Hondenstranden in Melbourne

A fenced and gated stretch of Bayside sand where dogs run off-leash all year round, with no seasonal closure and no time window to work around. The self-closing gate makes it the one Melbourne beach that is genuinely secure for a dog with an unreliable recall, and the shallow bay water suits nervous swimmers.

The closest real dog beach to central Melbourne, a wide flat bay frontage with the container ships of Station Pier as a backdrop. From 1 April to 31 October dogs are allowed on the sand, and through the summer months the stretch between the Port Melbourne Yacht Club and Lagoon Pier stays open when the rest is restricted.

The sheltered sand on the western side of St Kilda pier, where the City of Port Phillip allows dogs on the beach at all times of the year, unlike the main St Kilda strip a few hundred metres south. It pairs a swim with the pier walk and the Sunday Esplanade market, which makes it the best combination of dog time and sightseeing in Melbourne.