Dog-Friendly Travel Locations in Australia
Your dog is not just a companion but also a part of your family. So you shouldn’t leave it behind when you are going on a trip. Australia is pet-friendly and is well-known for having one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. While taking your dog along with you on a vacation in Australia can be fun, some locations in Australia are more accommodating and dog-friendly than others. If you plan to take your dog with you, make sure that you visit areas that are dog-friendly to keep you and your dog happy. For some ideas, here is a list of some dog-friendly travel locations in Australia.
Best Dog-Friendly Travel Locations in Australia
South West, Western Australia
The South West region of Australia offers lots of fun to dog owners on their trips. There are lots of dog-friendly parks like the North Floreat Beach in Cambridge and the Ashfield Flats in nearby Bassendean. The location also has dog-friendly accommodations, camping sites, and caravan parks. It is close to Mandurah, where there are over 17km of “off-leash” parks and beaches for you and your dog to explore.
Phillip Island/Gippsland, Victoria
stunning coastal scenery.Phillip Island, which is across the bay, offers great wildlife parks and walks along the coast. You can enjoy the parks and Bass Coast Shire with your dog from 7 am to 10 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm from December to April, but at any time from May to November. There are also lots of dog-friendly restaurants and venues on Phillip Island, such as Ocean Reach Brewing, where you can wine and dine with your dog.
Tasmania
Tasmania is an island of a dedicated dog-walking community. In Tasmania, you and your dog can catch some fresh air and make new friends. Tasmania is loaded with dog-friendly parks and beaches on offer, especially in Huon Valley, Kingsborough, and Hobart. This makes this location highly recommended for travellers travelling with dogs.
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
The Fleurieu Peninsula is positioned about 30km south of Adelaide and offers a great spot for dog owners to visit. The Fleurieu Peninsula has several parks, which include the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park. Most of the parks in the Fleurieu Peninsula allow dogs. This means that you can walk or run with your dog along rivers and valleys as you enjoy the natural scenery. From trails and beaches to cellar doors and cafés, your dog will love to come with you on your next trip to South Australia.
Gold Coast, Queensland
The Gold Coast doesn’t only offer you lots of attractions and entertainment but also has dedicated areas where you can take your dog along for a nice walk or run. The Spit and Palm Beach are both situated in the Gold Coast and both feature 3km areas where you can unleash your dog and allow it to have a bit of fun. You can also give your dog a big treat at pet-friendly cafés like Parc-Bah Espresso and Social Brew.
The Gold Coast also has dog-friendly accommodation, such as Quest Robina, where your dog can get a treat on arrival, a pet futon, a food and water bowl, a lounge cover, and an outdoor terrace to roam and play in.
Port Stephens, New South Wales
The Port Stephen harbour is beautiful and has something for you and your dog. Port Stephen has 10 designated parks and reserves for exercising dogs. You can also take in the beauty of Soldiers Point or Nelson Bay with your dog right beside you. Nelson Bay’s “BotanicaBleu” accommodation allows pets inside and also has two fully fenced yards for walking your dog and pet-friendly beaches. If you need a place to walk your dog off-unleash, Hawks Nest has several “LEASH-FREE” dog-friendly zones on all its beautiful beaches and parks. We are sure you will find Port Stephens perfect for you and your dog.
Byron Bay/Northern Rivers, New South Wales
Byron Bay also has some fascinating features for you and your dog. Belongil Beach is located in Byron Bay and has beautiful dunes where you can walk or run your dog close to the centre of the town. Another must-visit dog-friendly beach in Byron Bay is Tallows dog-friendly Beach. Tallows is one of the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in Australia.
The Northern Rivers also offers you and your dog a chance to soak in the beauty of the coast and get away from the hustle and bustle of life. There are dog-friendly accommodations located all through the Northern Rivers – a popular one is the Discovery Parks Shaws Bay.
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The Sunshine Coast is an amazing dog-friendly travel location in Australia. It has 13 dog-friendly beaches and 24 dog-friendly parks. It also has several dog-friendly accommodations, which include Trove Studio and Saltwater Villas, and dog-friendly cafés, such as New Earth Café, Murray’s Cafe, and The Velo Project – The Velo Project has its dedicated dog menu.
Great Ocean Road, Victoria
The Great Ocean Road offers 243km of fun and sun-basking for your dog. It is more than just tarmac but one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. The Great Ocean Road is loaded with a wide range of dog-friendly cottages and B&Bs all through the area. If you wish, you can take your dog on a walk into Peterborough township. There are also several off-leash areas at Camperdown Lakes and Craters, and Port Campbell recreation reserve.
South Coast, New South Wales
The South Coast, New South Wales is a popular location for holidaymakers in Australia and tourists from around the world. This location is also dog-friendly with lots of dog-friendly accommodation for you to choose from – chic cottages, fully furnished houses, B&B’s, caravan parks, and so on. A popular one is the Batemans Bay Pet Holidays. Shoalhaven Heads offers 24-hours off-leash areas for dog owners. You can also take your dog to enjoy the sunny beach on the beautiful Callala Beach promenade without a leash from 4 pm to 8 am each day.
Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Australia
If your dog can swim and loves beaches, here are the best dog-friendly beaches in Australia:
Casuarina Beach, Darwin
This is the longest and most popular beach in the city with a length of about 8km. However, the entire beach is not dog-friendly but only the first section of the beach – from Rapid Creek to Dripstone Cliffs. This beach offers a nice avenue for your dog to meet and play with other dogs. You can also enjoy a picnic dinner at Dripstone Cliffs while watching the red sunset over Darwin Harbour.
Budgewoi Beach, NSW
The Budgewoi Beach is a perfect location for those who are looking for a more adventurous place to relax further north. The Budgewoi Beach has a long stretch of sand that make the beach ideal for off the leash adventures for your dog. You will also enjoy the scenery of Bird Island and Norah Head Lighthouse from Budgewoi Beach.
Port Noarlunga Beach, SA
Port Noarlunga Beach is situated in the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide. This beach is the 1st beach from Australia to form a part of the Mid Coast local surfing reserve. The beach is also part of the Encounter Marine Park with offshore reef housing more than 200 types of marine plants. Your dog will surely love this place.
Cottesloe Dog Beach, WA
This is another amazing beach in Australia for your dog. It is about a half hour’s drive from Perth and has an expansive extend of sand that is welcoming to dogs anytime, any day. You and your dog can view and enjoy the sun setting into the ocean.
Dog Off-Leash Beach Palm Beach, Queensland
This is an off-leash park where your dog can enjoy itself to the fullest. The Off-Leash Palm Beach is one of your best choices. This beach gives you the scenery of the Surfers Paradise and creek. It also features a lovely café that offers coffee and daily breakfast. If you are coming with your children, a pirate park and children’s paddling beach are close by.
Best Dog-Friendly Cafés in Australia
Barkley & Pips Café, Queensland
Looking for a dog-friendly café in Australia? Find your way to Barkley & Pips Cafe, located in Ipswich, Queensland. This café is not just a dog-friendly café but also a coffee shop dedicated to serving the best interest of dogs. It has a grooming salon for dogs and a boutique loaded with harnesses and leashes, luxury collars, and dog clothing.
Puppy Tail Café, New South Wales
Puppy Tail Café offers lots of refreshments and nibbles for you and your dog. The café is located next to Blackman Dog Park in Lane Cove, Sydney. You can visit this café for a snack and coffee. You can also play a game of fetch with your dog around the green and give your dog a treat after with a Douggie Latte and Chew Chew doggy waffle.
Best Dog-Friendly Parks, Bars and Pubs in Australia
Uitgang Bar, Victoria
Relax in this independently, Australian-owned bar with a pint of beer. Uitgang Bar has 12 taps of beer and cider on offer. You can also feast in this bar alongside your dog on food ordered from the neighbouring Bridge Road restaurants.
Delicate Campground, Goolawah Regional Park, Crescent Head
Goolawah Regional Park is a dog-friendly campground in Crescent Head. The campground is surrounded by an expanse of sheltered off-leash dog beaches. The place also has an amenity block, picnic tables, and BBQ facilities where you can grill up some sausages for yourself and your dog.
Visiting Australia with Your Dog?
The tips below will help tourists that would like to visit Australia with their dog or are moving here.
Prohibited Dog Breeds in Australia
While Australia is extremely pet-friendly and welcomes dogs in most public areas, such as restaurants, beaches, and parks, some dog breeds are prohibited in the country to protect the safety of the public and other animals. If you are planning to travel, relocate, or go on a vacation to Australia with your dog, kindly check if your dog is not among the prohibited dog breeds.
Prohibited Dog Breeds
Australia prohibits aggressive dog breeds that are specially bred for fighting. Bringing such dogs into Australia is not permitted by law. These prohibited dog breeds include:
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
- Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
- Pit Bull Terrier breeds, including American Pit Bull Terrier
Australia also places a ban on mixed breeds of the dog breeds listed above. The ban also extends to any dog that displays any visible characteristics of the dog breeds listed above. Also, Australia does not allow domestic and non-domestic dog hybrids to enter the country. The following dog hybrids are prohibited to enter Australia:
- Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
- Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog
- Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
- Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound
When coming into Australia with your dog, you would have to state your dog breed as well as sign a declaration stating that your dog is not among the prohibited dog breed.
There are strict rules to follow when bringing a pet to Australia to manage biosecurity risks - please read more at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs.
Conclusion
Do you love going on a trip with your dog? Australia is a great place to travel around and explore because it offers lots of dog-friendly travel locations, which are available in every state and territory to a certain degree. If you need some inspiration, we believe that our list of dog-friendly travel locations, beaches, and bars in Australia above is helpful. Also, before you embark on your trip with your dog around Australia, make sure that you prepare yourself and your dog. Get a leash, a dog stroller or bag, a grooming comb, and some dog toys. Don’t forget to also get enough food and water. That way, you’ll make your trip around Australia much more enjoyable and less stressful.
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