TOP 10 ‘DOG FRIENDLY’ CAMP SITES IN AUSTRALIA

TOP 10 ‘DOG FRIENDLY’ CAMP SITES IN AUSTRALIA

TRAVEL WITH YOUR FOUR LEGGED FRIEND

Could it be that hard to find dog friendly camp spots? 

We’ve heard numerous times from people about how ‘difficult’ it will be to travel with a dog throughout Australia. 

We have been advised that we would be extremely limited. 

With over 500 National Parks in Australia, no wonder it makes you second guess if it’s too challenging to travel with your doggo.

The good news is, Australia’s rules are improving when it comes to introducing more ‘dog friendly’ areas around our country.

Not only are there amazingly beautiful campgrounds that allow you to bring along the family pet. 

But we are also lucky enough in Australia to have dog friendly beaches, cafes, park’s and exercise areas for you and your dog to enjoy.

For us, camping just isn’t the same if it’s not the three of us enjoying it all together. 

So, if there’s one thing we get excited about whilst living on the road, it’s discovering those amazing camp spots where our dog ‘Bowie’ is welcome. 

AND it doesn’t feel like you're missing out on exploring anything! 

As we’ve shared before, a lot of our time on the road is spent at free camp sites. 

This allows us to have Bowie in more areas and without putting us out of pocket either.

However, that doesn’t mean we don’t love to enjoy some paid camping in between.

If you’re planning on travelling Australia with your dog or just need to include them on your next camping adventure, read on!

Here is a list of some of our favourite free and paid camping spots that we have come across travels in Australia so far: 

A lady walking her dog along a coast line cliff.

MYSTERY BAY, NSW

Only 12 km south of Narooma, this little piece of paradise offers spacious and shady campsites on the northern end of the bay. 

With some of them having beautiful views from the cliffs to watch endless whales and dolphins swimming past the coastline throughout the day. 

Not to mention a stunning stretch of coastline with crystal clear water for you and your pooch to enjoy!

Camping fees – $12 per person/per night

  • Dogs allowed on leash in campsite

  • All vehicle access

  • Cold showers and drop toilets

  • Drinking water available

The beautiful beach at Mystery Bay, New South Wales, Australia.

 

    BEAUCHAMP FALLS, VIC

    A little hidden gem in the hinterland that is just a 25 min drive inland from the Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road.

    You can sit around your own fire or take a short walk down to the waterfall for a refreshing swim in summer.

    However, being a free campground it can fill up quickly.

    So it’s best to get in early and take a jacket, it’s sometimes cold, even during the summer nights. 

    • Free camping area

    • All vehicle access

    • No showers

    • Drop toilets

    • Dogs allowed on leash

    • Take your own water

    A lady facing a beautiful waterfall at BEAUCHAMP FALLS, VIC, Australia.

      COSY CORNER (NORTH OR SOUTH), BAY OF FIRES, TAS

      If there was one place that completely blew us away was the Bay of Fires in Tasmania.

      The campsites here are literally across from the beach!

      Some of them even offer stunning ocean views or shady little nooks under the trees.

      The North and South sides offer plenty of white sandy beach and crystal clear turquoise water for swimming and diving.

      You can even score some waves to surf too if there’s a decent swell!

      • Free camping area (max. stay is 4 weeks)

      • All vehicle access

      • No showersDrop toilets

      • Dogs on leash in campsite

      • Take your own water

      BAY OF FIRES, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA.

        BOAT HARBOUR BEACH, TAS

        Located in the North West coast of Tasmania, Boat Harbour Beach is just as incredible as the Bay of Fires! 

        The campground itself is just to the left of the beach (less than a minute walk away).

        TIP: Being a smaller size campground it can fill up rather fast, so it’s good to get in early and secure your spot! 

        We enjoyed plenty of snorkelling and diving and were lucky enough to even score some surf there at one point!

        • Free camping area

        • All vehicle access

        • Freshwater beach showers only

        • Flushing toilets

        • Dogs on leash in campsite

        • Check signs for times your dog is allowed on beach

        • Take your own water

        A DOG RIDING A SURFBOARD AT BOAT HARBOUR BEACH, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA.

          RAPID BAY, FLEURIEU PENINSULA, SA

          Just an hour and a half south of Adelaide, Rapid Bay offers grassy campsites right next to its own private beach. 

          It’s the perfect place to bring a Stand up paddle board, Kayak or your boat.

          This way you can adventure your way around the cliffs to check out some of the hidden bays. 

          Otherwise you can take a short walk to the main jetty and bag out on fresh squid! 

          It can be an incredibly busy place over the weekends so it’s best to visit throughout the week whilst everyone’s busy at work. 

          • Camping fees – $9 per person/per night

          • All vehicle access

          • No showers

          • Flushing toilets

          • Dogs on leash in campsite

          • Take your own water

          COASTLINE OF RAPID BAY, FLEURIEU PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA

            FISHERY BAY, EYRE PENINSULA, SA

            This free campsite might seem bland or a little boring when you first arrive.  

            It’s not until you walk over the dunes and onto the beach that you realise how awesome it actually is! 

            A small little crystal clear blue bay with incredible snow white sand. 

            And lucky for us, we had it all to ourselves at the time! 

            It has all vehicle access to the campsite however if you have a 4WD you can drive on the beach and hang out for the day. 

            Go for a walk and explore some of the incredible rock pools around the area and indulge in some fishing. 

            If you’re not scared of great whites, it offers up some good surfing too!

            • Free camping area

            • All vehicle access (4WD on beach only)

            • No showers

            • Drop toilets

            • Take your own water

            • Other option: Paid camping at Whalers Way (just south of Fishery Bay) Check with Port Lincoln Info centre before you head there

            COASTLINE OF FISHERY BAY, EYRE PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

              CORNY POINT, YORKE PENINSULA, SA

              There’s plenty of camping options when it comes to Corny Point in South Australia. 

              Located on the southern west end of Yorke’s peninsula, there are 4 different dog friendly camping areas we found between Daly head and Gravel Bay campground. 

              With each of them offering their own unique views of beautiful beaches and the wide, open ocean.

              Along the coast offers a range of surf beaches and awesome fishing!

              Payment for your campsite must be paid either online or at Minlaton Info Centre before arrival as council rangers do patrol those areas

              • Camping fees – $10 per night/per vehicle or $50 per week

              • No showers Drop toilets Dogs on leash in campsite

              • All vehicle access

              • Take your own water

              FOUR WHEEL DRIVE PARKED ON THE BEACH AT CORNY POINT, YORKE PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

                CORONATION BEACH CAMPGROUND, WA

                If you're exploring up towards the Coral Coast, be sure to check out this little dog friendly campground just north of Geraldton in Western Australia.

                With decent sized gravel campsites and just a short walk to the beach.

                It’s the perfect place to have a fish or launch your boat at the boat ramp. 

                If you’ve got a 4WD you can adventure down the sandy track to find good waves and calm lagoons for diving.

                Don’t forget the fishing rods too,  as there’s plenty to catch and it is the perfect spot for incredible sunsets snaps.

                • Camping fees – $8 per person/per night

                • No showers

                • Drop toilets

                • All vehicle access to campground (4WD tracks to surf spots)

                • Dogs on leash

                • Take your own water

                A MAN FISHING AT SUNSET AT CORONATION BEACH CAMPGROUND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

                  LUCKY BAY, CORAL COAST, WA

                  Now this isn’t the famous Lucky Bay campground down near Esperance in Western Australia (however that is an awesome place but unfortunately isn’t dog friendly). 

                  This Lucky Bay campground is located just 40 km south of Kalbarri, Western Australia.

                  Definitely an advantage if you’ve got a 4 wheel drive to access this one.

                  You can drive along the beach and find a spot right in front of the huge lagoon where you can fish or even snorkel. 

                  With an incredible backdrop of big sand dunes, there’s plenty of space to secure the perfect spot overlooking the water.

                  • Camping fees – $15 per vehicle/per night

                  • No Showers

                  • Drop toilets

                  • Mostly 4WD access only (some parts you can access with 2WD)

                  • Take your own water

                  A MAN SITTING ON BEACH AROUND A CAMPFIRE LOOKING AND SMILING AT HIS DOG AT CORONATION BEACH CAMPGROUND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

                    WARROORA STATION, CORAL COAST, WA

                    With over 11 different campsites to choose from, Warroora Station (pronounced ‘Warra’) in Western Australia has so much to offer for all different campers. 

                    There is 2 wheel drive access to some of the campsites, however having a 4 wheel drive allows you to enjoy more options.

                    It offers everything from surfing, fishing or snorkelling and swimming in beautiful sanctuary zones. 

                    With the Ningaloo Reef running parallel, there’s plenty to explore!

                    • Camping fees – $10 per person/per night or $50 per person/per week

                    • Bring your own chemical toilet or hire one from Homestead

                    • Hot showers available at Homestead $2.50

                    • All vehicle access (some parts 4WD only)

                    • Take your own water 

                    BEACH AND COASLINE OF WARROORA STATION, CORAL COAST, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

                    Thank you so much to the Salty Travellers – Monique, Jasper and their legendary doggo ‘Bowie’ for allowing us at North Storm® to share this wonderful blog and we hope you all enjoy your dog friendly camp spots.

                    *Please note:

                    • The above Dog Friendly Campsite prices are subject to change as time goes on. 

                    • Please ensure to always check with the local National Park or caravan park you are planning to travel to ahead of time on rules, restrictions and costs.

                    LADY WALKING HER DOG WITH COASTAL VIEWS BEHIND THEM.

                    Words by: Salty Travellers

                    Check them out on Instagram: @saltytravellers

                     

                    Thank you for sharing your amazing story with us!

                    We wish many safe and epic adventures! - North Storm® 

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