Nine Mile Beach
Nine Mile Beach is a dog-friendly beach in Blacksmiths with open sand and off-leash access for dogs.
Dog rules
Off-leash area: Off-leash beach (access off Awabakal Avenue, Blacksmiths). Leash free at all times. Dogs must be supervised at all times and under effective control. Dogs are not permitted within 10 metres of playgrounds or BBQ areas, or within 400 metres of patrolled beaches. Dog owners must clean up after their dogs. Source: Lake Macquarie City Council – Off-leash areas (lakemac.com.au/For-residents/Pets/Exercising-your-dog/Off-leash-areas)
At a glance
Before you go
- 💧No confirmed drinking water — bring your own to be safe.
- 🌳No shade confirmed — take it easy on warmer days.
- 🗑Poo bags not confirmed — best to bring your own.
What people say
Can access by 4WD (entry at south and north ends of beach) or from the Fernleigh Track via a hiking trail over the sand dunes. Camping permitted along the beach (not on sand dunes). Avoid swimming after rain due to proximity of Belmont Wastewater Treatment Works.
Pretty tough train. Essential to have a 4WD or an AWD with diff lock. Needs a permit to go to the beach which is about 45 dollars for a week or 120 for a year
Great for a day out of beach driving. The beach is vast and there is always free space to pull up and make a day of it. Best access is from Kalaroo Rd in Jewells Make sure you go on low tide though and drop those tire pressures. Do not attempt in anything less than a 4x4 or AWD. 9 mile is notorious for having extremely soft sand so it wouldn't hurt to take some recovery gear or recovery boards either just in case you get stuck. The beach UHF channel is 21. Rangers patrol the beach so ensure you are doing the 30km speed limit as they have radar guns and will fine you for speeding.
Don’t do what I did, have low profile tyres inflated too high.. 💯 bogged 😂 Lovely place to let the kids swim and drive along the sand
Isolated and huge. With forest at your back, long stretches of flat sand and a wide ocean view. This is a great spot to disappear for a long lazy day. Bring a picnic lunch and let the kids roam. But do watch the tides as some obvious rips can form and there was no life savers on duty when i was there
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How we know this
We check council regulations, official sources, and community reviews to verify dog access at every venue. Access may change — always check on-site signage. Something wrong or missing? Submit feedback. How it works.