top 7 all year round offleash beaches near Melbourne

A top notch offleash beach, to me, has to be:

* not far from Melbourne, 2-hour-drive one way is my comfortable limit.

* Car Park must be near the beach.  I wouldn't want to "hike" to the beach with my forever baby in the scotching sun, carrying beach gear.

* "relatively" easy to find a parking spot.

* Toilets (for human) are nearby.  To maximize the time and enjoyment on the beach, it is necessary for me to visit the toilets before and after.

* A good beach size that can "host" many people and pups without feeling too crowded.  I'm quite sure if I wanted to spend some time at a beach on a good day, there would be other people and pups having the same idea.

* all year round offleash.  There are beaches that pups have to "time share" with other beachgoers.  That means, unless I'm local, my baby wouldn't be able to go to the beach summer time because the time allocated to pups are in the early mornings and evenings.

So........ having those in mind, here are the beaches I love the most:

My most favourite beach:

  Torquay Whites Beach 

click the beach above to see it on google map. 

This is one of several carparks: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ji1NsLdK5iMdPrNg9

I can't think of any ocean beach better than this.  White, fine, soft sand, long and wide stretch off leash beach all year round.  Without hotels or buildings right next to the beach, and without any commercial hotel beach lounges on the beach, it actually feels like we are in the nature.  A short walk from carpark takes you right onto the beach.  3 minutes drive from the carpark will take you to several beachside cafes.

Here is my dedicated page for this special offleash beach: https://dayoutwithdog-vic.blogspot.com/2013/07/whites-beachtorquay-my-rating-a.html

I definitely have a soft spot for Torquay in my heart.  There is another offleash beach in Torquay (near golf course), I will have to go back and check it out see if there are toilet facilities there.

But here is the page for that beach: https://dayoutwithdog-vic.blogspot.com/2013/02/torquay-offleash-beach-near-golf-course.html

2. Seaford Offleash Beach in Seaford, 40 minutes from Melbourne CBD

click the beach above to see it on google map. 

The offleash beach is on the left of the foot ramp (the right side of the ramp is on-leash). It is reasonably good size, but given it is also the only all year round offleash beach in Frankston, it can get busy at times, but still a good sandy beach.

3. Altona Offleash Beach in Altona

click the beach above to see it on google map.   It's about 30-minute drive from Melbourne if you go against the traffic. 

You'd need a bit of walk "on trail" before meeting the sand and water.  Once there, oh my, such a paradise!

4. Ventor Offleash Beach on Phillip Island

Click the beach above to see it on google map.  Located about 2-hour-ish drive from Melbourne CBD, this is probably the furthest beach on the south/east side of Victoria that I go for a day.

There are 2 carparks for this offleash beach, one at each end. Here is one of them: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PYMZ34W2kq72Rbif7

I have a dedicated page for this nice beach: https://dayoutwithdog-vic.blogspot.com/2022/03/ventnor-beach-on-phillip-island-my.html

5. Urquhart Bluff Beach on Great Ocean Road

yes, it is offleash!

This beach is a 2-hour drive from Melbourne CBD, a bit further than Torquay,

But it is so charming, that I opt to this beach if I feel like to drive.

Here's my dedicate page for this hidden germ:

https://dayoutwithdog-vic.blogspot.com/2013/04/urquhart-bluff-beachgreat-ocean-road.html

6.  Ocean Grove Beach in Geelong, between 8W and 13W, 1 hour drive from Melbourne CBD

Click on the Beach to see the google location.

This section of beach is offleash, car park is right next to the beach, as are the toilets.

  

It might be quite windy, but the sounds of the ocean and the smell of the salt water make the visit worthwhile. 

7.  Kilcunda Offleash Beach (next to Oceanview Holiday Retreat)

This is a rather rock beach, 2-hour and a bit one way,  pretty much the same distance as to Phillip Island.  My baby doesn't really find it fun as he likes to wade into the sandy water,  but there are some shallow rockpools for him to dip his feet wet.  

Although the carpark is right next to the beach, the offleash section is quite a walk on beach.  During hot summer when the sand hurts the feet, pups on leash and without shoes might feel putting off.    My baby and I traverse on wet sand.

See the map below (the offleash section is in dark green).

(credit to Bass city council)

But, the view is extremely camera worthy:

 

When you and your pup are on the beach, please be cautious, the waves, the swells, the current, sandflies, or even jellyfish, all these are part of nature and can be deadly.  offleash beaches do not have lifesavers or watchers.   They are less busy than dog-free or dog-on-leash beaches.  

Some beaches probably should make to the list, I haven't checked them out yet, like: 

Thirteenth Beach in Barwon Heads between 30W and 34W

Royal Beach in Mornington

and a few others......  Hopefully I'll get to see them all and update the list here.

Ventnor Beach on Phillip Island (my rating A)

Ventnor Beach on Phillip Island is the only official offleash beach all year round without time restrictions.

There are 2 entrances to this beach, I'm not sure if there are toilet facilities at Tyro Street Entrance.  We parked at the end of Ventnor Beach Road.

(Credit: Bass Coast website)

It features a decent carpark and toilet facilities.

And a short 100-step walk to the sandy beach.

p.s.: On the way back, we stopped at the Chocolate Factory to end the day on a sweet note, but sadly the outdoor dinning patio was closed (don't know when and if it's permanently closed?  The last time we visited this place was 8 years ago).

Zeally Bay@Torquay (My rating B)

On a warm Saturday (28'C), we went to Zeally Bay at Torquay to 'chill out'.

Why Zeally Bay?  Partially because it's offleash till Dec 1, partially because there're toilet facilities near the beach, partially because beaches on Great Ocean Road are my favourites, partially because Torquay is my favourite town along Great Ocean Road, partially because..................

Why is Zeally Bay rated B only?  All because the offleash period is from May to Nov.  Where do I go when Summer Heat comes?  The Beach Winner goes..... on great ocean road, a bit further down the Anglesea, with toilet facilities, will announce the name when summer heat comes. :-)

 

(Look Right)

 

(and Look Left)

 

(Here's Zeally Bay, ample car park, from Council Website)

 

(This is what PURPLE means, from Council Website)

Mussel Rocks Beach@Philip Island (My rating B)

Mussel Rocks Beach is an onleash beach in Cowes Philip Island, it's a short stroll from the Cowes City Centre.  there's a car park at the beach.

** the nearest toilet facilities are at the end of the Thompson Road (further down the Philip Island Road, in the area where dogs are not permitted which is very pity, you might want to have someone to look after your little pooch while you need to be excused).

The sandy beach is just beautiful, dogs are allowed in the early morning and evening during summer time (i.e.: 7-10am & 5-8pm Dec 1 to Apr 30), and no time restriction between May and Nov, but they need to be on-leash.

I would rate it A if dogs could come during the day in summer, and wish they could go offleash.............

 

(Sorry about the graffiti..........)

 

(Entry to the beach, guess that's why it's called Mussel Rocks)

See other places to go with your inseparable pooch on the island.

Red Rocks Beach@Philip Island (my rating B)

Red Rocks Beach is at the end of the Red Rocks Rd, there's a car park and toilet facilities, and BBQ. :-)

The sandy beach is just beautiful, dogs are allowed in the early morning and evening during summer time (i.e.: 7-10am & 5-8pm Dec 1 to Apr 30), and no time restriction between May and Nov, but they need to be on-leash.

I would rate it A if dogs could come during the day in summer, and wish they could go offleash.............

The grassy area at the car park is certainly another great spot for relaxation and enjoy the day!

 

(Red Rocks Beach)

 

(BBQ Facility) - Toilet is at the rear

 

(Grassy Area at Car Park)

See other places to go with your inseparable pooch.

Day Trip on Philip Island with your beloved Dog (my rating A)

What come to your mind when someone mentions "Philip Island"?  Well, for a long time, I used to just think little penguins, churchill farm and the Nobbis, all the places that dogs are not allowed.  And that made me hesitated to go to Philip Island...............

Until.......... I was studying the map of Philip Island one Friday night, and suddenly discovered some beaches are 'sort of' dog friendly, that says, dogs can go there on-lead, and numerous playgrounds.

OK, that sounds encouraging enough.  We set our journey to Philip Island.  We explored 2 beaches and a playground last Sunday (yes, it was super windy).

See the links below.

Red Rocks Beach (My rating B)

Cowes West Beach / Mussel Rocks Beach (My rating B)

The beaches are very nice, dogs are allowed in the early morning and evening during summer time (i.e.: 7-10am & 5-8pm Dec 1 to Apr 30), and no time restriction between May and Nov, but they need to be on-leash.

I would rate it A if dogs could come during the day in summer, and wish they could go offleash............. .

Richard Grayden Memorial Reserve (My rating A)
This playground is just off the main bridge, has a few rare-seen play equipments!  It also has BBQ & toilet facilities.

Big thank to this cafe, we had a good shelter from wind and rain in the outdoor dining area, could  comfortably with Jessica, my forever baby, enjoying the yum yum lot lunch!  Yes, the name of this cafe: Euphoria Gallery Cafe, on Philip Island Road@Cowes.

The other feature I noticed and appreciated is the map of the toilet facilities, and how clean they are!

 

(Map from Council website: the green shadowed areas are NOT for dogs)

George Bass Coastal Walk: Punchbowl Rd to Half Moon Bay (My rating A)

Just like what the Park Notes says, the George Bass Coastal Walk offers the panoramic coastal views.  The winding path up and down makes the walk more rewarding.

Punchbowl Rd is a narrow gravel road crossing the busy Philip Island Road.  It's on your left if you go towards the Philip Island.  Just slow down when you're nearly there, you don't want to miss the turn.  The car park is at the end of Punchbowl Rd.

Suggest you to bring a walking stick if you have an unstable knee, coz you'll need to climb up and down the hill.

It took us 2.5 hrs return from Punchbowl Road - Half Moon Bay - Punchbowl Road.

 

(Map at the Entry)

 

 

(Winding Path)

 

(Half Moon Bay)

 

(Overlooking Half Moon Bay)

 

(lookout near the entry)

 

See the blog entry for walk from Kilcunda to Half Moon Bay here

George Bass Coastal Walk: Kilcunda to Half Moon Bay (My Rating A)

George Bass Coastal Walk is a long walk, dogs are allowed on leash.  It says 5 hrs return on the VicPark Notes.  Would suggest you to allow7 hours (to and return) if you want to do the whole lot in 1 day.

We did this walk in 2 occasions.  The first occasion, we started from Punchbowl Road, to Half Moon Bay, it took us about 2.5 hrs return. (See Blog Entry here)

The first attempt from Kilcunda to Half Moon Bay was made in last Spring, we gave up because there were just simply too many flies buzzing around, not very enjoyable..............


Today, we had the second attempt to walk this section (from Kilcunda to Half Moon Bay).  And we made it! It took us 2 hrs one way (minimum rest), 5 hrs in total, including 1 hr at the beach.

We parked at the car park@Bass Highway (Kilcunda).  I prefer the car park there than the one at Shelly Beach, because it has the toilet facilities (and clean!) and a playground.

 

(This is where we parked, 

follow Bass Coast Rail Trail for a short while, 

you'll see the entry to Coastal Walk on your left)

 

(Sign after 5 mins walk from the Car Park)

It took us 2 hrs from the carpark (Beach Mark 13) to Beach Mark 8 (the one next to Half Moon Bay which is Mark 7).

The first section is quite flat and easy.  There are many benches along the trail.  Please do enjoy your rest and snack here, because the bench at Beach Mark 11 is the last chance you'll be able to sit and rest, until you reach the Beach Mark 8 (Sandy Waternote, what a musical name!).

 

(The first section)

 

(Path is quite flat and easy)

 

(panoramic coastal view)

 

(Who wouldn't want to have a little rest and have a bit snack/tea here?)

 

(This is the last resting spot before the climbing and long walk)

Shortly after Beach Mark 11, the path becomes grassy, and it goes steep up the hill and down the hill.  Suggest you to bring a walking stick if you have knee problem, especially after rain.

 

(This is one of a few hills to climb over, the trail is on the left)

The reward is the ocean with panoramic views, the vast green fields, the chirping from birds, and the clashing of the waves!  Doesn't that sound picturesque?  No cars, no noise, no crowd..........

 

(winding path separating ocean and meadow)

 

(Big Wave)

 

(Bigger Wave)

 

(Exploding Wave)

Half Moon Bay was the original destination because we did this walk 2 years ago, from Punchbow Rd to Half Moon Bay.

But Sandy Waternote was like a strong magnet, it attracted us all!  We spent nearly 1 hour on this beach, studying the waves and the sand............

 

(Entry to the Beach Mark 8: Sandy Waternote)

 

 

Suggest you to bring water bottle, snack and wear hiking boots, and yes, I do think sunny winter is the best season to hike here, it is windy,  thus a good windproof jacket would be very useful!

Don't forget to get the Map from VicPark website.