Where can dogs stay on the Nullarbor?
Dilvin Yasa
We’re planning to move to Perth from Sydney in October and will drive across the Nullarbor with two kids and our labrador. Do you have any information about dog-friendly places to stay on the way?
Your timing is impeccable. I just discovered PetCloud’s new national pet directory to help pet owners find pet-friendly businesses, services and places on their travels. Using
GPS technology to pinpoint the nearest dogfriendly accommodation, cafes and beaches, the service works a bit like TripAdvisor for pets. It’s still early days for the service and you’ll discover accommodation listings are still a little thin on the ground, however this will no doubt change by the time October rolls around so keep checking the site for updates.
Camping with your pooch along the Nullarbor could be fun (there are some spectacular zip-up doggie tents on Amazon and Wish, if you’re in the market), but you won’t struggle finding accommodation on your cross-country adventure. Crossingthenullarbor.com has a list of pet-friendly accommodation between Ceduna in South Australia and Norseman in Western Australia, while bringfido.com, takeyourpet.com.au, petfriendly.com.au and holidayingwithdogs.com.au will help you locate places to stay on either side of those two spots. Be sure to also check out Nullarbor Roadhouse, Eucla Motel and Cocklebiddy Wedgetail Hotel, properties regularly frequented by passing travellers and their fur babies.
My husband and I (both in our 70s) are travelling from Brisbane south through Tenterfield and returning by the coastal road. Do you have any advice on points of interest and accommodation? Which falls along the Waterfall Way are accessible by walks taking no longer than an hour?
It may only be a 3.5-hour drive, but don’t discount making several stops along the Brisbane to Tenterfield leg of your trip. You can book in for a guided tour of the Mary Poppins House in Allora, enjoy a heritage trail walk in the rose gardens at Warwick and take on the Strange Bird Alternative
Wine Trail along Thulimbah and Stanthorpe. Tenterfield delights history buffs, adventurers and culture aficionados alike and the website visittenterfield.com.au has an extensive listing of things to do and see, as well as accommodation (The Commercial Boutique Hotel is a popular choice). Armidale, too, deserves an overnight stay (try Moore Park
Inn), and a great way to see the town is to book a guided local tour that takes in the stops such as the Armidale Railway Museum, the historic Booloominbah Homestead and the New England Regional Art Museum.
Armidale, of course, is your starting point for the glorious 185km Waterfall Way drive east to Coffs Harbour. The most impressive waterfalls include Wollomombi Falls, Ebor Falls, Dangar Falls and Crystal Shower Falls and happily you’ll be able to see these easily. With Crystal Shower
The Nullarbor Roadhouse is regularly frequented by passing travellers and their fur babies
Falls, park at the Glade Picnic Area where the Satinbird Stroll hike begins and you’re only a short walk away from the action, while Dangar Falls is easily accessible by parking at the top near the Rainforest Centre and following the short trail down. Ebor Falls has an easy walking track that links the upper falls and lower falls lookouts via the escarpment edge, while visitors to Wollomombi find that the best lookout is the main one a mere 200m from the carpark.
Accommodation? Options in the area include campgrounds and boutique stays such as Lookout Mountain Retreat in
Dorrigo and Waterfall Way Farmstay, but be sure to lock in a day or two in Bellingen, which is just as famous for its swimming holes as it is for its arts community. It’s worth timing your visit to coincide with the Bellingen Growers Market or the vibrant Bellingen Community Market.