dog friendly road trips australia Page 8

Planning dog-friendly road trips in Australia? Pick routes with beaches and towns over national parks—most parks don’t allow dogs, and rangers are surprisingly punctual. Easy wins: Sydney to Jervis Bay (about 3 hours) for on-lead beaches and cafes; Brisbane to Noosa or the Sunshine Coast Hinterland (2–3 hours); the Great Ocean Road (allow a day or two, ~243 km) with plenty of dog-friendly stops; and Adelaide to Clare Valley (about 2 hours) for shaded walks and cellar doors that welcome well-behaved woofers outside. Book pet-friendly stays in advance, check local beach hours, and pack water, poo bags, a towel, and a spare lead—future you will applaud. Use a crash-tested harness or crate and never drive with a pet on your lap (that’s illegal everywhere, and daft anywhere). Take breaks every two hours, avoid hot seats and ute trays, and stash treats for morale—yours and the dog’s. Enjoy the sniffs, the views, and the smug feeling that you planned better than the cat people.