Recently, I saw a complaint by a traveller about the lack of dog friendly places in Darwin. Well, of course, I wasn’t too impressed because I know of many places here that are dog friendly. That got me to thinking that perhaps I should do a post on where to go here that is dog friendly so you have a better idea when you’re up here.
So, here we go:
LOCAL VETS:
- Parap Veterinary Hospital, Parap (inner suburb Darwin)
Ph: (08) 8981 9767
- Palmerston Veterinary Hospital, Palmerston (20 mins south of Darwin – major centre)
Ph: (08) 8932 2344
http://www.parapvet.com.au/ (same link as Parap Vet)
- All Pets Veterinary Hospital, Rapid Creek (Darwin suburb) –
Ph: (08) 8948 0056
- The Ark Animal Hospital, Palmerston
(08) 8932 9738
- Litchfield Vet Hospital, Coolalinga
(08) 8983 2838
- Girraween Veterinary Hospital, Howard Springs
(08) 8983 1183
http://www.girraweenvet.com.au/
- Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic, Howard Springs
(08) 8983 1458
http://www.howardspringsvets.com.au/
- Humpty Doo Vet, Humpty Doo
(08) 8988 3340
LOCAL BOARDING KENNELS:
A word of warning: Kennels in Darwin get booked up for the DRY season and CHRISTMAS SEASON well ahead of time. If you know you are heading up here during those peak times, then it is advised to ring and book your pet/s in as far ahead as possible (even 12 months in advance). Do not expect to book your pet/s in during those seasons as you arrive.
- The Furry Godmother, Airport, Darwin – http://www.furry.com.au/
- Helga’s Pet Resort, Virginia – http://www.helgaspetresort.com.au/
- A1 Kennels & Cattery, McMinns Lagoon – http://www.a1kennelsandcattery.com.au/
- Bees Creek Boarding Kennels (30 mins south of Darwin) – http://beescreekboardingkennels.com.au/
LOCAL DOG MINDING/DAY CARE
- The Furry Godmother, Airport, Darwin – http://www.furry.com.au/
- A1 Kennels & Cattery, McMinns Lagoon – http://www.a1kennelsandcattery.com.au/locals.php
PET FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION:
There are many pet friendly accommodation options available in Darwin and surrounding areas for those who are travelling with pets but want to stay in somewhere other than their caravan or camper trailer. Rather than list them all separately, here’s the link to STAYZ that lists all the pet friendly accommodation options:
There are also other options and a simple Google search with the terms ‘pet friendly accommodation Darwin’ will bring up a host of them.
PET FRIENDLY CARVAN PARKS:
- Big4 Howard Springs – https://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/nt/darwin-surrounds/howard-springs-holiday-park
Please note that Big4 write the following in their conditions: “The dog owner must contact the park directly in advance of arrival to apply to have their dog accepted in that particular BIG4 Holiday Park. Special conditions may apply for each park, including date restrictions and the payment of a security deposit”.
- Coolalinga Tourist Park – http://www.coolalingatouristpark.com.au/
Please note that Coolalinga TP advise the following: “Pets are allowed with prior approval from the Park Manager, so if you are interested in inviting your pet along, please mention this at time of booking. Please note that there is no charge for one dog but a $2 daily fee for a second dog”.
- Oasis Tourist Park & Caravan Park – http://oasistouristpark.com.au/index.html
- Tumbling Waters Holiday Park, Berry Springs – http://turu.com.au/parks/nt/darwin/tumbling-waters-holiday-park.aspx
“Small dogs travelling in own caravan upon application”
- Batchelor Holiday Park, Batchelor (gateway to Litchfield Park) – http://turu.com.au/parks/nt/darwin/batchelor—litchfield/batchelor-holiday-park.aspx
- Banyan Tree Caravan and Tourist Park, Batchelor – http://turu.com.au/parks/nt/darwin/banyan-tree-caravan-and-tourist-park.aspx
- Robbie Robbins Reserve, Berrimah – http://www.campinaustralia.com.au/campfinder/place/robbie-robbins-reserve
- Territory Manor Motel & Caravan Park – (400km south of Darwin) http://www.matarankamotel.com/
OFF LEASH AREAS – parks/beaches:
- From the Darwin City County Website – “Most Council parks, reserves and beaches are `off-lead dog exercise areas’ as long as the dogs are supervised and under effective control. Dogs, however, are banned at East Point Reserve, in the Mall and at markets such as the Mindil, Rapid Creek, Parap and Nightcliff Markets”. http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/live/animals-and-pets/dogs/leash-dog-parks
- Marlow Lagoon Pet Park, Palmerston – http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/laws-and-permits/animals/marlow-lagoon-pet-park
- Casuarina Beach – “Be sure to stick to the first section of the beach, which is only dog-friendly between Rapid Creek and Dripstone Cliffs; the views are worth it. It also happens to be one of the most popular dog-walking spots in Darwin, so you’re sure to find some furry friend”s. (http://www.domain.com.au/advice/best-dog-parks-darwin/}
- Holmes Jungle Nature Park – on leash (to conserve the natural ecosystem)
- Dripstone Cliffs aka beach in front of Darwin Surf Lifesaving Club, Darribah Road, Brinkin
- Vestey’s Beach, Fannie Bay, Darwin (in front of Ski Club & Mindil Beach)
- Nightcliffe Foreshore and Jetty – on leash only but a lovely walk where you can grab fish & chips from the numerous vans in the evening around Sunset then set yourself up on the grass and enjoy the sunset
PET FRIENDLY PUBS/CAFES/RESTAURANTS etc:
- The Cool Spot, Fannie Bay
- Alley Cats Patisserie, Unit 14/69 Mitchell Street, Darwin City
- Salvatores, Cnr Knuckey & Smith Street, Darwin City
- The Foreshore Restaurant & Café, Nightcliffe, Darwin
- Boatshed Coffee House, Cullen Bay, Darwin
- La Beach Fish & Chips, Cullen Bay, Darwin (though you set yourselves up on the beautiful grassed area in front of La Beach and watch the sun set over the ocean
- Café Eco, Paradoxic, 12 Knuckey Street, Darwin City
- Eva’s Café, George Brown Garden Botanic Gardens, Darwin
- Darwin Waterfront – grassed/picnic areas
- Café Central Darwin, 1/29 Rossiter Street, Rapid Creek, Darwin
- Café de la Plage (Darwin Surf Club), Darribah Road, Brinkin – this place is special: you have the whole beach in front of you which is ALL off leash where you can run the dog/s at your leisure. Then, pop back into the café for coffee/drinks/light meals while you sit on the grass or at a bench with your dog/s.
- Humpty Doo Hotel
- Daly Waters Pub (approx. 600km south of Darwin)
- Adelaide River Inn (aka 303 Bar), Adelaide River, NT
- Corroboree Park Tavern, Marrakai, NT
- Bark Hut Hotel – on the way to Kakadu
PET FRIENDLY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:
George Brown Garden Botanic Gardens, Darwin
- Territory Made Markets (3rd Sunday of the month during the Dry), George Brown Garden Botanic Gardens, Darwin
PET SUPPLIES:
- Aussie Pooch Nutrition & Wellbeing
2/45 Toupein Road,
Yarrawonga NT
Ph: (08) 8931 2906
(about 30mins out of Darwin in the Palmerston area)
“NT’s only Natural Health Food Store for Pets
– Natural Dietary Supplements
– Natural Antibiotic, Cortisone & Steroid Free Medicines
– Chemical Free Worming
– Probiotics
– Cleansing/Detox
– Organic Chemical-Free Grooming Products
– 100% Natural Real Meat, Preservative, Salt, Grain & Filler Free Pet Treats
– Meat & Bones
– Convenience options for Raw Feeders
– Pressure Activated Cool Mats
– NT’s only stockist of Meals For Mutts & Meows
All products & suppliers Australian Owned & Made (apart from our NZ Green Lipped Mussel products)
Our shop is pet friendly. Conditions of entry are:-
– Dogs & Cats to be on leash
– Dogs to have had their full puppy vaccinations
– Puppies welcome 10 days after their 3rd puppy vaccination
– Titer Test signed by a veterinarian accepted for adult dogs who have had some history of vaccinations as a puppy or young adult
If you want your dog to live a healthy life, free of chronic disease like allergies, cancer, liver and kidney disease, then the first step is to get your dog off kibble or ‘junk food for dogs’ as we like to refer to it. Processed foods simply can’t deliver all the building blocks your dog needs for a strong immune system and glowing good health. Nobody who eats processed foods, or meals that come in a box or bag, can be truly healthy. We love dogs and we want all dogs to be happy and healthy. That’s why we believe every dog should be fed a biologically & species-appropriate raw diet of meat, bone, fruit & vegetable, organs and omega fatty acids. As close to the natural diet of their ancestors as possible.
We aim to help those wanting to make a full or partial transition to a healthier diet for their pooch”.
Well, folks, thats about it. As you can see, there’s quite a lot of places you can be with your dog here in Darwin.
As we travel around the NT more widely, we will elaborate on where we have taken our dogs. We are heading to Alice Springs and Uluru next week and are taking our dogs, so will be able to add another post soon on dog friendly NT.
Cheers
Exploring Oz in Style 
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