Do you feel bad leaving your furry friend at home while you go enjoy the beach? Next time, bring them with you! Australia has plenty of dog-friendly beaches to choose from where every member of the family can have a great day. Let's take a look at five of our favorite dog-friendly beaches in Australia! As a note, we aren't ranking these five in any particular order because they're all great!

Rowland and Bayview Reserve, Bayview

First up, we have Rowland and Bayview Reserve in Bayview. This is a 24/7 off-leash dog park, so your pup can make some new friends and spend the day frolicking through the water! Your pup can go for a swim or stretch his legs on the sand. There's even a green area with water bowls to keep your dog hydrated and ready to play all day! Owners are welcome to join their dogs in the water, and playing fetch is highly encouraged! Since this Sydney beach is such a popular spot, it can get a bit crowded, especially around 5 PM. Plan accordingly, particularly if your dog isn't used to dog park environments. As you would imagine, any aggressive dogs will not be welcomed at Rowland and Bayview Reserve, so you can feel safe about letting your dog make new pals. 

Sirius Cove, Mosman

Next up, we have Sirius Cove Reserve in Mosman on Sydney Harbour. This is truly a beach for the whole family! There's fantastic water access for swimming, a playground for the little ones, barbecue facilities, and lots of space for your dog to play! You can let the pup off-leash all day on the weekdays, and before 9 am and after 4 pm on weekends and holidays. Sirius Cove even offers poo bag stations with trash cans so you can keep the park clean for others. This is a perfect destination for a family day away. You don't have to worry about finding a kennel or a dog sitter because you can take them with you! Be aware that off-leash dogs can and will come up to say hello, so be sure everyone going with you knows proper doggy etiquette. 

Sunshine Beach, Noosa

Sunshine Beach in Noosa is another off-leash beach! It's certainly one of the most picturesque dog beaches, and it's located just South of Noosa National Park. The off-leash section runs from Entrance 27 all the way to the National Park headland! You'll find lots of pups running around any day of the week, but the weekends are the most popular. Swimming with your dog is encouraged here! It's best to bring a simple tennis ball or a toy you don't mind sharing with others because once you start a game of fetch the whole beach might try to join in! If you want to make a day of it, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby that are also dog-friendly! Knowing that many customers stop before or after visiting Sunshine Beach, these local businesses have water bowls and shady tie-up areas!

St. Kilda Beach, Melbourne

At St. Kilda, dogs are permitted on and off-leash at different times of the year. The beach makes it clear when those times are, and it also clearly marks off the protected dune area of West Beach where dogs are prohibited at all times. This can get a bit confusing to follow, so take a look at the map for clarification. Dogs are welcomed on a leash just about anywhere, but the off-leash season reflects the tourism seasons. As you can see, from April to October dogs are welcomed on the orange, brown, and purple stretches of the beach. Come November, the brown and orange areas allow dogs off-leash between 5:30 and 9:30 am. The purple areas do not allow dogs at all from November to March. 

Silver Beach, Kurnell

Lastly, let's take a look at Silver Beach in Kurnell. Your pup can run free and enjoy the beach and the water 24/7 at Silver Beach! That being said, dogs are only allowed between the 3rd and 4th jetties at Bonna Point Reserve. This is a calm beach with few waves, making it safer than other options for smaller dogs or those who aren't great swimmers. As always, owners are expected to pick up after their pets and should have a leash on hand in case. All friendly dogs are welcome as long as they are well behaved! This is a wonderful spot for any dog to unwind, and you can find times that work best for your schedule. Silver Beach is easy to get to and has parking nearby so you don't have to hike your way there!