Looking to hit the road for the Summer holidays with your pooch?
Well, you’re not alone with recent research showing that 2 million Aussies travelled with their dog on holiday last year and Google’s search for ‘dog-friendly road trips Australia’ increased by more than 40% over the past 12 months.
It’s all about the journey and not the destination and with that in mind, Compare the Market analysed some of Australia’s most popular road trips on three pet-friendly factors to reveal the best getaway to bring your fur-baby along for the ride.
Ranked on the number of pet-friendly restaurants, vets and dog-friendly hotels, here are the top five:
1 )Legendary Pacific Coast – 159 restaurants, 78 vets and 1532 hotels.
2) Great Ocean Road – 117 restaurants, 58 vets and 776 hotels.
3 )Grand Pacific Drive – 109 restaurants, 46 vets and 608 hotels.
4) South West Edge – 50 restaurants, 26 vets and 325 hotels.
5) Nullarbor Plain – 46 restaurants, 23 vets and 179 hotels.
Coming in at the top of the list for a pawsome holiday, the Legendary Pacific Coast road trip is also legendary in terms of pet suitability; while it may be tempting to stop at servos or fast food outlets, there are a plethora of pet-friendly eateries along the 999 km route to choose from.
Think brunch at Frankie’s Café in Port Macquarie or lunch at quirky café Method to the Madness when you reach Brisbane, while the accommodation choices en route offer up everything from cosy beachside cottages to caravans, hotels and motels.
Ranking second is the 243 km Great Ocean Road, which hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and wind-swept Southern Ocean. Take in scenic vistas, craggy cliffs, empty beaches and soaring bluffs flanked by brilliant green countryside. You will have to keep your dog in the car driving through the national parks, however, there are plenty of natural wonders you can visit including Beauchamp Falls.
The Grand Pacific Drives takes third spot with a 140 km scenic route, winding along the picturesque coastline of NSW and Victoria. Make sure to stop at Little Austinmer Beach, where there is plenty of off-leash space for your furry friends to run and play – there are even showers to house down any muddy or sandy pups.
"As we head into Spring and Summer, heading on a road trip with your pooch can be a stress-free way to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful coastlines and landscapes,” says Adrian Taylor, General Manager of General Insurance at Compare the Market.
"However, when embarking on a long journey, pet owners want to make sure their pooch can have a stress-free and welcoming experience – as well as a vet nearby should their canine companion unfortunately fall ill.”
To view full details of the research, including some tips on how to have a stress-free journey with your dog, click here.
