Dog-Friendly Runaway Bay, Hollywell and Paradise Point: Parks, Pubs and Stays

6 min read

Golden retriever trotting across the sand towards the camera on a sunny day

The Runaway Bay, Hollywell and Paradise Point basics

The top end of the Broadwater is made for dog people. Hollywell has one of the best fenced dog parks on the northern Gold Coast, Paradise Point has an off-leash foreshore for a swim, and Runaway Bay has a freshly refreshed tavern beer garden where dogs are welcome, plus a waterfront cafe that dining guides list as pet friendly. Add two well-regarded vets, and these three suburbs cover a dog's whole week.

Park rules are checked against City of Gold Coast park pages, and venues and stays were checked on 27/10/2026. If a sign on the day disagrees, the sign wins.

Bayview Park, Hollywell: fully fenced, two yards

Council describes Bayview Park as a completely fenced off-leash dog park with agility equipment, plus a second, smaller fenced area. That second yard is gold for little dogs, puppies and older dogs who'd rather not get bowled over. There are picnic shelters, tables and seats, and two playgrounds where dogs aren't allowed. There are no toilets, so plan ahead. See council's Bayview Park page.

Where: Hyacinth Avenue, Hollywell, with entry from Bayview Street or Hyacinth Avenue
Parking: on-street on both roads
Off-leash: two fenced yards, agility gear in the main one
Toilets: none

Paradise Point foreshore: off-leash swims

Council lists an off-leash dog exercise area at the northern end of Paradise Point Parklands, on the foreshore at the corner of The Esplanade and The Sovereign Mile. The rest of the parklands are on-lead, and dogs are prohibited from the swimming enclosure and the playgrounds. The Broadwater here is calm, so it's an easy first swim for a nervous dog. See council's Paradise Point Parklands page, and our Gold Coast dog beaches guide for the city-wide rules.

Where: northern end of Paradise Point Parklands, corner of The Esplanade and The Sovereign Mile
Off-leash: foreshore area only
Watch for: the swimming enclosure and playgrounds, where dogs are prohibited

If you're further south, the Biggera Waters foreshore is off-leash early and late, and the Labrador foreshore is off-leash at all hours.

Coffee and a beer with the dog

Ripples Cafe & Bar, Runaway Bay. A waterfront local on Bayview Street with outdoor seating looking over the water. AGFG lists it as pet friendly, and local dog guides have it down as a favourite for breakfast with the dog, but we couldn't confirm a dog policy on Ripples' own socials, so call ahead and ask first. It closes at 2pm, so make it a morning mission. Ask for an outdoor table. See Ripples on Instagram.

Address: 4 Bayview Street, Runaway Bay QLD 4216
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 6am to 2pm, closed Monday

Runaway Bay Tavern. Reopened in August 2026 after a refresh, and its own FAQ says dogs are welcome in the beer garden. The kitchen runs lunch and dinner, so it works for a long arvo with the dog under the table. See Runaway Bay Tavern.

Address: 10-12 Lae Drive, Runaway Bay QLD 4216
Kitchen: Monday to Thursday 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5pm to 9pm, Friday to Sunday 11:30am to 9pm
Dogs: beer garden

Alvins, Paradise Point. A neighbourhood wine bar a short walk from the foreshore that Urban List called super dog-friendly in 2025, with treats and water bowls set aside for dogs. We couldn't confirm a current dog policy on Alvins' own socials, so ask first. It's an 18+ venue with no bookings, so it's one for the grown-ups and the dog. See Alvins on Instagram.

Address: 12 Falkinder Avenue, Paradise Point QLD 4216
Hours: Wednesday to Friday from 3pm, Saturday from 1pm, Sunday 1pm to sundown

For more along the coast, see our Gold Coast dog-friendly bars, restaurants and cafes guide and the dog-friendly pubs and bars guide.

Vets in Runaway Bay and Paradise Point

The Point Vet, Paradise Point. A full general practice with wellness checks, vaccinations, desexing, dental, surgery, X-ray, ultrasound and puppy preschool, plus house calls. Open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 7:30am to 12pm. See The Point Vet.

Address: 10 Grice Avenue, Paradise Point QLD 4216
Phone: 07 5564 2822

Bay Vets, Runaway Bay. General care, surgery, X-ray, ultrasound and in-house pathology. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm. See Bay Vets.

Address: 1-2/455 Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay QLD 4216
Phone: 07 5662 1234

After hours. Animal Emergency Service at 104 Eastlake Street, Carrara, runs overnight on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays. SASH Gold Coast at Robina and AEC Gold Coast at Varsity Lakes are open 24/7. See our Gold Coast vets guide.

Dog-friendly stays nearby

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, Helensvale. The park's own page says dogs are welcome on all caravan and camping sites, and selected cabins take up to two dogs at no extra charge. Send your dog's vaccination certificate before you arrive, keep them on a lead and never leave them alone. See BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park.

Address: 66-86 Siganto Drive, Helensvale QLD 4212

NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort, Biggera Waters. Pets are allowed on selected creek-side powered sites and two ensuite cabins, with a maximum of two small dogs per site, $15 per pet per night, manager approval and a signed waiver. Pets aren't allowed during peak and premium seasons, so check dates before you book. See Treasure Island pet terms.

Address: 117 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters QLD 4216

Worth knowing: Gold Coast Tourist Parks' own pet policy says only its Jacobs Well and Kirra Beach parks take dogs, so the Main Beach and Broadwater tourist parks are a no. For the city-wide list, see our pet friendly accommodation guide and dog-friendly caravan parks guide.

More northern Gold Coast dog guides: Hope Island and Sanctuary Cove, Helensvale, Gaven and Pacific Pines.

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After the swim: salt, sand and ticks

Rinse your dog with fresh water after a Broadwater swim, before the salt dries, working into the belly, armpits, paws and ears. Check the head, neck, ears and between the toes for ticks after every walk, paralysis ticks included. Our ticks and snakes guide covers what to look for.

FAQs

Is there a fenced dog park in Hollywell?

Yes. Bayview Park on Hyacinth Avenue is completely fenced, with agility equipment and a second, smaller fenced yard. There are no toilets.

Where can dogs swim off-leash at Paradise Point?

On the foreshore at the northern end of Paradise Point Parklands, at the corner of The Esplanade and The Sovereign Mile. Dogs are prohibited from the swimming enclosure.

Is Runaway Bay Tavern dog friendly?

Yes. The tavern's own FAQ says dogs are welcome in the beer garden.

Is there a vet in Runaway Bay?

Bay Vets is at 1-2/455 Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay, and The Point Vet is at 10 Grice Avenue, Paradise Point.

Checked 27/10/2026. We're humans working from public council, park and venue sources, and rules, hours, fees and dog policies change without notice. Always check the signs on the day and confirm with the venue, park or council before you go. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.