Dog friendly cafes around Australia for your weekend road trip

January 20, 2021

When getting away with your dog for a weekend road trip it helps to know some of the best dog friendly cafes and restaurants around Australia like @Pepsi_the_frenchbulldog. (Pictured)

Why not spoilt the pup to a boujee lunch at a dog-friendly winery in Surry Hills, who have a dedicated ‘dog menu’, or treat your four-legged pal to a ‘puppucino’ at one of the country’s many pet-friendly cafes?

Before you head off to check out the dog friendly cafes in your state or territory though make sure you tick off the Toyota Travel Safely with your dog check list. If your car gets anxiety travelling in a car, check out our tips and video to provide a step by step process to help here.

Travel Safely with Your Dog Checklist

Get them used to the idea of sitting in a car – by taking your pooch on shorter trips in the car leading up to the road trip
Keep up-to-date with vaccinations and flea treatments to make sure your dog is not scratching and feeling uncomfortable in the car
Pack doggie gear to make sure they’re comfortable while travelling – bring their bed, blanket, food bowl, water, leash and their favourite toy
Bring a dog safety harness – travelling in the car with your dog without a dog safety harness is dangerous if you happen to slam on the brakes. A dog harness simply clips into an existing seat belt holder!
Don’t feed, hydrate! Avoid travelling in cars with dogs that have just been fed as the motion could result in them feeling or being sick, so only feed them an hour or two before you go an keep them hydrated on the road
Don’t leave your dog alone in your car with the windows cracked, even if the family is just nipping to a cafe for lunch. Instead look up a dog-friendly café and bring your pup along.
Take regular breaks – try to give your dog a toilet stop and a quick walk every hour

Dog friendly cafes around Australia

VIC

The Boardwalk Bendigo (28 Nolan Street, Bendigo, VIC 3550)

Dogs are welcome in this café in the popular tourist town Bendigo. The team at Boardwalk loves dogs and you can hang out with your fur friend in the large outdoor, pet-friendly deck that overlooks Lake Weeroona. The surrounding parkland is also a popular spot to walk the doggy.

Wombat Hill House (Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, Daylesford, VIC 3460)

A beautiful café located within Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens in spa town Daylesford has a fully covered and light outdoor area that lets you bring the pooch. They are also allowed in the surrounding botanic gardens if they are in need of a sprint.

QLD

Burrow (117a Bridge Street, East Toowoomba, QLD 4350)

Burrow is a cosy and pet-friendly nook in the heart of Toowoomba that servs all day breakfast, coffee and free cuddles for your four-legged friends. They have a comfy grassed backyard if you’re pup would like to stretch out in the sun or play with other pooches.

Murrays Cafe (1/78 Sixth Ave, Maroochydore, QLD 4558)

In coastal town Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast is pet-friendly café Murray. They have “the best” freshly baked muesli cookies and a Picasso coffee and they even have a dog menu so that you can brunch with your two-legged bestie. Both you and your furry friend will be 100% spoilt at this café.

NSW

Café Inu (43 Denison St, Carrington NSW 2294)

Dogs are welcome at Café Inu in Carrington, just outside of Newcastle if you’re planning a road trip up the coast. They have ample outdoor seating areas for the pooch to stretch out. ‘Inu’ means ‘dog’ in Japanese – they even have their own café pooch called, Bear! There are doggy treats such as kangaroo jerky available to buy and dogs can wander around any part of the cafe – inside or out.

The Winery (285a Crown St, Hurry Hills, NSW 2010)

A romantic getaway awaits you in this tranquil winery in Surry Hills where you can wine, dine, and not leave your pet behind. Just stick to a responsible amount of vino if you are the designated driver.

ACT

Two Before Ten (68 Bandajalong Cres, Aranda)

Welcomes dog-accompanied patrons. It offers water bowls, coffee-sack ground ‘dog-blankets’, and two options for outdoor dog friendly seating

Little Bird (48 Macquarie Street, Barton)

Boasting a generous outdoor area perfect for dogs that catches the morning sun, Little Bird also provides good shade midday and afternoon. Nearby is the beautiful on leash walk at Lake Burley Griffin and the National Gallery’s sculpture garden.

WA

Propeller (222 Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantel, WA 6159)

Propeller is a hip café in North Fremantle if you want to get away for the day with your fur buddy. They have a large, grassy outdoor area where pooches can hop around in the sun while you sip your coffee.

Slate Cafe (4 Dulwich Street, Bennett Springs, WA 6063)

One of the most popular doggo date locations in Bennett Springs! They have both indoor and outdoor playground for kids and of course your furry friends as well as large grassed picnic area.

NT

Eva’s Botanical Gardens Cafe (George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Gardens Road, The Gardens NT 0800)

Sit in the Botanic Gardens you can sit beside your dog in the outdoor area of this pet friendly café. They’ll get a fresh bowl of water upon arrival whilst you can enjoy your coffee or meal.

The Foreshore Cafe & Restaurant (259 Casuarina Drive Nightcliff NT 0810)

Open from 7am until 10pm daily, with meals served until 9:30pm, kick back and relax with your fur buddy, soaking up an amazing view of the Darwin sunset.

De la Plage – Darwin Surf Life Saving Club (Darribah Road, Brinkin NT 0810)

The Cafe De la plage is a relaxed cafe that is very family friendly (and dog friendly too!).

SA

Malobo Cafe  (257 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach SA)

Featured on our TV show Pooches at Play, Malobo café serves doggy treats and puppacinos, it’s a great dog friendly cafe to wind down for humans and dogs after a play on the beach.

The Esplanade Hotel (Cnr Esplanade & Jetty Roads, Brighton)

Located opposite Brighton Beach, ‘The Espy’ offers a relaxed meal, a quick coffee or a wine in the sun. With all day dining and a dog-friendly outdoor area, you can bring the pets too!

TAS

Winter Brook Vineyard (150 Hjorts Rd, Loira TAS 7275)

Winter Brook Winter Brook Vineyard is located around an hour’s drive from Devonport. This is the perfect place to bring you pooch for a fun day of wine tasting and picnics. The owners have their own dogs so are more than happy to allow you bring your four-legged friend and let them roam the fenced vineyard while you enjoy your wine tasting.