area at Queens Beach North
The off leash area for dogs is located on the sand and water only, along Flinders Parade part of the beach between the beach access stairs and the northern rock groyne. This is where we spent all of our time, swimming in the water and playing on the sand. The dogs there were having a ball and were friendly and playful.
Families tip: You must put your dog on their leash on the grass, park area and carpark.
Is there an on leash area?
There is another area along the beach from the access stairs to the rock groyne at the southern limit – perhaps for dogs that need a little more training and/or socialization before they are let off leash with unfamiliar dogs. So if you don’t have a dog, and/or you have kids who may be dog wary, you may want to avoid these sections of the beach.
People can swim here with their dogs!
OK – so the reason why this is the best dog beach in Brisbane is because it is a super easy and beautiful place to swim with your dog. The water is very clean; at least it was the day I was here! Bear in mind that the tide will always wash ashore whatever we put in the ocean and sometimes additional seaweed and/or sea creatures.
The sand is clean, with a few rocks here and there, so keep an eye on those too! Parking was a breeze; right on the foreshore and there were all the amenities you expect to see at the beach.
Families tip: Please be aware that they are no surf life saving patrols on duty at this beach, so swim with care.
Video review of Queens Beach, Redcliffe
Watch my video of our morning at the beach to see what the area looks like:
I was here on a hot summer’s day and the water was warm! Next time I come, I am leaving my camera/phone in the car and swimming with Xyla!
Amenities at Queens Beach
At the beach and in the park alongside Flinders Parade you can expect to find:
- Beach access (stairs)
- Car park
- Electric BBQ
- Rubbish bin
- Seating
- Shelter
- Tables
- Toilets
- Fresh water showers
- Water fountain
Nearest dog friendly cafe – Sea Salt and Vine Cafe
I asked another family who were on the beach with their dog if there was a dog friendly cafe nearby and they pointed me in the direction of Sea Salt and Vine cafe next to the Scarborough Holiday Village (near Morgans Seafood). It was a 4 minute drive away. Perfect!
This place is awesome and super dog friendly! It is right on the tip of Scarborough in a beautiful location with a view looking north across to the Glasshouse Mountains! It is across the road from the beach and a park as well, so if you haven’t had enough of the water then you can take your dog (on leash) across the road too. There were lots of other well behaved dogs enjoying the cafe atmosphere too!
Xyla had a drink of water from the dedicated doggy watering bowls and then was spoiled with a puppuccino from the kitchen. I had an iced latte (yum!) and toasted banana bread. 5 stars – highly recommend this place!
Families tip: they also sell dog treats at the cash register if you have forgotten to bring yours!
Have I convinced you?
Xyla and I had such a lovely morning out at this beach. It is definitely my new favourite beach for families with pets. It ticks all the boxes:
- easy to access
- easy parking
- clear water
- clean sand
- showers and water fountain
- toilets
- dog friendly cafe nearby
Perhaps it will be your new favourite beach too?
Dog friendly everything!
If you are looking for a doggy daycare in Brisbane for your furry friend, we know that too. Or if you want to take your pooch to the beach that welcome dogs on the Sunshine Coast or dog friendly Gold Coast beaches, or just an off leash park for dogs in Brisbane, we’ve got you covered! And if you want to sip on a coffee and treat your pooch with a puppuccino, check out these awesome dog friendly cafes in Brisbane. Camping your thing? Check out these dog friendly camping spots near Brisbane.
