Carolyne Jasinksi investigates where can you stay and what can you do when your ‘lap’ dogs rule the RV roost.
Taking your four-legged friends on road trips is a big consideration. Leave them behind and break your heart or take them along and limit the places you can visit.
National parks, for example, are usually out of bounds, along with many attractions — unless you can find a dog sitter or neighbour who you trust with your best friend.
Where can you stay with dogs? Everywhere from free camps and showgrounds to some holiday parks is the easy answer. Though there’s a huge difference in what parks consider ‘dog friendly’.
For some, it means they just tolerate dogs — kept on a leash and in restricted areas at caravan sites. For other parks, dogs are so welcome they get special treats, doggy baths, their own off-leash areas and can go anywhere except camp kitchens and pools.
We have lapped and criss-crossed the country with our dog, Monty. Here’s a run-down of what we have discovered you can do with your four-legged friends and the best places to stay.
South Australia
Beaches
South Australia has some of the most relaxed ‘dogs on beaches’ rules in the country. I don’t know of any beaches where dogs are banned — except where access is via a conservation park such as along Hallett Cove Boardwalk.
National parks
Dogs are banned in most national parks, but they are allowed in Belair National Park and Brownhill Creek Recreation Park.
Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park with its 70-million-year-old coloured hills is the place to turn your dog into a rock star.
Main attractions
- SUP hire: Stand up for your pooch and hire a paddle board (or kayak) from Stand-Up Paddle SA at Seacliff beach or West Lakes. Lessons are available or you can join a tour.
- Hahndorf: This town is a little slice of Germany in the Adelaide Hills and has been named one of Australia’s most pet-friendly destinations, so it's a good place to spend some quality time with your furry companion. There’s a list of where to visit, including a leathersmith to buy custom-made collars online: hahndorfsa.org.au.
- Coober Pedy: Visit Australia’s opal capital. Ever fossicked for gems? Imagine how handy your dog will be while digging in the dirt heaps.
- Go to the movies: What’s better than seeing a movie while you’re in the great outdoors? Taking your dog. For all the details on the locations in each state, what to take, where to get tickets and how well Rufus needs to behave, click this link.
Stay
- Discovery Parks at Adelaide Beachfront and Hahndorf Resort
- West Beach Parks
- Belair National Park Holiday Park
- Marla Roadhouse (in the caravan park or free camp where the road trains park)
- Rawnsley Park Station in Flinders Ranges
- Pine Country Caravan Park in Mount Gambier
Northern Territory
Beaches
Dogs, crocodiles and stingers (November to March) are not a great combination, so I don’t recommend many Northern Territory beaches. Dundee Beach, a fishing favourite about 90 minutes from Darwin, is an exception. Just don’t go in the water. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay nearby, check out Dundee Beach Holiday Park.
National parks
The Northern Territory can be tricky with dogs. Its greatest attractions are geological wonders such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Kings Canyon, West MacDonnell Ranges and Kakadu — all located in no-go national parks for those with travelling with a furry friend. Check here for dog-friendly parks like George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.
Main attractions
- Uluru: Dogs are banned at Uluru but welcome in Ayers Rock Campground where the staff sometimes dog sit.
- Mataranka Homestead: This is a must stop for hot springs. Dogs can’t jump in, but a dog sitter at the homestead makes long soaks possible here and at Bitter Springs just across town.
- Katherine Outback Experience: Tom Curtain’s fabulous horse and dog training show can’t have dogs in the audience, but they can be tied up under trees away from the show.
- Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles: Car park-only access for pooches but it’s worth seeing the boulders visible from the roadside.
Stay
- Discovery Parks Alice Springs and Darwin
- Renner Springs Desert Inn — it fills fast so book ahead
- Larrimah Wayside Inn Caravan Park
- Mataranka Homestead Resort
- Riverview Tourist Village, Katherine
Queensland
Beaches
Beware crocodiles and stingers in the northern half of Queensland. Take notice of warning signs.
National parks
Pets are welcome only in some conservation parks, state forests and recreation areas like Daisy Hill Conservation Park, Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area and Byfield State Forest.
Main attractions
- Mary Valley Rattler: Jump onboard, this heritage steam train features a Pet Friendly carriage
- Undara Volcanic National Park: While the park out of bounds for dogs, the famous lava tubes are not out of reach. Book a Bedrock Lava Tubes Tour at Discovery Parks Mount Surprise and get access to a dog sitting service.
- 1770 Stand Up Paddleboarding: Float around 1770’s fantastic dog-friendly beaches with your pooch. Coaching is available before exploring 1770 and Agnes Water.
- Great Keppel (Wop-pa) Island: Cruise to the island then hike snorkel, swim, lunch and even stay. Freedom Fast Cats and Keppel Konnections are good options.
- Herberton: Historic Village Herberton in the Atherton Tablelands has more than 60 buildings and stacks of memorabilia. Don’t miss Emerald Creek Falls and Crystal Caves.
- Local flavours: Some cellar doors in Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt Brewery welcome pups. Try Filippos Tours and Bark and Barrels Tour wine tasting tours.
Stay
- Prairie Hotel — free stay if you eat at the pub
- Tropicana Caravan Park, Sarina
- Discovery Parks – Rockhampton — doggie welcome packs are just the start of their special treatment
- Fraser Coast Holiday Park, Hervey Bay
- Coolum Beach Holiday Park — has a huge dog-friendly area with access to one of the best beaches in Queensland
New South Wales
Beaches
NSW has some of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast and plenty of dog-friendly stretches … you just have to find them. Local councils or information centres have lists.
National parks
Some regional parks and all state forests allow dogs. Click this link for more details.
Main attractions
- Byron Bay: Byron is not particularly dog-friendly or even RV-friendly (you have to pay for parking everywhere), but Tallow Beach is a great spot. Just minutes from town and with access from the BIG4 Ingenia caravan park, it’s a long stretch of sand where you can let dogs run free.
- The Farm Byron Bay: A working farm that also doubles as an animal nursery, cafe and playground.
- Shaws Bay: This town has the best dog-friendly pub — Shaw’s Bay Hotel — located right on the waterfront next to one of the best dog-friendly caravan parks — Reflections Holiday Park. Check our this feature about Reflections' many caravan parks along the NSW coast.
Don’t miss:
- Walking across Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House
- Kiama Blowhole — hang on to your dog!
- Merimbula Boardwalk — 3.5km scenic stroll past mangroves and oyster farms in the Sapphire Coast
- Opal Mine Adventure in Lightning Ridge
- A selfie with the Dog on the Tuckerbox in Gundagai
Stay
- BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Byron Bay
- Reflections Holiday Parks at Shaws Bay, Moonee Beach and Bonny Hills
- Norah Heads Holiday Park
- NRMA Tathra Beachside Holiday Park and Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort
Victoria
Beaches
Most beaches are open slather for dogs — sometimes on leads, sometimes running free. Click this link for the best off-leash options.
National parks
Pups are welcome in some metropolitan, regional and reservoir parks. Check the Vic Parks website for exceptions to dog ban rules.
Main attractions
- Wine tastings: Pooches and Pinot Wine Tours from Healesville in Yarra Valley.
- Miss Drew’s Bakery and Dog Cafe: Located on Mornington Peninsula, check out the unique Pugichinos, meat muffins, ice cream, dog beer and birthday cakes.
- Victorian High Country: Breweries, bakeries, wineries and walks at Bright and Beechworth.
- Echuca: So many dog-friendly options in Australia’s paddle steamer capital. Cruise, explore the Historic Precinct, Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, National Holden Motor Museum, Great Aussie Beer Shed and numerous wineries. To find out more about this beautiful spot on the Vic–NSW border, read this feature.
Stay
- Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park — one of the biggest caravan parks in Southern Hemisphere
- North Arm Tourist Park, Lakes Entrance
- Maffra Golf Club RV Park
- Loch Memorial Reserve
- Discovery Parks – Melbourne, Braybrook
Western Australia
Beaches
Broome’s Cable Beach is one of Western Australia’s most famous beaches along 12,500km of coastline … and it’s open to dogs. So are Wharton Beach in Esperance, Prevelly Beach in Margaret River, Point Quobba on the Coral Coast. Beware of crocs and stingers in the Top End.
National parks
Domestic pets are not allowed in national parks unless they are accredited assistance animals. Click this link for details on where you can take your four-legged friend.
Main attractions
- Monkey Mia: Dogs can watch daily dolphin feeding sessions from the jetty and hit the sand — away from the dolphin exclusion zone.
- Nature cruises: Take Fido on a Perfect Nature Cruise out of Monkey Mia to see dugongs, turtles and dolphins.
- Boat hire: Hire a self-skippered electric boat from Nauti Picnics and cruise from Maylands Boat Ramp along the Swan River.
- The Sand Patch Coastal Platform: Found on Albany Wind Farm, this attraction is dog-friendly, free and a great place for whale watching between May and October.
Don’t miss:
- Wave Rock at Hyden
- Dog-friendly wineries in Margaret River and Denmark
- Movie star Red Dog (his statue) in Dampier
Stay
- RAC Monkey Mia and Exmouth resorts
- Tasman Holiday Parks at Denham Seaside and Albany
- Southern Stars Holiday Park, Dunsborough
- BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks, Busselton, Cowaramup, Emu Beach and Denmark Ocean Beach
- Wave Rock Caravan Park, Hyden
- Fremantle Village
- Broome’s Gateway Caravan Park
- Lake Argyle Resort and Caravan Park
Tasmania
Biosecurity check
There are biosecurity rules for dogs entering Tasmania, whether you arrive on the Spirit of Tasmania, or by plane. You need proof that your dog has been treated for hydatid disease within 14 days of arrival or face a fine.
Beaches
If you find a beach where dogs are restricted, it’s usually because of nesting birds.
Popular picks:
- Kingston Beach in Hobart
- Blackmans Bay in Hobart
- Spring Beach in Orford
- Denison Beach in Bicheno
- Nine Mile Beach in Swansea
- Swimcart Lagoon in Bay of Fires
- Carlton Park Beach in Sorell
National parks
Parks like Cradle Mountain and Freycinet National Park are off limits, but some conservation and nature reserves are good places to visit. Head to the Tas Parks website to find out more.
Main attractions
- Port Arthur Historic Site: Allows dogs but not in the visitor centre, the house museums or on the harbour cruise.
- Drive to Cockle Creek: Located at the bottom of Australia via Huon Valley and stop at Willie Smiths Apple Shed and Tahune Airwalk.
- Salamanca Market: Dogs are not allowed, but RSPCA volunteers offer puppy parking while you wander.
Don’t miss:
- kunanyi/Mount Wellington
- Bridestowe Lavender Farm
- Table Cape Tulip Farm
- Little Blue Lake, South Mount Cameron
- Devil’s Corner Cellar Door, Apslawn
- Bruny Island
Stay
- BIG4 Caravan Parks at Ulverstone, Stanley, Hobart Airport, Low Head and Saint Helens
- Discovery Parks at Hadspen, Hobart and Devonport
- Ross Caravan Park
- Captain Cook Holiday Park, Bruny Island.
- Longford Riverside Caravan Park
- Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park
On the right track
The Mary Valley Rattler train shakes, rattles and rolls from Gympie through Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland to Amamoor. It’s a 3.5 hour open-carriage journey through dairy farms and country that was once famous for timber and gold.
The Rattler has special carriages for passengers with pups and even a puppy platform.
You’ll find dog-friendly railway journeys all over the country:
- Qld: Mary Ann Steam Train, Maryborough and Atherton-Herberton Historic Rail, Herberton.
- Vic: Walhalla Goldfields Railway, Victoria Goldfields Railway Steam Train, Castlemaine; Puffing Billy Railway, Emerald, and Daylesford Spa Country Railway.
- Tas: Don River Railway, Don.
- SA: Moonta Mines Tourist Railway and the Cockle Train between Goolwa and Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
- WA: Hotham Valley Railway, Dwellingup.
Getting around capital cities
SA and WA: Only assistance animals are allowed on public transport.
NT: Only assistance dogs are allowed on buses.
Qld: Dogs on a lead and wearing a muzzle can travel (outside) on Brisbane River ferries, including CityCats between 8.30am–3.30pm and 7pm–6am weekdays, and all weekend.
NSW: Assistance animals can travel on all public transport. Pets, in animal containers, are allowed on buses, ferries (outside), light rail and taxis, with permission from staff. No pets on metro line, trains or in train stations.
ACT: Assistance animals allowed anywhere. Pets, in ‘containers’ permitted on light rail vehicles and buses with the driver’s permission.
Vic: Assistance animals allowed anywhere. Pets, in animal containers, can go on trains, trams, buses and V/Line trains on a lead and wearing a muzzle.
Tas: There is no information on pets travelling on public transport or on the metro bus service.
Dog-sitters
Whether it’s a friendly neighbour in the caravan park or a professional dog sitter, these pooch-loving carers are the perfect solution to when you really want to go somewhere but fur babies are not allowed.
Many nomads offer ‘dog swap’ favours, looking after each other’s dogs. But if you don’t trust neighbours with your best friend, dog sitters can come to the rescue.
Dog sitter Lynda Adrain at Mataranka Homestead Resort looked after Monty for us while we lounged around in the hot springs. She charges $15/hour … money well spent. He was treated like a king.
Prices vary wildly all over the country. Check with information centres, caravan parks and vets for a list of local pet sitters.
THE NEXT STEP
If you want to learn the latest caravan news, find the most innovative new caravans and camping gear or get inspired to plan your next adventure to some of Australia's best getaway destinations, subscribe to our weekly newsletter. We promise to send you only the best content.
Related Articles:
The best places to go with your pets during your Big Lap