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Top 5 Dog Beaches on the Sunshine Coast
Home > Sunshine Coast > Beaches | Dog Friendly | Outdoor
I'm a Sunshine Coast journalist who jumped out of a lengthy mainstream media career 18 months ago to do some hearty work for the soul. A pescatarian sharing with you her secrets on our little piece of coast paradise.
Published August 19th 2012
It's a dog's life on these beaches
"WOOF! (Hello) My name is Moses. I am a five-year-old British Staffordshire and there is nothing I like better than going to the beach - from start to finish. Sitting in the back of my big blue dog carrier in the open air under the perfect coast sky, trying to catch the wind in my mouth. And then there's the crowds of fans on the beach.
I can catch a Frisbee in full flight and sniff out my buried tennis ball in endless kilometres of sand no matter how far or how deep Mr Stix and Miss Nik hide it. Then of course there is the crowd favourite where I show how incredibly obedient I am watching Miss Nik take off at a full sprint for a full minute before she gives me the signal to give chase. Too much fun. But I'm not perfect I can't resist trying to make friends with the other small Moses's who sadly are unnecessarily scared of me.
So in the hope of meeting some new friends, come and play with me down at five of my favourite Sunshine Coast beaches. Just don't forget to tell your family to bring those plastic bags, because when we've got to go we've got to go.
5. Sunshine Beach
It's so pretty here. There are always plenty of people swimming, playing on the beach or standing on those things that run over the waves. There are so many Moses's here that Miss Nik says "Every man and his dog" comes to this beach.
There are endless stretches of clean sand as families are really good at picking up after their four-legged family members.
But it did take some effort to get here. Miss Nik let a number of expletives loose trying to find somewhere to park my dog carrier. We had to walk some distance away, but we made it. My advice try and come extra early so you don't have to walk as far.
4. Coolum Beach
This beach is much easier to find a place to park, and it's pretty central to Miss Nik and Mr Stix favourite Sunshine Coast township of Coolum.
It's also pretty busy, but it's not a long walk from the car park and it's a pleasant short walk to the centre of town which gives me a quick exercise hit on those days when my family doesn't have a lot of time.
3. Currimundi Beach
This is my newest discovery!What a fantastic beach - with a spectacular entrance. Miss Nik and Mr Stix like beaches that are pretty quiet so they don't have to worry about me running off and trying to play with the other Moses's, so they thought this was heaven. I don't mind because it meant that I have Miss Nik and Mr Stix attention all to myself in our special time. There are incredible stretches of white sand and the water's edge only a few metres from the beach access - even on low tide.
Footpaths at the road access point are very popular with families wanting to take their Moses's for a walk sans sand.
2. Point Cartwright Reserve
So this place has everything! Great for the other Moses's who love the water, but hate the waves just like me. There's a nice walk to the lighthouse and a little bit of beach in between the coffee rock but the big bonuses are for families just around the corner at La Balsa. The park boasts fantastic bbq areas, a playground and gym equipment near the big floating machines that Miss Nik and Mr Stix are always stopping to look at.
The car park is very small, but the surrounding streets mean there is always somewhere to park.
It can get incredibly busy, but if you don't mind the crowds and your Moses is very good around other Moses's than it's the perfect location to spend an hour or an afternoon.
1.Buddina Beach
Our number one pick is this quiet stretch of sand and surf. There are always people to see on flatboards standing or laying on their belly. Sometimes, on windy days, the sky is filled with colourful tents above them.
What my family loves most are the endless beach accesses and their close proximity to the road and the water-shooting turny things, both at my height and others just above the heads of Miss Nik and Mr Stix.
But the real reason I think they love it so much is the big bunch of tasty $2 chippies Miss Nik always stops to get from the shop around the corner. She is always saying it's the only thing she can buy for $2 anymore.
E-Xpress, cnr of Point Cartwright Drive and Parkana Crescent.
HONOURABLE MENTION - Noosa Woods and Noosa Spit.
Pretty boats, lots of fishermen and some great forest walks, but visiting Moses's and their families might find themselves a little confused about where the dog sections are. Stick to the left hand side, or the river side and you can't go wrong. Unfortunately council is doing some major works on the beach for an undisclosed amount of time, otherwise this would definitely rank as one of our favourites.
So there you have it. These are my favourite five beaches on the Sunshine Coast. Drop by some time I'll be the super excitable staffy with a tennis ball in his mouth. WOOF!"
I can catch a Frisbee in full flight and sniff out my buried tennis ball in endless kilometres of sand no matter how far or how deep Mr Stix and Miss Nik hide it. Then of course there is the crowd favourite where I show how incredibly obedient I am watching Miss Nik take off at a full sprint for a full minute before she gives me the signal to give chase. Too much fun. But I'm not perfect I can't resist trying to make friends with the other small Moses's who sadly are unnecessarily scared of me.
So in the hope of meeting some new friends, come and play with me down at five of my favourite Sunshine Coast beaches. Just don't forget to tell your family to bring those plastic bags, because when we've got to go we've got to go.
5. Sunshine Beach
It's so pretty here. There are always plenty of people swimming, playing on the beach or standing on those things that run over the waves. There are so many Moses's here that Miss Nik says "Every man and his dog" comes to this beach.
There are endless stretches of clean sand as families are really good at picking up after their four-legged family members.
But it did take some effort to get here. Miss Nik let a number of expletives loose trying to find somewhere to park my dog carrier. We had to walk some distance away, but we made it. My advice try and come extra early so you don't have to walk as far.
Located Seaview Terrace, adjacent to beach access No 27 on boundary of the Noosa National Park. Off leash all times.
4. Coolum Beach
This beach is much easier to find a place to park, and it's pretty central to Miss Nik and Mr Stix favourite Sunshine Coast township of Coolum.
It's also pretty busy, but it's not a long walk from the car park and it's a pleasant short walk to the centre of town which gives me a quick exercise hit on those days when my family doesn't have a lot of time.
Located Stumers Creek Road, Beach Access 67 to 72. Off leash at all times.
3. Currimundi Beach
This is my newest discovery!What a fantastic beach - with a spectacular entrance. Miss Nik and Mr Stix like beaches that are pretty quiet so they don't have to worry about me running off and trying to play with the other Moses's, so they thought this was heaven. I don't mind because it meant that I have Miss Nik and Mr Stix attention all to myself in our special time. There are incredible stretches of white sand and the water's edge only a few metres from the beach access - even on low tide.
Footpaths at the road access point are very popular with families wanting to take their Moses's for a walk sans sand.
Located Adjacent to corner of Robe and Watson Streets, Off-leash at all times.
2. Point Cartwright Reserve
So this place has everything! Great for the other Moses's who love the water, but hate the waves just like me. There's a nice walk to the lighthouse and a little bit of beach in between the coffee rock but the big bonuses are for families just around the corner at La Balsa. The park boasts fantastic bbq areas, a playground and gym equipment near the big floating machines that Miss Nik and Mr Stix are always stopping to look at.
The car park is very small, but the surrounding streets mean there is always somewhere to park.
It can get incredibly busy, but if you don't mind the crowds and your Moses is very good around other Moses's than it's the perfect location to spend an hour or an afternoon.
Located Harbour Parade, Buddina. On and off leash areas at times and locations indicated on signs.
1.Buddina Beach
Our number one pick is this quiet stretch of sand and surf. There are always people to see on flatboards standing or laying on their belly. Sometimes, on windy days, the sky is filled with colourful tents above them.
What my family loves most are the endless beach accesses and their close proximity to the road and the water-shooting turny things, both at my height and others just above the heads of Miss Nik and Mr Stix.
But the real reason I think they love it so much is the big bunch of tasty $2 chippies Miss Nik always stops to get from the shop around the corner. She is always saying it's the only thing she can buy for $2 anymore.
Located Pacific Boulevard between Mawarra Avenue and Talinga Street. Off leash all times.
E-Xpress, cnr of Point Cartwright Drive and Parkana Crescent.
HONOURABLE MENTION - Noosa Woods and Noosa Spit.
Pretty boats, lots of fishermen and some great forest walks, but visiting Moses's and their families might find themselves a little confused about where the dog sections are. Stick to the left hand side, or the river side and you can't go wrong. Unfortunately council is doing some major works on the beach for an undisclosed amount of time, otherwise this would definitely rank as one of our favourites.
Located - Claude Batten Drive - dogs allowed on riverside (left) excluding carpark.
So there you have it. These are my favourite five beaches on the Sunshine Coast. Drop by some time I'll be the super excitable staffy with a tennis ball in his mouth. WOOF!"
Your Comment
HUGE Thanks for your article on Dog Beaches in the Sunshine Coast. I moved here almost 2 years ago and am still confused by the Sunshine Coast Council's stance on dog beaches. My son has been in Darwin for 5 years and he has 2 Great Danes & is moving here at the end of the year. In Darwin they have full beaches just for dogs and "Pet Parks" (which are really Dog parks - cause let's face it, no one brings their cat or horse to a Pet Park.) Just saying. Your recommendations are great. Also, my daughter's staffy is the same - loves beaches & scares others, but is really the world's biggest softie! Thanks again for all your beach knowledge & hope to see you there sometime soon.
Moses: Woof, woof, woof, bark, bark, throw me the ball, throw me the ball, tummy rub time!
Cheers, Pam (dog lover, carer & spoiler)
by pamtu (score: 0|2) 2373 days ago
Hi everybody!
As the author of "Top 5 Dog Beaches" I just wanted to share with you an update of our little Moses, given the incredible response from you.
Last month our hearts were broken when Moses was very suddenly and tragically taken from us. We could never have known how difficult it was going to be without him - but what has been a great comfort is the ongoing popularity of his story with you - 300 hits last month!
We were so looking forward to continuing sharing Moses' ongoing travel chapters - including his favourite cafes and parks, but sadly it was not to be.
Thank you so very much! It brings a smile to our face every day knowing that friends Moses never had the chance to meet are experiencing some of his favourite all time playgrounds!
Much love, Nikkii.x
As the author of "Top 5 Dog Beaches" I just wanted to share with you an update of our little Moses, given the incredible response from you.
Last month our hearts were broken when Moses was very suddenly and tragically taken from us. We could never have known how difficult it was going to be without him - but what has been a great comfort is the ongoing popularity of his story with you - 300 hits last month!
We were so looking forward to continuing sharing Moses' ongoing travel chapters - including his favourite cafes and parks, but sadly it was not to be.
Thank you so very much! It brings a smile to our face every day knowing that friends Moses never had the chance to meet are experiencing some of his favourite all time playgrounds!
Much love, Nikkii.x
by Nikkii Joyce (score: 1|41) 1942 days ago
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