Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Brisbane – With so many beautiful islands off the coast of Queensland, one wonders if staying on an island is Queensland’s last holiday? But if most islands do not allow dogs, check out some of the dog-friendly islands in Queensland.
Note: This post has affiliate links which means I can earn commissions if you make a purchase using the link.
Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Brisbane
One of the most dog-friendly islands off the coast of Queensland, especially in the tropics, is the Great Keppel Islands. A day trip to Groot Keppel with your dog from Yeppoon will make for a great day for beautiful beaches, swimming and snorkelling. There is so much to do on Great Keppel Island!
An Insider’s Guide To Brisbane Beaches
The easiest way to reach Great Keppel Island is by ferry. There are two ferry companies that offer short 30-minute trips with multiple departures throughout the day. Pre-booking is recommended.
We traveled with Keppel Konnections for free dog rides. Our dogs are not required to wear a mask. There are also larger Freedom Fast Cats, which cost $ 5 for small dogs and $ 10 for large dogs.
The main attraction on the island of Great Keppel (Wop-pa) is its beautiful beaches that are good for dogs. There is no indication of whether dogs are allowed on the beach. But the island is part of the same local government area as Yeppoon, so standard rules may apply by allowing dogs outdoors during the day, plus before 8am and after 4pm.
Fisherman’s Beach: The center of the island is where your ferry will drop you off and is close to the island’s shops, cafes and limited accommodation. Follow the beach to the south end to start your way to the nearby beach.
Dog Friendly Camping In South East Queensland: A Guide To Enjoying The Great Outdoors With Your Furry Friend
Shelving Beach: The next easiest beach to visit is a 5-10 minute walk from the end of Fishermans Beach, although the latter part of the trail is very rough, especially if you wear a jacket. It is popular for swimming and snorkell with parts of the reef around the beach.
Monkey Beach: Since you have the best snorkeling on the island, skip to Shelving Beach and continue on the longer walk to Monkey Beach. Unfortunately we had time to visit this beach.
Long Beach: This beautiful long white sand is great for dogs walking and swimming. There are two pedestrian walkways to the beach, the easier option to find starts at the end of the fishing beach, but there are also additional waterways that go around the rubbish end of the island. The East is actually a naked beach, although we have almost the entire beach for ourselves when we visit.
There are many hiking trails on the island, although at present they are not well maintained or even marked. Best to hold your dog while walking as we have seen goanna, echidna and many birds in the quiet forest. If you are staying on an island, it is advisable to inform your accommodation about your hiking plans.
Top Dog Friendly Private Camp Grounds Near Brisbane
As part of our ferry booking with Keppel Konnections, we added lunch at the Great Keppel Island Hideaway, great prices and delicious drinks included. The bistro shop at Hideaway is mostly outside and a favorite for dogs with lots of water bowls. On the way out, I saw a sign saying “no dogs at this point”, but I’m not sure what area it refers to – we are not the only dogs.
Other food options on the island include Tropical Vibes Cafe in-store and Great Keppel Island Pizza. Both options are either dog-friendly at their outdoor table or begging for food and going to the beach.
If you are just visiting for a day and want to spend a day exploring, it is best to bring your own lunch so you do not have to go back to the beach in the middle of the day.
While the main resort on Great Keppel Island has been closed for many years with redevelopment plans (and then quiet) every few years, the island has a choice of smaller accommodation and some vacation homes.
Of The Best Dog Friendly Hotels In Brisbane
Most of these are not pet friendly, but Airbnb may have an option for a pet or two at some point, such as this beach house. It is best to book in advance or visit Great Keppel Island with your dog for a day trip.
Another great island to visit with your dog in tropical Queensland is Magnet Island, a short 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville Beach.
Bigger than the Great Keppel, it is possible to drive to Magnet Island. If you go out with a dog, it is a good idea to travel on your own as pets are not allowed on the island bus. However, there are also car rental options from Arcade Beach Guest House and Car Rentals with at least one island car rental that allows pets today.
If you are driving to Magnetic Island by car, you must go to Magnetic Island Motor Boat. Dogs are allowed on the ferry at no extra charge. If you take them out of your car and they are not allowed to enter the cafe except the outside seats, they must be locked. Pre-booking is required for the car and it is very expensive.
Top 4 Dog Friendly Things To Do On The Gold Coast — Paws At The Park
If you are lucky enough to cross on foot, you can also take the Magnetic Island Ferries or instead on the faster Sealink passenger ferry. Dogs are allowed on the ferry at no extra charge, although it must be on the lead and muzzle lanes or instead travel in a pet carrier.
Dogs are allowed on most Magnet islands, with the exception of the national park, which covers most of the islands outside the city and includes the famous Forts Walk.
Outside the national park, dogs are allowed on most beaches. These include Nelly Bay, Geoffrey Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Picnic Bay and West Point Beach. There are many beaches that are not allowed for dogs, including Alma Bay Beaches, so check the signs.
We visited Magnet Island with our dog without a car and found our options limited. Most people leave or take the bus when they arrive and the island is bigger than expected!
The Ultimate Guide To Australia’s Best Dog Friendly Beaches
Our favorite part of the day was walking along the magnificent Gabul Way, which started near the ferry terminal and headed for Geoffreys Bay, then drove along the beach at Geoffreys Bay.
At the end of Geoffreys Bay at the end of Armand Street is a popular place to see the living stone walls. However, I recommend keeping your dog away from the Wallabies – if you are visiting the island with someone, take turns visiting the Wallabies.
Most cafes and bars on Magnet Island with outdoor dining will allow your dog to join you. The advice I heard from others was The Island Bar at Nomads Magnetic Island Backpackers (formerly Bazaar) with a cheap lunch menu and live music.
Magnet Island has many vacation homes available for rent and some of them allow pets. Find pet accommodation on your favorite website, be it Stayz, Airbnb or Booking.com. Check the rules for dogs first, including whether they are allowed inside.
The 10 Best Things To Do In Brisbane
If you like camping the only camping spot on Magnet Island during our tour is not allowed for pets so we skip the night. However, it is now owned by the Selina brand luxury hotel. I have personally confirmed with the property that Selina Magnetic Island allows pets in its camping area.
Located more than an hour north of Brisbane between Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island is a great place to hang out with your dog, whether for a day or a long stay.
Bribie Island is the easiest island to visit in Queensland because it is connected to the mainland by a short bridge. Just select Bribie Island on your car’s GPS and you’re good to go!
One of the main dog attractions on Bribie Island is the beautiful dog beach, the best dog beach in Brisbane due to its beautiful golden sands. The 4km long dog running section stretches between Woorim and Rooistrand beaches and is perfect for a beach walk with your puppy.
Take A 900 Km Doggo Friendly Island Road Trip
The easiest place to get to the fenced area is at the end of Lowry Street in Woorim, where there is an easy-to-use dog washroom with a hose. Woorim Beach is known as a tourist beach, despite the small waves on the day I visited. By.
You can also access the dog beach from Rooistand where the water is calmer. On the east side of the first car park is a few hundred meters of ant-only section before reaching the dog beach.
