The Journal · 23 May 2026
Dog-friendly walks in Hat Head National Park
Where to take your dog walking in and around Crescent Head — beaches, headlands, and quiet trails through the national park.
Bringing the dog? Good call. Dogs are warmly welcome on the upper deck, downstairs, and in the back yard. But the real joy of a dog holiday at Crescent Head is everything outside the house. Here’s where to take them.
A note on the national park rules
Hat Head National Park itself is not dog-friendly — dogs aren’t permitted within the park boundaries. But almost everything around the park is. Be respectful of signage, keep them on a lead where required, and pick up after them.
1. Killick Beach (north of the creek)
The five-kilometre stretch of sand north of the estuary is dog-friendly. Walk across the bridge from the point and you’re straight onto open beach. Off-lead is allowed outside of school holiday periods — check signage.
What to know: low tide reveals the firmest sand for running. There are no facilities — bring water and a poo bag. The view from the bridge alone is worth the walk.
Walk from The Deck: 15 minutes to the bridge, then as far as you want north.
2. The Crescent Head Headland
The headland itself, which juts out into the bay, is dog-friendly on the formed walking track. Kangaroos sometimes graze in the late afternoon — keep your dog on a short lead and give them space.
What to know: the view from the headland is the postcard shot of Crescent Head. Sunset here is unbeatable. There’s no shade so bring water in summer.
Walk from The Deck: 10 minutes down to the point, then a flat 15-minute loop around the headland.
3. The clearing 50 metres down the road
For when you just need a quick run-out. There’s a grassy clearing at the bottom of Noongah Terrace that’s perfect for a fetch session or a sniff-around without leaving the neighbourhood.
What to know: not formally a dog park — there’s no fence, so keep your dog under voice control. Quiet on weekday mornings.
Walk from The Deck: less than two minutes.
4. The riverside walk
Walk south from the point along the estuary and there’s a flat, sheltered track that follows the water all the way to the boat ramp. Low tide reveals mud flats (the oystercatchers will love it). Dogs on lead.
What to know: about 30 minutes return. Plenty of birdlife. The path is sealed so good for older dogs.
Walk from The Deck: 10 minutes to the start.
5. Sea Sea and Cheetah Five
Not a walk — but both cafés in town are dog-friendly, with water bowls on the verandah. After a beach walk, this is the move.
What to bring
We keep toys, food + water bowls, and poo bags in a basket on the upper deck. There’s an outdoor shower downstairs (hot and cold) for rinsing sandy paws before they come inside. Just bring your dog’s food, lead, and bed if they have a particular one — and please keep them off the carpeted bedroom floors.