Top 5 Dog-Friendly Destinations in South Australia to Visit

Many dog owners visiting South Australia while travelling around Australia with their pets comment on how pet-friendly the state is.

There’s no need to leave your pup behind when exploring many of the state’s top attractions, from gorgeous beaches to outback towns.

In particular, if you’re travelling with your dog, I recommend making plans to visit these top dog-friendly destinations in South Australia. 

#1 Go Wine Tasting in the Barossa

It wouldn’t be a proper trip to South Australia without spending some time tasting (and buying) the wide variety of world-class wines that the state produces. Luckily, it’s easy to bring along your pup, with many wineries in South Australia welcoming well-behaved dogs to join you, whether in outdoor areas or even inside cellar doors.

It’s hard to choose just one wine region to recommend, but the Barossa Valley is one of the most popular regions – both thanks to its fine shiraz red wines and its close proximity to Adelaide. It’s close enough for a day trip, or else spend the weekend in the towns of Tanunda and Nuriootpa.

One of the most dog-friendly cellar doors in the Barossa Valley is Levrier Wines. This winery has their own resident wine dogs, with other vaccinated dogs welcome to visit.

Pups can join you for a tasting inside, or else spend some time in the cellar door’s own off-leash dog park – the perfect way to keep your pup happy in between tastings.

While in the Barossa, don’t miss stopping in at Maggie Beer’s Farmshop, with dogs welcome to join you on the deck while you enjoy a platter. Or just stock up on picnic supplies.

Pups are also welcome in the semi-enclosed beer garden at the Tanunda Hotel and at the outdoor tables at Stein’s Taphouse. 

Pets are welcome to join you at most caravan parks in the Barossa Valley, at least on campsites but also often in cabins.

Discovery Parks – Barossa Valley has multiple pet-friendly cabins and is just a short walk from the centre of Tanunda. Alternatively, call up Barossa Weintal to book one of their pet-friendly rooms. 

#2 Camp Along the Murray

Heading further away from Adelaide, you’ll reach the banks of the Murray River. This mighty river crosses the southeastern corner of the state through the Murraylands and Riverland regions, before flowing into the Southern Ocean at Lake Alexandrina.

For a relaxing holiday, camp at one of the many caravan parks or campgrounds that are dotted along the banks of the Murray. An excellent pet-friendly caravan park is the Riverbend Caravan Park in Renmark, that welcomes pets year round and has two pet-friendly cabins with their own enclosed yard.

The Waikerie Holiday Park also has a pet-friendly cabin, or there’s a basic campground just outside of Berri at Martins Bend Reserve.

South Australia is also home to some pet-friendly national parks, including the Murray River National Park. Leashed dogs are allowed in many sections of the national park, including the Paringa Paddock, Kingston-on-Murray and Lyrup Flats sections.

Lyrup Flats includes an extensive basic campground – take your pick among campsites including ones suitable for large groups.

Popular activities to fill your days include fishing and boating. There are also plenty of great dog-friendly walks, including some at Paringa Paddock and the walking trail from Martins Bend Reserve into Berri.

Buy some local fruit, stop off at lookouts above the river (the Big Bend lookout is particularly impressive) and check out the silo art. 

#3 Drive Through the Flinders Ranges

For a more adventurous experience, head further north to the Flinders Ranges with your dog, on the edge of outback South Australia. This large region is often synonymous with the national park of the same name, which in this case is off limits to dogs. But there’s still plenty to explore when visiting with your dog.

Top of my recommendations is the scenic drive from Hawker through to the hamlet of Blinman, along the fully sealed road.

While this route does pass through the national park, it’s fine as long as you don’t stop within the park – instead there’s plenty of lookouts to take in views of the rugged ranges from just outside the park boundaries.

From Blinman, the unsealed Parachilna Gorge Scenic Drive heads west to the Outback Highway. Enquire in Blinman whether the road is in decent condition – if so it’s fine to drive in a 2WD, although take your time.

Just over halfway along the road are a number of camping spots dotted around Parachilna Gorge – perfect for some bush camping with your pup, although be warned there are no facilities. 

Another popular dog-friendly camping spot in the Flinders Ranges is Rawnsley Park Station. Choose between the powered and unpowered sites, or stay the night in the pet-friendly cabins.

There’s even a supervised dog run where you can leave your pup behind while you visit the nearby national park for the day.

#4 Explore the Beaches of the Eyre Peninsula

South Australia is home to many dog-friendly beaches – dogs are even allowed on the beaches in Adelaide, though they need to be leashed between 10am and 8pm over the summer months. But for plenty of deserted stretches of beach that you can call your own head to the Eyre Peninsula.

The Eyre Peninsula is huge, with plenty of beaches along both its east and west coasts. The rules for dogs on beaches differ from region to region, thanks to many small local government areas with their own rules – check the local signs. Two of the most spectacular off-leash beaches are Farm Beach and Greenly Beach on the west coast.

Many of the beaches are home to small campgrounds, with basic facilities in return for small nightly fees. Spend a few nights camped up, enjoying walks and fishing on the beach during the day, before relaxing around a campfire in the evening (at least outside of bushfire season). 

One of the most spectacular dog-friendly spots on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula is Talia Caves, home to the large cavern known as the Woolshed and the Tub, a large crater in the cliff that is connected to the sea by a tunnel. Unfortunately, the road to this spot is usually quite rough – it’s best suited for 4WD vehicles only. 

If you only have a 2WD, instead considering following the Great Ocean Scenic Drive at Elliston (while unsealed, the road is kept in excellent condition and is fine for all vehicles), or head to Coffin Bay. One of the best oyster growing areas in Australia, enjoy some freshly shucked local oysters and a glass of wine on the deck of Oyster HQ with your pup by your side. 

#5 Go Underground at Coober Pedy

One of the most surprisingly dog-friendly places in South Australia is the outback town of Coober Pedy. Best known for its opal mines and underground houses, its quirky locals are also quite welcoming to dogs.

To find out more about the opal mining, head underground on the tour at Tom’s Opal Mine, a former mine that operated in the 1980s and 1990s. Dogs are welcome to join you, both on the guided and self-guided tours. You’re afterwards welcome to “noodle” for opals in the dirt heaps outside – perhaps your pup can help!

Get in the spirit of the locals and spend the night underground. The Comfort inn Coober Pedy Experience has multiple pet-friendly underground rooms, while there are multiple holiday rentals around town that are underground and welcome dogs. 

Coober Pedy is also home to the only underground campground in the world – make a booking at Riba’s Underground Camping. Just note that only tents are allowed in the underground section; campervans and caravans need to stay on top.

While in Coober Pedy, don’t miss out on visiting the colourful hills know as the Breakaways to the north, in the Kanku–Breakaways Conservation Park. Pets are welcome to join you, as well as they stay leashed and everyone stays on the paths. Buy a permit for your vehicle before leaving Coober Pedy. 

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