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Walk Time - Coastal Beach Areas and Bellarine Peninsula

We’re a city of dog lovers, and there’s hundreds of walking tracks, parks and recreation reserves where owners can take their pets.

To ensure everyone can enjoy these public spaces, the City has designated on-leash and off-leash areas. Dog owners need to be guided at each location by the site specific signage outlining the controls.

Off-Leash Areas

In general, dogs are allowed off-leash under effective control in public parks and reserves, except on or near paths, playgrounds and picnic areas (unless otherwise signed).


What is Effective Control?

Dogs: 
  • Shall be immediately controlled by voice commands
  • Shall always be within close proximity of owner
  • Must be prevented from approaching people or other dogs unless invited

If in doubt, place your dogs back on lead out of respect and harmony for all.


On-Leash Areas

Dogs must be on leash at all times when they are being walked including:
  • All roads and footpaths/nature strips
  • Paths and the areas within 5 metres either side the path (except paths at Fyansford Common)
  • Shopping centres and high use areas (such as Geelong Waterfront)
  • Sports grounds and ovals during times of organised sports
  • Within 10 metres of playgrounds, picnic and barbecue areas
  • Jetties, piers, rivers, creeks and other water bodies (check signage at beaches)

Important Walk Time Tips

In the interest of safety always:

  • Carry water for you and your dog
  • Be vigilant of snakes
  • Slip Slop Slap
  • In an emergency, ring 000

Respect all users of the tracks and trails by:

  • Following the specific dog signage in the location
  • Not allowing your dog to meet and greet on their own - ask permission
  • Putting your dog on a lead to always be in control
  • Scooping the Poop and disposing of dog litter
  • Keeping to the left
  • Always have your dog under effective control
  • Respect wildlife and their habitat

Categories

Category 1 - Off Leash
Areas where dogs are permitted off leash all year round (there may be some short term restrictions on beaches where the hooded plover is nesting, for example Buckley Park beach in Ocean Grove).

Category 2 - Off Leash, On Leash During Certain Hours
Allow dogs off leash and under effective control in the mornings prior to 10.00am and in the evenings after 6.00pm (outside of daylight savings time) and after 8.00pm (during daylight savings time). Dogs would be required to be on leash during other times.

Category 4 - Prohibited
Areas where dogs are prohibited for reasons of:
  • Extremely high environmental sensitivity.
  • Where there is an Order by Council.
  • The land management authority (not being Council) has prohibited dogs under their own rules or legislation.
Category 5 - On Leash All Year-Round
Areas where dogs are required to be on leash all year round due to:
  • Environmental sensitivity.
  • Where there is an Order by Council.
  • The land management authority (not being Council) has regulated dog access under their own rules or legislation.
  • Designated playgrounds of compact size.

Hooded Plovers
If you enjoy visiting and walking your dog on the beach, you can help save beach nesting birds from extinction by:

  • Reading the signs which will inform you of the threatened birds pesent and of the local beach rules.  The signs will advise you if your dog needs to be put on a leash.
  • Keeping off the sand dunes which provide the nesting habitat and refuge for the birds and their flightless chicks.
  • Keeping near the waters edge - no harm can be done to the birds there as they nest above the high tide mark.

Please be aware of signage in these areas.

For more information please visit Birds Australia.

Walk Time! Coastal Beach Areas and Bellarine Peninsula

Walk Time informs the community in general terms about the dog access control rules that are applicable in various locations within the municipality. Categories list hours of the day but not all of these apply to all locations within that category.

Always be guided by the specific detail of location signage.


Map Insert 1 - Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove Coast
Map Insert 2 - Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale Beaches
Map Insert 3 - Indented Head and St Leonards Beaches
Map Insert 4 - Portarlington Beaches

Common Questions

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Parks, Reserves and Open Spaces - Can I take my dog to these locations?
We have designated on-leash and off-leash areas to provide the opportunity to exercise your dog.

You must always cary a receptacle to clean up after your dog and to have it under effective control at all times.

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Documentation

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