It used to be nearly impawsible to take your fur kid to a hotel, but these days pet-friendly getaways are more available than ever. Which is great, because who would want to leave such an important member of the family behind?
So, dig out the travel water bowl and kitty-walking harness, because we’re letting the cat out of the bag and revealing 10 of the best pet-friendly spots in Oz.
Insider tip: Every property has its own policy regarding pets – what types of animals they can accommodate, how many, size limits and so on. Check your intended stay’s policy before you book and give them a call if you have any questions. Then you’ll know your stay will be pawsome 🐶🐱
1. Sydney, NSW
Start your morning at one of the many dog-friendly parks before stopping off for foamy puppachinos (made with dog-friendly goats milk and crushed liver treats) at Cuckoo Callay in Surry Hills. Then stroll to Darling Square and drop your best mate off for a pamper session at Hachi Sydney, a decadent doggy spa, so they’ll be all glammed up for that perfect ‘gram snap.
Crystalbrook Albion has two dedicated pet-friendly rooms, available for an extra $95 per stay (service animals stay for free). Your fur kids will be treated as true guests, with their own bed, water and food bowls. But please remind them to wipe their paws at the door 🐾
2. Pomona, QLD
A charming farm stay in the stunning Noosa Hinterland for you AND your furry best friend? Yes, please! Set on 30 acres, Avalon Noosa Farm Cottages is a dream come true for pet and nature lovers. When you’re not kicking back in your own gorgeous self-contained cottage, make a day trip to Doggy Beach in Noosa Heads – one of the most picturesque off-leash beaches in Australia. Pets stay for free at Avalon Noosa Farm Cottages (woohoo!) – just give them a call after you’ve booked so they know your furry mate is coming. Bonus: You can bring up to two human kids for free as well, so long as they only need the bedding that’s already included in your booking.
3. Melbourne, VIC
Pooches are the true guests at the Element Melbourne Richmond — the humans are really just along for the ride. Your dog will get the celebrity treatment, with squeaky toys, treats, pats, designer dog bowls and they’re even allowed on the bed! When it’s time for walkies, wander down to the National Hotel for a pint with your dog in the pet-friendly beer garden or head to Collingwood’s Doghouse dog cafe for puppachinos and gourmet doggy lunch. Don’t worry – humans are welcome too 😉
Insider tip: Element is popular and fills up fast. Make sure you book ahead!
4. Canberra, ACT
Pets are welcome in the nation’s capital, with more pet-friendly stays than you can throw a stick at. There’s lots to do as well, with O’Connor Dog Park to play in, plenty of walking tracks, and pooch-friendly winery tours (like at Lerida Estate). Pets who have their sea legs can even spend a day on the water with Go Boat Canberra – they have life jackets for people AND pooches. Stay at the Pacific Suites Canberra for a great apartment in a handy location that even has a pool. Pets stay free, although they must be under 30kg. Give the property a call after you book so they can give you a pet-friendly room.
5. Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
It’s time for you and your fur baby to hit the beach – specifically Port Willunga, with its dedicated off-leash spots and picture-perfect scenery. The McCracken Country Club is just the place for pet-loving travellers – doggos are welcome and stay for free. Foodies are sorted too, with plenty of pet-friendly wineries nearby. Or if you’re more into beer, check out the Smiling Samoyed Brewery, which is named after the owner’s dogs.
6. Hollow Tree, TAS
An hour’s drive from Hobart, you’ll find pet-traveller paradise – Hollow Tree and Rathmore House. Stay with your furry friend in the converted shearer’s quarters for the real farm experience. There’s even a resident platypus to meet (well, quietly observe from a distance). Rathmore is also near the historic towns of Hamilton and Bothwell, which history buffs will love to sniff around. In fact, Bothwell is home to Australia’s – and likely the Southern Hemisphere’s – oldest golf course!
Pets stay for free at Rathmore, but be sure to give them a call after you book.
7. Perth, WA
Pets visiting Perth are in for a treat, with dog-friendly beaches, an enclosed dog park at Ellenbrook, and off-leash trails at Noble Falls. The cherry on top is there are stays like QT Perth, which welcomes small dogs (less than 20kg) and spoils them with dedicated poochie minibars. They even have a separate doggy room service menu and on-site grooming (because, hey, your fur baby’s on holiday too). But if you feel like venturing out, a trip to Union Kitchen on the Mindarie Marina is pretty much pawfect — they have a full dog menu, which includes mutt shakes and, in summer, pupsicles.
QT Perth have a limit of one pet per stay, with a $150 charge (service animals stay for free). Give them a call after you book to make the arrangements.
8. Darwin, NT
Dogs generally aren’t allowed in national parks like Kakadu and Litchfield, but there’s still lots of four-legged fun to be had in Darwin. Stop in at the Marlow Lagoon Dog Park, which is fully fenced and has some agility equipment. Dogs are also allowed on-lead at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and welcomed at nearby Eva’s Cafe. Make your trip pawfect with a stay at Mercure Darwin Airport Resort. The Mercure welcomes dogs and cats for $30 per accommodation per day (excluding service animals, who stay for free). Food and water bowls are available – call Mercure after you’ve booked to set everything up.
9. Hunter Valley, NSW
What’s wine country without a little whine? Not that your furry friend will have anything to be sad about at The Table Guesthouse in Greta. Bursting with French provincial charm, the Table Guesthouse is ideal for pets who love having playmates – there’s a resident puppy (Harvey the Jack Russell x poodle) and three friendly (but enclosed) chickens to meet. Fur babies stay for free and get tasty treats on arrival (yum!), but you will need to pay a $200 deposit to cover any potential, um, accidents 💦 Give Table a call after you’ve booked your stay to lock it all in.
10. Brisbane, QLD
What better way to start your pet holiday than with a Paddington pup pub and cafe crawl? Just don’t try saying it fast three times 😉 Check out doggy faves Remy’s, Kettle and Tin, Hope and Anchor, Atticus Finch and Java Lounge. Active doggos will love the Riverside Dog Park – a long stretch of off-lead space next to the Brisbane River. Or for a quiet night, head to the Yatala drive-in – one of only 16 left in Australia. Top it all off with a stay at W Brisbane – one of Brissie’s coolest 5-star hotels. Fur babies are welcome for an extra $50 per night (except service animals, who stay for free), plus there’s a $150 fee for cleaning. There’s a limit of one pet per stay, weighing no more than 20kg. Contact W Brisbane after you’ve made you’re booking to give them a heads-up.
Want to find more stays for you and your fur baby? Next time you search for a hotel on Wotif.com, narrow the results by ticking the ‘pet-friendly’ filter. It’s in the list on the left-hand side of the results, under Amenities. Or check out more of our fave pet-friendly stays here.
Heads up! Due to COVID-19, government restrictions are in constant review and travel guidelines may change. We strongly recommend that all travellers seek further information about destinations and attractions before scheduling trips or making bookings, take extra care and follow all rules.
