Best Dog Friendly Accommodation Nsw – As a lifelong resident of New South Wales, Australia, I thought there weren’t many options for vacationing with dogs. But whether the situation is becoming more dog-friendly or you’re just looking to see what’s available, there’s plenty to do with your dog on holiday in New South Wales.
Of course, New South Wales is still not the most dog-friendly place in the world, but there are still plenty of options for a dog-friendly holiday in New South Wales. Find out more, from pet-friendly accommodation ideas to fun things to do in NSW with your dog.
Best Dog Friendly Accommodation Nsw
The biggest problem when holidaying with a dog is not finding suitable accommodation. Fortunately, there are plenty of dog-friendly accommodation options in New South Wales.
Take Your Pet
If you want to stay in a hotel, there are more and more hotels in Sydney. Browse our list of dog-friendly hotels in Sydney, from luxury to boutique hotels and beachfront accommodation.
There aren’t many dog-friendly hotels outside of Sydney, but there are some great ones. For example, Bannister’s has dog-friendly rooms in Port Stephens and Mollymook, and Abode Marua Bay, near Batemans Bay, is dog-friendly. Check out our latest list of stylish pet-friendly hotels on the New South Wales coast.
The Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and just over the border in Canberra offer plenty of opportunities. Some country motels, including those along the Hume River, may have a dog-friendly room or two (always worth asking).
If you are staying in an Australian hotel with your dog, it is best to book directly with the hotel. This is often the only way to book with your pet.
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If you’re visiting regional NSW, the dog-friendly option is a dog-friendly caravan park. I think more than half of NSW caravan parks are dog friendly, but some inland areas are even more dog friendly.
It is important to note that dogs are generally only allowed in campsites and only some NSW parks have pet-friendly cabins. Parks vary in how dog-friendly they are. For example, some dog-friendly caravan parks have things like dog washing stations and fenced areas. See my recommendations for other dog friendly caravan parks in NSW.
Please also note that some caravan parks only allow dogs on a seasonal basis. The most common peak times when dogs are off limits are Christmas, New Year and Easter. This is often used in coastal caravan parks. Be sure to check with the park directly to find out if dogs are allowed, as well as any restrictions and current rules.
There are also dog-friendly campsites outside of the regular caravan parks. If you don’t have your own tent, check out pet-friendly glamping tents in NSW.
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Some NSW caravan parks have dog-friendly cabins, but this is still the minority. Outside of Sydney, dog-friendly holiday rentals are often the best option if you don’t want to stay in your own caravan or camper. This is a great option, especially if you’re vacationing with a large family or group, but smaller rentals are usually available as well.
There are several websites dedicated to people who want to holiday with their dogs in Australia, such as Holidays With Dogs. However, you can filter vacation homes on both Stayz and Airbnb to select pet-friendly options. We’ve compiled two lists of dog-friendly coastal Airbnbs on the NSW North Coast and the NSW South Coast.
So what are the best places to walk your dog in NSW? Here are my top suggestions for things to do with your dog.
No matter which part of the state you’re visiting, be sure to check out my guide to the best fenced dog parks in NSW.
Kangaroo Valley Pet Friendly Accommodation
There are many beautiful beaches along the New South Wales coast, and many are dog-friendly, especially if you venture out of the city. Some beaches, such as the beautiful beaches of Jervis Bay, only allow dogs off-leash during limited hours or only on a leash, but dogs are allowed off-leash 24/7. There are also many beaches that allow.
To add some beautiful beaches to your itinerary, check out our list of the best dog-friendly beaches in NSW. I created this list after traveling up and down the coast with my pup and visiting dozens of beaches. The best thing is that on all the beaches I have presented, dogs are free to walk all day without any time restrictions.
Many of NSW’s most popular hiking trails are located in national parks, so if walking your dog isn’t on the agenda, there are other great dog-friendly trails around the state.
A good place to start is to check out the hiking trails in nearby national forests. Did you know that dogs are allowed in all NSW forests?
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While in Coffs Harbour, visit Seeley Lookout in Orara East State Forest and enjoy hiking nearby. Strickland State Forest near Gosford, near Sydney, has a number of popular walks.
Many other footpaths are located within municipal boundaries or outside national parks. For lots of dog-friendly travel inspiration for your next trip, check out my list of dog-friendly trips in New South Wales.
New South Wales is home to many great wine regions and luckily many cellar doors allow dogs to participate in wine tastings. Some basement doors allow only your dog access to the outdoors, while others allow your dog to join you from time to time in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment or by the fireplace. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details and make a reservation.
Another great option for sightseeing with your dog is to visit dog-friendly gardens. Unfortunately, many gardens in NSW do not allow dogs, including many of the NSW Botanic Gardens, but luckily there are some great gardens where you can bring your pet dog.
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For example, in Cowra you can visit the Cowra Japanese Garden, the largest Japanese garden in the southern hemisphere. Dogs are welcome, including in the outdoor cafe area. Alternatively, head to the dog-friendly Oberon or the ever-popular Mayfield Gardens.
For ideas on gardens to visit, including the best time to visit, see my guide to dog-friendly gardens in NSW.
The same rules apply to dog feeding in New South Wales as in the rest of Australia and New Zealand. In other words, dogs are allowed in outdoor dining areas of cafes and restaurants, even if requested by the owner/manager. Additionally, NSW regulations make it clear that dogs must be kept on a lead, unfed, on the ground and must not cross enclosed areas to access outside areas.
Whether in the city, on the coast or in the country, we enjoyed most of the cafes and restaurants when traveling around New South Wales with our dogs. In my personal guide to different parts of New South Wales, I’ve picked out a few dog-friendly places to eat. Check out my recommendations for other dog-friendly cafes and dog-friendly pubs around Sydney.
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If you’re having trouble finding dog-friendly eateries, you can always get takeout or find one of the state’s many picnic areas. Dogs must generally stay 10 meters away from food preparation and eating areas in the park, so bring a picnic blanket or sit with your pooch away from the barbecue.
The easiest way to travel with your dog in New South Wales is with your own car. In particular, your dog may be used to traveling by car and this will help him get used to the concept of travel. But what other options do we have?
If you don’t have your own car or it’s not roadworthy, you might consider renting a car. Please note that not all car rental companies in Australia allow pets to travel in their cars. To find out which companies have pet policies, see my guide to car hire companies in Australia.
Or, even if you have your own car, you might consider renting a pet-friendly camper. Owning a camper gives you the flexibility to stay at many of NSW’s dog-friendly caravan parks without having to resort to tent camping. You can also rent a camper with its own toilet and shower.
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Australia has a growing selection of pet-friendly campers. On a recent trip around New South Wales we rented a pet friendly camper from Apollo. For more information, see our guide to renting a pet-friendly camper. Be prepared to pay for your pet.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to travel with your pet on public transport throughout NSW unless it is close to home. This is because pets are not allowed on trains within NSW, including Sydney Trains, Intercity Trains and Country Link. Pet trainers are also not eligible to participate.
