A pet-friendly guide to Queensland Country for dog-lovers

Holidaying with your faithful hound doesn’t have to be hard. Certainly not so if you’ve found yourself in Queensland Country, where pets are as welcome as people. Just under two hours drive from Brisbane sits this stretch of historic towns and mountains best known for the Granite Belt and Toowoomba. It’s here that you where you can breathe in fresh, country air, and immerse yourself in produce-rich pastures.

Not only will you enjoy your time spent here, but your dog will too - here lies your pet-friendly guide to Queensland Country.

Dog-friendly cafes and restaurants in Queensland Country

Make the most of your time in this region rich in producers by feasting up a storm - with your dog in tow. There are plenty of dog-friendly places to grab a bite to eat, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Toowoomba is heaving with options - take to The Finch, Travellers Coffee House, or Park House Cafe for a coffee, though the local favourite for brunch (and a caffeine hit) is Burrow.

Later in the day you can make your way to the more sophisticated Barrel Room Restaurant. It’s here you’ll collect your gourmet picnic hamper to enjoy among the vines, pooch by your side. Wine and dog combinations are also welcomed at Hidden Creek Winery Cafe Vineyard, one of the area’s award-winning wine producers, and Singing Lake Cafe at Robert Channon Wines. Though a visit to Sutton’s Juice Factory, Cidery & Café belongs on every pet-friendly guide Queensland Country. With your hound by your side, enjoy a sample of this apple haven - be sure to try the homebrewed cider and famous apple pie.

Dog-friendly wineries and breweries in Queensland Country

Every pet-friendly guide to Queensland Country should mention the region’s welcoming approach to dogs in the vineyards. Thanks to the cooler temperatures here, there are a bounty of wineries to explore, many of which are thankfully encouraging of pets, provided they're on a lead of course. On your next trip, make way to Granite Belt's Hidden Creek Winery, Balancing Heart Winery, and Summit Estate, not to mention the much-revered Heritage Estate. A little further afield in South Burnett sits Kingsley Grove Estate, which boasts a pet-friendly camping area.

Non-wine lovers may prefer to divert their attention elsewhere - making a trip instead to enjoy a pint with your pooch at Granite Belt Brewery, sitting on 30 acres of natural bushland just five minutes from Stanthorpe. Or what was the region’s first beer-devoted offering, Castle Glen Distillery, which has now expanded into traditional English style Liqueurs and the Crème Liqueurs, among more.

Dog-friendly accommodation in Queensland Country

When it comes to where to spend the night, there are conveniently plenty of accommodation options that are, thankfully for dog-lovers, pet-friendly. Give your dog a taste of life on the farm with a holiday at Bestbrook Mountain Farmstay, while Ridgemill Estate will keep you both within easy reach of the region’s best wineries. 

Alure Stanthorpe is arguably the most dog-friendly accommodation around here, with the luxury accommodation offering dog bathrobes for four-legged friends. Or keep it simple, with a cabin stay at local watering hole Granite Belt Brewery, or Bethany Cottages in the Kingaroy region.

Dog-friendly caravan parks in Queensland Country

Choose to BYO accommodation instead with a caravan. There are plenty of places to park your trailer in these parts, most of which are more than happy to host your faithful hound to boot. Keep it casual at Killarney View Cabins and Caravan Park, which offers a pet-friendly cabin complete with a fully-fenced yard. Though you may prefer to find yourself within arm’s reach of Stanthorpe’s best attractions with a stay at Top of the Town Tourist Park, Blue Topaz Caravan Park, or Sommerville Valley Tourist Park.

Fellow Scenic Rim stand-outs, Big4 Toowoomba Garden City and Kingaroy Holiday Park are equally well worth a visit. Though if you prefer to remain closer to the capital, you can’t go past a stay at the idyllic Esk caravan park.

Dog-friendly camping in Queensland Country

Or pitch a tent with your pooch, with dog-friendly camping is common in Queensland Country. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with a stay at private ecotourism property Gordon Country Campgrounds on the cusp of the Heritage listed Main Range National Park. Or indulge in your passion for watersports (dog in tow) with a visit to Coolmunda Dam in Inglewood.

Getting amongst the region’s many natural wonders is what’s on the cards with any stay at Foxbar Falls on the Granite Belt. While those on a budget are best steered towards Caliguel Lagoon on the edge of Condamine, where camping can be enjoyed free of charge.

Dog-friendly activities in Queensland Country

There are activities aplenty which promise to involve your pup in these parts - let this pet-friendly guide to Queensland Country help find your way. Grab your leash and make way for a day’s adventure exploring the dog-friendly trails that scatter beautiful Benarkin State Forest. More walks can be found at Mt Marlay Lookout, which boasts a panoramic view over Stanthorpe.

Keep things more relaxed with a picnic in one of Toowoomba’s many parks - Picnic Point Parklands is one of the most popular and particularly welcoming of pets. Though you are equally welcome to pull out a rug among the granite caves and boulders and accompanying barbecues at Donnelly’s Castle and Lookout.

But don’t think you have to miss out on some of Queensland Country’s best known offerings just because your dog came along for the ride. Book a private wine tour with Filippos Tours and you can spend a day sampling local drops, with your dog by your side. Or stroll through the vibrant violet fields of Aloomba Lavender Farm (pup too). The 4000-acre cattle property now owns 6 acres covered in lavender by approximately 12,000 plants.