By Jessica Palmer,
December 22, 2022
Aptly named ‘Scentral Park’, the Big4 Ballarat Windmill Caravan Park has taken pet friendly sites to a whole new level. Now when you holiday with your furry friend, you can book into a site with its very own dog fence that encloses your van, vehicle and of course, your pet. Featuring double sliding gates that roll back into position, there is no longer a need to keep your dog tied up at the campsite.
And it’s only going to get better. With a natural swim pond under construction, you’ll soon be able to swim with your furry travelling companion. The Billabong is a living ecosystem water garden that doesn’t require the use of chemicals and requires little maintenance.
Bring on the good old days of swimming in a water hole with the family dog!
More Aussie caravan parks are providing facilities for pets
It’s not just Melbourne caravan parks jumping on the bandwagon though. NRMA Dubbo Caravan Park has also levelled up its pet friendly offerings. Boasting various accommodation options that welcome pets, there is even a fenced off-leash area for your furry pal to get some exercise.
If you’re looking for pet friendly caravan park on the NSW Coast, check out Tathra Beachside. Pets are welcome in pet cottages and villas and on all powered and ensuite sites. There is a warm dog wash in the main guest laundry and the whole park is only metres from the dog-friendly Tathra Beach.
Canberra also has a great offering in the pet friendly Capital Country Caravan Park. Book into one of the four ‘dog freedom’ sites which offer a fenced yard around your van or try out one of the two pet friendly bungalows.
Some caravans parks even specialise in being pet friendly
Over in sunny QLD, The Summit 1770 caravan park in the stunning Agnes Water region specialises in dog friendly accommodation. Let your pooch free in the large fenced dog area for a run and a swim in the dam. While the dogs are having a great time being social, the humans usually gather around a large fire pit with their favourite beverage.
In SA, you’ll find pet friendly cabins with their own fenced yard at Pine Country Caravan Park with the same on offer at Riverbend Caravan Park. Although the latter is located right on the banks of the mighty Murray.
Last but not least, over in WA, check out Coral Coast Caravan Park in Carnarvon for a pet friendly cabin that boasts a fenced-off BBQ area to enjoy time outdoors with your dog. In Dunsborough, you’ll find Southern Stars Caravan Park with pet extra-large pet friendly fully-fenced sites.
It seems that the days of tethering your dog to the caravan awning are on the way out as more and more caravan parks have levelled up their pet friendly offerings. So if you are wanting to take advantage of the opportunity to camp with your dog leash-free, be sure to plan in advance as these sites book out fast.
I recently stayed at Riverwood Downs in my caravan with my 2 dogs next to Barrington Tops NSW between Dungog and Stroud.
Comfortably the best Dog Friendly caravan park I’ve ever seen. Main rule is if your dong wont recall, keep them on lead. So much space and water for them to play in. Their souvenir shop has dog toys, treats and leads, etc. I say this to show they’re actually dog friendly, not just tolerated.
They have a rather awesome restaurant with 2 indoor and 1 outdoor (undercover) eating areas. 1 indoor and the outdoor allow dogs. I enjoyed the best steak I’ve had with my dog lying on the floor next to me in the outdoor area.
2:30 north of Sydney. Last 8kms good condition gravel road. Plenty of caravans in the lot, so they make it fine. I’ve stayed their once but count myself as a regular now…