Where can I walk my dog on Phillip Island?
Off leash – all year
Ventnor
Dogs permitted off leash at any time throughout the year. Ventnor Beach Road to Graydens Road.
Off leash – outside of summer months only
Cowes West Beach
Dogs permitted from the Cowes Yacht Club access track to approximately 50 metres short of the Cowes Anderson Boat Ramp. Summer and Easter restrictions apply. Dogs must be on a leash between 10.00am -6.00pm 1st December- 31st January and during the Easter school holidays. All other times dogs off leash.
Cape Woolamai Safety Beach (Cleeland Bight)
Dogs permitted from Southport Avenue to Palm Beach Avenue, Cape Woolamai. Summer and Easter restrictions apply. Dogs must be on a leash between 10.00am -6.00pm 1st December- 31st January and during the Easter school holidays. All other times dogs off leash.
On leash – outside of summer months only
Smiths Beach/YCW Beach/Surf Beach/Colonnades/Newhaven/Cowes East - Ventnor
Please check beach signage for specific access points to ‘dog on leash’ areas.
Dogs permitted on leash at the following times (please check beach signage for access points as dog access applies to specific sections)
1 December – 30 April: 7.00am -10am and 5.00pm -8.00pm
1 May – 30 November: any time throughout the day.
Phillip Island’s beaches and reserves are for everyone to enjoy. We are lucky to be able to visit many of these areas with our dogs. Observing signs and following regulations keeps people, dogs and wildlife safe.
Please read the signs carefully and note that Ventnor off lead dog beach is off lead all year round.
Download the brochure and save it to your device so you can refer to it when exploring Phillip Island with your dog.
Enlarge map by clicking here (Updated August, 2022)
SHARING OUR SHORES
Phillip Island’s beaches and reserves are for everyone to enjoy. We are lucky to be able to visit many of these areas with our dogs. Observing signs and following regulations keeps people, dogs and wildlife safe.
Hooded Plovers
These highly threatened shorebirds nest along the high tide line or in the sand dunes during spring and summer. Eggs and chicks are well camouflaged making them difficult to see and easily stepped on. Keeping your dog on a lead and away from signed nesting areas, helps to ensure their survival.
Short-tailed Shearwaters
These migratory birds live and breed in sand dune burrows from September to May and fly to the northern hemisphere over our winter. Please keep dogs on a lead and stay on paths - burrows are easily collapsed. Responsible dog owners and wildlife can live together - thank you for sharing our shores.
HERE’S HOW WE SHARE OUR BEACHES RESPONSIBLY:
• Always check beach access signage Permitted times change seasonally, so be sure to check the signs. Penalties apply for not following regulations.
• Only use designated beach access points Informal tracks can be dangerous to yourself and wildlife and cause dune erosion.
• Stay out of the sand dunes Hooded Plovers and Short-tailed Shearwaters breed there.
• Keep your dog on a lead By law dogs must be on a lead in all public places in Bass Coast Shire except in designated off leash areas or private property.
• Pick up your dog poo! By law all dog walkers are required to have a suitable container to clean up after their dog.
• Register your dog All dogs over three months of age must be registered.
• Never leave your dog in a car on hot days A dog will quickly overheat if left in a car on a hot day. Confine your dog to your property when you are not with it.
• Report injured wildlife to Phillip Island Nature Parks on 5951 2800
Responsible dog owners and wildlife can live together - thank you for sharing our shores.
For further information contact:
Phillip Island Nature Parks: 5951 2800
Bass Coast Shire Council: 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211
www.basscoast.vic.gov.au