Tassie tails: exploring the island's best dog-friendly adventures

Get your nature fix

While dogs are generally not allowed into Tasmania’s national parks, they are often welcome in our reserves and conservation areas – be sure to pay special attention to the signposted rules. Just up – literally – from Hobart’s CBD, many of the walking tracks around The Springs on kunanyi/Mt Wellington allow dogs on leads. Grab a coffee and snack, and make use of the dog water bowl at Lost Freight cafe before or after your stroll.

If you’re desperate to visit a national park or other restricted area, Lisa recommends looking at local dog carers – there are various options across the state. “If I’m going to a national park, like Cradle Mountain, then yes, I’d be booking pet sitting, or doggy daycare for the day, but generally if I’m going on holiday, I’m going on holiday with the dogs, so I go places that the dogs can go.”

Lisa suggests considering the Hydro Tasmania lakes areas as dog-friendly alternatives to national parks. “There are plenty of beautiful spots you can check out with your dog at the lakes, and camping around them as well,” she says. “They’re really lovely.”

Well-known Bradys Lake in the Central Highlands has three campgrounds to choose from, with brown and rainbow trout galore for the happy fisher and their best four-legged friend. Check out Hydro’s site finder for more options and details.

Foodie pooches

Plenty of Tasmania’s gastronomical delights are available to those who travel with their dog, with many distilleries, wineries, beer gardens and cafes welcoming pets. Loira Vines is one of many in the Tamar Valley that welcomes dogs on lead; further south Devil’s Corner Winery, Wobbly Boot Vineyard and Wattlebanks Cafe do too. Dogs are allowed right into the tasting rooms at McHenry Distillery on the Tasman Peninsula, and at Dunalley Bay Distillery.

For the most discerning of hounds, Sisterhood cafe in Hobart has dog biscuits and puppuccinos on its menu, and Apricus in Launceston gives puppuccinos for free to the goodest boys and girls – perfect after a stroll along the nearby dog-friendly walking trails.

Some of the island’s outdoor markets are dog-friendly, including Hobart Twilight Market, while at Salamanca Market you can make use of puppy parking, where your dog can be left in the care of an RSPCA Tasmania staff member for up to two hours for $5; look for the RSPCA tent on the Parliament Lawns area.

For something a little different...

Give your hound a bird’s eye view by walking them along the Tahune Air Walk treetops tracks. It’s all aboard for on-lead dogs at the west coast’s Don River Railway and occasionally, on one of their Doggy Days Out, you’ll even get a discount if you BYO pooch.

Frolic through some of Tasmania’s most picturesque and colourful flower farms, such as Table Cape Tulip Farm, which opens for the season on 26 September until late October. In late summer/early autumn, head to Mount Gnomon Farm to enjoy the golden sunflowers or, for a spectacularly purple backdrop, take a calming stroll through the world’s biggest privately owned lavender farm, Bridestowe Lavender Estate. Get the camera out – or pay one of the professionals who are often present – and capture a special moment in time.

For Lisa, travelling with her four-legged family members is a joy. “I don’t have kids. I’ve never wanted kids. The dogs, for me, are family, so they are a huge part of my life. They’re here for such a short time, giving them their best life possible is what I like to do. I get a lot of enjoyment from watching them enjoy where they are and what they’re doing, even just being able to sit and share the scenery. That makes me happy.”