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

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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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

Rainbow Beach Hotel
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.

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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
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

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is a freelance travel journalist. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love, Bed Threads and Australian Traveller/International Traveller. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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Discover the remote Queensland lodgings bringing luxury to the outback

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    Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

    Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

    cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp
    Unwind in the ancient outback.

    About Rangelands Outback Camp

    Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

    Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

    Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

    Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

    Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

    aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent
    Soak in 360-degree views.

    Rangelands Outback Camp tours

    Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours.

    Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

    Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

    The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

    A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park, a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

    A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

    tour being led through Rangeland rifts
    Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

    Sleeping in luxury

    After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

    Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

    Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

    inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom
    Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

    Rangelands Outback Camp dining

    As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

    Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

    Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

    Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.