Brisbane's Best Places to take your Dog Swimming!

Best Dog Swimming Spots in Brisbane It’s summertime.

My favourite time of year. While my own dogs would happily leap into the water in the middle of winter, there is something special about long, warm days spent outdoors together.

If your dog lives for the water, you are not alone. Many of the families I photograph tell me their happiest memories are made at the beach, the river, or exploring hidden swimming spots.

As a Brisbane dog photographer, I spend a lot of time scouting beautiful outdoor locations. So today, I’m sharing some of our favourite dog-friendly swimming spots across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast. Many of these locations are also part of my curated list of outdoor session spots for clients.

Unfortunately for us Brisbane locals, some of the very best spots require a little drive… but I promise they are worth it.

And if your dog is happiest splashing through the water or racing along the shoreline, these locations also make incredible backdrops for relaxed, personality-filled photography sessions: outdoor dog photography sessions in Brisbane 1. Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens Head past the playground and look left and you will find the off-leash dog area. It is a wide, open field with a calm inlet that is perfect for nervous swimmers or enthusiastic first-timers.

There is a small stretch of sand for digging, shady pockets to cool off, and plenty of water for dogs who prefer paddling to full-body plunges.

It is one of those locations where you can easily lose track of time while your dog does what they love most.

This isn't the bit for swimming, just one of the little ponds they have whilst walking around the gardens.

2. Pizzey Park One of my favourite shoot locations- nestled among the pine forest is a beautiful big and flat lake that dogs are welcome to swim in.They also have a small fenced off leash area, though the surrounding area is also a dog off leash area.

Mollie making a splash at Pizzey park!

3. The Spit

A fabulous beach on the gold coast that i know many dogs are very fond of! A lesser known fact is that dogs are welcome not only on the surf side of the beach, but also in the large protected cove on the Broadwater on the opposite side. The water is flat here, allowing smaller, or less confident dogs the ability to truly paddle. Any point past Muriel Henchman Avenue is a designated dog off leash area.

Duke enjoying the Spit - surfside

4. Daisy Hill Quarry My dogs love this spot- it's right in the middle of one of our favourite bush-walking spots. It is a 30 min walk to the quarry and back, but worth checking out. If you go, I would recommend early morning or late afternoon- simply because there is very little shade on parts of the trail, and almost none at the quarry itself. Also note, it is an on-leash area. Park in the car park at the corner of Ford and Avalon Rd, and follow the signs to the Quarry! *Take a water bottle for you and the pup too!

Harley cooling down in Daisy Hill Quarry.

5. Kedron brook This is our favourite 'local' spot. It can get busy though, so if your dog is easily overwhelmed by other dogs, head there on off-peak times. It's another that can be lacking shade, so make sure you slip, slop & slap!

Sunny fetching her favourite ball at Kedron

6. Bunya Crossing Reserve This is one that I've kept up my sleeve- it generally doesn't have many other dogs, but is popular for families picnic-ing. It is on lead only, but the water is so lovely it's worth a visit.

Perfect fresh water! Please note: dogs must be on lead, and a long line was photoshopped out of this.

7. Nudgee Beach

Check the tide before going, as the beach is non-existent at high tide. Not the nicest 'beach'- as in the sand isn't white and the water isn't bright blue, but the dogs still love it! Plus it's not far from Brisbane! It is now an on-leash only beach to protect the shore birds, so make sure you pack your long line. If you don't have one. You can grab one here. I love the biothane ones as they don't hold sand and dirt.

Opal enjoying Nudgee Beach

8. Shorncliffe Pier Like bunya crossing, dogs must be on lead.The path along the water connecting shorncliffe with sandgate is an excellent walk- Lovers Walk*- I normally walk a bit of a loop along it, letting the dogs swim before and after! *Fun fact: the walk was originally called Dover's walk after a Sandgate Town Council Engineer, when someone jokingly changed the sign. In 1910, the 'new' name was accidentally printed by an English company who produced postcards featuring scenes in Brisbane! The name has stuck ever since.

Missy's leash and collar were photoshopped out- please keep your pups on lead!

9. Red Beach- Bribie Island Recent changes mean the on-leash area extends further than it did previously, but there is still PLENTY of off leash area to explore. I personally love this one as it's usually quiet, and the sunsets are always stunning!

Unless it's windy, there are very few waves at Red Beach- perfect for fetch out deeper!

10. Coolum beach I love this beach- its got pristine sand and beautiful blue water along the beach, but also dogs that are less confident with waves can head into the mouth of Stumers creek and swim where it's flat.

11. Colleges Crossing Reserve This is where I often head when kayaking with the pups. It gets busy on the weekends, but there's usually enough room to find a spot along the bank to sit and relax. It is a dog on-leash area and there are a few native birds who call the area home, so stick your pups on a longline while they enjoy the water. *There's a sign by the riverbank noting that sharks can be present in the area, so enter at your own risk, that being said if you stick to the shallows and busier spots you should be fine.

12. Boorabbin Picnic Ground Dog Park Wishart Walk towards the playground near the carpark, there is a wonderful creek amongst mature trees. This is not within the dog park itself, so please keep your dogs on lead- then head to the giant dog park afterwards to dry off!

Happy exploring! Thinking About Updating Your Dog’s Photos?

The places our dogs love most often hold the memories we never want to forget. Whether your dog is a fearless swimmer or simply happiest exploring beside you, these moments deserve to be preserved.

If you have been considering professional photos, you can learn more about my Brisbane dog photography sessions here, or enquire about a session and start planning something beautiful.