The Best Dog-Friendly Camping Spots In Australia

It has become quite difficult to take your dog camping in Australia. Dog-friendly campsites are becoming harder and harder to find, and most accommodation providers have no allowance for pets anymore. 

Here, I’ve listed some of the best dog-friendly camping sites in the country. If you use these, you won’t have to place your furry friend in a kennel when you go on holiday. Instead, you will be able to enjoy your time with them, wherever you go!

Best Dog-friendly Camping Sites in New South Wales

Coachwood Camping Area

Located in the Chichester State Forest, the Coachwood Camping Area is a favourite place to go camping with dogs in NSW. It’s located on the Telegherry River, providing ample opportunity for water-based activities.

It’s also completely free with an off-leash area. There’s a neat walk trail to the Problem Creek falls, and you will find plenty of wildlife in the area.  

Location: Chichester State Forest, 2.5 hours north of Sydney.

Price: Free

Wollondilly River Station

At Wollondilly River Station, you will find a selection of pet and family-friendly camping facilities. The station is located in the Southern Highlands, and it’s easy to find a campsite with river frontage.

Camping here will really take you back to the basics. There’s no power, no freely available drinking water, and very limited mobile coverage. If you’re looking for somewhere new in NSW to take your pooch, this is a great option.

Location: Wombeyan Caves Road

Price: Adults $20 per night, school-aged kids $10 per night. Cash only.

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Mystery Bay Campground

The Mystery Bay Campground offers a number of dog-friendly camping spaces just metres from the beach. It sits just off the Princess Highway, making it a great place to stop for a night or two during road trips on the NSW south coast.

Expect unpowered sites with cold showers, drinking water, and long drop toilets.

Location: 190 Mystery Bay Road, Mystery Bay

Price: Adults $12 per night (off-peak) or $17.50 per night (on-peak)

Best Dog-friendly Camping Sites In Queensland

Lake Maroon Camping

Lake Maroon offers an inland getaway for you and your dog. There is a selection of powered and unpowered sites available, and you will have access to a range of bush and water-related activities. Fires are permitted, and amenities blocks are available for all campers to use.

Location: 535 Burnett Creek Rd, Maroon (1.5 hours SW of Brisbane)

Price: From $18 per person, per night.

Flinders Beach

At Flinders Beach, you will find twelve 4wd-accessible, dog-friendly camping sites. These sit just metres from the ocean, providing space for you and your dog to enjoy the sunshine away from the crowds of the city.

Location: Stradbroke Island

Price: From $20 per site, per night

Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park

If you’re looking for something a little fancier, Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park is a great option. It boasts caravan park facilities, including powered sites and BBQ/cooking areas. And, it’s just a short walk to the beach and some excellent fishing spots.

You will even find dog-friendly cabins here.

Location: Cottonwood Street, Mudjimba, Qld

Price: Varies by date and site type

Best Dog-friendly Camping Sites In Victoria

Johanna Beach

The Johanna Beach campground is located at the western end of the Great Ocean Road, making it a great place to stop for a night or two on a short getaway from Melbourne. It sits just a few hundred metres from the beach and offers ample options for fishing, surfing, swimming, and just enjoying the salt and sun with your doggo.

Location: Red Johanna Road, Johanna (3 hours from Melbourne)

Price: From $28.30 per night

Lake Hindmarsh Reserve

Lake Hindmarsh is a seasonal lake that sometimes stays dry for years at a time. When it’s full, it’s an excellent spot to spend a short camping trip with your family and pets. Dog-friendly camping grounds are available all around the lake, and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place with a decent amount of privacy amongst the native bushland.

Location: 400km NW of Melbourne (4.5 hours drive)

Price: Free

Seaspray Caravan Park

The Seaspray Caravan Park sits just 3 hours east of Melbourne on the world-famous 90 Mile Beach. Here, you will find kilometre after kilometre of unspoiled golden beaches for fishing, walking, or swimming. And, this is a dog-friendly camping spot, so you can bring the entire family along.

Location: 1 Fulcher Road, Seaspray (3 hours east of Melbourne)

Price: From $40 per night for 2 adults, $20 per night for each additional adult.

Best Dog-friendly Camping Sites In Western Australia

Sandy Cape Recreation Park

The Sandy Cape Recreation Park is clearly one of WA’s best dog-friendly campgrounds, and it’s somewhere I’ve stayed numerous times over the years. It sits just a few hours north of Perth and boasts ocean views with excellent fishing, snorkelling, and swimming opportunities.

Location: Sandy Cape Road, Jurien Bay (250km north of Perth)

Price: $20 per night for up to 4 adults

Bungle Bungle Caravan Park

The Bungle Bungle Caravan Park provides a unique outback camping experience, and it lets you bring your dog along for the ride. There’s a friendly communal area, complete with a firepit, and you will be within reach of countless natural attractions and bushwalk opportunities.

Location: Great Northern Highway, Purnululu (2780km, 30 hours north of Perth)

Price: From $25 per night

Sues Bridge

The Sues Bridge campground provides access to the Blackwood River with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and just enjoying some time with your pooch. It boasts excellent amenities, including BBQs, picnic tables, and toilets. There’s also a selection of dog-friendly walking trails in the area that you can take advantage of on your next family holiday.

Location: Sues Road, Schroeder

Price: From $11 per person, per night

Best Dog-friendly Camping Sites In South Australia

Cohen Rest Area

The Cohen Rest Area sits alongside Cactus Beach and Lake MacDonnell, where you can view a world-famous pink lake. Take in the sights and see the whales in winter, or take your pooch for a surf on one of the many beaches in the area. Note, though, that there aren’t any toilets or drinking water available.

Location: Eyre Highway, between Penong and Bookabie (900km west of Adelaide)

Price: Free

Bendleby Ranges

The Bendleby Ranges sits within the southern Flinders Ranges, around 3.5 hours drive north of Adelaide. It boasts loads of dog-friendly walking trails, scenic drive routes, and campsites in the middle of the native bush. Firewood is included with all bookings.

Location: 741 Crotta Road, Orroroo (320km north of Adelaide)

Price: From $25 per adult per night (firewood included)

Lake Leake

Lake Leake sits approximately halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne in the very southeast corner of South Australia. It boasts free dog-friendly camping and caravan sites, along with loads of fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities.

Location: Glencoe W Road, Koorine (430km SE of Adelaide)

Price: Free

Best Dog-friendly Camping Sites In Tasmania

Cockle Creek

Cockle Creek sits just north of Tasmania’s southernmost tip, and there are a number of campsites on the northern side of the river that allow dogs. Here, you will find opportunities for bushwalking, swimming, kayaking, and more - all with the company of your best friend!

Location: 812 Cockle Creek Road, Recherche (120km south of Hobart)

Price: Free

Douglas River Cabins

The Douglas River Cabins is a great place to stay with your dog, cat, or other pet. Located North of Hobart, but within easy reach, it boasts river and ocean frontage, along with various accommodation options including basic self-contained camping.

Location: 1902 Tasman Highway (200km north of Hobart)

Price: Variable by site type and time of year

Bay of Fires

There are loads of different beach camping spots along the Bay of Fires coastline, in the northeast of the state. Here, you will find loads of protected bays, pure white beaches, and lichen-encrusted orange rocks. Plenty of space for walking your pooch and enjoying the great outdoors!

Location: North of St Helens

Price: Free

Best Dog-friendly Camping Sites In The Northern Territory

Robin Falls Rest Area

The Robin Falls rest area is far from the fanciest dog-friendly camping ground we’ve seen, but it has plenty to bring to the table. It’s just a short walk from the Robin Falls, and there are plenty of opportunities for walking, swimming, fishing, and other outdoor activities amongst the natural bushland.

Note that this is a bare-bones site, and you will need to be fully self-contained.

Location: Robin Falls (130km south of Darwin)

Price: Free

Banyan Tree Resort

The Banyan Tree Resort is located just outside of the Litchfield National Park, making it a great place to base yourself on your next adventure exploring Australia’s north. It’s a family-friendly location, boasting regular live music, various friendly animals, and close proximity to countless world-class waterfalls.

Location: 455 Litchfield Park Road, Rum Jungle (100km south of Darwin)

Price: From $15 per person

Ayers Rock Campground

If you’re planning to visit Uluru with your dogs, the Ayers Rock Campground could be the perfect place to stop for a night. Here, you can camp under the stars and enjoy the convenience of a swimming pool, BBQ areas, and a self-service laundry facility.

Location: 173 Yulara Drive, Yulara (20km north of Uluru)

Price: From $45 per night

For more tips on travelling and camping with your dog visit here.