Dog Friendly Holidays Exmouth – Situated right in the tropics, Exmouth is a popular holiday destination in Western Australia, especially during the winter months when mild temperatures and bright blue skies attract tourists from the southern regions, in addition to the lure of swimming with whale sharks.
But what if you’re visiting Exmouth with a dog? Find out more about the dog-friendly options Exmouth has to offer, from sightseeing and beaches to dining and accommodation.
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Many of the main attractions in the Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef areas are not to the dogs’ liking, from swimming with whale sharks, diving and hiking in the Cape Range National Park, to watching turtles nesting on the beaches. So what can you do with your dog? Here are my top tips for visiting dog-friendly Exmouth…
My favorite beach for dogs near Exmouth is Bundegi Beach. This beach is about 10 minutes north of Exmouth, towards the end. This beach is in a bay but the sand is still beautiful and offers clear water for swimming. Dogs are allowed to walk freely on the beach.
For the more adventurous, a few kilometers south, there is a dive site accessible by kayak. Look for signs next to the boat ramp. Alternatively, look for fish hanging around the boat ramp while diving, but don’t expect to see coral here.
There is a dog friendly cafe called Beach Shack near the beach. But sadly at the end of 2023 they are closing and moving to the city center – see below for more information on their new location, Shack Exmouth.
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For beautiful views up and down the coast, head to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, 15 minutes north-west of Exmouth. This is an easy but steep paved path that leads to the now defunct lighthouse, replaced by light from a communications tower to the north. There are no restrictions on dogs, but they must be on a leash.
The lighthouse and nearby car park are popular sunset spots. Be careful because after the rainy season there may be a lot of mosquitoes before sunset. This lookout is also the best place on the coast to see the whales that visit Ningaloo Reef every winter.
Exmouth is home to not one, but two breweries. We headed to Whalebone Brewing Company in an industrial area on the south side of town. Dog friendly (although only until 5pm from 2023), with plenty of patio tables outside. It’s also very kid-friendly, with play equipment and a sand pit.
During our visit, there were seven local beers available, plus three guest beers. Padel flavors come in three different sizes from five to nine sizes to create flavored glasses. If you’re feeling adventurous, choose from a fantastic range of pizzas, some even available in kid’s sizes. Re-inspection opening hours vary between seasons.
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Another brewery in town is Froth Craft Brewery. Located next to a major shopping center, this brewery is combined with a full restaurant offering a more extensive menu. There are always plenty of tables outside where well-behaved dogs are welcome. Like Whalebone, there is also live music on certain nights.
While the best diving spots near Exmouth are located in the Cape Range National Park and do not allow dogs at all, the same cannot be said for Coral Bay. Worth visiting for the day (only 90 minutes drive) or longer.
The main beach at Coral Bay does not allow dogs with tags at each entry point. However, dogs are allowed on the grass gardens behind the beach and in the car park. If you’re not traveling alone, maybe take turns diving and watching your pup?
Alternatively, the beaches south of this point are dog friendly. The main dog beach is Paradise Beach, which is located between the boat launch points, but is only accessible via an unmarked 4WD track.
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A popular alternative is to walk up to the lookout and descend to the starting sand area. There are signs prohibiting walking on the sand to prevent erosion, but getting to Paradise Beach without a 4WD vehicle is the easiest option.
The other two options are a small beach by the boat ramp, plus Five Finger Reef. The switchback to Five Finger Reef occurs just before the boat lands, but this is a 4WD only road. I wish I could visit because I have heard so many great things about the diving!
Exmouth owes much of its existence to its military role. This military base was first established south of Learmonth during World War II as part of Operation Potshot. Then in the 1960s, the establishment of the Harold E. Holt Communications Station led to the founding of the city.
To learn more about this fascinating history, it is interesting to stop at the Potshot and Krait Memorials near Learmonth Airport. In particular, the soldiers’ complaints about the hospitable environment are far from popular among today’s tourists, although it would be difficult to endure the summer heat without air conditioning.
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Although located on the coast, the Exmouth and Ningaloo areas are part of the Australian Outback surrounded by stations. Many of these stations offer the opportunity to stay overnight or longer with more dog-friendly campsites.
The closest option to Exmouth is Bullara station, about an hour return and accessible by 2WD. Open annually between April and October (double check their website for exact dates), one of the camps is pet friendly.
Other options near Coral Bay include Ningaloo Station, Warroora Station and Gnaraloo Station. Double check details first as some campsites are only accessible by 4WD vehicle and sometimes self-drive is required.
Whether you want to go on a diving trip or visit a national park for the day, there are plenty of dog sitting options available in Exmouth.
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For starters, contact the visitor center, which can provide a list of local dog groomers. Sometimes there is a sign at the caravan park or look for Mutts Cafe which is usually on the notice board.
Another alternative that may still be available is Exmouth Veterinary Clinic – we left our dog in his kennel for the day. The vet is only open weekdays from 9am to 4pm, plus the rates are very high, but it’s an easy option without having to call.
Note that many beaches in the Exmouth area do not allow dogs for various reasons. In Exmouth itself, Town Beach near the Yacht Club prohibits dogs with many clear signs.
Dogs are also prohibited on many beaches on the western side of the Cape near Exmouth. For example, the famous Turquoise Bay, with excellent diving, is located in the Cape Range National Park, where dogs are not allowed.
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Further north in the national park, many beaches still do not allow dogs because of the turtle nesting that occurs during the summer months. Look for signs at access roads, plus warning signs at 1080 Garnier.
Instead, visit one of the dog-friendly beaches in the Exmouth area. There are two options in the city area as shown on this map.
Golf Club Beach is just north of Town Beach starting at Warne Street and is also popular for 4WDing on the beach. Alternatively, Macleod Beach is south of Exmouth Boat Harbor and is quieter.
There are a number of other beaches that allow dogs, especially on the east side of the peninsula. Two popular choices are Bundegi Beach (see above), 10 minutes north, and the area around Learmonth Beach Pier, 25 minutes south. Learmonth Beach Pier is also a popular fishing spot.
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There are plenty of dog-friendly dining options around Exmouth, and this is not surprising given the climate and popularity of outdoor dining.
As I mentioned above, Whalebone Brewery and Froth Craft Brewery offer food options. Whalebone has a wide selection of pizzas, while Froth is paired with a full restaurant offering an extensive menu.
Exmouth Shack is another dog-friendly cafe near the center of Exmouth. The new incarnation of the Beach Shack at Bundegi Beach is open for breakfast and dinner – check current days of the week, subject to change. I highly recommend local prawns cooked with garlic – half a kilo shared between two people goes a long way!
Also in Exmouth, two more options in town are the Social Society and Mutts Cafe. Social Society is located near the mall and offers outdoor seating and dog treats. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the cafe and breakfast are highly rated.
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Mutts Cafe is located a few blocks south across from the RAC trailer park and is open in the mornings, plus some evenings, unless closed in the summer. Go here for coffee