During April 1 to October 31, dogs can play on all Port Phillip beaches, except two sections of West Beach, St Kilda and Sandridge beach, Port Melbourne  (see heading below)

During 1 November to March 31, dogs are allowed on seven beaches only with two being early morning beaches (see heading below)

Map of Off leash areas for dogs in Port Phillip

There are another 18 off-leash parks and reserves throughout Port Phillip.

During the summer season dogs are only allowed on these seven beaches

These seven beaches are off-leash dog beaches, which means your dog can run and play without a leash.

Middle Park
between Langridge Street & 140 metres past Fraser Street toward St Kilda

West St Kilda
from St Kilda Pier along Pier Road for 400 metres towards Middle Park Beach

St Kilda
from Brooks Jetty, opposite the back of Luna Park, to St Kilda Marina.

Port Melbourne
Sandridge Beach between the rock groyne opposite Barak Road & the rock groyne opposite Cumberland Road 

Port Melbourne
between Lagoon Pier & south west to Dow Street

Two dog beaches during summer are early morning beaches

Middle Park
between Kerferd Road pier and Langridge Street, 5.30am-9.30am only.

Elwood
between the rock groyne south of Point Ormond and the beach access ramp 35 metres south east of Normandy Road, 5.30am-9.30am only.

All other beaches are off limits to dogs during the summer.

Remember, dogs need to be under effective voice control and you still need to carry a leash. And don't forget to take a couple of plastic bags so you can pick up any droppings.

For information about other off-leash areas in Port Phillip, see Dog Parks & Reserves.

During the off season dogs are allowed on all beaches except for two environmentally sensitive areas

Sandridge Beach, Port Melbourne, including all of the beach and the Perce White Reserve. 
To allow access from Todd Road to the Webb Dock walkway, dogs on leashes are permitted on the sealed road reserve including the car park and footpath from Todd Road to the Webb Dock walkway (see map).

West Beach, St Kilda, from a point 400m north of the St Kilda Pier to a point in line with the end of the pavilion on the beach, past Cowderoy Street.

During the off season dogs are able to run and play on all other beaches without a leash. Remember, dogs need to be under effective voice control and you still need to carry a leash.

There are seven designated off-leash dog beaches in Port Phillip where your dog can play off a leash all year round.

Port Melbourne Beach (between Lagoon Pier and opposite the western boundary of Dow Street)

Sandridge Beach (between the two rock groynes nearest Beacon Road).

Middle Park

West St Kilda. 

St Kilda Beach from Brooks Jetty, opposite the back of Luna Park, to St Kilda Marina.

Two dog beaches at Middle Park and Elwood become early morning dog beaches between 5.30am and 9.30am only, during the summer period.

One of the critical measures used to decide which beaches become off leash areas is how diligent dog owners are about cleaning up after their pets. Dog owners should also carry a leash at all times, and ensure the dog remains in sight and is under effective voice control, not threaten other people or animals, and be subject to owner liability.

For information about other off-leash areas in Port Phillip, see Dog Parks & Reserves.

The attached map shows all designated off leash areas for dogs in the City of Port Phillip, arranged on a neighbourhood basis. The map includes parks, reserves and beaches.

Off leash areas for dogs in Port Phillip (02/2006)

Dogs are now able to romp off-leash all year round on another section of St Kilda Beach - from Brooks Jetty, opposite the back of Luna Park, to St Kilda Marina.

This latest addition will bring the number of dog beaches up to seven for the summer period, 1st November to 31 March. Two of these - Elwood and Middle Park - are morning-only beaches but dogs are welcome on the other five at all times of the day.

• When they are off the leash, dogs need to be under effective control by their owners.
• If dogs are well trained and sufficiently socialised by responsible owners, then there should be minimal inconvenience to other beach users.