To ease the pain for both you and your furry mates, we’ve rounded up the best dog-friendly beaches within driving distance of Brisbane. Pack the travel water bowl and your sunscreen, your pupper is invited for some sandy fun in the sun with an adventure to the coast. Meet the best dog-friendly beaches near Brisbane

Stumers Creek – Coolum, Sunshine Coast
Any Sunshine Coast local with a pooch will be able to tell you that Stumers Creek is the best when it comes to dog-friendly beaches near Brisbane. The beach here is easy to find and super central to the heart of town, plus the townspeople are super friendly.

Wurtulla Beach – Wurtulla, Sunshine Coast
This little slice of paradise is perfect for those who are after an afternoon stroll or early morning romp. Wurtulla Beach is off-leash from 4:00 pm to 8:00 am so you can like your pup run free without that midday foot traffic – very locals-only in the best way.

Ballinger Beach – Currimundi, Sunshine Coast
Tucked away between two schools at the end of a residential cul-de-sac, Ballinger beach is a spot that even some locals don’t know about. The surf is killer and dogs are always welcome here – perfect for people seeking dog-friendly beaches near Brisbane.

Palm Beach – Palm Beach, Gold Coast
Cleanliness is next to godliness, and Palm Beach is well up there – this gem has thrice been awarded Queensland’s cleanest beach. The sprawling sands provide plenty of room for frolicking for both humans and canines alike.

Twin Waters – Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast
South of Mudjimba beach you will find Twin Waters, the calmest, most relaxed dog-friendly beach on this list. Here you can watch your pup play at any time of the day in protected shallow waters and soft sand cay. Your pooch will be free to prance around off-leash from the Maroochy River mouth to 500 m off beach access 132.

The Spit – Southport, Gold Coast
Dogs are spoilt for choice on this glorious canine-friendly peninsula, with the option of cutting laps in a large protected cove on the Broadwater or trotting surfside on the uninhabited sands of the northern tip of Southport.

Tallebudgera Beach ­– Tallebudgera, Gold Coast
One of the Gold Coast’s best-kept secrets, Tallebudgera Beach is nestled behind the SLSC down a sneaky passage. What awaits is the beautiful backdrop of Burleigh Heads National Park where dogs can play, surf and dig their way all along the shore 24/7.

Doggy Beach – Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast
The Spit at Noosa Heads has earned the nickname of Doggy Beach, and rightly so – this cute nook has plenty of space for pooches and their humans, making it an ideal option for those chasing dog-friendly beaches near Brisbane. This is a popular spot, so make sure your furry mate is chill with company.

Nudgee Beach – Nudgee, Brisbane
Nudgee Beach doesn’t discriminate – creatures great and small are welcome to come here for a refreshing dip and to annoy budding fishermen (sorry not sorry). Right next to the beach is a picnic area and generous off-leash park containing a range of obstacles to keep dogs dried off and entertained.

Woorim Beach – Bribie Island, Moreton Bay
This fantastic stretch of surf beach at Woorim is just a small part of the entire dog-friendly southern coastline of Bribie Island, which runs all the way from here around to Red Beach Bongaree. Despite being a bit skinny at high tide, low tide yields plenty of running and digging space for all parties.

The Foreshore – Deception Bay, Moreton Bay
The Deception Bay foreshore has two marked stretches of off-leash dog action points, perfect for those seeking a bit of summertime fun and dog-friendly beaches near Brisbane. Stick between Wallin Avenue and Beach Road as well as between Seaview Parade and Windlass Street and you’ll be safe from any council rousing.

Marcus Beach – Noosa area, Sunshine Coast
Wedged neatly between Sunshine and Peregian Beaches, Marcus Beach offers a perfect slice of paradise, minus the mayhem. Enjoy the blue waters of the Pacific and unrivalled dog-friendly beach time, without the endless stream of people. From beach access 47 all the way north to beach access 38 at Sunrise Beach, this is the kind of dog-friendly beach on the Sunshine Coast that makes you stop and take it all in.

Sandgate/Brighton Foreshore – Sandgate, Brisbane
On a Saturday or Sunday morning you will find a pooch-packed stretch of beach along the Sandgate/Brighton Foreshore, with furry friends as far as the eye can see. While this may not be the most popular spot for the humans to take a dip, it is a great off-leash area for your pup to play, whether your fuzzy mate prefers to splash around in the shallow, dive into the deeper waters or just hang out with some other pooch pals.