Gold Coast With Your Dog: 7 Pet-Friendly Stays, 6 Off-Leash Beaches & 8 Dog-Friendly Cafés

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Gold Coast With Your Dog: 7 Pet-Friendly Stays, 6 Off-Leash Beaches & 8 Dog-Friendly Cafés

Planning a Gold Coast getaway but can't bear to leave your four-legged friend behind? Good news! The Gold Coast is packed with dog-friendly accommodation, parks, pubs, restaurants, cafés and beaches where you can holiday with your pup. Whether you're after pet-friendly places to stay, spots to let them run off-leash, or dog-friendly dining, you'll find it all in this pet-friendly Gold Coast guide — covering:

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Dog-Friendly Accommodation

QT Gold Coast

QT Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise welcomes you and your pup (under 20kg) with fur-friendly stays. Their "Pup Yeah!" rooms come with a poochie mini bar stocked with treats, plus decadent in-room dogs' dinner menus and designer doggy bedding — so your pooch can recline in total comfort. The dog's life is now a five-star affair! Location: 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Novotel Surfers Paradise

Famed for its service and beachside position, Novotel Surfers Paradise rolls out the welcome mat for furry companions (under 20kg). The "Pups in Paradise" rooms are level-six Deluxe rooms with private balconies, complete with treats like a tennis ball, food bowl, water bowl and a cosy bed — plus a grassy area on Level 5 perfect for a game of fetch. Location: 3105 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Glamping at Tamborine Mountain Glades

The team at Tamborine Mountain Glades know how hard it is to leave your pet behind, so they've catered for canines too. Choose from two options for a peaceful Hinterland escape — self-contained Creek Lodges, or the incredible Woodland Glamping Tents with a private deck overlooking the rainforest and your loyal companion by your side (just not on the bed!). Plenty of nature walks await nearby. Location: 639 Tamborine Mountain Rd

Quest Robina

Bring your dog along for a weekend escape or business trip by booking one of the pet-friendly serviced apartments at Quest Robina. From studios to spacious three-bedroom suites, you'll enjoy a comfortable, convenient stay with your furry friend — accessible rooms are available too. Location: 3 Centreline Pl, Robina

Jacobs Well Tourist Park

This dog-friendly caravan park in the northern Gold Coast sits right on the banks of a beautiful waterway, where furry friends are warmly welcomed. Enjoy great fishing and boating, explore the sandy river shores on long walks, then kick back in the shade and soak up the peace. Location: 1161 Pimpama Jacobs Well Rd, Jacobs Well

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Big 4 Gold Coast Holiday Park

At Big 4 Gold Coast Holiday Park in Helensvale, pets are loved as much as people. Dogs can stay with you on all camping and caravan sites, plus a selection of dog-friendly cabins (up to two dogs). There's an on-site dog wash, 32 acres of off-leash exercise space, and even kennels for when you're heading somewhere your pooch can't join. Location: 66-86 Siganto Dr, Helensvale

Kirra Beach Tourist Park

With multiple camping and caravan sites and dog-friendly cabins featuring pet-proof mesh, Kirra Beach Tourist Park welcomes your pooch as part of the family. Grassy parklands sit right next door for zoomies, with kilometres of beachfront foreshore to explore — plus a dog wash to freshen them up afterwards. Location: 10 Charlotte St, Coolangatta

Gold Coast Dog Beaches

Our golden coastline isn't just for humans — there are plenty of Gold Coast dog beaches where your puppy can roam free, roll in the sand and splash in the water. Six main off-leash exercise areas cover almost five kilometres of beaches and foreshores, most equipped with BBQs, toilets and cafés for a full day out.

Just remember: dogs aren't allowed within 200m of flagged swimming areas, and not every beach is leash-free, so check the signage. City of Gold Coast offers a handy interactive map to search off-leash areas by location. Head to these dog beaches for a tail-wagging good time.

The Spit, Main Beach: Between the sea wall and Muriel Henchman Ave beach entrance

Tallebudgera Beach: From the Tallebudgera Surf Life Saving Club north to the Tallebudgera Creek sea wall

Palm Beach: South of Lifeguard Tower #13 to the Currumbin Creek sea wall and around to the east side of the lagoon (opposite the Pirate Park)

Biggera Waters Esplanade Foreshore: Marine Parade, adjacent to Quota Park

Labrador Foreshore: Adjacent to Len Fox Park

Paradise Point Foreshore: Adjacent to Paradise Point Parklands

Off-Leash Dog Parks

It's not just the beaches where dogs can drop the leash. There are dog parks aplenty for running free and frolicking with other dogs — through bushland, beside creeks and lakes, or tackling agility courses. Here are some local favourites.

Helensvale: Discovery Park, Discovery Drive; Runaway Bay: O'Connell Park, corner Morala Avenue and Ocean Street; Southport: Musgrave Park, 120 Musgrave Ave; Benowa: Gold Coast Botanic Gardens, 230 Ashmore Rd; Varsity Lakes: Frascott Park, 12 Woollahra Court; Tallebudgera: Schuster Park, Heather Street; Elanora: Off Leash Agility Dog Island at Eddie Kornhauser Recreational Reserve; Currumbin Waters: Palmer Family Park, Noojee Street; Coolangatta: Goodwin Park, Jarvis Lane (east of the path)

Pet-Friendly Cafés

These pet-friendly Gold Coast cafés are perfect for a coffee or casual meal with your dog — and don't forget to add a puppacino to your order!

Custard Canteen

A few hundred metres from Tallebudgera Dog Beach, this outdoor café beside Tallebudgera Creek is a favourite for a coffee with your canine. Water bowls keep puppies quenched while you order a famous Portuguese tart and your favourite brew, then watch the parade of pooches pass by. Location: 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Café Catalina

Set within the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre grounds, Café Catalina is the ideal pitstop on a walk around Broadwater Parklands. Waterfront views, a great wine list and food made with local produce come together in a chilled, dog-approved undercover alfresco area for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a sunset session. Location: Broadwater Parklands, 10/11 Gold Coast Hwy, Southport

Raw Espresso

Raw Espresso is Southport's best-kept secret. Drop by for great coffee, fresh juices and a lovely spot to relax with your fur baby — an acai bowl and doggie biscuit on a morning walk, or a longer casual lunch, with excellent service and pats from the friendly staff. Location: 1/59-73 Meron St, Southport

Paddock Bakery

Oat latte and a puppacino, please! Baristas at Paddock Bakery whip up plenty of doggy treats, making it one of the Gold Coast's most popular dog-friendly cafés. Enjoy premium pastries, baked goods and a decadent breakfast in the sprawling, shady courtyard with Fido by your side. Location: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami

The Henchman

This licensed outdoor café is the hippest hangout for your dog in Miami — and it's not far from the off-leash area at Pizzey Park. A big outdoor area hosts live music on weekends, first-class feeds and quality time with your furry friends. Location: 8 Henchman Avenue, Miami

Dune Café

Located at Palm Beach Parklands next to the off-leash beach by Currumbin Lagoon, Dune Café is a beloved spot for Gold Coast dog owners — think lunch, breakfast or a takeaway coffee after a swim. Four-legged friends are always welcome, and a dog statue out front honours the animal heroes who served in war. Location: 945 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Daark Espresso

Location: Unit 2/41 Musgrave Ave, Labrador

Palm Springs

This popular Burleigh Heads breakfast/lunch spot serves So-Cal style, amazing coffee, a mouth-watering menu and great cocktails — and dogs are invited too. Pull up a seat with your pooch in the pebbled courtyard alongside locals and their hounds. Location: 1878 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads