Port Stephens with your pup: Dog-friendly camping tips for your next adventure

There’s nothing quite like packing up your home-on-wheels and heading out on a camping or road trip adventure. But what if that adventure could be even better? Simple: bring your dog!

Here at Camplify, Australia's favourite RV hire platform where you can hire thousands of RVs from local owners, we know that pets aren’t just animals - they’re family. Brining them camping can create so many amazing memories but there’s a bit involved in planning the perfect pet-friendly camping trip.

Who wants to leave their pet behind when going camping? With thousands of pet-friendly vans available to hire from local owners, you don't have to!

To get the inside scoop on the ultimate guide to camping with dogs, we caught up with camping-lover and co-owner of Tilda Outdoors camping gear, Maddy Bockett, who hired Daisee Campers - Glo Glo and took her adorable husky, Echo, on an unforgettable 4 day camping trip in Port Stephens for International Dog Day.

For Maddy and Echo who are no stranger to vanlife, getting away for a few days in a campervan is a piece of cake now, but for first-timers or those wondering if it’s a good idea, Maddy shared her top tips for a successful and relaxed camping trip that’s fun for the whole family - and not just the human family members!

Why take your dog camping?

Port Stephens has heaps of dog-friendly activities for you and your pup.

For Maddy, the decision to bring Echo was simple: the joy of experiencing the outdoors together is priceless. While it takes extra planning, the reward is worth it.

“It's one of those special things where you get to take them on a trip and get them to enjoy it with you" Maddy shared.

Echo absolutely thrived on the road. Glo Glo became their little home away from home, and by the end of the four days, Echo was a seasoned traveller. "He got really used to the routine and it was like it was like his little new home," Maddy noted.

Hire Glo Glo for your next dog-friendly adventure.

Preparing to take your pets camping

Prepping and packing are non-negotiables for pet safety and a smooth journey. Make sure your furry family members are secure, comfortable, and have everything they need - then you’re free to relax and enjoy your trip!

Pack the pet must-haves: One of Maddy’s top tips for travelling with pets is to bring something that smells like home like a blanket or toy to help them settle into the RV and campsite. New environments and routines can be overstimulating and familiarity reduces anxiety.

Even an energetic husky like Echo knows how to appreciate the quiet life near the campervan.

Some of Maddy’s other pet must-haves for travelling include:

• Seatbelt

• Collapsible waterbowl

• Bumbag for storing treats and poo bags

• Rechargeable light to go on their collar

• Treats

Finding the perfect campsite: A great trip starts with finding a pet-friendly place to stay. Maddy's strategy was to find a campsite that offered peace, quiet, and lots of space for Echo to decompress.

Treats are an essential part of your pet-friendly camping adventure.

The perfect Port Stephens campsite? Bays BIG4 Holiday Park. When selecting her spot she found that the unpowered sites at the back of the park were absolutely perfect because “it was a gorgeous bush area that offered plenty of space for Echo to roam.” Having lots of space and natural surroundings helped reduce the stimulation and allowed them both to truly relax.

Don’t skip the health and ID check: Before taking off on your adventure, ensuring your pup is healthy and has current identification tags is a must! There’s nothing worse than worrying about your pets safety while you’re away. Making sure your dog is healthy and has up to date identification will ensure there’s one less thing to worry about while you’re away.

This is what pet-friendly camping is all about! Echo is right at home in the campervan.

Set up a routine: Even with a perfect site, Maddy stresses the importance of a solid arrival routine to ease any anxiety your dog might have.

"A really good way to get them used to travel is to have a routine," she advises. "I’ll arrive to site and won’t set up straight away. I’ll take him for a massive walk around the site where he can sniff everything and get used to the area. I'll give him a KONG or snuffle mat and that way I can set up while he's busy."

The best things to do with pets in Port Stephens

While travelling with a pet can mean a few restrictions, Port Stephens is a fantastic destination with plenty of dog-friendly activities. Maddy insists that as long as you research the area beforehand, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do with your dog.

Beach bliss

Echo’s absolute highlight was the dog-friendly beaches in the area.

"I was able to take him to one of the local beaches and we did a massive walk up and down the beach. He absolutely loved it."

Dog-friendly tip: Maddy highly recommends Birubi Beach, Anna Bay, one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Port Stephens where Echo could stretch his legs and explore a new environment. Dogs are allowed on-leash with off-leash permitted during May and September.

Birubi Beach, Anna Bay

Enjoy one of the local cafes

A great way to get out and enjoy the town and some good eats is to find pet-friendly cafes with outdoor seating.

Cafe Tip: Maddy found spots like The Boardstore Lab, a local boutique with an outdoor coffee cart, to be ideal. These spots often have a convenient large grassy space nearby, making them "perfect for dogs" to settle while you re-caffienate.

Dolphin spotting on the Tea Gardens Ferry

Take your dog for an adventure to Tea Gardens on the Tea Gardens Ferry from Anna Bay. With an estimated 120 dolphins living in the waters off Port Stephens, a dog-friendly ferry trip offers a spectacular way to take your dog on a harbour adventure and increase your chances of seeing the local dolphins cruise past!

Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins cruising on the bow of the boat.

Maddy's top tips for travelling with pets

With so many trips with Echo under her belt, who better to give you top tops for van hire with pets than Maddy?

1. Be Patient: If your first trip doesn't go to plan, remember it's about trial and error. Don't be discouraged because every trip gets better! "What I found is that Echo got better as the trip went on and more used to his surroundings and the van. At the beginning he just wanted to explore everything and then he got to a point where in the afternoon he would go into the van and just want to have a nap” Maddy recalls.

2. Consider what travel arrangements work best for your dog: Travelling with your dog isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, “it's all about figuring out what works for your pup. Sometimes they might travel better in a crate or a travel bed so it's figuring out what they're more comfortable in, especially if you're doing a long drive.”

3. Seat belts are a must: Make sure you use a pet seat belt or secure travel method as it is a legal requirement and essential for their safety.

4. Plan Regular Stops: Schedule a stop every few hours for a bathroom break and a drink of water. Dogs need bathroom breaks and hydration just like we do - and often more frequently on a new route.

5. Keep them entertained on the drive: Ever gotten board on a long drive? Well, our pets do too. Maddy recommends to “bring a few toys or chew things to help keep them occupied, without being too distracting to you while you’re driving”.

Find the perfect pet-friendly RV for your next adventure

Who wants to leave their beloved pets behind when you go camping? Not us. That’s why we love having a community of local RV owners who have the perfect pet-friendly campervans, motorhomes, and caravans that welcome every member of your crew, including the furry ones.

Whether you’re towing, driving or getting a caravan delivered, find your perfect dog friendly RV today and start planning your next Port Stephens pet-friendly adventure!