Canberra with your canine: the best dog-friendly eats, stays and adventures
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Paw-sitively spoiled for choice, Canberra has a whole pack of dog-friendly adventures waiting for you and your pooch.
From tail-wagging walking tracks to bark-tastic swimming spots, paw-parks and the ulti-mutt staycations, it’s a puppy’s paradise out there.
Walks
If you’re after a short stroll with jaw-dropping views, trot over to Weston Park in Yarralumla. With amazing sights of the lake, city and Black Mountain, plus an off-leash section where your four-legged friend can unleash their zoomies, it’s definitely one to get a big two paws up.
The National Arboretum Canberra boasts over 8km of sniff-worthy tracks that are open for you and your on-leash pups to enjoy. Your four-legged friend will probably be preoccupied exploring every scent, but you can enjoy the spectacular view and leafy adventures.
Perhaps a lakeside “stroll and sniff”? Lake Burley Griffin is home to the ultimate pup walkies with its 5km bridge-to-bridge path. It’s a pawsome way to tick off those 10,000 steps and soak in the scenery, and if you really fancy a coffee, why not pop into one of the pup-friendly cafes along the way.
For those who like to work up a pant, take the lead up Mount Ainslie. It’s a bit of a ruff climb, but once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to amazing views. The way down? A walk in the bark.
Swim
Canberra is full of splash-worthy spots where pups can cool off. Start with the Uriarra Loop, with a variety of off-leash dog walking areas along the Murrumbidgee River, and – to top it all off – a swimming hole perfect for you and your water-loving companion.
This is Canberra’s best beach in town! The little beach, adjacent to Brown Street, offers dog owners a great spot to bring their furry friends to cool off and go for a swim and paddle. It’s only a couple of minutes’ walks from the Yarralumla Dog Park and is perfect to get those last-minute zoomies out.
Some spots are so beautiful you almost want to keep them to yourself, but this one is far too good not to share with your four-legged bestie. Tucked along Lake Burley Griffin, Barrenjoey Peninsula is a pup’s paradise with wide open grasslands for playing and swim spots for a splash.
Food
Why leave your pup at home and miss out on all the fun, when you can bring them along to some of Canberra’s favourite cafes? Because when it comes to pup-friendly café dates, Canberra’s got you covered.
Enjoy a fresh cold-pressed juice from Local Press Café on the Kingston Foreshore, or a coffee from Barrio in Braddon, and – if that’s not enough -you can pop into Mocan & Green Grout for an ethical and eco-friendly bite to eat.
Start the day strong with brekkie at Gang Gang, Little Oink, Teddy Pickers or The Knox. And because every day’s worth celebrating, let your pup raise a “schooner” (of water, of course) at Assembly, Edgar’s Inn, The Dock or The Pedlar.
Who says it’s just girls and grapes? With Canberra’s pup-loving wineries, it’s all about paws and Pinot. Sip your way through Contentious Character in Fyshwick, Shaw Estate and Murrumbateman Winery in Murrumbateman, Lerida Estate on Lake George, or Surveyors Hill Vineyard in Hall – where tails wag as freely as the wine pours.
Staycations
Life as a pup can be ruff, so treat your four-legged friend to a staycation – after all, they deserve the ultimate getaway. And lucky for them, Canberra knows the pawfect spot.
A boutique hideaway in the heart of Canberra, crafted with artisan touches and luxe comforts, Ovolo Nishi offers a V.I.Pooch package. Your furry friend will be treated like royalty, they think they are, complete with amenities (and treats!) to pamper you and your pooch.
Take them along to the Mercure Canberra to enjoy a night away from home, staying in one of their specially renovated, dedicated pet-friendly rooms. With French doors leading to your own enclosed courtyard, their pet-friendly stay makes midnight pup outings tail-waggingly easy.
Forget the kennel! Your fury friend is coming with you as QT Canberra is rolling out the red carpet for your four-legged friend with Pup Yeah! and it’s just in time for International Dog Day on 26 August. With memory-foam CUB beds, botanical grooming treats from smith&burton, hand-baked snacks by St Argo, and even pup-friendly steak tartare and bacon ice cream on the menu, your pooch will never want to check out – and you’ll be the one doing the dragging.
From “Strut Your Pup” maps packed with top walkies and cafés to QT’s trademark cheeky style, this is the ulti-mutt getaway for pups and their humans alike.
