Loosen the Leash with Dog-Friendly City Activities this Summer
Having rolled out our pawesome VIPooch initiative across all Ovolo property’s this year, allowing dog-friendly hotel stays, our teams have picked up quite the nose for sniffing out the best dog-friendly activities across our Australian cities.
Here’s our list of VIPooch worthy, Pup-arazzi pawfect, fur-friendly hotspots across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra to treat your pooch this summer and check in at any Ovolo for a VIPooch stay.
(Credit to @brookemccauley_ at Laneways By Ovolo)
Brisbane
In the Sunshine State where summer vibes never sleep, your pooch friendly options run year-round – it can be a ruff choice. We’ve made it easy for you with our picks of Brisbane’s best dog-friendly activities to enjoy.
Brisbane’s Dog Friendly Café’s, bars and restaurants
What better way to start the day than with some caffeine and a bite to eat with your canine? Don’t forget to order a little extra to slip your fur friend under the table at these dog-friendly Brisbane cafés’:
- Alta Café, Brisbane
- All Inn Brewing Co, Banyo
- Felon’s Brewing Co at Howard Smith Wharves.
- The New Black, Fortitude Valley
- The Scratch, Milton
- Two Black Birds Specialty Coffee, Spring Hill
- Two Donkeys Café, Spring Hill
- Bar Bosc, West End
Activities
Let your pooch run free off-leash with some new fur friends at Victoria Park or Paddington Dog Park or check out these pooch approved on-leash walks:
Riverwalk
Walk the river from New Farm Park to the city and or South Bank, for a riverside self-guided tour of Brisbane’s river views including the city skyline and Story Bridge.
Paddington Pup Pub Crawl
Grab a burger and a beer lunch at Remy’s before walking to Kettle and Tin for Bloody Mary’s and waffles. Stroll on to the Hope and Anchor dog-friendly courtyard before dropping by Atticus Finch Café where you can play fetch with the resident dog and snag a doggy treat, finishing up at Java Lounge.
Hike Up Mt Coot-tha
Climb from the base to the summit of Mount Coot-tha City Park through iconic Australian bushland. Take the 2km Honeyeater track to soak in the city views from above.
Kangaroo Point Stairs
Challenge your pooch to a race to the top of Kangaroo Point Stairs where unbeatable city views will greet you at the top. From there you can walk the length of the cliffs to South Bank for an afternoon by the river complete with water breeze and sun.
Drive-in Movies
Catch a flick with your fur friend at the Yatala Drive-In and remember to pack snacks which are human and dog friendly!
Markets
Take a slow start morning stroll through Brisbane’s weekend Farmer’s Markets including Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Davies Park Market, Caseldine Markets, Milton Markets or Northey Street Markets.
Night on the town
Head to Eat Street or the Downey Street Food Trucks to enjoy a night out in Brisbane with your pooch celebrating local food, live music and more.
Water activities
If your fur baby has a love of the water, head to Sandgate Pier for some dog-friendly beach fun in the sun. Beyond a swim and walk along the shore, Surf Connect at Sandgate will set you up with a paddle board or kayak to take your pooch on an ocean adventure.
Sydney
Dog Friendly Bars, Cafes and Restaurants in Sydney
While Sydney is a hub of dog-friendly venues, we’ve test and tried to decide on the best foodie dog days out to be enjoyed at these Sydney’s Dog Friendly Restaurants, Cafes and Bars:
- Porch and Parlour, North Bondi
- Rose Royale, Potts Point
- Storehouse on the Park, Rushcutters’s Bay
- The Bucket List, Bondi
- The Commons, Darlinghurst
- The London Hotel, Paddington
- The Winery, Surry Hills
- Wildflower Brewing, Marrickville
- Yulli’s Brews, Alexandria
Activities
Parks and Walks
Sydney serves up incredible views from a number of dog-friendly (on-leash) walks throughout the city and beyond. Stroll along the east coast from Bondi to Manly or check out some city and harbour views from the Glebe Foreshore Park. Get a close up of the Harbour Bridge on your stroll from Observatory Hill Park in The Rock’s or Pirrama Park in Pyrmont.
Doga
Take some time-out with your pooch at Dog-Yoga is run by Rancan Sisters Fitness in Mosman (North Sydney).
Boutique Shopping
Treat your pooch to a spot of high-end Sydney shopping at Dogue in Bondi where you’ll find a two-level pet boutique and luxurious dog grooming salon in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Cool Down
Sirius Cove in Mosman is a beautiful, protected beach with plenty of shade for you and your pooch to spend the day beach side, soaking summer rays.
Picnic Spot
Set up a picnic for two at Barangaroo Reserve for a day outdoors by Sydney’s iconic Harbour.
Water Activities
Head to Watsons Bay’s Gibson’s Beach or Rose Bay to try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding with your best fur friend.
Canberra
Dog Friendly Bars, Cafes and Restaurants in Canberra
In the nation’s capital, VIPooch’s take priority at these dog friendly venues:
- Capital Brewing Co, Fyshwick
- Doubleshot Deakin, Deakin
- Some Café, Collector
- The Doughnut Department, Canberra
- The Pedlar, Campbell
- Yarralumla Gallery & Oaks Brasserie, Yarralumla
Activities
Parks and Walks
Enjoy Canberra’s sweeping landscapes, strolling through Weston Park in Yarralumla or along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin for water views or head to National Arboretum Canberra to experience iconic Australian bushland. O’Connor Dog Park, otherwise known as Inner North Dog Park, is your paw-fect spot to make some pooch pals.
Winery tours
On the outskirts of Canberra live a number of wineries for you and your pooch to stop in at on your way to Ovolo Nishi including Lerida Estate, Murrembateman Winery and Olleyville at Shaw Vineyard.
Go Boat Canberra
Taking off from the Kingston foreshore, enjoy a day out on the water. While food is BYO, lifejackets are provided for you and your best fur friend.
Melbourne
Dog Friendly Bars, Cafes, and Restaurants in Melbourne
Well-loved as the hospitality heart of Australia, check out Melbourne’s best dog friendly foodie hotspots:
- Arboury, Melbourne
- City Wine Shop, Melbourne
- Dog House, Collingwood
- GAP Café, West Melbourne
- Great Northen Hotel, Carlton North
- Madame Brussels, Melbourne
- Priscilla Jones, Albert Park
- The Palace Hotel, South Melbourne
- Welcome to Thornbury, Northcote
Activities
Paint Your Dog! Painting Party
Go on a date with your fur-baby and let talented instructors show you how to do your pup justice with a paint brush. This painting party is held at The National in Richmond.
Around the Bay Doggy Trek
Take a ferry and bus tour around Phillip Bay with your pup, from Port Melbourne (includes 2 guided walks, and meals for the day).
Beach Day
While you’re in town, check out Melbourne’s, best off-leash dog beach – Brighton.
Movie Night
Head to Dandelong’s Lunar Drive In where dogs can roam around on-leash. The paw-fect opportunity to let your pooch mingle.
Lakeside Punting
At the Royal Botanic Gardens, well-behaved dogs ride free on a tour around the lake.
Pamper your pooch to V.I.P treatment and book now!