Whilst it does take extra preparation, going on a road trip with your dog is not only achievable but a ton of fun. Family trips aren’t ever complete without the whole family—and that includes your dog (though perhaps not your cat. If you’re going away, find them a top-of-the-line cattery). Before hitting the road with your furry friend, there is some preparation you’ll need to do. Researching dog-friendly accommodation and venues (including eateries) can save a lot of headaches down the road—literally. Once you’ve completed your research and travel trained your dog (road anxiety is a real thing and dogs are not exempt from it), it will be time to hit the road.
Before setting off on your road trip, you will need to pack the doggy bag. Road trip essentials for dogs include everything from leashes and poop bags to vet records and pet first aid kits. Read on to learn the full canine road trip itinerary. Once we’ve walked you through that, we’ll move on to some of the best road trips you can undertake with dogs in tow*. (*Please don’t attach your dog to the tow bar. This would be cruel—and, besides, your camper trailer will be occupying that space. Please secure your dog in a dog car seat using a dog seat belt. More on that below.)
Part 1: Road trip essentials for dogs
When going camping or on a road trip, we try to be minimalist—well, depending upon your approach, of course. If, for example, you have a camper trailer like the Cub Drifter, you’ll have cavernous storage space, rendering minimalist efforts unnecessary. Nevertheless, if you do prioritise minimalism, you might want to part with that philosophy when it comes to your canine.
There is much you should bring on a road trip with your dog. Not all of it goes into the doggy bag, either. To best navigate this section, let’s break it down into categories.
Category 1: Car accessories
Oftentimes, you’ll hear people say that it’s not about the final destination but the journey. As an avid adventurer, your mileage may vary here. Here are some must-have car accessories for your dog.
Car seat
Not all dogs will fit in a car seat, but these accessories are a must for smaller dogs. Dog car seats provide security, and their likeness to a dog basket helps to aid travel anxiety. They also give curious doggies a boost to see what’s out the window!
Seat belt
If worse were to come to worst, a dog seat belt would be your dog’s best defence against travel-related injuries. We strongly recommend you use one of these rather than squeezing your dog beneath a ‘people-sized’ seat belt. Dog seat belts are better tailored to a dog’s size—and, better yet, they’re simple to use. Simply attach them to your dog’s harness and click them into your car’s seat belt buckle. You’re good to go!
Harness
A harness is not strictly a car accessory, but it is instrumental to securing your pup during a drive. When paired with a dog seat belt, these accessories make a strong car safety duo. A harness is also a great thing to bring along for a dog, wherever you’re headed. During a walk, harnesses provide better support than a collar-and-leash combination alone. They also allow dog owners that extra bit of control.
Car seat covers
A car interior is not built for a dog. The interior is often soft and plush—or, if you’re a dog, chewable. Stain-resistant, waterproof car seat covers are your best defence against dog bites and scratches, as well as mucky paws and general wear and tear. Let them take your dog’s wrath throughout your trip, and remove them when you’re done. Simple!
Category 2: Walking accessories
What does anyone want to do after an extended car trip? If you said ‘pass out’, you’re probably not wrong, but a lot of people also like to stretch their legs. Dogs are the same this way, especially when you consider their base daily exercise needs (which vary depending on their breed, but a general rule of thumb is anywhere between half an hour to two hours). Of course, then, you’ll need to bring everything your dog will need for a walk!
Leash
Bring along your dog’s standard leash—or, as an extra-special road trip treat, buy them a new one. Did you know there are different kinds of leashes on the market? The standard leash is fine, but there are also leashes with shock-absorbent features that are great for pulling dogs. Stay away from retractable leashes, especially if your dog is in training. All these really do is allow your dog to roam on a very long string. The lack of leash tension will reinforce any pulling behaviours.
Harness
This was already covered in the car accessories category, but it bears repeating! Harnesses allow for better control and are actually safer for your dog. When all the pulling feedback travels to the neck, this can injure your dog’s trachea. Harnesses redistribute this tightening to the whole torso. If nothing else, a harness will preemptively save you on vet bills!
Poop bags
You’re likely getting the idea here: treat dog road trip walks like any other walk. That means bringing all the standard walking accessories, including poop bags. Cleaning up your dog’s poop is not only a common courtesy, but it’s best for the environment. When picking up the poop, your best bet is biodegradable bags. These will break down far faster than their plastic counterparts.
Category 3: Food and drink
A dog’s gotta eat—and it’s not like they’re picky. Wet food; dry food; dog treats. Schmackos? Whatever your dog likes, bring that along. They’ll need their strength for the long trip ahead. Also, remember to keep them hydrated! Here are the sustenance staples for the road.
Dog food and treats
Bring your dog’s regular food along. Dogs are creatures of habit, so try to keep their meal times consistent throughout the trip. You should also pocket some treats when you take your dog out walking. Your dog will be in unfamiliar surroundings, so when they manage to compose themselves commendably, you should give acknowledgement where acknowledgement’s due.
Travel water bottle
Not just any travel water bottle, either: one made specifically for dogs. Rather than a hole in the top, these drink bottles feature a slide-out bowl. These bottles are great for long car trips or long walks where communal dog bowls are hard to come by. Plus, by letting your dog have their own bottle, there’ll be zero chance of human/canine cross-contamination.
Collapsible bowls
You’ve gotta serve the food somewhere, right? Bring bowls—preferably collapsible for ease of travel—to serve your dog’s meals and water. When you’re chilling by your camper trailer, it’s best to use a water bowl rather than a travel water bottle. This way, your dog can access water whenever they need to.
Category 4: Safety and security
Some dogs take to a road trip like a duck to water—whether they’re seasoned road trippers or just starting out. Some dogs become plain skittish in unfamiliar surroundings. Regardless of where your pup falls on the spectrum, every dog owner should take the same safety precautions when travelling far from home. (This includes researching veterinary clinics or hospitals local to your road trip destination.) On the road, it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared. Here are some items to keep Pup secure and to give them the safest road trip possible.
Collar and up-to-date identification
A collar is an immediate tell that a pet belongs to someone. God forbid, but if your collared dog were to go missing, a stranger would be less likely to write them off as a stray. And should a stranger get close enough to read their identification (ID) tag, they’d know who to call. ID tags should contain your dog’s name, your best contact number, and ideally your address. As an extra precaution, it also wouldn’t hurt to have a separate tag displaying the address of your road trip destination. Before leaving for your road trip, please ensure that your dog’s ID tags and microchip are up to date. This is especially important as you will be in an unfamiliar location.
Vet records (including health and vaccination records)
You wouldn’t want to set off on a long trip without these. This may seem crazy prepared, but should the worst happen, you’ll be able to provide the local vet with their medical history. It’s also important that your dog’s vaccinations are up to date before leaving for your road trip.
Pet first aid kit
See above: it never hurts to be prepared. First aid kits are like fire extinguishers: you hope you won’t require one, but should an emergency happen, you’ll be so glad you packed one. (You should also pack a first aid kit for the humans on this road trip, too.)
Medication (if necessary)
This only applies to dogs who require medication, obviously. Your dog may require medication to treat fleas, ticks, or heartworm, for example. If you’re unsure, speak to your vet.
Category 5: Entertainment and enrichment
What is a road trip if not fun? Dogs need constant stimulation, and there will be periods where they’ll need to keep themselves entertained. Here’s how you can inject some fun into dog downtime.
Dog toys
There are different types of toys you could bring along, but if you’re going to choose just one, let it be a high-quality chew toy. Chew toys are a great way to occupy a dog—and distract them from your favourite pair of shoes. They provide stimulation that could occupy them for hours. When choosing a chew toy, ensure to purchase something made from sturdy, non-toxic materials—preferably food-grade rubber. Cheap, plastic models tend to tear, and if ingested, can be quite hazardous.
Part 2: Dog-friendly road trips to try
Now that you’ve packed the dog bag, it’s time to discuss some of the best road trips with dogs Australia-wide. We’ll list one for each Australian state and territory. Would you consider any of the following destinations?
New South Wales: Delicate Campground, Goolawah Regional Park, Crescent Head
Almost a five-hour drive from Sydney, Goolawah Regional Park is a dog-friendly campground. As if that weren’t good enough, it’s also surrounded by miles of off-lead dog beaches. Set up camp here and you’ll find plenty of shelter and amenities, as well as picnic tables and barbecue facilities. Why not whip up something on the barbie for your fellow road trippers—or your dog? It’s a special occasion, after all.
Australian Capital Territory: Uriarra Crossing, Uriarra Road, Murrumbidgee River
Uriarra Crossing in Murrumbidgee River is slightly out of Canberra, and if you’re a Canberran, you and your dog could visit just for a day trip. Do you know what’s great about rivers? They make great communal swimming holes—with zero regulations to hold back your dog from a dip! You and your dog would be free to swim in the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Bring a picnic (and your bathers!) and take it all in. (Bonus: the east and west river banks are off-lead areas, so your dog will have every opportunity to explore and inspect the river beds. Even if your dog is water-shy, they could work their way in from the sandy banks that slowly slope into the water.)
Victoria: Great Otway National Park, Southern Victoria
This is a stop along the Great Ocean Road, which is an epic road trip in itself. If you were to undertake this feat, you would want two days minimum—and, yes, you could bring your dog along for the ride. If you’re only going to stop over at one place, though, the Otways is a great springboard for outdoor activities. Take your dog for a walk at the Great Otway National Park or Otway Forest Park, or along one of the nearby beaches. There is a fair chunk of dog-friendly areas surrounding, too, including Johanna Beach Campground. Set up camp here and take in some of the most beautiful rainforest Australia has to offer.
Imagine waking up to this every day. This is just one of the many sights of Great Otway National Park.
Queensland: The Spit, Gold Coast
Though the name is not appealing, The Spit is nothing to spit at. It’s five kilometres of isthmus stretching from Main Beach to Broadwater—specifically, the section forming a seaway with the Pacific Ocean. Being a beach, The Spit is the spot for classic beach activities, such as swimming, boating, and fishing. There are also bushwalking trails with coastal views, among which is the dog-friendly Federation Walk, spanning six kilometres. In fact, all of Broadwater Beach is dog-friendly. Keep your eyes peeled for the three to four kilometres of dog beach where canines can run free.
Main Beach: the start of the five-kilometre long journey that is The Spit. (Funny how the shoreline also looks like spit.)
Northern Territory: Casuarina Beach, Darwin
Darwin’s most popular beach, Casuarina Beach, stretches for eight kilometres. It’s important to note, however, that not all of its eight kilometres are dog-friendly. Stick to the first section—between Rapid Creek and Dripstone Cliffs—and you’ll be right. In fact, this section is a canine wonderland every afternoon. Bring your dog here for some playtime and socialising! In the aftermath of the beach excitement, Dripstone Cliffs is a great place to have a picnic and admire the sunset above Darwin Harbour.
South Australia: Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, Adelaide
Sturt Gorge Recreation Park is a dog-friendly park boasting the 800-million-year-old rock formation known as the Sturt Tillite. This park has a rich natural history, and there are many things you can do here with a dog in tow. These include hiking along the River Trail, and taking a dip in one of the many waterholes that dot this somewhat challenging hike. Not up for a long walk? Take the Walk the Dog trail, which is a lot shorter and less of a challenge.
Western Australia: Home Valley Station, East Kimberley
Situated in the Kimberley wilderness, Home Valley Station is an outback explorer’s paradise. You’ll find it just near the sublime Cockburn Range. When setting up camp here, you can choose from two dog-friendly campsites: one at the Homestead, and the other next to the Pentecost River. There are so many walking trails boasting waterfalls, billabongs, waterholes, and gorgeous gorges. At night, set up a campfire for you and your dog to enjoy beneath the star-studded sky.
Tasmania: City to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Loop, Hobart
It’s not quite a road trip, but Hobart is a great holiday destination. Tasmania’s capital city is home to some of the oldest buildings in Australia, and it is just a stone’s throw from Mount Wellington. When you’re visiting with a dog, be sure to check out the walking loop that sees you through the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and many of Hobart’s natural, cultural, and heritage highlights. It’s like a natural curation of Hobart’s ‘greatest hits’. If you live locally, this makes for a great half-day out—and a great dog-walking opportunity.
Really big trees in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.