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Dog Friendly Holidays Queensland – Queensland is a great state to vacation in because of its stunning beaches, majestic rainforests and waterfalls, charming cities and more. But what is traveling in Queensland like with a dog? How dog friendly is Queensland compared to the rest of Australia?
After spending over two months traveling around Queensland with our dog, I’m sharing my tips and experiences. There are certainly some destinations and cities that are more dog-friendly than others, but there are still plenty of dog-friendly places to stay, things to do, and places to eat across the state.
Dog Friendly Holidays Queensland
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Qld Family Holiday Parks
Whether you’re a native Queenslander or visiting the state with your pooch, these are just a few of the many dog-friendly holiday options around the state that you can do with your pooch.
Driving to the tip of Cape York is a bucket list item for many Australians visiting Queensland. Luckily, there’s no need to leave your pup behind when you do, as dogs can join you for the ride and a final photo stop at the top of Cape York.
Of course, there are restrictions on where dogs can and can’t go in Cape York, so plan your trip in advance and check the rules. There are many other dog travelers who can share advice.
Unfortunately, we have yet to complete this bucket list experience as we didn’t have a 4WD on our last drive across Australia. If you only have a 2WD car, I recommend heading to the tropical outpost of Cooktown, a wonderfully dog-friendly town.
Top Pet Friendly Accommodation In Queensland, Australia
Even if you don’t make it all the way to Cape York, or even half the Queensland coastline, you’ll still pass countless beautiful beaches along the way, many of which are dog-friendly and off-leash. Or even off the beaten path, don’t miss a stop in many of them, to dip in the water or just walk along the sand. This is an easy item to check off your bucket list!
After running the entire East Queensland coastline with my dog, I’ve compiled this list of the best dog-friendly beaches in Queensland, stretching from tropical North Queensland to the Gold Coast. For each beach, I explain the rules for visiting dogs (with most dogs not allowed on a leash), although always check the latest signs.
Just be careful when visiting the north Queensland beaches with your dog. From north of Gladstone, both crocodiles and sea otters are a danger. Look for signs at local beaches, and if in doubt, stay and play on the sand away from the water’s edge.
The best place to hunt dinosaurs in Australia is Outback Queensland, especially the area between Winton, Richmond and Hohenden. While not all attractions and museums are dog-friendly, there are still plenty of things you can do with your dog
Dog Friendly Guide To Rainbow Beach
The most dog-friendly option is to visit the Flinders Discovery Center in Hoganden. With a wall of photos of four-legged visitors, this small local museum welcomes dogs to join you.
The highlight of the museum is the ‘Hugh’, a life-size replica of the 7m Motaburrosaurus skeleton found at the site. There is also an extensive collection of fossils, including dinosaur bones. The museum recently reopened after extensive renovations, with new exhibits and a cafe.
In Richmond, you’ll be limited to taking selfies with your dog next to the Cronosaurus statue outside Cronosaurus Corner, Australia’s premier marine fossil museum. However, ask about purchasing a permit to visit local fossil hunting sites where dogs are said to be allowed to join you. Fossil hunting is also possible at Hughenden.
Winton is the star attraction of the three towns. Not far from the city is the National History Museum of the Age of Dinosaurs with an impressive collection of fossils of Australia’s largest dinosaurs. Kennels are available online but have mixed reviews.
The Best Pet Friendly Campsites And Holiday Parks In Queensland
Maybe hire a dog sitter for the day instead (ask at the information center or vet). Also use a dog handler for trips to Dinosaur National Monument at Lark Quarry Conservation Park, where dogs are not allowed.
Queensland has countless islands from very large to very small. Although dogs are not allowed on many of the islands, some of which are in national parks, there are still many islands in Queensland that you can visit with your dog.
Close to Brisbane, three dog-friendly islands to visit are Bribie Island, North Stradbroke Island and Cochiamodello Island. It’s an easy drive to Bribie Island, one of the best dog-friendly beaches around Brisbane. If you have a 4WD, North Stradbroke Island is perfect for a weekend, camping by the beach with your dog. while the tiny island of Koochimudlo makes an easy day trip from Brisbane.
Further up the coast are two dog-friendly tropical islands, Great Keppel Island and Magnetic Island. My pick is Great Keppel Island, which is perfect for a dog-friendly day trip from Japan, enjoying the sun, sand and water with the dog by your side. Magnetic Island is best to travel with your dog, if you drive through, maybe stay a few nights at a dog friendly Airbnb.
Dog Friendly Queensland: Holidaying In Qld With A Dog
Find out more about visiting Queensland’s dog-friendly islands, including getting there, things to do with your dog and pet-friendly accommodation.
While Queensland’s coastline stretches for thousands of kilometres, the Queensland Outback region is even wider. There are countless towns and outposts throughout that are perfect for a dog-friendly road trip.
Local tourism authorities have compiled a list of Queensland road trips that traverse the outback with names such as the Overlander’s Way and the Matilda Way. Recommendations for sights and towns to visit on each route, with brochures and detailed maps available at tourist information centers.
Keep in mind that temperatures can get very hot in the summer months, so maybe move indoors during the cooler months of the year – your dog will certainly appreciate the milder temperatures!
Pet Friendly Holidays In Queensland
In many ways, Queensland is Australia’s food bowl, with a huge variety of fruit, vegetables and more grown in the state and going to supermarkets across the country. Even better, though, is sampling some of the local produce from roadside stalls, sometimes at cheaper prices, while your dog is often allowed by your side.
Some of my top recommendations include buying bananas around Mission Beach, sampling coffee around Mareeba in the Atherton Tablelands and foraging for mangoes around Bowen. (Kensington Pride mangoes are also known as Bowen mangoes; if you’re traveling outside mango season, buy mango jelly at Big Mango in the south of the city.)
Now, for most of the things on this list, I haven’t picked just one place to visit. But I couldn’t resist specifically including the historic village of Herberton.
This historic museum complex on the Atherton Tablelands, not far from Cairns, is the largest private historic village in Australia. In addition to the collection of more than 60 buildings, each of these buildings is filled with historical memorabilia, from classic cars and carriages to sewing machines and bottles. You need at least a full day to explore everything, tickets valid for up to three days.
Dog Friendly Accommodation
Best of all, leashed dogs can join you, including inside buildings! Walking your dog around with plenty of water bowls is a fun experience. Dogs are also welcome to join you for coffee and a light meal on the teahouse veranda, plus regular steam train trips every Sunday.
It’s worth a trip to North Queensland to visit this amazing historical museum with your dog.
If you prefer the leisurely pace of a cruise where you can watch the sights go by, perhaps accompanied by commentary from the captain, there are a number of dog-friendly cruise ships you can board in Queensland.
In north Queensland, at least one Daintree River cruise company allows dogs on board with advance notice. Alternatively, head to St George in Outback Queensland and enjoy a sunset cruise on Sandytown River Cruises.
Top 15 Dog Friendly Camping Grounds In Queensland
We had a great morning on the Noosa River thanks to the Noosa Dog Friendly Ferry. However, this option is limited to small dogs that can fit on your lap. In Brisbane, you can travel with dogs of all sizes on Brisbane River Cruises and CityCats, as long as you avoid rush hour and your dog is muzzled.
Although many of Queensland’s most beautiful attractions don’t allow dogs, I’m sure you’ll agree that there are still plenty of dog-friendly options!
I’ve put together a number of dog friendly guides to Queensland covering everything from dog friendly beaches and botanic gardens to guides to the many cities and regions we visited. Check out these for more information, including pet-friendly accommodation recommendations and dining options
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