Dog-friendly South West Bringing the dog? Here's where they're welcome

Dogs aren't allowed on the Cape to Cape Track or Busselton Jetty, and national parks are off limits apart from a few designated dog areas. Beyond those, the local council sets the rules, and they change from beach to beach. Here they are, town by town, from Busselton to Pemberton.

By Made Down South, Busselton. Checked against the City of Busselton, the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Parks and Wildlife and Busselton Jetty, September 2026

No dogs
Jetty, track, parksBusselton Jetty, the Cape to Cape Track and national parks
On a lead
By defaultIn the Margaret River shire's public spaces, outside dog exercise areas
Off-lead beaches
On council mapsSome off-lead areas in the City of Busselton are seasonal
Fox baits
1080Often laid in parks, and fatal to dogs, says Parks and Wildlife

Where dogs can't go

National parks are off limits, with a few exceptions. Parks and Wildlife says pets are generally not permitted in its parks, apart from assistance animals and designated dog areas, where dogs stay on a lead. Down here that rules out Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Boranup Forest included, and the forest parks around Pemberton.

The reason is serious. Poison baits (1080) are often laid in parks to control foxes, and Parks and Wildlife warns that they're fatal to domestic animals.

The Cape to Cape Track runs through the national park, and dogs aren't allowed anywhere on it. Busselton Jetty is a no too: dogs and other animals can't go on the jetty, the jetty train or into the Underwater Observatory. Accredited guide and support dogs are the exception.

Six towns, Busselton to Pemberton

Round the bay, down the capes to Augusta, then inland to the forests. Each stop has the council's rule, where to walk, and where dogs can't go. Scroll down and the line drives it with you.

  1. STOP 1

    Busselton: leave the jetty to the humans

    Start with the no. Busselton Jetty doesn't allow dogs or other animals on the jetty, the jetty train or in the Underwater Observatory. Accredited guide and support dogs are the exception. If the jetty's on your list, plan it for a dog-free hour.

    Beyond the jetty, the City of Busselton sets the rules. In its words, there are areas "where dogs are prohibited, where they are permitted on-leash, and where they are permitted to be exercised off-leash". Some off-leash areas are seasonal. The City's dog exercise areas page shows which is which.

    The same City rules cover Dunsborough and Yallingup, so that one page does the first three stops.

    No dogsJetty, jetty train, Underwater Observatory
    ExceptionAccredited guide and support dogs
    RulesCity of Busselton's dog exercise areas
  2. STOP 2

    Dunsborough: check the season

    Dunsborough is in the City of Busselton, so the City's map applies here too. Some off-lead areas are seasonal: check the City's map before you go, not after the dog's in the water.

    Heading up to Cape Naturaliste? The sealed path from the lighthouse to Sugarloaf Rock is in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, and it's the first stretch of the Cape to Cape Track. That makes it a walk for the humans.

    RulesCity of Busselton
    SeasonalSome off-lead areas. Check the map
    No dogsSugarloaf Rock path, the Cape to Cape Track
  3. STOP 3

    Yallingup: the dog beach question

    Looking for the Yallingup dog beach? Yallingup is in the City of Busselton, so the answer is on the City's dog exercise map, beach by beach: off-lead, on a lead, or no dogs.

    A few kilometres south, Canal Rocks is a Parks and Wildlife site in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, and the Cape to Cape Track passes its lookout. Leave that stop for a dog-free day.

    RulesCity of Busselton
    BeachesOff-lead, on-lead or none, on the City's map
    No dogsCanal Rocks, the Cape to Cape Track
  4. STOP 4

    Margaret River: the Wadandi Track, on a lead

    The Shire of Augusta Margaret River keeps it simple. In its words: "In public spaces, dogs must be on a lead at all times unless they are in a designated dog exercise area." Its dog exercise areas page names the exercise areas and the no-dog stretches at Gnarabup, Prevelly, Gracetown and elsewhere, with an interactive map.

    For a proper walk, the Wadandi Track runs 31 km one way from Cowaramup to Sebbes Road, south of town. It's rated easy, and dogs are welcome on a lead.

    Two no-go spots. Dogs aren't allowed in the farmers market space on Saturdays, and Boranup Forest, south of town, is part of the national park.

    LeadIn public spaces, outside exercise areas
    WalkWadandi Track, 31 km, easy, on a lead
    No dogsFarmers market, Boranup Forest
  5. STOP 5

    Augusta: same Shire, same lead

    Augusta is in the same Shire, so the same rule applies: on a lead in public spaces unless you're in a designated dog exercise area. The Shire's list includes exercise areas and no-dog stretches at Augusta, and its map shows where they are.

    The Cape to Cape Track, which runs through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, finishes at Cape Leeuwin. Dogs aren't allowed anywhere on it, the last stretch included.

    LeadIn public spaces, outside exercise areas
    MapShire of Augusta Margaret River
    No dogsThe Cape to Cape Track
  6. STOP 6

    Pemberton: forest country, park rules

    Pemberton is ringed by national parks. The Gloucester Tree is in Gloucester National Park, Beedelup Falls in Greater Beedelup National Park, and the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree in Warren National Park.

    Parks and Wildlife's rule applies to all of them: pets are generally not permitted, apart from assistance animals and designated dog areas, on a lead. Check each park's page on Explore Parks WA before you plan a forest day with the dog.

    In town, Pemberton is in the Shire of Manjimup, which sets the local rules. Check them before you go.

    ParksGloucester, Greater Beedelup, Warren
    RulePets generally not permitted in parks
    TownShire of Manjimup rules

Before you go

  1. Look up the beach you're heading for on the council's map: the City of Busselton for Busselton, Dunsborough and Yallingup, and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River for Margaret River and Augusta.
  2. Pack a lead. In the Margaret River shire's public spaces, dogs must be on one unless they're in a designated exercise area.
  3. Plan a dog sitter, or a dog-free hour, for the jetty, the national parks and any stretch of the Cape to Cape Track.
  4. In Margaret River on a Saturday? Dogs aren't allowed in the farmers market space.
  5. Bring water and a bowl for the dog, and bags for the walk.

Dog questions

Are dogs allowed on Busselton Jetty?

No. Busselton Jetty says dogs and other animals aren't allowed on the jetty, the jetty train or in the Underwater Observatory. Accredited guide and support dogs are the exception. Plan the jetty for a dog-free hour, and check the City of Busselton's dog exercise areas for where the dog can stretch its legs in town.

Where are the dog friendly beaches in the South West?

The councils map them. The City of Busselton covers Busselton, Dunsborough and Yallingup, and sorts its areas into off-lead, on-lead and no dogs. Some of its off-lead areas are seasonal. The Shire of Augusta Margaret River lists its dog exercise areas and no-dog stretches at Augusta, Gnarabup, Prevelly, Gracetown and elsewhere, with an interactive map. National parks are a different matter: Parks and Wildlife generally doesn't allow pets in its parks.

Is there a dog beach at Yallingup?

Yallingup is in the City of Busselton, so its beaches are on the City's dog exercise map: off-lead, on a lead, or no dogs. Some off-lead areas are seasonal, and the City has asked the public about changes to its dog beaches, so check the current map before you go. Canal Rocks, just south, is in the national park, so it's no dogs there.

Is Margaret River dog friendly?

In parts. In the Shire's public spaces, dogs must be on a lead unless they're in a designated dog exercise area, and the Shire maps those. The Wadandi Track, 31 km from Cowaramup to south of town, welcomes dogs on a lead. Dogs aren't allowed in the farmers market space, or in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Boranup Forest included. Planning the rest of the trip? Our Margaret River itinerary flags the dog rules day by day.

Can you take a dog on the Cape to Cape Track?

No. Dogs aren't allowed anywhere on the track, which runs through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin. For a long walk with the dog, the Wadandi Track near Margaret River allows dogs on a lead. Our Cape to Cape Track guide covers the walk itself.

Are dogs allowed in national parks in WA?

Generally not. Parks and Wildlife says pets and other domestic animals are generally not permitted in its parks. The exceptions are assistance animals, and designated dog areas, where dogs stay on a lead. It also warns that 1080 baits, often laid to control foxes, are fatal to domestic animals. Check the park's page on Explore Parks WA before you go.

Are there dog friendly walks in the South West?

Yes, outside the national parks. The Wadandi Track between Cowaramup and Margaret River is rated easy, and dogs are welcome on a lead. The City of Busselton and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River each map their dog exercise areas. The Cape to Cape Track, Boranup Forest and the path to Sugarloaf Rock are all off limits to dogs.

Is the Margaret River farmers market dog friendly?

No. The market says dogs aren't allowed in the market space, so leave the dog with someone for the morning.

Is Pemberton dog friendly?

The forests around it are national parks: Gloucester, Warren and Greater Beedelup. Parks and Wildlife generally doesn't allow pets in its parks, so plan the Gloucester Tree and Beedelup Falls without the dog. In town, Pemberton is in the Shire of Manjimup, which sets the local dog rules. Check them before you go. For the rest of a forest day, see our Southern Forests day trip.

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