Under 90 minutes from the centre of Sydney, Bowral is the perfect destination for a dog-friendly weekend away in the countryside with your pup. Fortunately then, one of the finest properties around, Peppers Craigieburn Bowral, now offers pet-friendly rooms.
Located in a 19th century homestead that was long ago converted into a sprawling guesthouse, Peppers Craigieburn is a true country estate, surrounded by gorgeous gardens and the lush lawns of its own nine-hole golf course. Find out more about staying here with your dog…
Pet Policy of Peppers Craigieburn
Pet dogs are welcome to join you at Peppers Craigieburn when you book one of their Pet Friendly Hotel Rooms. Note that there are only a handful of these rooms, with pets not allowed in any other rooms, so make sure you book well in advance during busy periods. Bookings are available on the Peppers website.
Upon check-in at the hotel, you’ll be required to sign a copy of the hotel’s agreement for guests with dogs. There are fields to enter your dog’s (or dogs’) breed and name. Some of the clauses include noting that your dog is well-behaved, not aggressive, in good health and up-to-date on vaccines.
Enquire directly with the hotel for their latest pet policy, including if you are interested in staying with more than one dog.
Rooms at Peppers Craigieburn
All of the Pet Friendly Hotel Rooms at Peppers Craigieburn are located in the newer Morton Wing of the hotel. Each carpeted room comes with a king-size bed, small lounge, desk and ensuite bathroom with shower.
The room that we stayed in was located on the ground floor, just a short walk from the door leading outside to the main driveway and the lawns of the golf course, meaning that bathroom breaks were easy. There is a bin just outside of the building door – bring your own poo bags.
A large food and water bowl was provided for my dog, along with a mat. Make sure you bring your pet’s own bedding. The room is cosy in size, with smaller dog beds ideal. The room is best suited for stays where you are planning on being outside much of the time, especially if you have a larger dog.
Facilities at Peppers Craigieburn
My favourite feature of Peppers Craigieburn are the beautiful gardens that surround the hotel. There’s plenty of pretty spots to enjoy a walk with your dog. Best of all, the gardens merge seamlessly into the grass of the hotel’s nine-hole golf course – I would have enjoyed a longer walk around the grounds if the grass wasn’t so sodden in the morning!
The hotel has its own restaurant onsite, Hickory’s Restaurant and Bar, with dogs allowed on join you on the verandah. This is where a buffet breakfast with a wide variety of hot and cold dishes is served each morning. I left Schnitzel in our sunny spot on the verandah to head inside and fill up a plate, plus grab one of the homemade muffins.
This contemporary restaurant is also open daily for lunch and dinner. (Outdoor gas heaters are available for chilly evenings.) Visit the website to find out its latest opening hours and offerings – currently high tea is available at lunchtimes (see below). Each week, Pet-Friendly Patio Sundays are held.
If you’d prefer to dine in your room, a short room service menu is also available, with options ranging from hearty mains through to charcuterie and cheese boards.
Scattered around the grounds at Peppers Craigieburn you’ll also find tennis courts and a croquet lawn. There is a lovely terrace with outdoor tables located just outside of the Pet Rooms. Note however that pets are not allowed inside the lounge rooms with fireplaces near reception.
Highlights of a Stay with Your Pet
- Gorgeous gardens for pretty walks
- Onsite restaurant for lunch, dinner or high tea
- Located close to all the attractions of Bowral
- Generous pet policy with no size restrictions
Top 3 Things to Do During Your Stay
There’s no shortage of things to do nearby when staying at Peppers Craigieburn with your pup. Every year Bowral bursts into colour during the spring months, when the yearly Tulip Time festival is held, plus the many blossom trees bloom. But also enjoy these attractions year round…
#1 Enjoy High Tea at Hickory’s
There’s no need to even leave the property to enjoy high tea with your dog at Hickory’s Restaurant and Bar. Currently offered at lunchtimes, I booked in for a high tea as part of my stay.
The sunny location on the verandah was perfect for the otherwise chilly late autumn day – make sure you bring your sunglasses! While I tucked into my stand of savoury bites, sweet treats and scones, Schnitzel chewed on a long-lasting bone treat under my seat.
An extensive selection of teas is available – I sampled two, with the Strawberry Black Tea my favourite. The Mushroom and Brie Tartlet was a stand out – it melts in your mouth, with the crumbling scones another highlight. Luckily the staff kindly boxed up what I couldn’t finish, so I could finish my feast later.
#2 Taste the Wine at Centennial Vineyards
Centennial Vineyards, one of the most highly awarded cellar doors on the Southern Highlands, is located right next door to Peppers Craigieburn. It’s possible to walk to the cellar door, although there is no footpath – I instead hopped in my car for the short drive.
The cellar door is open daily from 10am for paid guided tastings, with bookings recommended. I enjoyed my tasting inside next to the (unlit) gas fireplace, with Schnitzel by my side.
You can choose the wines you’d like to taste from the huge list available, or ask the cellar staff for recommendations. The sparkling wines and pinot noirs are particularly highly regarded. I love that almost all the wines are grown onsite – you can view a map of the plantings.
It’s also possible to sit outside with your dog at the terrace bar, overlooking the vines. There’s outdoor gas heaters for the chilly months. Order from the light bites and grazing boards on the menu, with wine available by the glass.
#3 Visit Retford Park
If you’d like to visit another beautiful historic property around Bowral, drive to the other side of town, where the National Trust’s Retford Park is located. Built in the late 19th-century, this Victorian Italianate homestead is surrounded by heritage gardens dotted with sculptures.
Dogs are welcome to join you, although only in the gardens, not on the indoor tours of the house. The gardens of Retford Park are open year round from Thursday to Sunday, with a specific garden only ticket available.
I visited the gardens during early Spring in September, but there are different flowers blooming year round. The pool house built in the 1960s is surprisingly modern, while the expansive lawns are great for walks and perhaps a picnic with your pup.
Note: The author was a guest of Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.
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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.