Our favourite 'dog friendly' camp spots

We’ve heard numerous times about how ‘difficult’ it will be to travel with a dog throughout Australia and that we would be extremely limited.  There is over 500 National Parks in Australia, so no wonder it makes you second guess if it’s too challenging to travel with your four legged friend or bring them along on your next camping trip.

The good news is, Australia is improving when it comes to introducing more ‘dog friendly’ areas around the country.  Not only are there incredible campgrounds that allow you to bring along the family pet but also dog friendly beaches, cafes, park’s and exercise areas for them 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 finding those amazing camp spots where Bowie is welcome AND it doesn’t feel like your missing out on anything!

As we’ve shared before, a lot of our time on the road is spent free camping, which allows us to have Bowie in more areas and without cost. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t love to enjoy some paid camping as well!

If you’re planning on traveling the country with your pooch or wanting to include them on your next camping adventure, then here is a list of some of our favourite free & paid camping spots that we have come across so far on our travels:

Mystery Bay, NSW

Only 12km 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 beach 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 & drop toilets

Drinking water available

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.  Being a free campground it can fill up quick 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

Cosy Corner (North or South), Bay of Fires TAS

If there was one place that completely blew us away in Tasmania it was the Bay of Fires.  The campsites are literally just across from the beach, some of them even offering 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 if there’s swell!

Free camping area (max. stay is 4 weeks)

All vehicle access

No showers

Drop toilets

Dogs on leash in campsite

Take your own water

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 (not even a minute walk away).  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 snorkeling/diving and were lucky enough to even score some surf there at one point!

Free camping area

All vehicle access

Fresh water beach showers only

Flushing toilets

Dogs on leash in campsite

Check signs for times your dog is allowed on beach

Take your own water

Rapid Bay, Fleurieu Peninsula SA

Just an hour and a half south of Adelaide, Rapid Bay offers grassy campsites right next to it’s own private beach. It’s the perfect place to bring a SUP, Kayak or your boat and 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

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 realize how awesome it is. A small little crystal clear bay with incredible snowy 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 rockpools around the area and indulge in some fishing! If you’re not scared of great whites, it offers some good surf 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.

Corny Point, Yorke Peninsula SA

There’s plenty of camping options when it comes to Corny Point. Located on the southern west end of Yorke’s peninsula, there are 4 different dog friendly camping areas between Daly head and Gravel Bay campground.  With each of them offering different views of beautiful beaches and the wide, open ocean. Along the coast offers a range of surf 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

Coronation Beach Campground, WA

If your exploring up towards the Coral Coast, be sure to check out this little campground just north of Geraldton.  With decent sized gravel sites and 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 as there’s plenty to catch and is the perfect spot for incredible sunsets.

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

Lucky Bay, Coral Coast WA

Now this isn’t the famous lucky bay campground down near Esperance (however that is an awesome place but unfortunately isn’t dog friendly).  This lucky bay campground is located just 40km south of Kalbarri. Definitely an advantage if you’ve got a 4WD for 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

Warroora Station, Coral Coast WA

With over 11 different campsites to choose from, Warroora Station (pronounced ‘Warra’) has so much to offer for all different campers. There is 2WD access to some of the campsites, however having a 4WD allows you to enjoy more options.  It offers everything from surfing, fishing or snorkeling 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