Dog-friendly destinations in Australia

The Australian dog lovers’ destination guide, compiled by Pet Journo Caroline Zambrano for Dogs Life magazine March/April 2016 issue shares some great dog-friendly destinations in Australia.

Dogs are such a big part of our family that we want to take them wherever we go, whether it’s on holiday or just a fun day out. From dog-friendly park and camping sites to hotels and events, there’s a tail-wagging place for every dog and his owner to enjoy together.

A popular place for dog-loving travellers in America is the Dog Bark Park Inn in Idaho, which is a giant building shaped like a Beagle, complete with doggy-themed amenities such as doggy pillows and doggy biscuits on arrival. But you don’t have to travel across the world to have your dog-loving fun, Caroline Zambrano has put together some of the popular places of interest for dog lovers in Australia.

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia, New South Wales

Doggy beach at Roland Reserve, bayview. Roland Reserve (also known as Bayview Reserve) is one of the most popular dog-friendly beach areas in Sydney. More information about Roland Reserve.

Café Bones, Leichhardt in Sydney. The world’s first dog-friendly café. Visit Cafe Bones website or phone (02) 8086 2433.

North Coast Holiday Parks, Jimmys Beach, Hawks Nest. Jimmys Beach Holiday Park offers dog-friendly camping grounds surrounded by diverse wildlife, vast sand dunes and rugged headlands. Visit North Coast Holiday Parks for more information or phone (02) 4997 0466.

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia, Victoria

Brighton Dog Beach, Brighton. A half-hour drive south-east of Melbourne is Brighton Dog Beach, designed specifically for canines. Visit Bayside City Council for more information.

Johanna Beach, Great Otway National Park. Located just off the Great Ocean Road in the Great Otway National Park, Johanna Beach welcomes dogs but they have to be on a lead. Visit Parks Victoria for more information.

Cornerstone & Co Café, Hampton. Melbourne’s The Cornerstone & Co Café offers a tasty menu and a great atmosphere for people and their pets to come together in a welcoming space. Visit Cornerstone & Co Facebook for more information and location or phone (03) 9521 6865.

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia, South Australia

O’Sullivan Beach, Onkaparinga. O’Sullivan Beach is located around 30km south of Adelaide and is well known for being dog-friendly. Visit Onkaparinga City Council for more information.

Lipson Cove, Eyre Peninsula. Lipson Cove is a quiet, sandy bay located on the breathtaking Eyre Peninsula, not far from Tumby Bay. Visit District Council of Tumby Bay for more information.

The Wright Road Dog-Friendly Park, Crafers in Adelaide. The Wright Road Dog-Friendly Park is the only off-leash, fenced-off dog park in the Adelaide Hills. Visit Adelaide Hills Council for more information.

Thyme Café, Adelaide. Thyme Café is located on Victoria Square in Adelaide and welcomes canines with open paws! Visit Thyme Cafe Restaurant for more information or phone (08) 8231 9093.

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia, Western Australia

Pet Lovers Café, Perth. The Pet Lovers Café in Marylands is a pet boutique and bakery where you can take your dog to socialise and enjoy quality dog bakery treats. Visit the Pet Lovers Cafe website for more information.

Peasholm Beach, Perth. It’s a fabulous spot for a walk or swims with your canine friend in calm conditions. Visit City of Stirling for more information

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia, Northern Territory

Longreach Water Hole, Elliot. Longreach Water Hole is a dog-friendly bush camping area that is part of the Lake Woods wetlands.

Café Central, Darwin. Rumoured to have the best coffee in Darwin, the café welcomes dogs of all shapes and sizes. Visit Cafe Central for more information or phone (08) 8948 4465.

Watertank Café, Alice Springs. Watertank Café is one of the few cafes in Alice Springs where dogs are welcome. Visit Watertank Cafe Facebook for more information or phone (08) 8953 0655.

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia, Queensland

Sheoak Shack, Tweed Heads. Sheoack Shack is a relaxed dog-friendly café and art gallery located on beautiful Fingal Beach in Tweed Heads. Visit Sheoack Shack for more information.

Sunshine Beach, Noosa. A popular spot for dog-loving visitors to Noosa. Visit Noosa Council for more information.

Flanagan Reserve, Barney View. The camping grounds are dog-friendly – as long as your pooch is on a leash. Visit Flanagan Reserve for more information.

Atticus Finch Café, Brisbane. Atticus Finch Café is a dog-friendly café in Paddington. Visit Atticus Finch Cafe Facebook for more information or phone (07) 3367 2448.

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia, Tasmania

Okines Beach, Dodges Ferry. Okines Beach is an unpatrolled beach with usually calm conditions at the shore and a year-round off-leash dog exercise area. Visit Sorell Council for more information.

Little Beach, Chain of Lagoons. Located in Lagoons Beach Conservation Area, Little Beach camping ground sits between a lagoon and a beautiful dog-friendly, white beach along the Little Beach State Reserve. Visit Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania for more information.

The Lansdowne Crescent Café, Hobart. There is seating outside and, more importantly, it is dog-friendly! Visit The Lansdowne Crescent Cafe Facebook for more information.

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia, Australian Capital Territory

Silo Bakery, Canberra. A lovely boutique bakery in Kingston. Plus it’s dog-friendly! Visit Silo Bakery for more information.

Exhibition Park, Mitchell. The park boasts the only dog-friendly camping in the city. Visit Exhibition Park for more information on events and camping with your pooch.

Curtin Playing Fields Walk, Canberra. A favourite walk with dog lovers, the Curtin Playing Fields Walk extends off-leash opportunities nearly the whole way. Visit Canberra Dog Walks for more information.

Dog-friendly destinations in Australia source

Story supplied by our friends at Dogs Life magazine Issue 136 Mar/April 2016.