Travelling With Dogs: Unleash The Adventures

​As our beloved dogs are integrating more and more into our daily lives, it’s only natural that we want to bring them on holidays with us. In fact, web searches for “dog-friendly” accommodation increased by over 20% from 2024 to 2025.

Long weekends, holidays, or just a change of scenery – there’s nothing better than bringing your best mate along for the adventure! Travelling with your dog creates incredible memories for both of you, but a successful trip requires a little more than just tossing a leash in the back seat.

As your veterinary team, we’ve put together the essential checklist to ensure your canine companion has a safe, comfortable, and stress-free journey.

Planning To Travel With Your Dog

Health

Ensure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date and that you have addressed any existing health concerns.

Medical Records

Have a physical or digital copy of their important medical records and vaccination certificate, in case they need to see a vet along the way or go into a boarding facility in an emergency.

Parasite Prevention

Research parasite risks for your destination, such as heartworm, fleas, and ticks. Heartworm, spread by mosquitoes, can be potentially deadly, and its prevalence varies by area.
The risk of paralysis ticks can be high at popular holiday spots, so make sure your pet is covered by an appropriate preventative. If you are visiting a high-risk area, daily skin checks to find ticks are also suggested.

Getting Your Dog Used To The Car

If your dog hasn’t spent much time in a car, doing some desensitisation training can help them adjust:

• • Explore: Leave the doors open and allow them to explore the interior at their own pace. This helps them get accustomed to the car’s sights and smells without feeling trapped. Reward calm behaviour with praise or treats to create positive associations. Repeat this step over several days before moving on.
  • Secure: Once your dog seems relaxed in the car, practice fastening their harness or placing them in their crate. Keep the car parked and reward calmness with treats and praise. This familiarises them with being restrained. When they are comfortable being restrained, you can turn the car on, but stay stationary
  • Practice: Begin with short, positive rides. When your dog is comfortable being secured, embark on very brief car rides, lasting only a few minutes at first. Take things slow and prioritise your dog’s well-being over reaching destinations quickly

Identification

No matter how careful you are, pets can sometimes get spooked in new environments. A reliable ID is crucial to make sure your pet can be reunited.

Collar Tag

Ensure your dog is wearing a collar with an ID tag that includes your current mobile phone number.

Microchip Details

Ensure that your dog’s microchip is registered in a national database and that all contact information associated with it is up to date.

GPS Tracker

Consider a pet tracking device, which can add an extra layer of security if your pet goes missing.

Pack The Essentials

Medication

Make sure you have more than enough of your dog’s medication for the whole holiday. Pack extra just in case your trip home is delayed.

Food

The same goes for their food. Pack extra to account for delays or unexpected changes in the itinerary.

Water

If your dog has a sensitive stomach, they may not tolerate the constant changing of water as you move from place to place. Packing boxed water or access to filtered water can help to keep their water consistent and avoid upset tummies.

Food & Water Bowls

Collapsible food and water bowls are handy for when you’re travelling to save space and easy carrying when out and about on adventures.

Cleaning Supplies

Carry plenty of poop bags and a couple of towels. Pet-friendly wipes can also help clean up any accidents or quick messes.

Brush

If you have a long-haired dog that will be swimming, giving them a thorough brush afterwards can help to prevent mats and get rid of sand or debris in their coat.

Bring The Comfort

Home Comforts

Pack your dog’s bed, favourite toys, and blanket. The familiar scents will provide comfort and help them in new accommodations.

Calming Aids

Supplements and pheromone sprays can help dogs remain calm and adjust to travelling and new environments. These are both over-the-counter products that don’t require a prescription or veterinary consultation:

Zylkene is a capsule containing a natural ingredient derived from casein, a milk protein. This ingredient has clinically proven calming effects that help comfort cats and dogs.

The active component, a bioactive peptide (protein) molecule, supports your pet by sending ‘calming messages’ to the brain via the body’s natural messenger system.

For best results, start administering 1-2 days before the anticipated event and continue for the duration of the challenging situation.

Adaptil works by mimicking the natural Dog Appeasing Pheromone that mother dogs emit to provide comfort and security to their puppies.

Adaptil is a synthetic version of this pheromone, which is perceived only by dogs, to signal a state of reassurance and calm in stressful situations, helping dogs of all ages to feel more secure and relaxed.

Adaptil comes in collars, sprays, and plug-in diffusers, but the spray is ideal for travel. Apply it by spraying your dog’s bed, blanket, or a bandana (worn by your dog) at least 15 minutes before the journey.

Ramps

If you have a larger car, an elderly or arthritic dog, car ramps can help with getting them in and out of the car.

Car Hammock

If your dog will be travelling on the back seat, car hammocks can be a great idea to help keep your car clean, protect your seats and provide them with their own designated area. Some models even have solid bases that extend over the footwell, giving your dog more room to lie down comfortably.

Safety First

Secure Them Safely

For their safety and to prevent driver distraction, always secure your dog in the vehicle. Never drive with a pet on your lap. It’s dangerous, illegal, and can result in a fine worth hundreds of dollars.
Avoid securing your dog by their collar, as this significantly increases the risk of injury in the unfortunate event of a car accident.

Large dogs can be secured using car harnesses and dog seat belts. Smaller dogs can wear a harness or be placed in travel-safe crates, but the crate must still be securely fastened with a seatbelt.

You can learn more about car safety here: RAA

Don’t Leave In Cars:

You should never leave your dog unattended in a parked car, even for “just a minute” or with the windows cracked. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise dangerously fast without you realising it, making it unsafe for your pet.

Portable Fencing

If you are caravaning or camping, providing a fenced area around your campsite can give your dog room to run around safely. There are even inflatable ones on the market.

Tether Lines

A tether line system can help to keep your dog safe and controlled when you are camping. Much like a zip line, the tether is strung between two points, letting your dog’s lead slide freely across the length of the line, maximising their room to play and reducing tangles from the lead.

Car Sickness

Did you know that up to 1 in 4 dogs suffer from motion/car sickness? This happens when the vehicle’s movement overstimulates their inner ear, which can lead to uncomfortable nausea.
It’s most common in puppies and young dogs because their inner ear balance system isn’t fully developed yet.

If not managed, this can create significant anxiety around car rides, as they start to associate the car with feeling sick.

If you suspect your dog gets car sick, talk to our veterinary team. We can discuss preventative options, including a once-daily, non-drowsy medication that’s often very effective.

A simple tip to help: Leaving a window of time between feeding and getting in the car can help settle their stomach and reduce motion sickness symptoms.

Signs of Dog Car Sickness

Signs of car sickness in dogs include:

• Vomitting
• Excessive panting
• Excessive lip licking
• Drooling
• Inactivity/Frozen stance
• Skaing/Trembling
• Restlessness/Pacing

Take The Car Sickness Quiz

This simple quiz will help you determine if your dog has car/motion sickness. If you are concerned, speak to your veterinarian about the results.

Research

Plan Stops

Schedule frequent stops every 2–3 hours so your dog can relieve itself, stretch its legs, and hydrate.

Accomodation

When booking, don’t just ask if pets are allowed. Check the specific policies regarding size, breed, and any additional charges. Some caravan parks have really good facilities for dogs. Be mindful that some accommodations don’t allow you to leave your dog there unattended.

Find The Fun

Research pet-friendly parks, restaurants, attractions, and hiking trails. Local tourism offices and boards are often great resources.

Know The Rules

Be aware that most National Parks do not allow dogs to enter to protect wildlife. Research these restrictions to avoid disappointment.3

Know The Risks

Be aware of any hazards you may encounter in the area, such as snakes, crocodiles and dingos.

Emergency Plan

Look up the location and contact information for the nearest 24-hour veterinary clinic at your destination before you need it.

Bonny’s Adventure

One of our patients, Bonny, caravaned around South Australia and Western Australia, and we have some of her holiday snaps to share. Bonny’s owner also answered some questions about the experience to provide some advice.

Where did you go on your holiday, and how far did you travel?

Our holiday saw us travelling through Outback SA, the Red Centre, NT, and WA — throughout the Kimberley, the Pilbara, the Wheatbelt of WA, the Nullarbor, and the Great Australian Bight.

We left Adelaide, headed to Port Augusta, and then travelled north on the Stuart Highway to Pimba, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Daly Waters, Katherine, Adelaide River, and Darwin. After our time in Darwin, we headed south back to Katherine and then went west to Victoria River, Timber Creek, Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Broome, Marble Bar, Port Hedland, Karratha, Dampier, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Perth, Corrigin, Norseman, Balladonia, Caiguna, Eucla, Border Village, Penong, Ceduna, Wirrulla, Kimba, Port Augusta, and finally home again to Adelaide.

We covered a massive 13,000 km over six weeks on our outback odyssey! Our Avan caravan was the perfect home for us — a breeze to tow and easy to set up.

How did you decide to bring your dog on your interstate trip?

Bonny is now 13.5 years old, but when I got her at 2.5 years of age, I quickly discovered her passion for car trips. With elderly parents living in rural SA, those regular country drives became a shared delight for both of us. Her enthusiasm for those journeys inspired me to explore even more distant places. While some people believe travelling with a dog limits your options, the happiness and companionship they bring far outweigh any inconveniences. So, there was no way I’d leave her behind.

What planning did you have to do to accommodate Bonny?

• Accommodation: I didn’t pre-book the two caravan parks, but I did pre-book a dog-friendly house in Darwin for 12 nights, which was perfect for breaking up the trip.
• Veterinary prep: I booked Bonny in with Dr Gavin before we left, confirmed her medications, and followed his brown tick/Ehrlichiosis prevention advice (Seresto tick collar, NexGard Spectra, and daily checks for ticks).
• Grooming & comfort: I had Bonny groomed the week before departure and chose which of her (many!) beds to bring for the car and caravan.
• Food & water: I made sure we packed enough of her regular food for consistency and planned for filtered water for her to avoid tummy upsets.
• Safety & gear: I purchased a waterproof back-seat cargo sling for the 4×4, brought her crate, long lead, first-aid kit, seatbelt, towels, and other essentials.
• Route & stays: We checked the maps and had a clear idea of likely overnight spots. Because we’re self-sufficient, we free-camped most of the way and only booked parks when needed.
• Risks in mind: Planning also meant being ready for 1080 bait areas and other hazards, so we built in routines for controlled toilet breaks, daily checks, and close supervision.

That preparation meant we could travel confidently and keep Bonny safe, comfortable, and happy the whole way.

What essential items did you pack for her?

I was so glad I took all of the items below:

• Bonny’s soft, collapsible crate (kept her safe, and she loves sleeping in it)
• A 5-metre lead for safe extra freedom and the option to secure her to the van
• A Kings collapsible dog bed to keep her off the ground (perfect in chilly Alice Springs)
• A thin mat for the Kings bed or back seat, plus her warm, cuddly mattress for the caravan at night (she slept right next to us!)
• First-aid kit, pain relief, plenty of doggy bags, her food and water bowls, and her life jacket
• Two good-sized towels
• A seat belt for Miss Bonny
• Wet wipes — a must!
• A summary of Bonny’s medical history and a list of her current medication, a good supply of her medication, her vaccination status, and a good supply of her arthritis supplement, 4 Cyte.

What about the journey itself? What was it like travelling by car with your dog for such a long distance?

From the moment we left Adelaide and headed north through the red heart of South Australia toward Coober Pedy, Bonny’s excitement was infectious. She seemed to sense we were embarking on something extraordinary. The rhythm of the road became our daily soundtrack — the gentle hum of the engine, the changing landscape rolling past the windows, and Bonny’s contented presence, either curled up on her travel bed or alert and watching the world go by.

The sheer scale of the journey was breathtaking. Crossing the vast expanses of the Northern Territory — with Alice Springs as our gateway to the Red Centre, then pushing on through Tennant Creek to Darwin — gave us both a profound appreciation for Australia’s incredible diversity. Bonny adapted remarkably well to the changing climates and landscapes, from the arid beauty of the outback to the tropical lushness around Darwin.

In Darwin, we hired a house for two weeks to break up our trip. I found a dog-friendly house that allowed dogs inside and had a doggy door. This was a must — when we left her there, I knew she was safe and comfortable. Some days it reached 32°C in Darwin, and knowing Bonny was inside in the air conditioning gave us the freedom to enjoy places where dogs weren’t allowed, such as Mindil Beach Markets, a scenic flight over Kakadu and Litchfield, and dinners out.

The western leg through the Kimberley was perhaps the most spectacular — all those incredible sunrises and sunsets. At Lake Argyle, we hired a boat for four hours to explore (it’s a massive man-made water catchment, 21 times bigger than Sydney Harbour!!). Yes, Bonny came with us and throughly enjoyed it. No salt water crocodiles which meant that Bonny could go for swims.

Broome’s Cable Beach created memories that will last a lifetime — Bonny absolutely loved the beach. She seemed to revel in each new environment, from the red dirt of Central Australia and the Pilbara around Marble Bar to the coastal winds of Exmouth and Coral Bay.

The Nullarbor crossing was our ultimate test of endurance with her although she has crossed the Nullarbor 5 times now. Those long, straight stretches through Balladonia, Caiguna, Eucla, and Border Village, with nothing but endless horizon, could have been monotonous. Instead, Bonny’s calm presence in the car made each day a huge joy.

Our Avan caravan proved to be the perfect mobile basecamp. Setting up each evening became a cherished routine — Bonny would immediately inspect our new temporary neighbourhood while my husband and I organised our home-away-from-home (always keeping her safely contained). The Avan’s compact efficiency meant we could tackle challenging roads and still have all the comforts needed for both of us and Bonny. It has reverse cycle air conditioning which met that we had the option of leaving her for a short time in there.

Six weeks on the road taught us flexibility and resilience. Some days brought unexpected challenges — hot/cold weather, 2 mechanical issues, or navigational surprises — but Bonny’s adaptable nature and unwavering companionship made every obstacle manageable. Her presence turned what could have been stressful situations into shared adventures.

Travelling with a dog doesn’t limit your adventures — it enriches them. Every sunset, every new town, every spectacular place was better with Bonny beside us, just as excited about the next bend in the road as we were. The bonus? Strangers often stopped to say hello and start conversations. Bonny got plenty of attention — which she loved.

What did you do to keep Bonny comfortable and happy during the drive?

Bonny had a comfortable mattress in the back seat of our 4×4. Even with the air conditioner on, we sometimes cracked the back windows slightly for fresh air. She was simply content being with us and didn’t complain once. I’d turn around to check on her, chat to her, and give her little massages — which she adored! We often joked between us about her even being in the backseat at times.

Did she have any signs of travel sickness or stress?

Bonny did vomit twice while we were away, which I put down to a slight change in diet. I called the clinic for Dr Gavin’s advice, which was so reassuring, and after following his advice, she was back to normal in no time. I must say this was so reassuring for us, having her own Vet advising us.

The only time I noticed stress was when Bonny had to be left briefly. We had a mechanical issue, and she stayed with the Avan in a workshop while I ducked to Repco for a part. When I returned and took her for a walk, her number two was a bit soft — this was weeks after the vomiting had resolved — so I put that down to stress. In hindsight I should have left her inside the van in the aircon. Sometimes, we don’t always get things right.

Did you have any concerns about taking Bonny to different areas and states?

Snakes and crocodiles were always on my mind. We definitely saw crocodiles, and we spotted a snake — thankfully Bonny was with me at the time and at a safe distance away from it.

Did you encounter any challenges with finding pet-friendly accommodations or attractions?

It took me months to find the right Airbnb in Darwin. I’m so glad I started looking in January for a July stay (July–August is peak tourist time in the NT, plus school holidays).

The only other Airbnb we used was in Exmouth, booked on the day we arrived — there was no free camping within 200 km because the surrounding areas are national parks, but we were lucky to find a dog-friendly house. Caravan parks were full as was the free overflow park.

Apart from staying in two caravan parks (Lake Argyle and Broome), we free-camped every other night. Booking the parks was easy — Lake Argyle on the day, and Broome the day before.

As for attractions, if Bonny couldn’t go, we didn’t go (except when she stayed safely at the house in Darwin).

What were the challenges of travelling with a dog?

Challenges with travelling with Bonny were very few. She can be reactive to large dogs, so I worked on redirection and let approaching owners know — which helped in most cases.

My husband would stay with her while I did the food shop, or she rested in the air-conditioned caravan when suitable. We also chose overnight spots carefully to avoid prickles. Honestly, I’m struggling to think of many challenges beyond that.

What was Bonny’s highlight of the trip?

Bonny’s absolute highlight was taking her Mindil Beach when we arrived in Darwin — I have a photo that captures the moment perfectly.

Seeing my daughter when she flew into Darwin was a close second.

If you were to do this trip again, what is one thing you would do differently?

If we did this trip again, I’d go for a longer time frame so we could drive shorter distances each day. We already stopped every couple of hours for Bonny to stretch and relieve herself, and she coped very well with a few long days.

For extra peace of mind around 1080 baits, I’d purchase a full muzzle for Bonny and train her with it beforehand. I also kept a close eye on her at the beach so she didn’t pick anything up.

What are some travel tips you have for pets?

• Plan ahead and research your destinations
• Do a few shorter trips first to see how your pet travels
• Vet check before you go; talk through concerns and prevention (ticks, etc.)
• Keep their diet the same and avoid large meals before driving
• Offer filtered water if you can
• Consider the weather when travelling interstate — provide shade and cooling (we had reverse-cycle air conditioning, which Bonny loved)
• There are many pet-friendly accommodation options now. (The two parks we used were Discovery Parks; they also have pet-friendly cabins, though we had our caravan)
• Research beaches and waterways — rules vary. In the Top End, be croc-wise. Too many people are losing their dogs to crocodiles; I never allowed Bonny near the shoreline of creeks or waterways where crocodiles could be present

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to do a road trip with their pet?

I’ve learned that many people think travelling with pets is too hard or unachievable. With proper planning, it’s absolutely doable — and incredibly rewarding. The logistics can look overwhelming, but most of it is just homework beforehand: check accommodation policies, understand pet requirements, and map out pet-friendly stops. Once you’re on the road, it quickly becomes routine. I’ve used MadPaws in the past if I needed to put Bonny into care. Each time she really couldn’t be in better hands.

My advice? Go for it. The happiness and joy your pet adds to the journey truly can’t be measured. We will never forget this holiday with Bonny. It really was simply the best!

A big thank you to Bonny’s owner for sharing these great holiday moments and for their time in answering all of our questions!