This season is peak walkies time, with milder weather and waterfalls and wildflowers galore!

If you've been dreading going out in the cold, your recent trips with your canine companion might not have been much more interesting than the local park. So you’ll be thrilled to find that with the milder weather, it's time to explore Perth's abundant dog-friendly hotspots - fun for you and your fur-baby alike!

Dog Beaches

Now that the chilly ocean breezes are quickly turning warm, sunny beach weather, it's the perfect time to hit the beach together! There's many popular dog-friendly beaches around Perth where your precious pooch can frolic in the sand and ocean waves while you live your best beachside life.

Trigg Dog Beach is a very popular doggie hotspot, just south of Mettam's Pool and a stone's throw from Yelo Cafe (perfect for a post-frolick outing for you and your dog alike, with dog and human treats to enjoy; dogs are welcome at the outside tables), along with the dog-friendly Canteen. The close by Summer X Salt Markets will be starting in November; and they're dog friendly, so make a day of it! Parking is easy, and there's fresh water nearby.

South Fremantle Dog Beach is located in the funky South Fremantle area, and is popular with local dog lovers and canine-companioned travellers alike - a great place to play with new furry friends! You'll find water and shower facilities here, poop bags, and easy parking. Nearby South Beach Cafe is a beachside alfresco dog-friendly spot that’s only a short stroll away.

Peasholm Dog Beach is located between Scarborough and Floreat, and its excellent amenities make it a dog-owner favourite. Easy parking, poop bags, water and shower facilities all make it a great choice; but do note that you and your doggie will need to climb over a big sand dune to get to the dog beach (which is actually pretty fun, and great exercise for both of you!)

Walking Tracks and Trails

Perth boasts some seriously gorgeous walking tracks and trails, and many of these are dog-friendly! The Law Walk in Kings Park is a great dog walk, but they must be kept on a lead. The walk starts with the iconic view of the river and city, takes you along the edge of the Mount Eliza escarpment and crosses the Lotterywest Federation Walkway with its birds-eye view of the Botanic Garden and beautiful jarrah and marri trees. With wildflower season in full swing, this is a gorgeous walk for flower-spotting, too! Note that dogs aren't allowed on the elevated section of the Walkway, water facilities aren't provided and you'll need to bring your own poop bags. If you're feeling peckish or need a caffeine boost, there's alfresco areas at Kings Park Kiosk, Botanical Cafe and Zamia Cafe. 

Nestled in the town of Kalamunda in the Perth Hills, the Jorgensen Park Walking Trail is an easy 2.7km dog-friendly loop walk that's great for the whole family, whether tall, small, or four-legged and furry. It also has great BBQ facilities and a lovely picnic area. This unusual bush walk was once a golf course, and the walk trail follows the old fairway, but nature has reclaimed the manicured greens of the course, forming an easy walk through natural bushland with a lookout over the Helen River Valley. Start at the Kalamunda Learning Centre in Jorgensen Park, and follow the signage and red triangles. Once you're done, you'll find many dog-friendly eateries in Kalamunda; check out Elevated Grounds Coffeehouse, the Kalamunda Hotel and Mason & Bird.

Another Perth Hills treasure: the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail! Dogs are allowed on a lead at most of this 41km trail, except for the parts within John Forrest National Park. This is an easy-to-moderate walk depending on the area, and no bushwalking experience required; the surfaces are flat and even, with no steps or steep sections. You'll find multiple entry points on the trail, so pop in and out as you like; the Sculpture Park in Mundaring is a popular starting point. The entire 41km loop is located entirely on railway formations, and passes through lovely hills communities including Darlington, Parkerville and Mundaring. You'll find a wide range of terrains here, with stunning views, rich in historical significance and natural beauty.

A little further afield, the 4km Noble Falls Walk Trail is located 20 minutes north-east of Midland, in the scenic hills of the country town of Gidgegannup. It's a great dog-friendly and family-friendly spot to while away a few hours, and dogs are allowed off the leash as long as the owner has them fully under control at all times. The meandering Noble Falls are gorgeously Instagrammable, as are the wildflowers from August to October: you'll find yellow wattles, rich blue Leschenaultia, orchids, Hakeas, Grevilleas, rose coneflowers, cone bushes, triggerplants and Verticordias here, as well as vibrant birdlife. There's BBQ facilities at the falls, or stop for some noshing at the dog-friendly Noble Falls Tavern just across the road. 

Parks and Reserves

Dog parks are a fab way for you and your dog to make new friends! Some of the more popular dog-friendly parks and reserves with great facilities include the Nedlands Foreshore, a gorgeous foreshore walkway and pathway along the Swan River; the gorgeously green Carine Open Space; the riverside delights of the Matilda Bay Reserve; and the lush Lake Claremont Parkland followed up by a treat at Lake Espresso.

Lake Monger Reserve is a favourite for two-legged and four-legged explorers alike; there's a large, semi-enclosed Dog Exercise Area opposite Kimberly Street bordering Lake Monger Drive and Mitchell Freeway, with convenient parking nearby, double-gated entry, a new drinking fountain with dog bowl, and poop bags. 

Most of the parks in Armadale allow dogs on leash, and the beautifully rejuvenated Minnawarra Park is a great place for dog-friendly fun; there's a large lake, paved and shaded picnic areas, and expansive lawns. Some other great choices include the dedicated dog parks of Sienna Wood Dog Park and John Dunn Dog Park, which both have convenient facilities like poop bags, agility equipment and more.

Finally, Perth's iconic Whiteman Park has a great 2.5-ha dog park where your furry friends can run around off-leash, make friends and generally have a whale of a time. The Dog Park is completely fenced off and also contains an obstacle course designed especially in colours that the dogs can see - what fun! 

Enclosed Dog Parks

Whether your dog is having trouble with recall, or you'd like a less hectic doggy outing, fully-fenced dog exercise parks are the way to go! Some favourites include the Dog Adventure Park in Aveley, a fully-fenced off-lead exercise area that's popular with doggies and owners alike to get some exercise and make new friends; the Rockingham Dog Enclosure, with mounds that your dog will love climbing on; and Baldivis Enclosed Dog Park, with two separate enclosed dog exercise areas for small dogs and all dogs. Greenslope Dog Park in Bushmead (a community in Hazelmere) is another hit, with awesome agility equipment and surrounded by scenic bushland.

Inspired to get out and about and explore Perth with your doggo? Check out our article on Pet-friendly Perth: the 6 best ways to enjoy your furkids!