Travelling Australia with a dog - 10 tips

Travelling Australia with a dog is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, it brings added difficulties and you need to plan accordingly. Ensure that your journey is pet-friendly and stress-free with our top ten tips for travelling Australia with a dog.

We cover everything you need to know, including visiting attractions with your dog, vaccination and quarantine requirements, how to find pet-friendly accommodation, a packing list and so much more!

Want a comfortable camper for you and your dog? Use Camplify to find pet-friendly campervan hire!

10 tips for travelling Australia with a dog

1. Should I vaccinate my dog before travelling around Australia?

All dogs in Australia should be vaccinated with the C3 vaccine to protect against potentially fatal diseases. If you want to be able to keep your dog in kennels whilst travelling around Australia, they will likely need to be vaccinated.

2. Are there dog quarantine requirements when travelling around Australia?

There are very few quarantine requirements when travelling around Australia with a dog.

At the time of writing, the only exception is Tasmania. Before travelling to Tasmania with your dog, it must be treated for hydatid tapeworm within 14 days of entry. This can be evidenced by an official statement from your vet, a statutory declaration or a pill packet and receipt. You will also need to declare that your dog has been inspected and found free of ticks within 24 hours of arrival.

Be aware that biosecurity rules can change. Check on the current rules before crossing state and territory borders with your dog.

3. Should I microchip my dog before travelling around Australia?

It’s best to microchip your dog before travelling around Australia. A microchip can help vets, animal shelters and local councils get in touch with you if your furry friend gets lost.

Plus, microchips are compulsory in most Australian states and territories.

4. What should I pack when travelling Australia with a dog?

The top ten things that you should pack when travelling Australia with a dog include:

• Collar with contact details

• Leash or tether

• Dog bed

• Travel crate

• Dog food

• Airtight containers

• Collapsible dog bowls

• Dog poop bags

• Dog toys

• A copy of your dog’s vaccination records

See our guide to van life with dogs for a full packing list!

5. Is it hard to travel Australia with a dog?

There’s no denying that travelling around Australia with a dog can make your journey more challenging. In particular, a dog can limit your options when it comes to the attractions you can visit, the cafes you can eat at and the campsites you can stay at.

But travelling Australia with a dog is a unique experience and something you will never forget! Both you and your dog will be grateful for the time spent together. Just be aware that when you travel with a dog, you do need to accommodate their needs over your own.

6. Where can I go sightseeing with my dog in Australia?

Although travelling Australia with a dog can limit your sightseeing options slightly, there is still a heap to do and see with pets in tow.

Be aware that in Australia, dogs are not allowed in most National Parks, state conservation areas, nature reserves, historic sites and Indigenous protected areas. You may be allowed to drive through some of these places if your dog stays inside the vehicle and you do not stop. That said, each place is different, so be sure to read the specific rules for that park.

Australian attractions that are often dog-friendly include:

• State forests

• Local parks

• Beaches

• Cities and suburbs

• Wineries and vineyards

• Gardens

• Dog cafes

• Farm stays

Again, remember that each attraction is different and has its own set of rules. Be sure to read the specific rules before visiting.

7. Where should I leave my dog while visiting attractions?

Your dog sadly won’t be allowed to join you when visiting many travel attractions and activities around Australia.

If your dog is well behaved and you will only be spending a short amount of time inside, you may want to tie them up somewhere safe. Never leave your dog unattended in your vehicle and always leave a bowl of water.

In some states, it is illegal to leave a dog unattended inside your vehicle on hot days. In other states, you can be charged with animal cruelty if your dog suffers from heat stroke inside a hot vehicle.

If you want to visit an attraction that requires a lot of time, you could:

• Leave your dog in a local kennel.

• Ask fellow campers whether they could mind your dog for a few hours.

• Ask the owner of the caravan park whether they could mind your dog for a few hours.

• Inquire whether the local vet offers short-term boarding.

• Use Gumtree to search for people offering pet sitting nearby.

8. How do I find dog-friendly accommodation in Australia?

Many campsites, caravan parks and holiday parks around Australia are pet-friendly. To find and book accommodation that is accepting of dogs, we recommend using websites and apps such as WikiCamps Australia, Campstay or Take Your Pet. For more information, see our very own guide on the best pet-friendly holiday parks andpet-friendly camping grounds in Australia!

On the other hand, most hotels around Australia are not dog-friendly - which can often make a campervan, caravan or motorhome the best option when travelling Australia with a dog!

9. Is it easier to travel Australia with a dog in a van, plane or train?

In our opinion, the easiest way to travel Australia with a dog is in a campervan, caravan or motorhome. Having your own camper vehicle means you can stay at the abundance of pet-friendly campsites, caravan parks and holiday parks around Australia. It also provides you with flexibility in regard to the route you take, the attractions you visit and how many breaks you take each day.

Flying may seem like the quickest way to travel around Australia with your dog. However, only three airlines offer pet-transportation services (Qantas, Virgin Australia and Regional Express (REX)). This method can also add a considerable cost to your trip, especially if your dog is large and requires a bigger crate. It can also be pretty stressful, having to book through third-party pet transport companies and meet the various requirements.

Trains are not a viable option when travelling Australia with a dog. Pets are generally not permitted on long-distance trains in Australia.

10. Make your van life experience dog-friendly

As mentioned above, the most comfortable way to travel around Australia with a dog is in a campervan, caravan or motorhome. Check out our guide to van life with dogs for further information on:

• How to make your van pet-friendly

• Tips for living and travelling with your dog

• How to find dog-friendly campsites

• FAQs about van life with dogs

• A full packing list for van life with dogs

For help planning a route that both you and your pooch will love, see the best road trips with dogs.

Hire a dog-friendly campervan in Australia

Camplify makes it easy for holidaymakers to find pet-friendly vans when travelling around Australia with a dog!

Need pet-friendly campervan hire in Australia?

Simply enter your pickup location, turn on the ‘Pet-friendly’ search filter and within seconds, you will find the perfect van for a road trip with your dog!

All the rental vans on Camplify are privately-owned and offer a unique experience. Plus, every booking comes with a range of extra benefits…

Why Camplify?

We are proud to be Australia’s largest private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• NRMA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• All members are verified

By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across Australia in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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