{"id":18201,"date":"2023-08-23T10:31:11","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T00:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelnuity.com\/?p=18201"},"modified":"2024-01-19T08:53:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T22:53:07","slug":"dog-friendly-south-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelnuity.com\/dog-friendly-south-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog-Friendly South Australia: Travelling SA with a Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

South Australia is a wonderful destination in Australia<\/a> to visit with your dog, thanks to the amazing variety of landscapes and attractions across the state. It’s home to beautiful uncrowded beaches, world-class wineries and a huge variety of outback landscapes, and there’re many dog-friendly destinations within the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re completing a Big Lap around Australia<\/a> with your pup, you’ll almost certainly pass through the state on your journey. But it’s also just a short trip from the other southern states of Victoria and New South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about travelling in South Australia with your dog…<\/p>\n\n\n

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Dog-Friendly Holiday Ideas for South Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When visiting South Australia with your dog, make sure you tick off some of these amazing sights to be found in the state, just some of the dog-friendly holiday options in South Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Paddle at Deserted Beaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

South Australia is blessed with over 4000km of magnificent coastline. So there’s no shortage of  beaches to enjoy, that are usually far from crowded. Many of them are dog-friendly, making a beach trip a must-do on you visit to South Australia with your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the best beaches in South Australia are located along the Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula<\/a>. On the western coast of the Eyre Peninsula, two of the most spectacular beaches are Farm Beach and Greenly Beach, although check the conditions first of the unsealed access roads if you don’t have a 4WD. Both beaches allowed dogs off-leash all day long. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Enjoy near deserted beaches on the Eyre Peninsula<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Even close to Adelaide there are beautiful beaches. The beaches within Adelaide<\/a> are fairly dog-friendly. Over summer, dogs permitted on-leash on the sand during the day and off-leash before 10am and after 8pm. Even better, in winter dogs are allowed off-leash on the sand all day long.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Even Glenelg Beach in Adelaide is fairly dog-friendly<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Just south of Adelaide are some more excellent dog-friendly beaches, such as Second Valley Beach and Rapid Bay. At the popular Carrickalinga Beach, dogs are allowed off-leash during the winter months, but there are some on-leash restrictions<\/a> during the summer and Easter long weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Go Dog-Friendly Wine Tasting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

South Australia is home to multiple world-class wine growing regions, from the Barossa Valley to Coonawarra, and the Clare Valley to McLaren Vale. No matter if you prefer red or white wines, you’re sure to find some excellent drops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the wineries permit well-behaved leashed dogs to join you, whether at an outdoor tasting area or inside the cellar door itself. Most local tourist information centres can provide you with a list of dog-friendly wineries, or check when you go to make a booking, with most wineries these days preferring reservations.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Go wine tasting with your dog in South Australia<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

One of the most dog-friendly wineries around is Levrier Wines<\/a> in the Barossa Valley. Dogs are required to be vaccinated (to keep their own wine dogs safe), but I’ve heard reports they even have an off-leash play area outside the cellar door. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, head to Alpha Box & Dice<\/a> in\u00a0 McLaren Vale. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome as this cellar door, which has previously held annual Dog Day events. Wirra Wirra Vineyards<\/a> in McLaren Vale, open daily, is also dog-friendly in their outside verandah area, which is also heated during winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out my tips for visiting dog-friendly wineries<\/a> with your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Explore the Flinders Ranges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before visiting the Flinders Ranges along with my dog, I wasn’t sure whether it was a worthwhile region to visit with your dog, thanks to much of the spectacular Outback region, including the famous Wilpena Pound, being located within a national park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, I discovered there’s still plenty of fun things to do with your dog<\/a>. Whether that’s driving to historic Blinman, stopping at the dog-friendly lookouts outside the national park, following the scenic drive through Parachilna Gorge or camping at the many dog-friendly outback stations.<\/p>\n\n\n

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There’s still plenty to do with your dog when visiting the Flinders Ranges<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As long as you do some research and are happy to make some compromises, don’t overlook visiting the Flinders Ranges with your dog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Hire a Pet-Friendly Houseboat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The mighty Murray River wraps up its journey to the ocean in the southeastern corner of South Australia. Thanks to its wide girth and gentle currents, it’s the ideal location for a relaxing stay on a house boat.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Hire a pet-friendly houseboat for a relaxing holiday <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There’s multiple companies that offer house boats for hire, mainly at the twin towns of Renmark and Paringa, plus further downstream at Mannum, Morgan and Blanchetown. Most of the houseboats are large enough to accomodate a large family group.  And there’s no need to leave your four-legged family members behind, with multiple companies offering pet-friendly houseboats for hire<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Visit the Outback Town of Coober Pedy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most unusual destinations in South Australia is the opal mining town of Coober Pedy<\/a>. Dotted all round town are remnants of its opal mines and most of the local population live underground, due to the summer heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than just a brief stop on the long drive north along the Stuart Highway, it’s worthwhile spending at least a night here, perhaps in an underground motel. There’s also multiple underground museums to visit and perhaps try your luck at fossicking.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Outback town of Coober Pedy<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Some of the underground museums welcome dogs, including the Tom’s Opal Mine and Faye’s Underground Home Tour, although always check before entering or booking. The nearby Breakaways, with its colourful rock formations, also allows on-leash dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Head to Kangaroo Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just off the South Australian coast is one of Australia’s largest islands, Kangaroo Island. It’s home to far more wildlife than just kangaroos, from koalas to seal colonies. Although its national parks are off-limits to pets, it’s still possible to visit the island with your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note though that a special step is required – you will need to notify the local council that you are bringing along a dog. More information is provided in the FAQs<\/a> for the Sealink ferry that you’ll likely take to the island. Dogs are permitted for free on the ferry, but must remain in your vehicle or on the top deck of the vessel, on a secure lead or in a carrier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Visit Dog-Friendly Hahndorf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The historic town of Hahndorf<\/a> in the Adelaide Hills was named a few years ago as the most dog-friendly destination in South Australia, making it a must-visit destination for you and your pup. Just a 30-minute drive from the centre of Adelaide so ideal for a day trip, the town strongly embraces its Germanic origins.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Explore the town of Hahndorf with your pup<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

To find out about the dog-friendly businesses in Hahndorf, check out the listing<\/a> on their website. A must-do is enjoying a hearty German-style lunch, with many of the restaurants that line the main street having outdoor tables and welcoming dogs to join you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Drive Across the Nullarbor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re driving in between South Australia and Western Australia there’s only one possible route – crossing the Nullarbor. Once you leave behind a few small farming towns outside of Ceduna, there’s nothing more than roadhouses and the small border village of Eucla until after 1200km you reach the WA mining town of Norseman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s a lot of long, flat and very straight driving, including the longest straight road in Australia, 90 Mile Straight. However, to break up the drive, I’ve put together a guide to the most interesting sights along the road<\/a>, most that are dog-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Crossing the Nullarbor with our dog<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Dog-Friendly Hiking in South Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There’s plenty of dog-friendly hikes in South Australia, including some in the multiple dog-friendly national parks<\/a> and other parks in the state. These are just some of the terrific dog-friendly walks in South Australia you could head out on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n