NSW dog-aways

From the beach to the bush there’s a wide range of pet-friendly action and accommodation across NSW.

Beach holidays

Some of the best:

• Dog walking is permitted in many areas of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, north of Coffs Harbour, which has 26 km of dune systems, rainforests, healthlands, headlands, coastal lakes and parklands.
• In Gosford, on the Central Coast, portions of Forresters, Warmberal, Terrigal, Avoca, Copacabana and McMasters beach are leash free.
• On the Eurobodalla coast, dogs are permitted on Broulee, Tuross Head, Kianga, Duesburys and Tomakin beaches.
• Dogs are welcome on portions of the foreshore at Tuncurry and Hawks Nest in the Great Lakes region.
• In Kempsey dogs can exercise on Crescent Head back beach and Stuarts Point, South West Rocks, Hat Head and Grassy Head beaches.
• In the Illawarra, off-leash parks abound - try King George V Park at Port Kembla and Figtree Park at Figtree or beaches at Coledale, Austinmer and Coniston south of Wollongong.

Bush holidays

Five of the best:

• There are a few off-leash areas in the Blue Mountains, including the closed road loop south of Lennox Bridge in Glenbrook.
• Wollondilly River Station has a pet friendly bush camping ground and acres of bushland to explore in the Southern Highlands.
• See a working farm in action, take beautiful walks and visit the famous Sliding Springs Observatory at Dalyup Holiday Farm just out of Coonabarabran.
• Explore the Snowy Mountains’ hiking trails at pet-friendly, eco-resort Bimblegumbie.
• Leashed dogs are welcome in designated walking areas in Berowra Valley Regional Park.

Dogs and other animals cannot enter national parks, state conservation areas, nature reserves, historic sites or Aboriginal areas. For more information visit Pets in Parks.

Places to stay

• Lilianfels in the Blue Mountains has two dedicated pet friendly rooms for pooches under 20kg. Operated by Orient Express, they have a similar arrangement at The Observatory Hotel in Sydney.A ‘Scooby Doo’ room service menu and doggie drizabone are available to keep pooches warm during outdoor adventures in the 5-hectare garden. Well behaved cats and birds are welcome too. Other Blue Mountains options include Scribbly Gum Cottage in Leura.
• Explore the 750 acres surrounding Riverwood Downs in the foothills of the Barrington Tops National Park
• Enjoy beach and bush walks at Narooma or a rest at Pub Hill Farm
• Bask in the tropical warmth at Byron Stunning Stays, which has a fully-fenced off leash area and choice of four homes set on the 17 acre Feelgood Farm Estate, 15 minutes from Byron Bay
• Pets are welcome at Turon Gates, a hideaway just west of Lithgow, two-and-a-half hours from Sydney, which features log cabins set amid 6,000 acres of bushland
• Dogs are welcome inside at Wagtail Cottage BandB for people and pets, Tropic Oasis Holiday Villas and Safety Beach Ocean Bungalows on Coffs Coast.

Pet friendly B&Bs, motels, caravan and camping sites are available from Brunswick Heads to Eden, Tumut to Nundle.