While many pet-owning grey nomads wouldn’t dream of hitting the open road without their furry friend in tow, there is no disputing that travelling with dogs does have its challenges … as well as its rewards.
Of course, there is finding a caravan park or camping area where pets are welcome in the first place … and then there is the thorny issue of what to do with the fur baby when you want to go to a national park or other spot where dogs are not allowed.
Veteran grey nomads, Syd and Christine Greenham, who travel with their Australian Terriers, Billie and Curlie, are typical.
“Yes, it restricts us a lot but we wouldn’t travel without them,” said Christine.
The pet enclosure allows grey nomads to leave their dogs at the park while they explore. PIC: West Wyalong Caravn Park
Syd and Christine Greenham travel with two Australian Terriers.
And when it comes to visiting those non-dog-friendly places like national parks, the couple takes a proactive approach.
“We use kennels and dog sitters or one of us looks after them and the other goes off adventuring,” said Christine. “Then we swap the next day.”
But there are also signs that caravan parks are catching on to the canine conundrum facing many nomads … and they’re doing something to help.
The West Wyalong Caravan Park in inland New South Wales, for example, is offering pet enclosures as a free service where pet owners can leave their dogs while they head out for the day to explore.
A spokesperson for the park told the Grey Nomads it was proud of the work that had been carried out.
“We offer boarding kennels as mentioned so that travellers have the flexibility to take part in what our wonderful community has to offer without needing to worry about their furry friend,” they said. “We have quite a few grey nomads that come through our park with their pets, and the atmosphere is so lovely.”
New lessees, Haley and Jared Reid, are proud of the work that has been carried out at the park. PIC: Bland Shire Council
The park said it had little to no problems with animals there, and it was nice for travellers to have the option to bring their companion pet along on adventures.
Haley and Jared Reid recently took over the lease at the park and say once they settle into their new role, they will be promoting the pet enclosure service more heavily.
Bland Shire Council says the new leaseholders will bring a lot of enthusiasm and a community-minded approach to the park.
“Haley and Jared’s local roots and passion for our community make them ideal operators for the West Wyalong Caravan Park,” said Mayor Brian Monaghan. “Council is confident their energy, commitment and focus on customer service will further strengthen the park’s reputation as a friendly and high-quality destination for visitors to our Shire.”
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Oh great more dogs barking and contained in one area, there goes the peace and quiet.
I think this is a fabulous idea so long as they dont whinge and bark the moment the owners are out of sight and are not left there all day.
Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges is one of the first I saw that had dog enclosures and they were great. Our Blue Heeler had a palace to stay in and our little Shitzu spent his day in reception with staff. They were very dog friendly. A minimal fee to let us explore Wilpena Pound was well worth it. Many people travel with their dogs as they are great companions and encourage walking but can be restrictive. More set ups like Rawnsley is a great idea. And for the previous comment about barking, happy dogs rarely bark unless provoked. Our heeler is a fantastic alarm system in free camps as well and a great deterrent to would be thieves. If you don’t love dogs there’s something wrong with your soul.
Yes, I agree. We love our family furry ❤️ friends
Whilst it appears to be a good idea, pets that travel with their owners may be distressed being left in an unfamiliar environment. They are very dependant as they are obviously with their owners 24/7 at home and travelling. I would think would fret away from their owners. It’d be stressful to be hearing whining and barking … there’s enough barking already!
I agree, whilst I love dogs and have had 3 over the journey, I will not be getting another whilst still doing extended trips. I laugh when I hear people say “our dogs don’t bark when we leave them ” as how would they know???? Ask the people on adjoining campsites !! Too often “little yappers ” are left in vans and bark furiously whenever someone walks past! Against the rules but they still do it.
An obvious extension of this concept will be to place the jumping castle, go-kart track, slippery dip and swings within a similar enclosure for the angry li’l mongrels of today to be constrained within while leaving the rest of the space for we uncomplaining oldies !!!
I couldn’t have left my dog in an enclosure because he always wanted to be with me and my wife, physiologically it wouldn’t be good for his health or mine. Pets aren’t pets they are part of people’s family, I wouldn’t even consider a park that doesn’t except pets as they are such an important part of people’s lives, dogs are always happy to see someone and I have never had a dog or cat attack or go to bite me or my family. Don’t frequent these parks if you’re a dog or cat person let them fill with annoying children that run around at 11.00pm at night while their parents sit around drinking and eating till midnight.
Pets are pets…
I think it’s a great idea.
If you take your pet with you, then look after it. Don’t leave it howling in a kennel awaiting your return. That disrupts those who choose not to bring their pets. I understand you want to take it with you, but do what Syd & Christine do, take it in turns to see the sites or find a pet sitter to keep the pet busy.
Interesting comments, it seems to me if you personally don’t have dogs with you then the idea has some merit, however if you do have dogs travelling with you then the idea doesn’t seem as popular. I could not decide right now.
We left our dog with a park owner while we went to a national park. She took the dog from us but when we got back found out she had put her in a small cage all day. After that I never left her again. I think it’s a good idea but check it out first.
If we can’t take our dog with us we don’t go…..simples