Best pet-friendly caravan parks near the Gold Coast

The best pet-friendly caravan parks near the Gold Coast range from oceanfront sites at Kirra Beach to quiet hinterland retreats on Mount Tamborine, and this guide covers 8 top options across the region. These Gold Coast caravan parks welcome dogs with facilities like off-leash areas, dog wash stations and dog-friendly walks right from your site. Camplify trip data shows spring is peak season for pet travel here, so booking early pays off.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in the Gold Coast if you already know your dates.

Travelling from Brisbane? The Gold Coast is under an hour south on the M1, making it one of the most accessible weekend escapes for pet owners in south-east Queensland. If you're coming from the Gold Coast itself, most parks in this guide are within 30 to 45 minutes of Surfers Paradise. That short drive time is part of the appeal: you can leave Friday afternoon and be set up at a dog-friendly site before dark.

One practical note before you start planning: the major hire companies like Apollo, Maui and Britz have blanket no-pet policies, which leaves pet owners stuck. Camplify's peer-to-peer model means each owner sets their own rules, making it the only platform in Australia where you can hire a pet-friendly campervan or caravan. Many Camplify owners in the Gold Coast region specifically list their vehicles as pet-friendly, so you have real options. You can pick up a van locally or, for caravans, arrange delivery straight to your park.

For more inspiration across the region, the best caravan parks near the Gold Coast guide covers non-pet-specific options if you want to compare the full picture.

Pet-friendly Gold Coast caravan parks: beachside and central options

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park sits at Oxenford, about 25 kilometres north of Surfers Paradise, and is consistently one of the most popular parks among Camplify travellers in the Gold Coast area. It's well set up for families travelling with dogs, with on-site facilities that go beyond a simple "pets welcome" sign at the gate. Dogs are permitted on leads throughout the park, and the surrounding Oxenford area has walking trails and green space that make it practical for multiple daily walks without getting back in the van.

The park runs powered and unpowered sites alongside cabins, a pool, waterslides, a camp kitchen and a jumping pillow (worth knowing if you have kids along for the trip as well — see the full list of caravan parks with jumping pillows for more). A community favourite in the truest sense: hirers who've stayed here rate the facilities as above average for a Queensland metro-fringe park, and the proximity to theme parks makes it an easy base if you want to mix dog-friendly days with a family activity.

Pet fees apply, so confirm the current rate when booking. Dogs must be on-lead at all times and are not permitted in buildings or pool areas.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 25 km north of Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast)

• Best for: Families with dogs, couples on extended stays

• Key facilities: Powered sites, pool, waterslides, jumping pillow, camp kitchen, BBQs

• Book ahead: Spring school holidays and January peak season

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park.

NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort

Right on the Coomera River at Biggera Waters, NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort is a well-rated pick for Camplify travellers who want a polished, full-facility park close to the action. The waterfront location is a genuine point of difference: dogs enjoy the riverside atmosphere, and there are walking paths along the water that make morning and evening walks easy without loading everyone back into the vehicle.

Dogs are permitted in designated areas on leads, and the park has dog-friendly powered sites set slightly apart from the main cabin precinct, which suits travellers with larger or more active dogs. NRMA parks typically charge a pet fee per night, so budget for that when comparing sites. The park is close to Harbour Town shopping and Dreamworld, which is handy if you're doing a mixed trip, but the waterfront setting is the real drawcard for dog owners.

Camplify owners familiar with this stretch of the Gold Coast suggest arriving with a good lead and portable water bowl, as the paths can get warm underfoot in summer. Spring visits are ideal.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 10 km north of Surfers Paradise, Biggera Waters

• Best for: Pet owners wanting full resort facilities, couples, families

• Key facilities: Powered sites, pool, waterslides, waterfront access, camp kitchen, laundry

• Book ahead: Spring long weekends and Christmas period

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort.

Beachside camping near the Gold Coast: southern parks

Kirra Beach Tourist Park

A short walk from one of the Gold Coast's most loved surf beaches, Kirra Beach Tourist Park is among the most well-known caravan parks near the Gold Coast for pet owners who want that classic coastal camp experience. The park sits in Coolangatta, roughly 25 kilometres south of Surfers Paradise, and the beach access is the main event. Kirra Beach itself is dog-friendly in certain sections outside peak hours, so you can take your dog for an early morning run on the sand before the swimmers arrive.

The Camplify community rates this park highly for location. Hirers who've stayed here specifically mention the ease of access to dog-friendly walking along the beachfront esplanade, which extends north toward Coolangatta and Rainbow Bay. Sites are comfortable and well-maintained; the park is operated by Gold Coast City Council's tourist park network, which means consistent upkeep. Pets are permitted on leads throughout the park, and a pet fee applies per stay.

Keep in mind that beach access for dogs is restricted during summer peak periods, typically from early December to late January. Spring visits let you make the most of the beach without those restrictions.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 25 km south of Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta

• Best for: Beach lovers, dog walkers, couples and retirees

• Key facilities: Powered and unpowered sites, amenities blocks, camp kitchen, BBQs, direct beach access

• Book ahead: Spring and summer school holidays

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Kirra Beach Tourist Park.

Pyramid Holiday Park

Pyramid Holiday Park is at Palm Beach, tucked between the Tallebudgera Creek and the surf coast, around 20 kilometres south of Surfers Paradise. The creek-side setting gives it a quieter, more relaxed feel than the big resort parks, and dogs seem to love it for the same reason: there's more space, more green, and the creek provides a natural walking circuit that Camplify travellers recommend for active dogs.

The park accepts leashed dogs on powered sites, with a pet fee per night. There's no dedicated off-leash area within the park itself, but Tallebudgera Creek has adjacent green space where dogs can stretch out. The Palm Beach area also has dog-friendly sections of the beach at certain hours, worth checking current council rules before you go. A go-to for Camplify regulars who've done the Gold Coast circuit and prefer a quieter base over the larger resort parks.

Sites accommodate vans and caravans of varying sizes, and the park layout is compact but functional. Good value for the location.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 20 km south of Surfers Paradise, Palm Beach

• Best for: Dog owners wanting a quieter coastal base, couples

• Key facilities: Powered sites, amenities block, BBQs, creek and beach proximity

• Book ahead: School holidays and long weekends year-round

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Pyramid Holiday Park.

Camping near the Gold Coast: northern waterway escapes

Jacobs Well Tourist Park

The drive north from the Gold Coast to Jacobs Well takes around 45 minutes, and the change of pace is immediate. Jacobs Well Tourist Park sits on the edge of the Broadwater, in a small fishing village that barely registers on most tourist itineraries. For dog owners, that's the appeal. Quiet roads, waterfront access and a genuine lack of crowds make it one of the more dog-friendly environments in the region. The foreshore around Jacobs Well is excellent for long walks with dogs on leads, and the fishing community atmosphere is a world away from the theme park and resort strip.

Well-rated by the Camplify community for exactly this kind of low-key trip. The park has powered sites, basic amenities and a peaceful waterfront outlook. Pet fees apply; dogs must be on leads. No dedicated off-leash area within the park, but the surrounding foreshore gives you plenty of room to move.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 45 km north of Surfers Paradise, Jacobs Well

• Best for: Grey nomads, fishing enthusiasts, dog owners wanting peace and quiet

• Key facilities: Powered sites, waterfront access, fishing, basic amenities

• Book ahead: Easter and spring long weekends

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Jacobs Well Tourist Park.

Advancetown Caravan Park

Surrounded by the Hinze Dam reserve and the eucalypt forests of the Gold Coast hinterland, Advancetown Caravan Park offers something the coastal parks can't: proper bushland dog walks right from your site. Advancetown is about 35 kilometres inland from Surfers Paradise via Nerang, and the setting is genuinely different from anything on the coast. The dam and reserve trails make it excellent territory for active dogs and their owners.

Recommended by Camplify owners who know the hinterland well, particularly for hirers who want to combine a Gold Coast trip with a day or two of nature-based walking. Dogs are welcome on leads, with a pet fee per night. Sites are grassy and shaded, and the park suits smaller vans and caravans comfortably. The Hinze Dam walking tracks nearby are accessible for dogs on leads and offer views across the reservoir that make the detour worthwhile.

Note that some adjacent Scenic Rim national park areas do not permit dogs, so plan your walks using the park trails and dam reserve rather than national park tracks.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 35 km west of Surfers Paradise, Advancetown

• Best for: Active dog owners, hikers, couples wanting a hinterland base

• Key facilities: Powered sites, amenities, bushland walks, dam access nearby

• Book ahead: Spring and long weekends

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Advancetown Caravan Park.

Hinterland and northern Gold Coast caravan parks

Coomera Holiday Village

Coomera Holiday Village is a well-established park in the northern Gold Coast corridor, about 30 kilometres from Surfers Paradise. It's a practical base for pet owners who want access to both the coast and the theme park precinct without paying resort prices. The village layout is more relaxed than the big NRMA and BIG4 parks, with a friendly, community-oriented feel that Camplify hirers appreciate.

Dogs are welcome on leads, and the park has green space between sites that makes it manageable for dogs who need regular movement. Coomera itself has dog-friendly walking paths along the river corridor, worth exploring if you have a few days up your sleeve. Pet fees apply per stay. The park suits families and couples equally well, and the proximity to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World means you can mix a dog-friendly day with a theme park visit if the group wants variety.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 30 km north of Surfers Paradise, Coomera

• Best for: Families, couples, pet owners wanting a relaxed northern Gold Coast base

• Key facilities: Powered sites, amenities, BBQs, green common areas, laundry

• Book ahead: School holidays and spring

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Coomera Holiday Village.

Mount Tamborine Thunderbird Park

Up on the Tamborine Mountain plateau, about 45 kilometres inland from the coast, Mount Tamborine Thunderbird Park is a sprawling adventure and camping property that takes pets and gives them serious room to roam. The mountain setting means cooler temperatures than the coast, tall trees and a dramatically different landscape. Dogs love it. The grounds are expansive, and the walking access around the property and into the surrounding Tamborine Mountain village area is genuinely excellent for dog owners.

The Camplify community knows this park as a good change-of-pace stop on a Gold Coast itinerary. It's well-suited to travellers who want to spend a night or two in the hinterland before heading back to the coast. Powered caravan sites are available, and the park has full amenities, a camp kitchen and a range of activities on site for the humans. Dogs must be on leads and a pet fee applies. Note that Lamington and Main Range national parks nearby do not permit dogs on trails, so stick to the Tamborine Mountain village walks and the park's own grounds for dog exercise.

For a broader look at touring the east coast with your pet, the guide to best caravan parks on the east coast of Australia is worth a read before you plan your full route.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 45 km west of Surfers Paradise, Mount Tamborine

• Best for: Active dog owners, couples, families wanting a hinterland experience

• Key facilities: Powered sites, camp kitchen, full amenities, extensive grounds, activities

• Book ahead: Spring weekends and Queensland school holidays

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Mount Tamborine Thunderbird Park.

More camping destinations nearby

The Gold Coast sits at the heart of south-east Queensland's caravan touring circuit, with Brisbane to the north and the Tweed Coast to the south. These nearby destinations are all within a few hours' drive and worth considering for a longer pet-friendly road trip.

• Best pet-friendly caravan parks in Queensland – A state-wide guide to dog-friendly parks across Queensland, from the tropics to the border.

• Best pet-friendly caravan parks near Brisbane – The closest dog-friendly options to Brisbane, many accessible for a weekend trip.

• Best pet-friendly caravan parks on the Sunshine Coast – A relaxed stretch of coast north of Brisbane with excellent dog-friendly parks and beaches.

• Best pet-friendly caravan parks near Cairns – Tropical pet-friendly options in Far North Queensland for those extending their trip.

• Best pet-friendly caravan parks near Townsville – North Queensland parks that welcome dogs, with access to coastal and inland destinations.

• Best pet-friendly caravan parks in Hervey Bay – A quieter, whale-watching destination with several parks that accept leashed dogs.

Ready to find a pet-friendly van for your Gold Coast trip?

The best pet-friendly caravan parks near the Gold Coast are ready for you and your dog. Browse pet-friendly campervans and caravans available across the Gold Coast region to find a van that suits your pet's needs, pick it up locally or have a caravan delivered straight to your chosen park.