7 Ultimate Dog Friendly Beaches on The Barrington Coast
Looking for a beach where you can bring your dog along?
While there may be many beautiful beaches along the Barrington Coast, not all are dog friendly.
It’s true, dogs are not allowed on many of our beautiful beaches, not even on a lead. And with such a large dog population in and around the Barrington Coast, it can be hard to navigate.
Luckily though, there are still a few amazing dog friendly beaches where your dog is more than welcome. I have listed my 7 ultimate dog-friendly beaches on the Barrington Coast where you and your four-legged friend can have a blast capturing special moments together.
Blueys Beach
Blueys Beach is the paw-fect place to stay, play, and eat with your four-legged friend. This beautiful stretch of coast plays host to numerous dog-friendly cafes and accommodation options, making it a hot spot for pooches and their people.
Spanning over 900 metres of ‘zoomie-worthy’ scenic shoreline, Blueys Beach is a magnificent beach situated between Boomerang Point and Blueys Head.
If you stroll towards the northern end of the beach, you’ll enjoy views of surfers catching waves at sunrise and sunset, and to the south, you’ll overlook Seal Rocks, a quaint coastal community featuring a charming lighthouse with spectacular views.
If you’re staying at Blueys Beach, Kembali Cafe is a relaxed dinner destination that is dog friendly. Offering healthy food infused with Balinese flavours, everyone will be satisfied with their famous banquet-style options and vegetation alternatives.
Things to note
- On leash beach
- The beach is dog friendly between the hours of 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 8 pm
Boat Beach, Seal Rocks
Out of peak holiday season, Boat Beach is the perfect spot to spend time with your furry best friend frolicking in the waves and the rocks. It is the second beach as you arrive at Seal Rocks and is unpatrolled but you are welcome to bring your dog on a leash. Dingos are often seen visiting the beach too when you leave, checking if any sneaky treats have been left behind or missed.
A word of warning here though… it is not a beach to visit in peak holiday periods as there is one road in and out and the congestion can get a little crazy for such a quaint and peaceful haven. My top tip here is to visit mid-week, early mornings or late afternoons in the less busy periods.
Things to note
- On leash beach
- The beach is dog friendly without any time restrictions noted on signage at the beach
Boomerang Beach
Boomerang Beach is your quintessential postcard-perfect Australian beach. Surrounded by Booti Booti National Park and backed by dune vegetation, the 1.45km stretch of sand is popular with dog parents, tourists, and visiting marine life such as whales, sharks, and dolphins. Boomerang Beach showcases some of the most majestic sunsets making it an ideal location for picturesque photos of your pup.
The northern headland of Boomerang Beach is locally known as Big Dog Rock… anyone remember “Clifford the Big Red Dog” books as a kid? That’s who I think of when I gaze at this headland.
Things to note
- On leash beach
- The beach is dog friendly between the hours of 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 8 pm
Cellito
Cellito beach is one of the most beautiful and explorative beaches on the Barrington Coast and is a popular playground for four-wheel driving, fishing, swimming, and surfing. The adventure begins the moment you leave your vehicle as you make your way down to the beach via the rainforest-covered boardwalk, featuring a canopy of towering Cabbage Tree Palms. Once you hit the beach, you’ll be greeted with crystal clear waters and soft white sand, making it feel like paradise on earth. Just be mindful that the area is home to families of scrub turkeys so it’s best that you keep your doggo leashed until you hit the sand.
Things to note
- On leash beach
- The beach is dog friendly between the hours of 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 8 pm
One Mile Forster
One Mile Beach is patrolled on weekends and during holiday periods, making it a safer option for families and their fur kids. The park area which sits just before the sand offers playground equipment, picnic facilities, and barbeques, perfect for a comfortable day at the beach and small gatherings. The northern end of the beach is home to an impressive sand dune and a lookout that offers views of the surrounding area. The dune is popular for sand sliding and boarding, as well as great photos of the beach from above. Dolphins can be seen surfing the waves in clear water in this area.
If you’re a lover of coffee and fresh produce, be sure to make a stop at Plunge, a local dog-friendly cafe.
Located at the back of the golf course, the café is set up with tables and umbrellas outside, along with water bowls for the dogs, making it a great spot to grab a coffee and snack after the beach.
Things to note
- On leash beach
- The beach is dog friendly between the hours of 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 8 pm
Black Head – Main Beach and Back Beach
Black Head Main Beach is a great spot for dogs that like to play in the softer seas and head out with their humans on leisurely paddleboard play dates. Winning multiple awards, including the Keep Australia Beautiful Award, Black Head Beach is regarded as the best swimming beach in the Manning Valley. A secondary highlight of the area is a majestic rainforest walk that encompasses striking coastal landforms as well as rare tracts of coastal rainforest.
Black Head Back Beach is a tucked away haven a little further down the track from the Bowling Club. This is an unpatrolled beach so caution is a must if you decide to take a dip. There is a quaint timber bridge that guides you across the creek, through the dunes to the spectacular beach. This is a 4-WD beach to the south so keep an eye and an ear out if you and your doggo are exploring the shoreline.
Things to note
- On leash beaches
- Both beaches are dog friendly between the hours of 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 8 pm
Crowdy Head
Crowdy Head is a beautiful unspoilt paradise, ideal for long days lounging at the beach followed by a sunset stroll on the shore.
Ideal for families, the beach is well protected by the local Surf Lifesaving club during the summer months. If you’re not up to a packed picnic lunch, stop past Sunset Cafe based on the lower level of the Crowdy Surf Life Saving Club.
The cafe has beautiful and uninhabited views of the ocean. Also, be sure to also keep a lookout during the whale migration period to witness your favourite mammals in action.
If you are into architecture, make sure you check out the Crowdy Head Lighthouse before you head home.
Things to note
Dogs must be under control within 50 meters on each side of the patrolled area. Dogs are then allowed off-leash to run and play on the sand and in the surf.
Dogs must be on lead from 8am – 7pm but are allowed on the beach at any time.
Tails of Barrington Coast, The Book
Did you know I’ve recently self-published my second book, Tails of Barrington Coast? This was a fundraising project where I raised over $2600 for Aussie Ark which is doing amazing things in the Barrington Tops for our endangered species. I’m proud to be an official supporter and if you’d like to purchase a copy of this beautiful coffee table book, there are still a limited number of copies available here. There are lots more photos inside of our dog friendly beaches on the Barrington Coast!
Don’t forget to capture the moment
As an award-winning dog photographer, I can’t stress enough how important it is to both experience and capture life’s special moments with your loved ones. After all, dogs are family and it is essential that we make the most out of the few short years they’re with us. If dog friendly beaches are not your jam, we have a brand new purpose-built studio on our picturesque farm in Wootton.
Get in touch today and let’s have a chat about how you can make your dog’s memory last a lifetime.
