Thanks everyone.
It is a top spot for dogs, affectionally known in sydney as "Poo Park". (Though everyone I saw there had bags). It's about a 40 minute drive away, so it's not too far, and it's certainly worth it to see the kids reactions. It was their first time at the beach. They just loved playing with the other dogs. Flute's only mistake was taking on a whippet in a game of chase, she lost badly in that one. But managed to make ground against the Scottish Terrier. The couple we went with are great. James is one of my technicians at work and his partner is a dog therapist. So I finally have someone in the work place that understands when I talk about my kids, and yes Jennifer has had Possum on the 'couch' and yes the prognosis was that we spoil them.