A Dog Friendly Long Weekend in the Margaret River Region

Beaches, bays and bites

You’ve just woken up from an uninterrupted night’s sleep in your Big4 Breeze Holiday Park tent or Jarrah Grove Forest Retreat chalet, perhaps to quiet panting or a few friendly licks from your furry friend. Today is all about getting into the holiday swing – that is, doing a whole lot of relaxation. Of course, you don’t want the dog to be running laps around your legs later, so we’re thinking some beautiful beach walks, swimming and snorkelling, picturesque view-hunting and a good bite to eat.

We recommend heading down to Geographe Bay to take a swim in Busselton Dog Beach’s crystal clear, safe and dog-loving waters. Take your fully equipped backpack though, because next up: you’re walking the Geographe Path. The Geographe Path is a fully paved walking trail that stretches 23km from Busselton to Dunsborough. While 23kms might seem daunting, you don’t have to walk the whole thing – stop at some incredible, secluded, dog-friendly bays along the way, hunt down the best views and get some good ‘dog goes to Busso’ photo-opps that will make all your digital friends swoon. Make sure you bring the snorkels and look out for dolphins!

Once the hunger builds up, there’s no need to leave the dog at home. Some of the best dog-friendly places for lunch in town include Urban Coffee House and Sensations Café, or you could grab some fish ‘n’ chips and enjoy them on the Busselton Foreshore, where your doggo can enjoy the view of the iconic Busselton Jetty.

If you walked as far as Quindalup, you’ve reached the ultimate reward. Flametree Wines is one of the most unique cellar doors to visit in the Margaret River Region, and its super kid and pet friendly. Enjoy the beachfront, Hamptons style cellar door by relaxing on the deck with a glass of wine and a substantial platter of delicious local produce.

For dinner, we recommend Clancy’s Fish Pub, one of the best spots to enjoy an evening of family fun in the Margaret River Region. Dog’s even have their own side entrance and will be welcomed with smiling faces and water bowls!

All about the attractions

You might be wondering what attractions you can head to when you’ve got your furry-friend in tow, but don’t worry – it’s not just caves and national parks that make this region such a great place to visit! You could check out the iconic and dog-friendly Smith’s Beach near Yallingup, and then have a bite to eat at the Studio Gallery & Bistro, a unique Yallingup location that offers an insight into Australian stories through their collection of artworks and dishes up award-winning, locally sourced food for lunch from Thursday – Monday. While your pooch might not be welcome inside the gallery, there’s plenty of space outside in the garden and patio for both kids and canines.

Head on down in Margaret River for a drink that becomes dinner at The Brewhouse. Simple and relaxed, this is the perfect spot to see out a great day of exploring, where the kids can hang out on the grass and your canine can get some much-appreciated love from all the other dog-lovers who’ve stopped in for a beer. If you’re feeling like a long lunch in true degustation style, don’t miss Rústico at Hay Shed Hill’s sun-drenched verandah where you can sit and enjoy your favourite local wines, cheeses and gourmet produce with your pet by your side. Craving delicious Mediterranean style tapas and premium wines under the vines too? You’ve come to the right place.

Fam-friendly wine touring

You can’t leave the Margaret River Region without visiting some of our world-renowned wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries – especially since there are so many that are both child and pooch friendly. The first and only pet-friendly, private touring company, Grape Escape South West Tours will work with you to make a tailored route that suits your personal tastes and needs. Or why not head straight to Passel Estate for a wine tasting, where doggies are welcome on the beautiful lawn and tasting room deck area.

Some other spots you might want to put on your list in the way of wine include bio-dynamic champions Cullen and sparkling-specialists Howard Park & MadFish Wines. Breweries tend to be great lunch spots for families, so you could also add Black Brewing Co., CBCo Brewing, Beerfarm and Cheeky Monkey to the mix.

Once your day of tasting, savouring and experiencing the vineyards and brew houses of our beautiful region comes to an end, head back to your accommodation to wind down. The kids might enjoy a late afternoon swim or a run around the playground at BIG4, and you might even need to give your fur baby a quick scrub-a-dub and blow-dry at their dog wash.