Straddie is a truly unique and special place. It has been isolated from the mainland since the last sea level rise 8,000 years ago. Compared to surrounding areas on the mainland it has relatively little development, with large tracts of continuous wildlife habitat encompassing some rare and precious ecosystems. There are many iconic wildlife species that call Straddie home and they can be found throughout the island, including your back yard. You will see kangaroos grazing peacefully on the footpaths and verges in Point Lookout. When you walk through Amity or Dunwich, look up, you are guaranteed to see a koala resting in the fork of a gum tree. Look and listen for the whistling kites, brahminy kites, osprey and sea eagles soaring high above you on Flinders and Main beaches; not to mention the many other bird species you are likely to see. Marine wildlife is abundant too, female turtles come here to lay their eggs on our beaches over the summer months, sea birds frequent our shores and we occasionally have seals haul out to rest.
None of these species have evolved to deal with being chased or attacked by a domestic dog or cat. Therefore, it is our responsibility to make sure that man’s best friend is suitably controlled… always. Even the best behaved and most well trained pets can’t resist ‘the chase’: it is built into their DNA; it’s instinct. Your beloved family pet may not be used to seeing kangaroo’s hopping around and curlew’s resting under bushes.
During holiday time, the number of dogs on the island increases dramatically. This, combined with more traffic and people put immense stress on our precious wildlife. Our local wildlife rescue volunteer group, Wildcare Straddie, see more than 240 injured wildlife cases every year that are the direct result of car strikes or domestic pet attacks. Most of these animals sustain horrendous injuries and do not survive. Unfortunately, there is always a spike in the number of these cases seen during holiday times.
We see kangaroos and koalas that have been mauled by dogs. We see dogs chasing kangaroos; sometimes into oncoming traffic and our native wildlife becomes so frightened, sometimes they die from stress. Most have been traumatised in some way, been injured by a car, dog or cat, or have lost a mother.
We have occasions where, due to situations beyond their control, people have lost their dogs on the island and have had to leave before being reunited. This, as you can imagine is disastrous not only for the family pet but also for the native wildlife.
We want to keep Straddie a pet-friendly destination, therefore we do insist you follow the rules and control your pet.
You can take your dog LEASH ON on the following beaches:
Main Beach, Flinders Beach (except for Amity Point end where restrictions apply, please read below), Deadman’s Beach, Frenchman’s Beach.
Important: Flinders Beach and Amity Point foreshore (at Ballow Street) are not dog off-leash areas. Dogs must be on-leash at all times in these locations and are not allowed in the prohibited area between Geera Street and the Amity Point access to Flinders Beach.
Skatebowl Park, Dunwich
Barton Street (between the skatebowl and the fenced off area), Dunwich. Unfenced, no drinking water, shelter or seating.
Home Beach, Point Lookout
In front of the Point Lookout Hotel (between Rocky Point and the Rocky Headland), Point Lookout. Unfenced, beach access where dogs can go in the water, no drinking water, shelter or seating.
Pet friendly accommodation
If you are staying in pet friendly accommodation on Straddie, your pet must be contained during the time spent in the house or apartment ie: if the property is fenced, the animal must be kept inside the fence at all times when at the property, kept on a leash or kept indoors if not fenced and the owner permits.
If you are staying at one of Straddie Camping’s sites throughout the island, you can bring two dogs per campsite to the beach camping areas of Flinders Beach and Main Beach. Dogs are NOT allowed in the township Camping Grounds. It is imperative that your animal be kept on a leash at all times in the campsite and whilst on the beaches.
Places prohibited to dogs at all times
The foreshore and seashore in front of the swimming enclosures.
At Cylinder Beach: The foreshore, seashore and reserve between the foreshore and the roads abutting the reserve.
At Main Beach: The foreshore and seashore between a point north-east of Plant 7 Road and the access road adjacent to the Point Lookout Surf Lifesaving Club.
At Flinders Beach: The foreshore and seashore from Amity Point access to Geera Street, Amity Point.
At Brown Lake and of course anywhere in the Naree Budjong Djara National Park (that includes Blue Lake).