Canberra is a wonderfully dog-friendly city to visit, with a long list of attractions that you can visit with your dog. But if you’re visiting during the cooler months of the year, you’ll want to make sure you have somewhere comfortable to stay, with nighttime temperatures often falling below zero.
On my recent visit to Canberra in late May, just after the temperatures had started dropping, I enjoyed a wonderfully cosy stay with my dog at the Mercure Canberra. Originally opening in 1927, the same year as Old Parliament House, this charming historic hotel built in the Arts and Crafts style is warmly welcoming to pets…
Pet Policy of Mercure Canberra
To stay with your pet at Mercure Canberra, make a booking for one of their six Pet Rooms. Each of these specially renovated, dedicated pet-friendly rooms comes complete with a private enclosed courtyard. Pets are not permitted in any other rooms, so make sure you only book a “Pet Room with 1 King Bed”.
Otherwise, there are no restrictions on the shape or size of pets – large dogs are just as welcome as small dogs or cats. Enquire directly with the hotel if you have more than one pet. No additional pet fees apply.
When I checked in, I was also informed that pets are not to be left unattended in rooms, for the sake of housekeeping.
Rooms at Mercure Canberra
The dedicated pet-friendly rooms at Mercure Canberra all come with a king bed, in addition to the private courtyard. I found my room quite spacious, with a lounge chair and desk included, and plenty of room for your pet and their bed. The flooring is hard with no carpet.
The courtyard is very handy when staying with a pet, particularly for late night and early morning bathroom breaks. Half of my courtyard was bark underneath a tree – I believe some other courtyards feature grass. There is a bin on the verandah, although bring your own poo bags.
The courtyard also includes a handy outdoor table setting, but I skipped using it on the rainy and chilly night I stayed. It would be wonderful to use during summer evenings.
Let the staff know if your pet requires bedding and a food bowl to be provided (I tend to travel with my Schnitzel’s own bed and bowls). And naturally a welcome treat is provided for all pets! We were also delighted that the heating was turned up before we arrived, so the room was very toasty.
Facilities at Mercure Canberra
There’s plenty of options for enjoying a meal with your pet by your side at Mercure Canberra. For starters, the onsite restaurant, Olims Bar & Bistro, welcomes pets in their beer garden area. The bar offers a bistro menu with regular specials on weekdays, plus smoked meats on the weekend.
If the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor dining, it’s also possible to order from the extensive room service menu and enjoy a meal in your cosy room. The full menu is displayed via the TV screens, with options ranging from light snacks to hearty meals.
Come breakfast time, pets are welcome to join you on the terrace outside Courtyard Restaurant, where a daily buffet breakfast is served, with an extensive selection of both hot and cold items. On the chilly wintery morning of my stay, staff instead allowed me to sit at the tables in the adjacent indoor area, next to the lobby.
I wish I had spotted this area the night before upon my arrival. With an open fireplace that was likely lit the night before, as well as tea and coffee facilities, it would be a cosy spot to while away a relaxed evening with your pet by your side.
Don’t also miss enjoying a walk through the gardens in the centre of the hotel with your pet by your side. Complete with a fountain, it’s the perfect spot for some cute selfies with your pet.
Highlights of a Stay with Your Pet
- Spacious rooms with room for larger dogs
- Each room has its own private enclosed courtyard
- Wide variety of pet-friendly dining options
- Beautiful gardens onsite
- Generous pet policy with no size restrictions
Top 3 Things to Do During Your Stay
While it’s possible to spend plenty of time at the Mercure Canberra, whether enjoying a meal or admiring the gardens, it would be a pity not to visit some of the many dog-friendly attractions in Canberra. In particular, these are my top dog-friendly things to do nearby…
#1 Step Inside the Ouroboros Sculpture
The Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Australia has long been a great spot to visit with your dog, thanks to its unrestricted access. In 2024, a fabulous new addition arrived: the Ouroboros sculpture by Lindy Lee.
This gleaming sculpture is based upon the ancient image of a snake eating its own tail. It’s located on the opposite side of the gallery from most sculptures, near the corner of King Edward Terrace and Parkes Place East.
Don’t miss following the walkway into the centre of the four metre high sculpture, surrounded by a shallow pool of water, with no restrictions on dogs joining you. The sculpture is even more magical after dark, although note the walkway is only accessible between sunrise and 9pm.
#2 Tour the War Memorials
The Mercure Canberra is located just a short walk from the Australian War Memorial. While naturally dogs cannot join you to enter inside this sacred space, they’re welcome to explore the surrounding area with you.
Admire the impressive exterior of the memorial, along with the multiple statues and tanks located in the immediate surrounds. Then continue along Anzac Parade, where many other smaller memorials line the road for over 1km. It’s recommended to allow 80 minutes for a self-guided walking tour of the area.
#3 Walk the Bridge to Bridge Walk
Another popular dog-friendly walk to do nearby is the Bridge to Bridge Walk. This 5km-long walk follows the shoreline of Lake Burley Griffin, crossing over both the Commonwealth Avenue and Kings Avenue Bridges. Dogs are welcome to join you on-leash along its length.
There’s plenty of interesting sights to stop and admire along the way, including Commonwealth Park, the International Flag Display, the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Australian and the National Carillon.
Find out more about the sights by following this self-guided walking tour brochure. Allow one to two hours to complete the loop, longer for stops. Near the International Flag Display, both Margot Wine & Espresso Bar and The Jetty have dog-friendly outdoor tables.
Note: The author was a guest of Mercure Canberra.
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.