Revealed: Australia’s most welcoming towns for you and your pet

These are the destinations that welcome you and your pet pal with open arms.

Travelling is great, but travelling with your pet? Even better. But that’s not to say it doesn’t come without its challenges. Finding pet-friendly places to stay, eat and explore isn’t always simple.

Tripadvisor has revealed the most pet-friendly destinations in Australia, calculated using density and number of pet-friendly restaurants and destination lookers, uncovering where you and your pet pal should travel next.

Dogs are welcome at Pier One Sydney Harbour.

Pet-friendly holiday destinations in Australia

1. Rye, Victoria

Rye, at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, offers a wonderful variety of beaches, accommodations and dining options that make travelling with pets a breeze.

Several dog-welcoming beaches, including designated off-leash areas like the stretch between Daly Avenue and Shirlow Avenue, mean your pup can roam freely during certain hours. Accommodation-wise, MP Cottages and Eagles’ Nest cater to pooches, offering secure yards and proximity to the beach. There are also plenty of dog-welcoming cafes in the area, including St Andrews Beach Brewery and Cafe El Capitán where you and your furry friend can relax together with a bite to eat.

2. Rainbow Beach, Queensland

The dog-friendly Rainbow Beach Hotel (photo: Steve Madgwick).

Another coastal escape that should be on your radar if you live up north is Rainbow Beach.

As one of the few places in Queensland where dogs on a leash are permitted on the beach, this relaxed destination between the Sunshine Coast and K’gari Fraser Island is perfect for enjoying the warmer weather with your pooch. Many accommodations, like BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park and The Swans Nest Beach House will welcome you as well as top-notch cafes and pubs such as Little Parliament and Rainbow Beach Hotel.

3, Mudgee, NSW

The Zin House in Mudgee welcomes four-legged friends. (Image: The Zin House, Mudgee/DNSW)

Picturesque natural beauty, world-class wineries and your dog by your side? What more could you want! Hit the road and make a beeline for wine country as Mudgee offers pet-friendly hospitality, outdoor activities and a welcoming wine culture. Accommodation offerings include Wildhouse Guesthouse and BIG4 Mudgee Holiday Park, while numerous wineries such as Yeates and De Beaurepaire are pet-friendly.

4. Robe, SA

a family with their pet dog relaxing at Robe Holiday Park — Guests can bring pets to Robe Holiday Park.

The tiny town of Robe is renowned for its rich history, great fishing and beautiful beaches, lakes and bushland. There are several dog-friendly beaches and scenic walking trails here, so you can stay active and enjoy quality time in stunning natural surroundings. Tobruk Cottage and Lily’s Cottage are two of the best accommodation offerings for pet owners in the area, while Drift @ Robe offers delicious meals to enjoy with your friend by your side.

5. Dunsborough, WA

Hit the road with your pup for a scenic beachside road trip. (Image: Getty/ Vesnaandjic)

With picture-perfect beaches, world-class wine and a laidback WA vibe, Dunsborough offers a mix of relaxation and adventure for travellers and their pets alike. Dog-friendly beaches allow pets to roam off-leash outside of peak hours, while dog-friendly venues such as the elevated YARRI restaurant and the beer garden at Occy’s pub allow for enjoying local flavours.

Dog-friendly travel is on the rise

Tripadvisor and MY DOG® have unveiled a new digital hub for dog-friendly travel to make the planning process seamless. The hub is designed to connect Australian pet owners with dog-friendly travel options, such as restaurants, hotels and attractions.

According to TripAdvisor data, interest in dog-friendly restaurants in Australia has continued to grow in 2025, up nearly 10% on the previous period in 2024. This signals a growing demand and shift in Australia’s dining culture, where more eateries are opening their doors to our four-legged friends.

“Aussie travellers are incredibly passionate about their pets, often looking for ways to include them in every adventure," Tripadvisor’s Director of Sales, Scott Wegener, told Australian Traveller.

Pooches & Pinot offers exclusive, dog-friendly wine tasting experiences in the Yarra Valley.

While pet-friendly accommodation was once a niche offering, it’s quickly becoming more common due to demand. Tripadvisor found that listings labelled ‘pets allowed’ increased by 22% in the early months of 2025. This signals a growing demand for the travel industry to meet the needs of pet parents.

The Tripadvisor X MY DOG® hub will be pet owners’ ultimate resource for pet-friendly travel. You’ll find city guides featuring pet-friendly travel tips and attractions, an AI Trip Builder guided by traveller tips and reviews to plan your personalised itinerary, and listings for pet-welcoming hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs and attractions.

Many hotels and rentals now welcome four-legged guests. (Image: Getty/ Liudmila Chernetska)

The partnership aims to help pet parents “bond and create more meaningful moments with their furry companions," says Lisa Matheson, Mars Petcare Australia and New Zealand Marketing Director for MY DOG®.

“Whether it’s a quick weekend escape or a scenic beachside road trip, this partnership makes it easier to discover pet-friendly stays, venues and experiences right across the country," explained Wegener.

Visit the new Tripadvisor x MY DOG® travel hub and create your perfect pet-inclusive adventure.

Discover some of Australia’s most pet-friendly hotels

As the cooler weather rolls in, head to this popular Sunshine Coast destination to enjoy stunning natural beauty, culinary wonders and mild temperatures.

As southern Australia’s weather starts to cool – the frost visiting every morning and the evening chill descending at dusk – you might reach for your thickest cable knit sweater and warmest blanket. But why not reach for your suitcase and sunglasses and book a ticket to Noosa in winter instead?

Sure, it’s a favourite destination for sun-seeking summer travellers. But as locals will readily tell you, winter is the best time to uncover hidden gems across the region – not only is the weather mild and enjoyable, but the beaches and hinterland are picture-perfect, too. You might even spot a whale or two if you visit from June to September.

Discover how to spend your winter surrounded by Noosa’s stunning natural beauty.

Noosa Rivermouth And Main Beach — Make the most of mild temperatures of Noosa in winter.

Where to eat in Noosa

Known for its dynamic cuisine, Noosa is an overflowing foodie destination. Whatever your tastebuds fancy, the region has it covered.

There are the classic eateries, like lively beachfront Bistro C (try the caramelised pork belly), popular Season Restaurant on Hastings Street (order the spanner crab pasta) and stylish Locale (our pick is the slow roasted White Pyrenees lamb shoulder).

There are also chic new restaurants offering tasty dishes, like the Mediterranean fare at Pelis , Cantonese-inspired dim sums at Sabrosa , organic sourdough pizza from El Capitano , traditional recipes and tequila at Dona Cocina Mexicana and modern Italian-Australian creations from Lucio’s Marina .

diners at Lucio's Marina in noosa in winter — Taste modern Italian-Australian at Lucio’s Marina. (Image: Nickolas May)

Where to stay in Noosa

Once you’re full, you’ll need to find a place to lay your head, and Noosa has no shortage of accommodation options. From five-star resorts with palm-fringed lagoon pools to self-catered apartments and family-friendly budget options, stays in the heart of the action on Hastings Street to sleeping steps from the beach or in more spacious and relaxed accommodation along the river, Noosa offers something for everyone.

There’s the laid-back luxury of Netanya Noosa overlooking Noosa Main Beach, which offers studios, two- and three-bedroom apartments, or the family-oriented Ivory Palms Resort in Noosaville, with its three pools, jumping pillow and playground. Guests also love the versatile RACV Noosa Resort and its numerous pools, waterslides and tennis courts.

For a wildlife experience, hop on a ferry and travel to the eco-friendly Senses Noosa North Shore . Surrounded by 16 hectares of native bushland, the beautiful architect-designed property blends indoor and outdoor living and offers three stunning pools and a spa. Guests can even spot kangaroos and rainbow lorikeets from shaded verandahs.

a beachfront swimming pool at Netanya Noosa — Gaze over Noosa Main Beach at Netanya Noosa. (Image: Lumea Photo)

Things to do on land

There’s no denying it, the main beach – with its creamy-coloured sand, consistent breaks and epic coastline views – is Noosa’s shining star attraction. Bordering this is the wildly popular Noosa National Park, where you can explore over 15 kilometres of walking tracks, including options like the Coastal Walk, Tanglewood Walk and Palm Grove Walk.

A short stroll away is busy Hastings Street, which is full of life during the day and long into the night. Enjoy a little shopping, a late brunch, dinner out and a cocktail as the sun goes down.

Climb onto a fully electric tuk tuk with Noosa e-TukTuk to get an insider’s tour of the region. For a more in-depth exploration, book a bespoke tour with Joel’s Journeys and head to the lush green hinterland, or discover the rugged landscapes of Great Sandy National Park with Sunny Jeeps to spend the day with the wind in your hair and sand underfoot.

woman enjoying the view after hiking through Noosa National Park, noosa in winter — Take in views of the beautiful Noosa Hinterland. (Image: Demy Gavin)

Things to do in the water

Noosa isn’t just about the beach, the national parks and shopping; one of the most popular ways to embrace winter is to explore on water.

You could brave the waves on a surfboard, explore the languid Noosa River on a stand-up paddleboard or even head to the Noosa Everglades for a day adventuring on a boat, canoe or kayak.

Enjoy the winter sunsets aboard the newly launched HV Stillwater , a luxury, hybrid-powered catamaran that glides silently along Noosa’s waterways. You can also book a table on the only floating restaurant on the river – Noosa Cruiser – and dig into freshly cooked cuisine.

For a little more adventure, head out with Kingfisher Safari Co and cruise around the Noosa River Inlet and Lake Cootharaba. Or search for whales and dolphins (from June to September) on a small charter boat tour with WhaleSongs Noosa ; with an onboard researcher to explain what you’re seeing, as well as a hydrophone, you’ll be able to listen to the haunting songs of some of the world’s biggest animals while enjoying a winter’s day in the sun.

women kayaking through Noosa everglades noosa in winter — Explore the gorgeous Noosa Everglades. (Image: Emily Redfern)

Book your winter getaway in Noosa at visitnoosa.com.au.