Dogs on the Peninsula

We encourage responsible dog owners to get out and enjoy the Shire's many beaches and parks. Exercising your dog contributes towards a more healthy, active lifestyle for you and your dog. Dogs that get regular exercise and positive stimulation are also less likely to be bored and cause a nuisance by barking, and socialised dogs are less likely to be aggressive.

Dogs must always be under the effective control of a chain, cord or leash whilst in a public place except in a designated leash-free area. Dogs are not permitted in dog prohibited areas, whether on a leash or not.

Wherever you head out with your dog, please make sure you:

  • Follow instructions on local signage
  • Collect and dispose of droppings responsibly as failure to clean up after your dog may result in fines
  • Ensure your dog doesn’t disturb other people, animals and wildlife

Leash-free areas

We encourage responsible dog owners to have ‘leash-free’ fun with their dogs at the Shire's many designated leash-free areas located around the Mornington Peninsula. Dog owners are required to leash their dogs until they reach the designated leash-free area, and re-leash their dogs on leaving.

Do you have an idea for the location of a new leash-free area? Council is always on the lookout for new places to let your furry friend run around, so if you have an idea let us know on the Leash-Free Nomination page!

Dog prohibited areas

The Mornington Peninsula is home to many vulnerable, threatened and endangered species of flora and fauna. To ensure we off the greatest amount of protection to these species, there are a number of areas where dogs are prohibited from entering or remaining, even on leash.

Some of these species include the threatened Hooded Plover, migratory shorebirds, marsupials including the White-footed Dunnart and the Long-nosed Bandicoot, and reptiles such as the Blue-tongued Lizard.

Many of these species are susceptible to dog attacks and even the scent or barking of dogs can cause distress.

Taking your dog to the beach

There are a number of dog controls that apply to beaches on the Mornington Peninsula as Council do not manage all the beaches across the peninsula coastline.

Port Phillip Bay and Western Port beaches

Beaches that are managed by the State Government through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) have various rules. Please use our interactive map below to find out which controls apply on your local beaches.

Bass Strait beaches

The Bass Strait coastline between Flinders and Portsea is managed by Parks Victoria and is part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park and the Point Nepean National Park. These parks are dog prohibited at all times of the year. Council do not manage any part of these parks.

Dogs in Public Places Policy update

On Tuesday 3 December 2024 the Shire updated the dog controls on a number of areas across the peninsula. These new controls came into effect on Thursday 12 December 2024.

For more details, see our Dogs Policy Updates page.

Where can I walk my dog on the Mornington Peninsula?

Use the map below to locate your nearest park or beach to see which dog controls apply. You can pan or zoom into an area and click on a reserve to view the information.

The Community Forest dog off-leash area will be closed in December.

 

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Community Forest dog off-leash area

We're constructing a new trail within this part of the Briars to support safer access and site operations.

 

The Community Forest dog off-leash area will be temporarily closed during the works.

 

Works start in December 2025 and will take approximately three weeks, weather permitting.

 

Please use a nearby off-leash alternative during this time.

Dog reserves review

We are reviewing a number of reserves where dogs are currently prohibited. You may have noticed new “Under Review” signs at some of these locations.

Over the coming months, an independent consultant will help us review these sites. In early 2026, we will invite you to have your say on the dog control status of these reserves via an online survey and community outreach sessions.

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