Dog Beaches In Nsw

[~Rumour~]

I was just wondering which dog beaches in NSW do not have rough surf. I've been to a couple with my boy but they've all had quite rough surf breaking right on the shore and he can't get past it. I'm looking for a dog friendly beach somewhere between the Central Coast and Wollongong, not really fussed about the driving as we generally make a day of it.

What ones do dolers recommend?

[PuddleDuck]

The dog park at bayview (Sydney, Northern Beaches) has a beach area and opens out onto pittwater. Its not a normal surf beach - there is no surf/swell and no strong currents etc. Usually pretty crowded though, especially at this time of year.

The dog friendly side of Manly dam at Allambie Heights is good too, freshwater so they dont need a bath afterwards.

[auir]

there are quite a few in wollongong, mc cauleys isnt too bad but council is currently considering changing the rules

here is the link to all the beaches and times dogs are allowed on the beach

http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/h...eaches2010.aspx

[Bartok]

I go to Little Austinmer Near Bulli

[clipandcoach]

I was just wondering which dog beaches in NSW do not have rough surf. I've been to a couple with my boy but they've all had quite rough surf breaking right on the shore and he can't get past it. I'm looking for a dog friendly beach somewhere between the Central Coast and Wollongong, not really fussed about the driving as we generally make a day of it.

What ones do dolers recommend?

I know my friend likes Coledale beach with her dog

[halfthewords]

Clontarf on the Northern Beaches has an area designated specifically for dogs at the other end of the beach--there is a fenced in area for kids and the dog area is called Sandy Bay. It's excellent during low tide, about the size of a large soccer field, no waves, usually very quiet.

[Adnil444]

The dog park at bayview (Sydney, Northern Beaches) has a beach area and opens out onto pittwater. Its not a normal surf beach - there is no surf/swell and no strong currents etc. Usually pretty crowded though, especially at this time of year.

The dog friendly side of Manly dam at Allambie Heights is good too, freshwater so they dont need a bath afterwards.

Hi Puddleduck, just letting you know that dogs are not allowed in the dam at all - they must be on leash at all times on the walking tracks. They are not allowed on the internal roads, picnic areas or near the children's area. There are hefty fines if you do get caught. Check out Warringah Council and dogs at Manly Dam.

[SoL]

We used to take the boys to Wamberal on the Central Coast - there's a little lagoon there, failing that, Lake Macquarie and I've also been told Bagnalls Beach (I think that's the name) nr Nelson Bay

[aussielover]

Are there any dog beaches in Sydney where people ie. the owners can swim as well? My dog loves swimming beside me and it is really good exercise for both of us.

I've been taking my dog to Sirius Cove near taronga zoo, but the water quality is not always great. I've heard Clontarf is quite nice for people to swim with their dogs?

Are there any other beaches where you could swim wth your dog?

Do people think that it is unhygenic to swim with your dog? She doesn't toilet in the water (kids do!) and usually doesn't toilet on the beach and I would pick it up if she did. It can't really be any worse than going to a public swimming pool or kids area of the beach can it?

[Dash]

I was just wondering which dog beaches in NSW do not have rough surf. I've been to a couple with my boy but they've all had quite rough surf breaking right on the shore and he can't get past it. I'm looking for a dog friendly beach somewhere between the Central Coast and Wollongong, not really fussed about the driving as we generally make a day of it.

What ones do dolers recommend?

North Avoca Beach on the central coast is great, there are signs as to which part to stay in but you will see all the other people with there dogs off the leash! beautiful beach and not too heavy surf most of the time, although with the cyclone lately i dont know! good luck

[~Anne~]

If you want to go further, Bombo beach apparently has a leash free section.

[halfthewords]

Are there any dog beaches in Sydney where people ie. the owners can swim as well? My dog loves swimming beside me and it is really good exercise for both of us.

I've been taking my dog to Sirius Cove near taronga zoo, but the water quality is not always great. I've heard Clontarf is quite nice for people to swim with their dogs?

Are there any other beaches where you could swim wth your dog?

Do people think that it is unhygenic to swim with your dog? She doesn't toilet in the water (kids do!) and usually doesn't toilet on the beach and I would pick it up if she did. It can't really be any worse than going to a public swimming pool or kids area of the beach can it?

Clontarf is definitely the place for it, the water is beautiful and pristine and I swim with my dogs all the time. Great exercise for everyone too!

[~*Shell*~]

Are there any dog beaches in Sydney where people ie. the owners can swim as well? My dog loves swimming beside me and it is really good exercise for both of us.

You can swim with your dog at bayview. Zero loves being in the water with me!

[corvus]

Little Austinmer just north of Wollongong is our favourite as well. There are some nice rock pools doggies can swim in, and at high tide a nice spot to swim with the doggies if you like. We also like going down to the Hacking River at Gray's Point. There's a spot off the North Arm Rd where you can walk down onto a sand/mud flat. Watch the oysters, though. It's not technically an off leash dog area, but I think council knows what is going on. They have put one of those bins specifically designed for dog poo there. Lots of locals take their dogs down there in high tide in the summer for a swim. The water is lovely and you only have to contend with boat wake. At low tide it takes a while to find enough water to swim in, though. Unless you're a short little Vallhund.

[Nikki's Mum]

This is a great thread as we've been searching for good swimming spots too.

The dog area of Pearl Beach has very rough waves so would not be suitable for the little ones or dogs timid of surf.

I went swimming / wadding with Nikki at The Entrance near the harbour but had her on lead because of the Pelicans. With Nikki being a keen bird chaser I wanted to make sure these wonderful birds stayed safe.

I do believe that The Entrance is officially an on leash area for this reason. Makes sense.

Further down on the surf beach it's strictly dogs prohibited, sigh....

I would like to see more beaches in NSW, no, the whole of Australia do what they do in Holland. Dogs are allowed on the beach from late autumn to early spring 24/7. During the beach season dogs are allowed from 9pm till 8am with little pockets on the beach reserved as a dog beach where they are allowed 24/7 so people (esp families) can choose themselves if they are comfortable with their kids around other peoples dogs.

I did notice in Holland the people only brought well socialised dogs to the beach and anyone who had dogs that were wanting in training were spoken to by other dog owners. The socialised dog owners were very keen to retain their lovely privileges. Social control and peer pressure was integral in this. i.e. people who didn't pick up after their dogs were chastised and overly dominant dogs were told to be muzzled. Owners I met who had entire dogs that would react to other entire dogs kept them on the line and warned other owners if their dog got too close. This in turn became a signal really. If you see a dog on leash in an off leash area it was a reliable indication that the dog wasn't a suitable playmate.

Does anyone know if there are groups lobbying the councils for more off leash areas within NSW? Are off leash areas shrinking or growing in NSW?

[Nikki's Mum]

Do people think that it is unhygenic to swim with your dog? She doesn't toilet in the water (kids do!) and usually doesn't toilet on the beach and I would pick it up if she did. It can't really be any worse than going to a public swimming pool or kids area of the beach can it?

I personally think that people are afraid of the kids/ dogs combination. I remember clearly my own sister telling me of a situation where 2 dogs were playing off leash and she was petrified they would turn around and attack her 2 small children. I'll spare you the details of the huge argument we had that followed her statement.

We here (on this forum) are the owners and dedicated dog people who put a lot of time and effort into training our dogs to make them socialised citizens who are able to mingle in public with ease and without incident.

Unfortunately there are those who don't and incidents arise which the media report on heavily and it's these reports that stick in peoples minds and makes them scared.

I had one cranky bitter old woman tell me last month that I had no right to be in a public area with a dog as "one of those bit the face of a child last week"! and that this area was for families only.

I can't tell you how upset, hurt and angry my husband & I got. I defended Nikki, explained that she was a well trained and socialised dog etc. Unfortunately there is no reasoning with some people... I mean, she saw first hand how little kids were petting and playing with her, how I made sure that Nikki wasn't near the pelicans, that when i got out of the water that I made sure she was as far away from other people as possible so that she wouldn't be a nuisance when shaking herself dry. Or that she stood perfectly still when she did slip her collar so that I could put it on again...

This woman and my sister are prime examples of the general non doggy public's attitude towards dogs.

Since moving down under my sister has been able to meet and get to know my dog and now sees how dogs can be. She still however, is very mistrustful of other peoples dogs. What is it that they say? Ignorance breeds fear. This is so true.

I understand other peoples fears. I find them unjust in relation to my own dog and those of other good dog owners and therefore try to do my best to set a good example for the well trained dog and hopefully I can slowly change other peoples minds and create more freedom for our beloved canines.

Unfortunately we do live in a society who has largely lost touch with animals and that in itself creates problems.

[luvsdogs]

The only thing that worries me about taking my dog to beaches in NSW is the ticks. As I don't live in a tick area my dog is not on tick treatment. For those in the same situation what do you use for tick preventative & have you ever found ticks on your dogs after visiting the beach?

Nikki's Mum I agree. My nephew, who grew up with various dogs, & lives interstate came to visit his sick mother with his 2 1/2 y/o daughter. He was telling us that she had been attacked twice by dogs & he grabbed her out of harms way the 2nd time & don't remember if he said she was physically harmed. She is now terrified of dogs & to prove the point he said to her while we were in a cafe, "where's the doggy?" She immediately had a look of terror on her face & jumped out of her seat & stiffened. I think this is such a shame that he is using this to terrify his child, my 1st thought was she needs a dog, but they live in an apartment & he's not the type to see reason. In his teenage years his dog was protective of the family & when we visited with my young son I had to be careful that she didn't go for him when picked up by the family. We were told to be aware of the dog's temperament.

There should be more in the media of ways to approach dogs & how they can enrich our lives.