Big changes are coming for dog owners on the Sunshine Coast. From 3 July 2026, the Sunshine Coast Council is rolling out updated local laws that reshape where dogs can walk, run off-leash, and play across the region’s beaches, parks and reserves. If you share your patch of coastline with a four-legged friend, here is a clear, plain-English guide to what is changing and how to stay on the right side of the new rules.
When do the new dog rules start?
The updated rules take effect on 3 July 2026. From that date, dogs must follow refreshed on-leash, off-leash and prohibited-area rules right across the Sunshine Coast, and must be kept off active playing surfaces on sports fields. The Council says the changes aim to create safer shared spaces and dog-friendly places close to home while protecting environmental and cultural values, balancing the needs of dog owners with the protection of sensitive coastal and bushland environments.
What is actually changing?
Rather than a single blanket rule, the changes redraw the map location by location. Some popular spots will keep generous off-leash access, others will see off-leash zones reduced or redefined, and a number of environmentally sensitive areas will become off-limits to dogs altogether. Here are the headline points many owners are asking about:
- Off-leash areas at locations such as Currimundi, Alexandra Headland, Kings Beach, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore are being reduced or redefined, and at Stumers Creek (Coolum Beach) dogs now need to be on-leash between the car park and the off-leash area.
- At Moffat Headland, off-leash access is available from 4pm to 8am, with dogs on-leash during the day, the rocky foreshore closed, and a seasonal May to October off-leash option at Shelly Beach.
- Point Cartwright offers year-round off-leash access between Beach Access 198 and 201, but dogs are no longer allowed at Carties Beach or on the rocky foreshore.
- A 650m year-round off-leash area at Mudjimba South (Beach Access 127 to 130) offsets a seasonal October to April closure of the southern spit at Twin Waters on the Maroochy North Shore.
- Dogs are being excluded from a range of high conservation value bushland and nature reserves to protect native habitat.
New and expanded off-leash spaces
It is not all restriction. The Council has also pointed to new and expanded off-leash areas as part of the plan, including sites such as Pelican Waters, Yandina Tea Tree Park and Banya Avenue Linear Park. Over time, the Council intends to deliver more dog-friendly spaces, including 22 new off-leash parks and upgrades to existing sites as funding allows. Across the region, owners still have access to about 34km of dog-friendly coastline, including around 16km of off-leash beach, plus more than 1,600km of on-leash pathways.
Protecting beaches and wildlife
A key driver behind the changes is protecting fragile coastal ecosystems. Some beaches carry seasonal restrictions during the warmer months to help safeguard migratory shorebirds while they rest and breed. Rocky foreshores and many conservation, nature and bushland reserves are being set aside as dog-free to reduce disturbance to native wildlife. Keeping dogs on-leash where required, and out of prohibited zones entirely, plays a real part in looking after the environment that makes the region so appealing in the first place.
Penalties for getting it wrong
Alongside the new boundaries, updated penalties apply. Owners who let a dog off-leash in a designated on-leash area can face a fine of $863, and there is a separate $345 penalty for taking a dog into a prohibited area or failing to carry a waste bag to clean up after your pet (figures as of 1 July 2026). Fines run into the hundreds of dollars, so it is worth knowing the rules for your local spot before you head out. Always check current signage and the official figures, as penalty amounts can be updated over time.
How to check the rules for your local spot
The simplest way to avoid an unwelcome surprise is to check before you leave home. The Council is providing several easy options:
- Use the official interactive map at pets.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, which shows the rules for the whole region.
- Download the Sunshine Coast Council app for maps and information on the go.
- Look for the new signage being installed progressively across beaches, parks and reserves.
- Search “Sunshine Coast dog exercise areas” on the Council website for location-by-location detail.
Tips to make the transition easy
- Recheck your regular walking spots, even if you have visited them for years, as boundaries and times may have moved.
- Carry a leash at all times so you can switch between off-leash and on-leash zones without stress.
- Always bring waste bags and clean up after your dog to avoid fines and keep shared spaces pleasant.
- Brush up on reliable recall, since being able to control your dog in public is a core responsibility for every owner.
- If a favourite area has changed, explore one of the new or expanded off-leash parks as an alternative.
The bottom line
The Sunshine Coast’s new dog rules, starting 3 July 2026, are about striking a workable balance between happy dogs, considerate communities and protected natural areas. For most owners the day-to-day routine will not change dramatically, but a few popular locations will look different. A quick check of the Council’s online map or app before each outing is the easiest way to keep your walks relaxed, legal and enjoyable. For questions about specific locations or your obligations as an owner, the Sunshine Coast Council is the official source of up-to-date information.
