7 Ultimate Dog Friendly Beaches on The Barrington Coast
Explore, play, and even plan a professional beach photo session with your dog.
If you’re lucky enough to live near or visit the beautiful Barrington Coast, you know just how many hidden gems there are, especially when it comes to beaches. But if you’re travelling with a dog, knowing exactly where you can (and can’t) go is key.
As a local dog photographer, I’m often asked about the best beach locations for a session, or simply for a relaxing day out. Here are my top picks, whether you’re here for a weekend or call this place home.
Blueys Beach
Blueys Beach is the perfect place to stay, play, and relax with your dog. This beautiful stretch of coast offers dog-friendly cafes, accommodation, and plenty of beach space for your dog’s zoomies.
With over 900 metres of coastline, Blueys Beach is a perfect location for a dog photography session. Late afternoon offers stunning lighting, creating a beautiful backdrop for photos of your dog running along the sand. You may even see me photographing there as it is one of my most requested beaches for a signature beach photography experience and features in my book Tails of Barrington Coast.
The views walking south along Blueys Beach are spectacular, as you can’t miss Bald Head at Cellito and further south, Sugarloaf Point at Seal Rocks.
If you’re staying nearby, Kembali Café is a relaxed, dog-friendly dinner option that offers delicious, Balinese-inspired dishes.
Things to note
- Blueys is a very popular beach for dog parents, so expect to find lots of dogs there at certain times
- Both on-leash and off-leash – Check Midcoast Council and signage at the beach for current zoning and hours.
Some of the beautiful dogs I’ve photographed at Blueys Beach
Boat Beach, Seal Rocks
Tucked away at Seal Rocks, Boat Beach is a beautiful place to visit with your dog outside peak holiday periods. It’s the second beach you’ll reach at Seal Rocks and is unpatrolled, but dogs are welcome on a lead.
You may even spot local dingos on the sand, so be mindful and always supervise your dog closely. To avoid holiday congestion, I recommend visiting on a mid-week day, early in the morning, or late in the afternoon.
Things to note
- Dingos may be present.
- On-leash beach
- The beach is dog-friendly, with no time restrictions noted on the signage.
Some of the beautiful dogs I’ve photographed at Boat Beach
Boomerang Beach
Boomerang Beach offers a postcard-perfect Australian coastal experience. Surrounded by Booti Booti National Park, the 1.45km stretch is loved by dog owners, tourists, and even migrating whales and dolphins.
The northern headland of Boomerang Beach is nicknamed “Big Dog Rock.” (Anyone else think of Clifford the Big Red Dog when they see it?)
It’s also a stunning location for sunset beach photos with your dog.
Things to note:
Boomerang Beach is only accessible via timber staircases, so it may not be a good choice for dogs and people with mobility issues
Both on-leash and off-leash areas – Check Midcoast Council for current zoning and hours.
Some of the beautiful dogs I’ve photographed at Boomerang Beach.
Cellito
Cellito Beach is an adventure from the moment you arrive. Start your journey by walking along a rainforest boardwalk lined with towering Cabbage Tree Palms before reaching the expansive white sand and crystal-clear water. Choose to spend time on the sandy beach or take a small trek along a rocky path to discover the rocky cove at the north side of Bald Point. Both set the scene for incredible dog photos and are two of my favourite places to photograph dogs.
Keep your dog leashed along the boardwalk — local scrub turkeys often wander through.
Things to note:
- Keep your dog leashed along the boardwalk — local scrub turkeys often wander through.
- Dingos may be present.
- This beach is accessed by four-wheel drive vehicles, so always ensure your dog is by your side.
- Both on-leash and off-leash – Check Midcoast Council for current zoning and hours.
Some of the beautiful dogs I’ve photographed at Cellito Beach.
One Mile Forster
One Mile Beach is a family favourite, patrolled on weekends and holidays for safer swimming. Just before you reach the sand, a grassy park area offers playgrounds, barbeques, and picnic spots.
At the northern end of the beach, a giant dune and lookout offer breathtaking views — perfect for adventurous dogs and unforgettable beach photos. Dolphins are often seen playing in the waves nearby. The southern end offers plenty of rocks to explore and is the perfect spot to pose a dog for a portrait.
For coffee and fresh food, visit Beach Bums Café, a short drive away and a local dog-friendly spot.
Things to note
- Both on-leash and off-leash – Check Midcoast Council for current zoning and hours.
Black Head – Main Beach and Back Beach
Black Head Main Beach offers calm seas ideal for paddleboarding with your dog. It’s a multiple Keep Australia Beautiful Award winner and one of the safest swimming beaches in the Manning Valley. Nearby, the rainforest walk provides a striking coastal experience through rare tracts of rainforest.
For a quieter adventure, Black Head Back Beach is a hidden gem, accessed via a quaint timber bridge across the creek. The southern end of Back Beach allows 4WD access, so stay alert while exploring with your dog.
Things to note
- Both on-leash and off-leash – Check Midcoast Council for current zoning and hours.
Crowdy Head
Crowdy Head is a peaceful, less crowded beach ideal for relaxed days with your dog. In the summer, the local Surf Lifesaving Club patrols the beach to ensure safer swimming.
Enjoy a coffee or snack at Sunset Café, located underneath the Surf Club, and keep watch for migrating whales during the season.
If the wind is coming in too strongly, it’s just a short detour to Crowdy Head Southside Beach, which provides a dramatic change of scene and my favourite side for dog and family photographs.
Before you leave, visit the historic and very quaint Crowdy Head Lighthouse for beautiful coastal views.
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 the lead from 8 am – 7 p,m but are allowed on the beach anytime.
Tails of Barrington Coast, The Book
Did you know I’ve self-published my second book, Tails of Barrington Coast? This was a fundraising project where I raised over $2,600 for Aussie Ark, which is doing fantastic work in the Barrington Tops to protect 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, a limited number of copies are still available here. There are lots more photos inside of our dog-friendly beaches on the Barrington Coast!
The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches Deserve the Best Dog Portraits.
The Barrington Coast beaches are beautiful any day of the year. But a day here with your dog and a camera in the right hands becomes something else entirely, portraits you’ll come back to for the rest of your life.
I’m Jo Lyons, a fine art dog photographer based in Wootton, right in the heart of this coastline. I’ve photographed dogs on most of the beaches in this guide, and I know them well enough to choose the right spot for your dog’s personality, the light, and the time of year.
Sometimes people find me while planning a special trip with their dog, a final holiday, a milestone, or simply a moment they want to hold onto. If that’s you, I’d love to hear from you. I offer a dedicated Legacy Experience for dogs in their senior years or facing a health challenge, as well as signature beach sessions for any dog whose story deserves to be told.
If you’re visiting the area and would like to combine your beach trip with a portrait session, get in touch and we’ll work around your plans.
