Fun for the whole family – pet friendly getaways

9th September 2021

A family holiday isn’t really a family holiday if you can’t bring your pet pooch with you – people call them fur-children after all.

But often when you want to bring your furry best friend along for a holiday, the task of finding pet-friendly accommodation and activities is so difficult that your entire plan can end up changing.

Not with us.

We love pets – and now we have a space on our website which is dedicated to helping you find a place that welcomes your doggos, for some fun on the river.

We’ve loaded up this blog with pet-friendly holiday ideas, and mapped out where to stay and what to do around Murray Bridge, Mannum, Tailem Bend, Waikerie (and more) so you can spend more time playing fetch (and less time stressing about where to stay).

Image: Murray River, Lakes and Coorong

Pet-friendly parks, reserves and walking trails:

The secret to a good holiday with your furry friend is to fit in lots of exercise. This will keep them relaxed when you go out to settings where they can’t run around. Thankfully, our stretch of the Murray River is filled with dog friendly parks, reserves and walking trails for both of you to catch some spring air.

Try taking a trip to Kinchina Conservation Park, Callington Hill Grassland, or Casuarina Walk Reserve. Kinchina is one of South Australia’s few dog-friendly conservation parks, and provides beautiful trails for walking, mountain-biking and exploring with all ages.

The Casuarina Walk takes you through a wetland equipped with a board walk and viewing platforms. The trail leads to Parkview Reserve which has play equipment for kids to use.

For those afternoons where you might want to sit on the grass (instead of hiking a trail) you could always opt for Sturt Reserve, Long Island Reserve, Thiele Reserve or Avoca Dell Reserve in Murray Bridge; or another favourite is Mannum’s Herman Gass Reserve or Murray Coorong Trail stretch which goes across the ferry and towards Younghusband.

Image: Murray River, Lakes and Coorong (Mannum, Murray Coorong Trail)

Lock 5 Loop and the Waikerie Clifftop Walk are also places where dog walking is permitted on a leash.

Image: @memories.on.the.move (Waikerie)

With the warmer days fast approaching – it’s a bonus that most of these spots are next to the river, so some doggy paddling can be involved in the fun. Or for those who are super keen, pop them on the front of your Stand-Up Paddle Board and head out on the water.

Image: Keryn Mundy

Pet friendly cafes:

Murray Bridge has pet friendly places to eat at when you want to take the whole family out for lunch. The GCS, Eat House, Steamers, McCues Bakery and Acre and Ash, all have outdoor seating areas where dogs are welcome.

Image: Murray River, Lakes and Coorong (GCS Cafe)

You can also take them to Bella Lavender (Glossop), Illalangi Gourmet Foods (Waikerie), 919 Wines (Glossop), River Jacks Cafe (Berri) and Flavours of the Riverland (Barmera) in the Riverland.

You can order a bite to eat and then sit and chat with your family, giving the pup a rest under the table.

Image: Eat House (Murray Bridge)

Dog Parks

Some fenced off-leash dog parks are:

Berri: Colin Jennings Apex Park (enter off Old Sturt Hwy opposite Lean Street)
Tailem Bend: Rogers Park (North Terrace/Railway Terrace)
Waikerie: Sichler Street, opposite the Waikerie Bowling Club
Meningie: Meningie Community Sports Ground (Narrung Road)
Mannum: Mannum Oval (North Terrace, between the football oval and netball/tennis courts)