Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Brisbane – With countless stunning islands off the coast of Queensland, is it any wonder that an island holiday is perhaps Queensland’s top holiday? But since most islands do not allow dogs, check out some Queensland islands that have dogs.
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Great Keppel Island is one of the most dog-friendly islands on the coast of Queensland, especially in the tropics. A day trip to Great Keppel with your dog from Yeppoon makes for a fantastic day out, thanks to the stunning beaches, swimming and snorkelling. There are so many things to do on Great Keppel Island!
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The easiest way to get to Great Keppel Island is by boat. There are two ferry companies that offer a short 30 minute trip with multiple departures throughout the day. Advance reservations are recommended.
We walk with Keppel Connections which accepts dogs for free. Our dog does not need to wear a leash. There is also Liberty’s big cats that charge $5 for small dogs and $10 for large dogs.
The main attraction of Great Keppel Island (Wop-pa) is its beautiful beaches, which fortunately are dog friendly. There are no signs on the beaches indicating whether dogs are allowed or not. But the island is part of the same local government area as Yeppoon, so the default rules about dogs being on leads during the day and off leads before 8am and after 4pm apply.
Fisherman’s Beach: In the center of the island, this is where the boat docks close to the island’s few shops, cafes and accommodation. Walk along the beach at its southern end to start the walking path that leads to the neighboring beaches.
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Shelving Beach: The next easiest beach to visit is 5-10 minutes from Fisherman’s Beach End, although the last part of the trail is quite difficult, especially if you wear flip-flops. It is popular for swimming and snorkelling, with sections of reef on both sides of the beach.
Monkey Beach: Considered one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, skip the Shelving Beach crossing and continue along the long trail to Monkey Beach. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to visit this beach.
Long Beach: This beautiful stretch of white sand is ideal for paddling and swimming with dogs. There are two hiking trails that lead to the beach, the easiest option to find from the end of Fisherman’s Beach, and another inland trail through the ruins of the island. The east end is actually a nude beach and we had almost the entire beach to ourselves during our visit.
There are many hiking trails on the island that are not well maintained or currently marked. It is best to keep your dog on a lead during the trek as we see goanna, echidna and many birds in the quiet forest floor. If you are staying on the island, we recommend that you inform your accommodation of your travel plans.
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As part of our cruise booking with Keppel Connections we included a lunch with drinks at Great Keppel Island Hideaway which was great value and delicious. Bistro at Hideaway is primarily open-air and dog-friendly, with plenty of water bowls. Along the way I noticed a sign that said “Do not pass this point”, but I’m not sure what area it was referring to – we weren’t the only ones with a dog.
Other dining options on the island include Tropical Vibes Cafe in the main shop and Great Keppel Island Pizza. Both options may allow dogs at their outdoor tables, or require a lift and head to the beach.
If you’re only visiting for the day and want to spend your day exploring, it’s best to bring your own picnic so you don’t have to return to Fisherman’s Beach in the middle of the afternoon.
Although Great Keppel Island’s main resort has been closed for years, with plans for redevelopment (and then closure) every year, the island has many other small lodges and holiday homes.
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Most of them don’t allow pets, but there are usually one or two pet-friendly options, like this beach house on Airbnb. It is best to book in advance or continue to visit Great Keppel Island with your dog on a day trip.
Another important island in tropical Queensland that you can visit with your dog is Magnetic Island, a 20-minute boat ride off the coast of Townsville.
An island much larger than Great Keppel Island, you can take your car to Magnetic Island. If you are traveling with a dog, it is best to have your own tour as pets are not allowed on the island’s buses. However, there is also the option to rent a car, and Arcade Beach Guest House also rents a car in at least one car rental on the island that allows pets these days.
If you are taking your car to Magnetic Island, you will need to take the Magnetic Island Ferries car. Dogs are allowed on the cruise at no extra charge. You will need to take them out of your car and keep them on a leash unless they are allowed in the cafe area except outside. Advance booking of cars is essential and very expensive.
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If you want to cross on foot, you can also use the Magnetic Island Ferries car train or book with the Sealink high-speed train. Dogs are allowed on the ship at no extra charge, but they must be on a leash or travel in a pet carrier.
Most of Magnetic Island is dog friendly, with the exception of the National Park which covers most of the island outside the villages and includes the famous Forts Walk.
Outside of the national park, dogs on leashes are allowed at many beaches. These include Nellie Bay, Jeffrey Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Picnic Bay and West Point beaches. There are a few beaches where dogs are prohibited, including patrolled Alma Bay, so check the signs.
We visited Magnetic Island with our dog without a car and found our options limited. Most people arrive by car or bus, and the island is bigger than you might expect!
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Favorite part of the day is a walk along the beautiful Gable Way promenade which starts near the ferry terminal and leads to Jeffrey’s Bay, followed by a leash walk along Jeffrey’s Bay beach.
At the head of Jeffrey’s Bay, the resident rock at the end of Armand Way is a popular spot for spotting wallabies. However, I recommend keeping your dog away from the wallabies. If you are visiting the island with someone else, take their walking paths.
Most cafes and pubs on Magnetic Island with outdoor dining areas will allow your dog to join you. A recommendation I’ve heard from others is the Island Bar (formerly Base) at Nomad’s Magnetic Island Backpackers, which has an inexpensive lunch menu and live music.
Magnetic Island has a wide selection of vacation homes to rent, some of which are pet friendly. Search for pet-friendly accommodation on your favorite site like Stayz, Airbnb or Booking.com. Check the rules in advance, including whether dogs are allowed inside.
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If you want to camp, the only campsite on Magnetic Island during our visit did not allow pets, so we avoided staying overnight. However, it has now been acquired by a high-end hostel brand, Selena. I have personally confirmed that Selena Magnetic Island allows pets on campsites.
Located an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, between Moreton Bay and the West Coast, Bribie Island is a great place to visit, whether for a day or a longer stay with your dog.
Bribie Island is the easiest Queensland island to visit as it is connected to the mainland by a small bridge. Select Bribie Island in your car GPS and go!
One of the main attractions of Bribie Island for dogs is the stunning dog beach, the best dog beach in the Brisbane area thanks to its beautiful golden sand. Running between Woorim Beach and Red Beach, the off-road dog walking section is over 4km long, perfect for a beach walk with your pup.
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The easiest place to access the off-leash area is at the end of Lowry Street in Woorim, where there is a dog washing facility with rope. Woorim Beach is known as a surfing beach, although the waves were low on the day I visited.
You can also access the unspoiled dog beach from Red Beach, where the water is calm. East of the main parking area, there is an on-leash dog section for a few hundred meters before reaching the off-leash dog beach.
