George and Inca at Suicide Beach
Experiences

Tassie tails: exploring the island's best dog-friendly adventures

From zoomies along a pristine beach to stretching out in front of a roaring fire, leap into our guide to dog-friendly spots across the island.

Beaches for days

With more than 3000 kilometres of beautiful coastline and a relatively small population, it’s easy to find a beach to suit your and your dog’s needs in Tasmania. Whether you want to hang with other four-legged friends at a dog beach – like the northern end of Kingston Beach – or find a mega scratch of sand to call your own for the day, there are so many on offer. Our longest beach, Ocean Beach near Strahan, has around 40km of sand to share (and nearby Macquarie Head offers a dog-friendly camping spot too).

Lisa Fagg, who lives in Rocky Cape on the north-west coast with her border collies Inca, 13, and George, 8, has thrown a stick or two along more than her fair share of stunning Tasmanian beaches. She particularly loves Nine Mile Beach near Stanley. “There are so many beaches, but that one’s a great spot to be able to take the dogs to – it’s absolutely massive.” she says.

Dogs on lead are allowed along many of the world-famous beaches of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, including some of the camping areas and walking tracks. While Freycinet National Park is off-limits for dogs, the nearby Coles Bay Conservation Area is not.

Just remember that some beaches are strictly dog-free, and some have restrictions for the times of day that dogs can visit during busy summer or shorebird breeding seasons. Check with the local council before you go, and read and obey signs when you get there.

Dogs love beach adventures
East Beach, Low Head
Get your nature fix

While dogs are generally not allowed into Tasmania’s national parks, they are often welcome in our reserves and conservation areas – be sure to pay special attention to the signposted rules. Just up – literally – from Hobart’s CBD, many of the walking tracks around The Springs on kunanyi/Mt Wellington allow dogs on leads. Grab a coffee and snack, and make use of the dog water bowl at Lost Freight cafe before or after your stroll.

If you’re desperate to visit a national park or other restricted area, Lisa recommends looking at local dog carers – there are various options across the state. “If I’m going to a national park, like Cradle Mountain, then yes, I’d be booking pet sitting, or doggy daycare for the day, but generally if I’m going on holiday, I’m going on holiday with the dogs, so I go places that the dogs can go.”

Lisa suggests considering the Hydro Tasmania lakes areas as dog-friendly alternatives to national parks. “There are plenty of beautiful spots you can check out with your dog at the lakes, and camping around them as well,” she says. “They’re really lovely.”

Well-known Bradys Lake in the Central Highlands has three campgrounds to choose from, with brown and rainbow trout galore for the happy fisher and their best four-legged friend. Check out Hydro’s site finder for more options and details.

Cycling on Bruny Island
George, Inca and friends at Central Plateau Conservation Area
Wobbly Boot Vineyard

Credit: © Osborne Images 2017

Foodie pooches

Plenty of Tasmania’s gastronomical delights are available to those who travel with their dog, with many distilleries, wineries, beer gardens and cafes welcoming pets. Loira Vines is one of many in the Tamar Valley that welcomes dogs on lead; further south Devil’s Corner Winery, Wobbly Boot Vineyard and Wattlebanks Cafe do too. Dogs are allowed right into the tasting rooms at McHenry Distillery on the Tasman Peninsula, and at Dunalley Bay Distillery.

For the most discerning of hounds, Sisterhood cafe in Hobart has dog biscuits and puppuccinos on its menu, and Apricus in Launceston gives puppuccinos for free to the goodest boys and girls – perfect after a stroll along the nearby dog-friendly walking trails.

Some of the island’s outdoor markets are dog-friendly, including Hobart Twilight Market, while at Salamanca Market you can make use of puppy parking, where your dog can be left in the care of an RSPCA Tasmania staff member for up to two hours for $5; look for the RSPCA tent on the Parliament Lawns area.

Treats at Sisterhood
A happy Sisterhood customer
A puppuccino from Apricus
For something a little different...

Give your hound a bird’s eye view by walking them along the Tahune Air Walk treetops tracks. It’s all aboard for on-lead dogs at the west coast’s Don River Railway and occasionally, on one of their Doggy Days Out, you’ll even get a discount if you BYO pooch.

Frolic through some of Tasmania’s most picturesque and colourful flower farms, such as Table Cape Tulip Farm, which opens for the season on 26 September until late October. In late summer/early autumn, head to Mount Gnomon Farm to enjoy the golden sunflowers or, for a spectacularly purple backdrop, take a calming stroll through the world’s biggest privately owned lavender farm, Bridestowe Lavender Estate. Get the camera out – or pay one of the professionals who are often present – and capture a special moment in time.

For Lisa, travelling with her four-legged family members is a joy. “I don’t have kids. I’ve never wanted kids. The dogs, for me, are family, so they are a huge part of my life. They’re here for such a short time, giving them their best life possible is what I like to do. I get a lot of enjoyment from watching them enjoy where they are and what they’re doing, even just being able to sit and share the scenery. That makes me happy.”

Bridestowe Lavender Estate

Credit: Jamie Douros & Camille Helm

Paws & relax: dog-friendly accommodation

From fancy tents to the cutest of Airbnbs, here are a few dog-friendly options:

Yurt in Yolla

Up a secluded gravel road on the north west coast is the Yurt in Yolla. Step out from your glamping tent and into 8 hectares for you and your doggo to explore all on your own (apart from the sheep, goats and native wildlife you’re likely to meet).

Shepherds Story

Shepherds Story, an off-grid historic cottage in picturesque Ross, has been beautifully refurbished with sustainability in mind. Fully fenced, it’s a great spot to unwind before taking your furry friend for a country stroll.

Tiny Percival

Take your dog for a ferry ride to Bruny and wind your way down to the secluded Tiny Percival. With uninterrupted views of the wild ocean, it’s a romantic cabin where your pooch can feel the wind in their fur.

Whalers Rest

Picture your pooch stretched out on the big, sunny deck at Whalers Rest in Bicheno. Take them for a long walk along the walking track that winds along the local beaches then relax in the fully fenced, family-friendly home.