Travelling with pets is now as common, and accepted, as travelling with your human tribe. And when you’re in Noosa with your dog, you don’t want to have to miss out on beach time just because your furry friend is by your side.
While dogs aren’t allowed in any of Noosa’s official bathing areas, there are plenty of pooch-friendly beaches to let them run free on.
Make like a local and head for Castaways and Marcus Beaches, from beach entry 38 to 47, just south of Sunrise, where it’s off-leash for dogs at all times.
With kilometres of golden sands and not a red and yellow flag in sight, there’s nothing to get between your ball-hungry friend and his or her prize, but plenty of opportunity to make some new friends.
The northern end of Sunshine Beach that buttresses Noosa National Park is also a hidden secret for dog owners, with an off-leash policy in place from beach entry 27 north.
Park on Seaview Terrace and cut through to the beach for a run and a romp while you peek up into some of Noosa’s most luxurious and coveted residences.
While the ‘front yard’ of Noosa Heads is reserved for two-legged types, wander to the end of Hastings Street to The Woods and your best friend can run to their heart’s content on the Spit on the river side of Claude Batten Drive.
The aptly-named Doggy Beach is the ideal spot to cool down at the mouth of the Noosa River. Afterwards, head back for a coffee and spot of people watching at Aromas on Hastings Street, who welcome dogs at your feet.
The bathing area may be off-limits, but at the southern end of Peregian Beach – from beach entry 59 to 67 – you can take your dog on the beach as long as they stay on a lead.
So after you’ve fuelled up with a good strong coffee and breakfast at Hand of Fatima, or grabbed a fresh pastry or three from Le Bon Delice, wander over to the sandy shore and walk as south as your legs will take you.
Despite the rules around dogs and national parks, you can take your dog for a great day out in Great Sandy National Park, as long as you stick to the dog-friendly stretch of Cooloola’s southern beach.
If Fido has long legs and bucketfuls of energy to burn, walk the 5.6km (return) section from the 1st beach cutting to the 3rd beach cutting. You can all relax in this vehicle-free section of the park and also travel as far as Teewah township with dogs in tow, as long as they stay on a leash at all times.
Just remember you’ll need a high-clearance 4WD and vehicle access permit to venture to this part of Noosa North Shore.
