Quick answer: yes, you can take your dog to Batemans Bay and stay in a proper holiday house, not just a caravan park cabin. Several holiday homes around Malua Bay, Moruya and Jervis Bay welcome up to two dogs and have a fenced yard, and Eurobodalla Shire Council lists off-leash beaches from Corrigans Beach in the north to Tomakin and Mossy Point in the south. The two rules that catch visitors out are that dogs are not allowed in national parks, and that from 1 November to 30 April the council’s timeshare beaches ban dogs between 9am and 5pm.
This guide is for people planning a trip with a dog: drivers from Canberra (about 2 hours), Sydney and the Illawarra, and groups of friends or three generations of one family who are not leaving the dog at home. It covers where dogs can stay, which beaches they can use, what the council rules mean in practice, and when a holiday house beats a motel or holiday park.
Where can you stay with a dog in Batemans Bay?
Pet friendly accommodation around Batemans Bay falls into four types. Eurobodalla Coast Tourism lists holiday parks, self-contained apartments, cottages and farm stays as places that welcome pets, and Google shows plenty of hotel and motel listings that accept dogs on request. The right choice depends on how many people are coming, how big the dog is and how much indoor space you need.
| Type of stay | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday house with a fenced yard | Families, groups of 6 to 20, big dogs, long weekends | Number of dogs allowed, whether approval is needed before booking, whether the yard is fully fenced |
| Holiday park cabin or villa | Budget stays, camping style, kids who like the jumping pillow | Which cabins take pets, pet fees, leash rules inside the park |
| Self-contained apartment or cottage | Couples and small dogs | Stairs, shared grounds, breed or size limits |
| Motel or hotel room | One night on the road | Whether dogs can be left alone, room size, extra charge |
For a weekend with more than four people, a house usually wins. Everyone gets a bedroom, there is a kitchen and a yard, and the dog has somewhere to sit that is not a car park. If you are searching for a pet friendly Airbnb in Batemans Bay, it is worth comparing the same house when you book direct, because the listing rules, fees and availability are the same and you deal with the home’s own team. WTP Holiday Homes lists each home with live availability, and pets are added in the guest selector so the booking records them from the start.
Pet friendly holiday homes we list on the South Coast
Three of our homes suit guests travelling with dogs between Batemans Bay and Jervis Bay. Each home has its own pet rules on its page, and pets are by approval, so ask before you book if you are bringing more than the stated number.
- Skyes Beach House, Malua Bay (upstairs, sleeps 14) is a two minute walk from Malua Bay Beach. It has a private fenced yard with lawn, a play area, trampoline and swing set, two hydrotherapy spas and an infrared sauna. Up to two dogs are welcome with approval before arrival. If you need more room, the whole house with six bedrooms, spas, sauna and arcade machines sleeps 20.
- Bertie’s 3 Beaches, Moruya Heads (sleeps 10) has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fenced private yard, a fire pit and three beaches within a five minute walk. The home is comfortably suited to up to two furry family members, and pet stays of more than two must be approved before booking.
- Luna’s Sanctuary, Sanctuary Point (sleeps 8) is on St Georges Basin in the Jervis Bay area, with a fully fenced outdoor area, a games room and a deck with a BBQ. It takes up to two pets with prior approval, and it is named after the owner’s own dog.
Pet rules are simple and fair: pick up after your dog straight away and before checkout, keep pets off the beds unless the house says otherwise, supervise dogs outdoors and tell the host about the breed and size when you ask for approval. Excess pet hair, odour or damage can lead to extra cleaning charges, so a quick vacuum before you leave is worth the effort.
Which beaches near Batemans Bay allow dogs?
Eurobodalla Shire Council groups dog areas into three types. 24-hour off leash means dogs can run off leash at any time, under effective control. Timeshare means dogs are allowed at any time from 1 May to 31 October, but from 1 November to 30 April only before 9am and after 5pm. Prohibited means no dogs at all. Anywhere else, dogs must stay on a leash until you reach a signposted off-leash area, and national parks are always off limits.
| Area | Council rule |
|---|---|
| Corrigans Beach, Batehaven (boat launching area to yacht club beach access) | Off leash |
| Hanging Rock and the breakwall, Caseys Beach | Prohibited |
| Surfside Beach (Pinnacle Point to Mundarra Way) | Off leash |
| Long Beach (Bay Road car park west to the national park) | Off leash |
| Malua Bay Beach and Garden Bay Beach | Timeshare, and no dogs within 10 metres of the playground and food areas on the reserve |
| Pretty Point Beach, Malua Bay | Off leash |
| McKenzies Beach | Prohibited |
| Moruya Heads Main Beach, car park north to the headland | Off leash |
| Broulee Beach (Francis Street access to the national park) and Bengello Beach | Off leash (Bengello: leash dogs when horses are on the beach) |
| Tomaga River Beach, Tomakin, and Tomaga River Reserve, Mossy Point | Off leash |
Council’s list can change, and signs on the day override anything printed here, so check the council page or call the rangers on 02 4474 1019 if you are unsure. As far as Council’s list shows, there is no single dog beach right at the Batemans Bay town centre, so most visitors drive five to fifteen minutes to Corrigans, Surfside, Long Beach or Malua Bay.
The 1 November change
If you are travelling in spring, the timeshare hours matter. Until 31 October dogs can use timeshare beaches such as Malua Bay Beach at any time. From 1 November to 30 April they are banned from 9am to 5pm, which is exactly the middle of a summer beach day. Plan early morning and evening walks, and use a full-time off-leash beach such as Pretty Point, Surfside or Corrigans for the middle of the day.
National parks and the beach next door
Many of the prettiest beaches on this coast sit inside national parks, and dogs are not permitted there. At Moruya Heads, for example, Shelly Beach is inside Eurobodalla National Park, so dogs stay on the council beaches. Our Moruya Heads beaches guide walks through each beach and its dog rule.
What else do you need for a holiday with a dog?
- Vets. Eurobodalla Coast Tourism lists veterinary clinics at Batemans Bay, Caseys Beach, Surf Beach and Moruya. Save the number of the nearest clinic before you travel.
- Day care and kennels. If you want a day without the dog, Barbara’s Boarding Kennels at Benandarah, Batemans Bay Boarding Kennels and Clyde River Pet Lodge offer short stays and day care. Book ahead in school holidays.
- Cafes and pubs. Many Eurobodalla cafes and restaurants have outdoor seating that welcomes pets. Ring ahead to book an outdoor table in summer.
- Snakes, heat and water. Keep dogs on a leash on bush tracks, never leave a dog in a parked car, and carry fresh water for walks. Sand and rocks get hot by midday in summer.
- Wildlife. Seals sometimes haul out on beaches. Keep dogs well back and away from any seal, sea lion or bird colony.
How far is Batemans Bay from where you live?
Batemans Bay is about 150 km and 2 hours from Canberra via the Kings Highway (B52), and about 287 km and just under 4 hours from Sydney via the Princes Highway, according to Eurobodalla Coast Tourism. Moruya is a further 20 minutes south, and Jervis Bay is about 2 hours 30 minutes from Canberra. For a short break from Canberra, two nights gives you a full Saturday on the beach and a relaxed Sunday drive home with a tired dog. Our weekend getaway from Canberra to the South Coast guide has a full drive time table and ideas for things to do.
Searches for pet friendly and dog friendly stays on the NSW coast come from Sydney, Canberra, Wollongong and further afield. Google Australia shows around 480 searches a month for pet friendly accommodation on the NSW South Coast and 320 for dog friendly accommodation on the South Coast, and 390 for pet friendly accommodation in Batemans Bay itself, so booking early for school holidays, Easter and long weekends is sensible.
Holiday house, motel or holiday park with a dog?
A holiday park cabin is the cheapest way to bring a dog and works well if you like a park atmosphere. Eurobodalla Coast Tourism lists BIG4 parks at South Durras, Batemans Bay and Nelligen, Pleasurelea Tourist Resort and Ingenia Holidays at Tomakin among the pet friendly options, and the NRMA resort at Batemans Bay has a dedicated pet friendly page. A motel is fine for a night, but a dog in a small room is hard for more than one evening. A holiday house costs more per night but divides well across a group, and a fenced yard means the dog can stay out while you cook or sit on the deck. For two adults and a dog on a budget, choose a cabin; for a family, a group or a bigger dog, choose a house.
Book direct for a pet friendly stay
When you book a pet friendly house direct, you can ask about the dog before you pay, see the house’s pet rules in plain words and get a reply from the people who look after the home. WTP Holiday Homes lists each home with its own page, photos, calendar and live availability. Browse the full list of pet friendly holiday homes and check each home's pet rules before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is Batemans Bay dog friendly?
Yes. Eurobodalla Shire Council lists off-leash beaches at Corrigans Beach, Surfside, Long Beach, Pretty Point and further south, plus timeshare beaches. Dogs must stay on a leash elsewhere, and they are not allowed in national parks.
Where can I stay with my dog in Batemans Bay?
Options include holiday houses with fenced yards, pet friendly cabins at holiday parks, cottages and apartments. Check each listing’s pet rules and ask for approval before you book, especially for more than one dog.
Can dogs go on Malua Bay Beach?
Council lists Malua Bay Beach as a timeshare area. From 1 May to 31 October dogs are allowed at any time. From 1 November to 30 April they are allowed only before 9am and after 5pm. Pretty Point Beach is off leash.
Which beaches near Batemans Bay are off leash?
Council lists Corrigans Beach, Surfside Beach, Long Beach (west of the Bay Road car park), Pretty Point Beach, Moruya Heads Main Beach north of the car park, Broulee Beach, Bengello Beach and Tomaga River Beach as off leash.
Are dogs allowed in national parks on the South Coast?
No. Council states that dogs are not allowed in national parks. Beaches inside national parks, such as Shelly Beach at Moruya Heads, are no-dog areas, so plan walks on council beaches and reserves instead.
How many dogs can I bring to a holiday house?
It depends on the home. Skyes Beach House, Bertie’s 3 Beaches and Luna’s Sanctuary are each comfortably suited to up to two pets. More than two needs approval before booking, so ask the host first.
Is it cheaper to book a pet friendly holiday house direct?
It can be, and you can ask about pets before you pay. Compare the same dates on Airbnb and direct. Pet rules, availability and any cleaning charges are shown on the home’s page.
How far is Batemans Bay from Canberra for a weekend with a dog?
About 150 km and 2 hours via the Kings Highway. That makes it an easy two-night break, with time on the beach on Saturday and a relaxed drive home on Sunday.
Where can I board my dog for a day in Batemans Bay?
Eurobodalla Coast Tourism lists Barbara’s Boarding Kennels in Benandarah, Batemans Bay Boarding Kennels and Clyde River Pet Lodge, which also offers day care and grooming. Book early in school holidays.
Is a holiday house better than a caravan park for dogs?
For groups and bigger dogs, a house with a fenced yard gives more space and privacy. A caravan park cabin is cheaper for a couple. Compare pet fees, sleeping capacity and leash rules before booking.
What should I check before booking a pet friendly home?
Check how many pets are allowed, whether approval is needed, whether the yard is fully fenced, pet fees and cleaning rules, and where pets may sleep. Ask about dog size and breed before you book.
When do the council dog beach hours change?
Timeshare beaches switch on 1 November: from then to 30 April dogs are banned from 9am to 5pm. From 1 May to 31 October dogs are allowed at timeshare beaches at any time.
Sources
- Eurobodalla Shire Council: dog friendly beaches and areas and the dog exercise areas list (checked 20 October 2026)
- Eurobodalla Coast Tourism: treat your pooch to a pet friendly holiday
- Google Australia monthly search volumes via DataForSEO, October 2026