The entire Federation Walk Coastal Reserve trails, dune areas, littoral rainforest, grassed picnic zones and playground precincts are ON-LEASH ONLY for dogs — the only nearby off-leash area is the clearly signed City of Gold Coast dog exercise beach on The Spit ocean beach between the sand-pumping jetty and the Gold Coast Seaway southern training wall. Always keep the leash clipped on unless you are inside that signed off-leash beach section. Playgrounds and the Philip Park children's water play splash area are strictly NO DOGS. Respect the signed dune protection zones and always keep dogs on the marked crushed-sandstone or paved tracks; walking or running through the open dunes destroys sensitive native vegetation, causes erosion and disturbs ground-nesting bird species and turtle habitat. Bring plenty of drinking water and a travel bowl for your dog, dog booties for hot sand on summer days between 10am and 3pm, slip slop slap for the humans, a wide brim hat and sunnies because the trail and dunes are mostly exposed. Do a quick tick check after any walk through the dune or rainforest sections especially in humid summer and autumn months, and always carry poop bags to bin. Gold Coast stinger marine stinger season runs approximately November through to May — supervise any dog paddling or swimming off the adjacent Spit off-leash beach closely and swim between the red and yellow patrol flags for people; avoid letting dogs drink salt water and rinse with fresh water from the showers. Both carparks fill very quickly by 10am on weekends, school holidays and public holidays — arrive before 8am or take the Gold Coast Oceanway shared bike or walk path 3 km from Surfers Paradise, the 700-series bus from Southport, a taxi or Uber. Combine Federation Walk with a longer Gold Coast dog-friendly itinerary and a drive north to Mt Cotton Retreat, the Wynnum-Manly foreshore walks or a Moreton Island ferry trip from the Brisbane area.