Dog Friendly Holidays Queensland – Queensland is a great vacation destination, thanks to its incredible beaches, rainforests and waterfalls, outback villages, and more. But what is traveling to Queensland with a dog? How are Queensland dog friendly compared to other parts of Australia?
After more than two months of road trips around Queensland with our dogs, I’m sharing our tips and experiences. It’s true that some areas and cities are more dog-friendly than others, but there are plenty of dog-friendly places, activities, and places throughout the state.
Dog Friendly Holidays Queensland
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Whether you’re from Queensland or visiting the state with your dog, here are some dog-friendly holiday options around the state that you and your pup can enjoy.
Driving to the tip of Cape York is a bucket list item for many Australians traveling to Queensland. Luckily, there’s no need to leave your baby behind when you try this, and the dogs will join you on the trip with a final photo stop at the tip of Cape York.
Of course there are restrictions where dogs cannot go to Cape York, so plan your trip in advance and check the rules. There are many other travelers with dogs who can share stories.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t do this bucket list adventure because we don’t have 4WD on our local roads around Australia. If you have a 2WD driver, I recommend driving to Cooktown, which is a dog-friendly town.
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Even if you don’t go to Cape York or half the Queensland coast, the route will take you through many beautiful beaches, many dog-friendly beaches, and dogs allowed on leashes or leashes. Do not miss to stop at many of them, by dipping in the water or just walking on the sand. It’s easy to tick off your bucket list!
After driving the entire east coast of Queensland with my dog, I compiled this list of the best dog-friendly beaches in Queensland, from Tropical North Queensland to the Gold Coast. For each beach, I will explain the rules for visiting dogs (and most dogs are allowed off leash), although check the latest signs.
Be careful when visiting North Queensland beaches with your child. From Gladstone to the north, there are dragons and dangerous sea challenges. Check out the signs on the local beaches, and if you don’t hesitate, walk on the sand by the water.
Outback Queensland is a great place to hunt dinosaurs, especially the area between Winton, Richmond and Hughenden. Although attractions and museums may not be dog-friendly, there are still plenty of things you can do with your dog.
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A dog-friendly option is to visit the Flinders Discovery Center in Hughenden. This small indoor museum welcomes dogs inside, with a photo wall of four-legged visitors.
The highlight of the museum is ‘Hughie’, a 7m Muttaburrasaurus shell-sized specimen found in the area. There are also many collections of fossils, including many dinosaur bones. The museum reopened after extensive renovations, with new exhibits and a cafe.
In Richmond, you’ll take a selfie with your dog at the Kronosaurus statue outside the Kronosaurus Korner, Australia’s first marine fossil museum. However, ask about purchasing a permit to visit local hunting grounds, where dogs are allowed to accompany you. Fishing is also possible in Hughenden.
Winton is the star of three cities. Near the town is the National Museum of the Age of Dinosaurs, which has an amazing collection of fossils from Australia’s largest dinosaurs. Kennels are available on the site, but technically they are mixed.
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You can join a dog groomer for the day (ask at the information center or the vet). Also take advantage of a dog-guided tour of the National Dinosaur Footprint Monument at Lark Quarry National Park, where dogs are not allowed.
There are several islands in Queensland, from large to 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, Bribie Island, North Stradbroke Island and Coochiemudlo Island are three of the dog friendly islands. It’s an easy drive to Bribie Island, home to one of the best dog-friendly beaches around Brisbane. If you have a 4WD, North Stradbroke Island is perfect for a week, camping by the beach with your dog. Even the small island of Coochiemudlo is an easy drive from Brisbane.
Further up the coast, there are two dog-friendly islands like Eilean Mòr and Keapaich and Eilean Magnet. My pick is Great Keppel Island, which is a great dog day trip from Yeppoon, to enjoy the sun, sand and water with your baby by your side. Magnetic Island is best for visiting with your dog if you bring your car and maybe stay a couple of nights at a dog-friendly Airbnb.
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Find out more about visiting these dog-friendly islands in Queensland, including how to get there, what to do with your dog and the best places to stay.
Although Queensland’s coastline stretches for thousands of kilometres, Queensland’s outback is much wider. There are many outlying cities and towns, more suitable for dog-friendly travel.
With names like the Overlander’s Way and Matilda’s Way, the tourism authority has compiled a list of Queensland road trips that cross the backcountry. There are recommended places to see and towns to visit along each route, with detailed brochures and maps available at tourist information centres.
Remember that the temperature can rise significantly in the summer months, so maybe go outside in the colder months of the year – your dog will appreciate the lower temperature!
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Queensland is Australia’s food bowl in many ways, with many varieties of fruit, vegetables and other plants grown in the state, which make their way to supermarkets across the country. However, the best option is to taste some local products from street stalls, sometimes at low prices, and let your dog by your side.
Some of my top tips are buying bananas near Mission Beach, sampling coffee near Mareeba on the Atherton Tablelands and looking for sharks near Bowen. (The Kensington Pride mango is also known as Bowen’s Mango; visiting outside of mango season, buy mango gelato from Big Mango on the south side of town.)
Now, for the many things on this bucket list I only mentioned one place to visit. But I can’t resist the Herberton History Centre.
This historic museum on the Atherton Tablelands, near Cairns, is the largest private residence in Australia. In addition to the collection of more than 60 buildings, each building is full of old memorabilia, from old cars and carts to sewing machines to ships. You need a whole day to explore everything, and tickets are valid for three days.
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Best of all, dogs on leashes love to accompany you, even indoors! Walking with your child is a fun experience, and plenty of water bottles are available. Dogs are also welcome to join you for coffee and light refreshments on the veranda of the tea rooms, as well as steam train tours, which run every Sunday.
It’s worth heading to Far North Queensland to visit this famous museum, with your dog by your side.
If you want a fast paced trip, you can see the sights as you go, maybe with a captain’s note, there are many friendly walks you can take to Queensland.
In Far North Queensland, one of the Daintree tour companies allows dogs on flights, with prior notice. Alternatively, head to St George in Outback Queensland and enjoy a day trip with Sandytown River Cruises.
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We had a great morning on the Noosa River courtesy of the Noosa Ferry dogs. However, this option is limited to small dogs that fit in your lap. In Brisbane, you can also board Brisbane River Cruises and CityCats with large dogs, as long as you avoid peak hours and keep your dog on a leash.
While many of the best places to visit in Queensland don’t allow dogs, I’m sure you’ll agree that there are plenty of dog-friendly options!
I’ve put together a number of dog guides to Queensland, covering everything from dog beaches and botanical gardens, to guides to the towns and places we visited. For more information, including tips on pet lifestyle and food options, check out these
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