When it comes to going on a family holiday that should include our furry friends right?
Indeed, many pet owners put off travelling because they don’t want to leave their pets behind.
But the good news is, pet-friendly travel is becoming more and more popular and accessible.
Australia continues to have one of the highest household rates of pet ownership in the world at 62 per cent. Almost 72 per cent of pet-owning people – which is 48 per cent of all Australians – have a dog, with cats being the next most popular pet.
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“We’re still behind Europe and the USA with pet-friendly travel but there are more options in Australia than ever before,” 9Travel expert Sami Lukis says.
“Remember, most dogs for example would rather be with you than without you. But when it comes to cats it is worth thinking about whether it would stress them out more to bring them with you on holiday.”
So if you’re wanting to plan a getaway that includes everyone in the family, here’s everything you need to know.
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Things to consider when travelling with a pet
Luckily, many places in Australia are pretty pet-friendly – beaches, walkable towns, and plenty of outdoor activities are all great things to check off when choosing a destination.
But take a minute to think about how well your destination suits your particular animal. For example, your tiny chihuahua might not be keen on tackling a 10km alpine hike in Tasmania, while a giant fluffy Husky will probably hate a trip to hot and muggy Cairns.
Also, remember most national parks in Australia don’t allow dogs.
It’s also best to keep any pet travel domestic. If you do want to take you pet overseas it can be tricky to get them back into the country due to our strict quarantine laws.
And be aware if you’re planning on taking your pet across state borders, double check the rules online first. For example, when travelling to Queensland you can take dogs, cats, guinea pigs – but you can’t take pet rabbits, ferrets or reptiles. If you’re heading to Tassie you can take cats and budgies, but there are restrictions on dogs.
Check the Website : interstatequarantine.org.au
Accommodation options with pets
Camping and caravan holidays are great options with pets, especially with more and more dog-friendly camping grounds and holiday parks. But again, remember they aren’t allowed in national parks or conservation areas. State parks sometimes allow animals.
Airbnb is another great option. They have ‘pet-friendly’ as a search criteria and have an entire category of “Drool Worthy Stays” you can scroll through.
Sami says “a quick search for this week, for two adults, two kids and one dog in NSW lists more than 1000 pet-friendly properties.”
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If you prefer the creature comforts of a hotel, the option of pet-friendly stays are still limited but growing. Small country motels, for example, are ideal for road trips.
There is an increasing number of luxury inner-city hotels that are offering pet-friendly stays. Big-name brands like the Four Seasons, Langham, QT, Ovolo, W hotels are just some that are opening their doors to four-legged guests. Some even have cute names like “Pet Pawfection” and “VIPooch” Packages.
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“They really go all out to make your furry friend feel welcome,” Sami says. “Many offer dedicated pet room service menus, pet friendly mini-bars, plush beds, toys. Some offer pet sitting and pet walking services. The Langham Hotel in Sydney even has pet party planners available to organise a birthday party for your dog.”
But most properties only offer a limited number of pet friendly rooms – so try and book well in advance.
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Pets on planes
Allowing dogs and cats in plane cabins is widespread in Europe and the United States, but as a general rule of thumb on airlines in Australia, pets are required to be checked into the cargo area of a plane, unless they are authorised assistance or service dogs.
That was until Virgin Australia introduced a new policy earlier this year that would allow “small” cats and dogs on specific domestic routes to travel in the cabin with their owners. The service is expected to launch within 12 months following regulatory approval.
The announcement came after new regulations were implemented by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority back in 2022 that make it legal for passengers to bring their pets with them while travelling under the “carriage of animals” policy.
It’s important to check with your chosen airline prior to flying for any restrictions that need to be taken into account for your specific flight. And it is also important to consider your specific pet and their health and temperament.
There are also restrictions on certain breeds such as American Pit Bull Terrier, Perro De Presa, Canario and Presa Canario, and brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekingese. You also can’t travel with a puppy or kitten under eight weeks old.
What if I have more questions about pet-friendly travel?
There are plenty of places you can get support or more information if you need. BringFido.com has a comprehensive lists of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, activities, events. They list and rate almost 10,000 pet friendly hotels.
Pupsy.com.au is another website that might help with planning. It lists Australia’s best dog-friendly beaches, camping sites, pubs, and cafes. Meanwhile Takeyourpet.com.au NRMA offers great tips on the best pet-friendly road trips.
And then there is social media. There are plenty of Facebook groups (for example “Travel Australia with Dogs”) that are full of great tips, travel ideas, pet-friendly places, places to avoid, kennel recommendations, and dog sitter requests.
“Plus zillions of cute pics of dogs on their travels all over the country,” Sami adds.
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