Pet Friendly Holidays around New Zealand
Thinking about going on holiday this summer? Those pleading eyes or anxious circles around the house while you pack your bags are never nice.
It’s likely your pet can’t stand the thought of you leaving them behind, and chances are you don’t want to either.
Pet friendly accommodation has been sadly lacking in the past, pickings have been slim, so it was reassuring to find that this is now not the case throughout New Zealand.
But before you hit the road, make sure you plan ahead. Check out our tips on travelling with your pet.
Camping and Holiday Parks
Camping holidays are a classic Kiwi favourite. Sleeping in a tent or a caravan, outdoor cooking, and spending time in the sun is the ideal holiday for many people around the country. But did you know that there are campsites that allow your dog to come along for the fun?
There are a variety of campsites, each offering different services to suit every family. Things to keep in mind are what the leash restrictions are at the campsite, where your dog can play, if there are off-leash dog parks or beaches nearby, and where they’ll sleep.
Bay of Islands
The Waitangi Holiday Park Dog Policy reads, “Dogs are welcome in this Holiday Park. We’ve never had a dog that stole our towels and played the TV too loud, or had a noisy fight with his drunken companion. So if your dog can vouch for you, you’re welcome too!”
The campgrounds and caravan park is a short flat walk along the Te Ti bay shoreline to Paihia town – you and your companion can walk to the supermarket, to the beach, and explore the many bush walks the region has to offer. Either stay in their cabins on the water’s edge, pitch a tent, or roll up in your caravan. Waitangi’s Holiday Park is a great, casual way to enjoy the summer with your beloved pet!
Coromandel
Tapu Campervan Park want the whole family to enjoy the old Kiwi tradition of camping. They are passionate about providing an affordable getaway 20 minutes out of Thames for all, pets included!
This camping ground is located right on the beach, but is also surrounded by rivers and swimming holes, which are ideal for your pet to cool off this summer!
Other Campsites and Holiday Parks
The Catlins, South Island
The Catlins is an often forgotten part of the South Island near Invercargill, which offers beautiful beaches, bush walks, and many other amazing attractions. The Whistling Frog Resort is one of few places who welcome dogs in the area, so you can experience all this with your dog by your side! If you bring their bed, they will be able to join you inside the accommodation and in the camping areas.
Hawkes Bay
Do you still want the classic Kiwi camping experience but want it to have more home comforts? Tuka Tuka Valley is a luxury campsite located on a small vineyard that is dog friendly! Dogs must be vaccinated, well behaved and kept on a lead at all times due to surrounding farm animals.
Russell
Wairoro Park has their very own private beach, and your dog is allowed off-leash on the premises to run around, dig holes in sand, and be part of your beach barbeques. You can even hire a kayak with your dog to explore the sights!
Bed and Breakfast
Staying in a Bed and Breakfast is like a home away from home, but with someone taking care of you. It is the perfect choice of accommodation if you are looking for a relaxing escape, with personalized attention, home cooked meals, and individually decorated rooms. Bed and Breakfasts open up their heart and home to you, and there are some where that includes your pet too!
You will find that these pet-friendly places will most likely also have their own animals wandering around, whether it is chickens, friendly goats, or other dogs your pet can befriend. There might even be some free range eggs for your home-cooked breakfast!
Dunedin
The Barn B&B is nestled in the hills above Blue Skin Bay, just 15 minutes from Dunedin City Centre. Tucked away in total seclusion, surrounded by bush, farmland and local beaches, it is the perfect place to relax and unwind. There are also two friendly dogs on the property, and by arrangement you are more than welcome to bring your dog with you! The only requirement is they have to be good with the resident animals: chickens, sheep, horses and a goat.
Doctor’s Point beach is a beautiful beach near the B&B Barn, which allows dogs to run around off-leash, making daily adventures with your dog easy. There are also many other places you can travel a short distance to adventure with your furry friend – Aramoana beach, Allan’s beach and Truby King Reserve are only a few.
Other pet-friendly Bed and Breakfasts
Auckland
Pets are welcome at the Great Ponsonby Arthotel! This Bed and Breakfast is just a stroll away from cafes, restaurants, galleries and shops, but also borders a large off-leash dog park for your beloved pet to play. Dogs are also welcome to sleep inside the room if they have their own bed.
Kaikoura
Awatea Country Bed and Breakfast
Travelling with your pets? Awatea Bed and Breakfast is a homestay set in the Kaikoura country, with big gardens and animal paddocks for your furry friend to explore. There are kennels and grazing sites available, and parking for your horse floats. Dogs are also allowed inside if they have their own beds.
Holiday Homes
Do you feel like a holiday, but need a lot of space to involve the whole family, including the furry ones? Holiday homes are the way to go, and with plenty of pet friendly places, you can bring your companion along with you. Choose from an off-grid adventure in the untouched bush of the West Coast, to a more modern experience in some of New Zealand’s popular summer destinations.
Punakaiki, West Coast
On the West Coast of the South Island, enjoy a totally off-grid experience at Sva’s Hut, a private cabin nestled in native bush overlooking Woodpecker Bay. Spend your evenings listening to the waves while the sun sets, and enjoy all of it with your dog by your side.
A short walk down the driveway takes you to one of the most beautiful West Coast beaches where your dog can frolic in the waves and dive in the sand. Just make sure you keep your dog under control at all times to protect the little blue penguins, seals, weka and kiwi that call the West Coast home.
The Punakaiki to Fox River drive is one of the most stunning stretches of coastline you will see anywhere in the world. There is so much to do in Punakaiki, and it does not cost a cent. Just ask Jed, the owner of Sva’s hut, if you can bring your dog along in advance, and soon enough you will be experiencing a true wild West Coast holiday with your beloved companion.
Waiheke Island
Adam and his family started their Waiheke accommodation about 9 years ago, and have been pet friendly ever since. The whole family loves animals. Their ‘Island Dream Cottage’ is found on the North Coast of Waiheke Island, with a 10 acre farm filled with Alpacas, little horses, pet sheep, a few Guinea Foul, and an ex-SPCA dog called Ira.
There are different accommodation types to choose from, and some are fully fenced. Your beloved pet can even sleep inside with you as long as they have a pet bed!
Waiheke Island is famous for its beautiful beaches, wine and jazz festivals, Sculpture on the Gulf, scenic walks, vineyards, wine tasting and amazing restaurants. It is also very dog friendly, with many vineyards allowing dogs to dine with you, and numerous walks your dog can enjoy.
Other pet friendly holiday homes
Wanaka
Fitted out with lake views, mountain ranges to admire, and only a 1 minute walk to town, Bo’s Bach offers you a wonderful Wanaka experience with your best furry friend. There are also a number of suitable walking tracks to enjoy with your dog nearby, giving you a holiday you will never forget with your pet!
Hotels
Hotels offer a luxurious holiday, complete with pampering packages, in-house restaurants and crisp fresh sheets. Some hotels even offer this luxury to your beloved pet to enjoy! Jet Park is a big supporter of the SPCA, and understand that your pet is part of the family. They have two hotels located in Auckland and Rotorua and are passionate about providing a luxurious hotel experience whether their guests have two legs or four.
Auckland
Jet Park Hotel in Auckland is perfect for when you are visiting the big city, or travelling domestically or internationally as it is only 5 minutes from Auckland Airport. Their adorable ‘pet suite’ includes a pet bed with a duvet and sheets, a food and water bowl, pet treats, and a large field to exercise your companion! Jet Park even offer pet sitting services for those times that you have to leave your pet unattended. If you’re keen to explore some of the many dog-friendly beaches and parks that Auckland has to offer, there are lots nearby to choose from. Mangere Mountain is an SPCA staff favourite!
Rotorua
Rotorua is full of activities that the whole family can enjoy, whether they have four legs or two! Jet Park in Rotorua is a great option for when you want to include your pet in all the adventure Rotorua has to offer. Like Jet Park Airport Hotel in Auckland, your pet is given a 4-star stay with their very own pet bed, a food and water bowl, pet treats and biscuits, and easy outdoor access. The hotel is only a 5 minute walk to the main town centre, so you and your pet can just wander down to the hub of Rotorua and explore the sights.
Other pet friendly hotels
Christchurch
This hotel offers pet friendly accommodation to all animals under 40kgs. There are three suites that are reserved for people travelling with their beloved pet – they come equipped with water bowls, dog beds and kitty litter. Fino Hotel and Suites even offer dog walking and pet sitting services!
Motels
If you are looking for somewhere that is similar to a hotel, but has appropriate facilities to prepare your own meals, a motel is the perfect place to stay!
Waiheke Island
Spud the Schnoodle is the reason why Punga Lodge became pet friendly. He made his owner realise that a dog is not just a pet, but a family member!
They have a special chalet where your small or medium sized pet is welcome to join you, providing they are sociable and well behaved. The chalet is also at the far end of the property, so your pet won’t be disturbed by other people walking past, and has a private grassed area with a penned off run. The pet friendly unit at Punga Lodge sleeps four people and offers a lounge, kitchen, bathroom, gated deck area with a barbeque and last but not least, your beloved companions very own dog bed!
Punga Lodge is just a short stroll to safe swimming beaches, and a 12 minute walk to the main village of Oneroa. The perfect location to include your pet in all the fun Waiheke has to offer!
Tip: Not able to stay overnight? Make it a day trip – your dog can join you on the passenger ferry to Waiheke Island!
Queenstown
Just a short drive outside of Queenstown, nestled amongst the mountains is this idyllic retreat for the whole family, including the pooch! The historic cottages are located on the old Kinross Station in Gibbston Valley and were established in the late 1860’s, and welcome furry companions on request.
The owners’ one-year-old doggy Skye welcomes all guests with a wagging tail and happy face and recommends all the places your furry friends can get up to mischief and have some fun.
The boutique accommodation is set in the middle of a vineyard and is the perfect place to escape with the whole family, whether you are after some peace and quiet or adventuring the great outdoors. The studio cottages on offer are self-contained so you can settle the family in before exploring the area.
Surrounded by mountains, vines & greenery, Kinross Cottages is the ideal venue to spend quality time with your loved ones and furry friends in peaceful surrounds.
There are an abundance of great walks in the area, including the Peregrine Loop for a short walk. Or if you and your pet are looking for a longer excursion, you can start off in Arrowtown and walk all the way to the cottages while taking in the stunning scenery.
Other pet friendly motels
Taihape, North Island
There are lots of fun things to do at the Tarata Fishaway Lodge including river swimming, spa pools, clay bird shooting, farm tours, and rafting trips for all ages. But the best part is, Tarata Fishaway Lodge has just built their own dog friendly unit, which is ready for your much loved dog to come and stay! It is fully equipped with a fully fenced courtyard, and a 5 star dog kennel. They also encourage to bring your thrill seeking dog on your rafting adventure, which even includes a dog friendly BBQ lunch, and a dog life jacket!