The pet-friendly guide to Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

The pet-friendly places to stay list is steadily growing, with caravan parks and holiday homes alike offering shady garden sites and all sorts of comfortable places for doggies to flop and drop. But dig a little bit deeper and you might be surprised to learn there are pet pamper stations and three-course dog-friendly meals too and some palaces even offer doggy sitting services. Here are a few your fur babies will adore.

Daintree Retreat Holiday Home

Located in the lush merge between the world’s oldest living rainforest and the waters fringing the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Retreat Holiday Home hovers close to the idyllic dog-friendly beach of Cow Bay. Pets are welcome to spend some time off-leash in the section south of Buchanan Creek Rd, but keep your eye on them regardless as crocs do like to call this beach home too. The house sleeps up to eight people and the pet approved upper verandah can accommodate two dogs. Book ahead to get prior pet approval and BYODB (bring your own dog bed).

Palm Cove NRMA

Pups love NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park because it’s right across the road from the beach, while owners will enjoy an affordable option to stay in one of Queensland’s favourite spa towns. Dogs are welcome off-leash between the Palm Cove jetty and the rocks, or keep them on to wander the idyllic village with towering Melaleuca trees and groves of grassed areas shaded by palms where they can play.

Pinnarendi Station

Pinnarendi is a family-run working cattle station about half an hour’s drive from Undara Volcanic National Park. There’s plenty of room for dogs and kids to run wild and free on the sprawling property alongside large powered and unpowered sites with modern amenities. Caravans, camper trailers, tents and even big rigs are welcome here, plus there’s a cabin offering dinner, bed and breakfast too. Try to time your stay for a Sunday when the Brick Oven Cafe pumps out the legendary pizzas.

Chilverton Cottages, Ravenshoe

If there was a five-star stay for dogs, it would be Chilverton Cottages, Restaurant & Day Spa at Ravenshoe. Dedicated to pets having a great holiday too, it’s a fully fenced property with pet sitting services on offer. Accommodation includes complimentary pet water and food bowls, a range of pet toys and a super-snuggly pet bed. As an extra spoil, treat your fur babies to a three-course fur kid dining experience. Pets can take a seat next to you and indulge in gourmet, organic cuisine. Small eaters are $10 or if your pet has a bigger appetite $20 will have them full and ready for a restful night of dog-dreaming ahead.

Things to do with your pets in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Bedrock Lava Tubes Tour

There’s no need to miss out on one of Queensland’s most spectacular experiences because your dog isn’t permitted in the national park. Bedrock Caravan Park at Mount Surprise is located just 45 minutes from Undara Volcanic National Park and alongside a range of caravan sites and cabins to choose from, they also offer a dog-sitting service.

Join one of their tours into the park with a visit to the Kalkani Crater and a range of the lava tubes where you’ll learn about the fascinating volcanic history alongside the flourishing fauna and flora of McBride province. When you return, your dog will be waiting to join you poolside or at the campfire later.

The Crystal Caves Atherton

If the thought of leaving your dog behind with a sitter is too much, consider a visit to the Atherton Tablelands where well-behaved pooches are welcome to join you at The Crystal Caves. Together you can wander through 300 square metres of man-made tunnels and grottos on a self-guided, interactive tour learning about million-year-old crystals and fossils from prehistoric times.

Cairns Doggie Stay and Play

For a stay and play option perfect for active pets, Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut has a doggie agility playground. They’ll love darting through the tunnels and hiding out in the holes, and you can test their ‘bark’ abilities out on the ramps. If your crew included kids too, they’ll love the water park, swimming pool, jumping pillow and mini golf and there’s a selection of cabins, caravan sites and camping grounds to choose from to suit your crew.

Dog-friendly beaches in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Famous Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas has an off-leash section on its southern side where you can enjoy a walk with a side of sun-basking with the pooch.

In the Daintree, Cow Bay has an off-leash section to the south of Buchanan Creek Road car parking area on the southern section of the beach. Be croc aware and don’t let dogs swim after dark or enter the mangroves areas.

Ellis Beach, near Palm Cove, is also dog-friendly starting at the rocks on the southern end.

In Cairns, there are plenty of dog-friendly beaches to choose from with long stretches of sand, turquoise waters and plenty of shady spots if you want to make a day of it. Check out Trinity Beach, Bramston Beach, Machans Beach, Buchans Point, Clifton Beach and Kewarra Beach for a few our doggy faves.

Pet-friendly cafes

St. Crispins Cafe & Events

With complimentary doggy treats, water bowls and plenty of shady spots to sit, St Crispins is located the iconic Bally Hooley Railway in Port Douglas. All-day dining makes it a good choice any time, and dogs will enjoy a play with new friends at this popular pooch hang out.

Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf

If you’re hoping to toast to your holiday over a few frosty brews, hit Hemingways Brewery at Cairns Wharf, a pet-friendly pub serving great food alongside 20 beers on tap to choose from. Seating with pets can be found outside.

Nerada Tea

If teetotaling is more your pace, find a seat outside in Nerada Tea Plantation’s lush gardens where you can indulge in a signature high tea of scones, finger sandwiches and savouries overlooking the tea fields. Dogs are welcome, as long as they’re kept on a leash and away from the rare Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos that can be easily scared, but do book the high tea in advance of your visit or choose from the extensive daily menu instead.

Pick up your produce with pets

Just north of Mossman, Scomazzon Farm Store welcomes pets to join in picking the freshest tropical Queensland produce alongside you at their alfresco store. The store boasts the best-grown fruit and vegetables from family farms, but also a range of ready-made meals and treats that all the family will love.

Feature image: Pat Nevard