The Burrow
Aug 21, 2026
Our pets are part of our family, so it’s no surprise that many Australians would want to bring their four-legged companion along on holiday. To uncover the most dog-friendly travel destinations, the pet insurance comparison experts at Compare the Market analysed Australia’s capital cities and popular holiday destinations to reveal which one is the most dog-friendly based on the number of dog parks, veterinary clinics, pet-friendly hotels, cafes, and flight options, along with each region’s average annual rainfall.
| Rank | City | Dog parks per 100k population | Vets per 100k | Pet-friendly hotels per 100k | Dog-friendly cafes per 100k | Pets allowed to travel in cabin* | Annual rainfall (mm) | Index Score /10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunshine Coast | 7.33 | 16.76 | 54.46 | 20.42 | Yes | 1,871.5 | 7.4 |
| 2 | Hobart | 5.88 | 19.20 | 4.31 | 18.02 | No | 486.4 | 6.4 |
| 3 | Gold Coast | 6.22 | 10.71 | 12.59 | 13.60 | Yes | 2,084.0 | 5.8 |
| 4 | Melbourne | 5.15 | 7.10 | 3.81 | 1.58 | Yes | 572.0 | 4.8 |
| 5 | Canberra | 4.33 | 9.70 | 7.22 | 10.52 | No | 620.0 | 4.6 |
| 6 | Darwin | 3.77 | 15.70 | 1.88 | 20.72 | No | 1,626.8 | 4.6 |
| 7 | Adelaide | 6.71 | 5.70 | 0.87 | 4.63 | Yes | 423.0 | 4.2 |
| 8 | Townsville | 7.76 | 12.61 | 3.39 | 18.91 | No | 2,950.8 | 3.8 |
| 9 | Brisbane | 6.35 | 9.78 | 2.86 | 1.58 | No | 1,498.0 | 3.0 |
| 10 | Perth | 6.12 | 7.01 | 2.04 | 1.51 | No | 613.6 | 2.8 |
| 11 | Sydney | 6.21 | 5.96 | 4.95 | 4.63 | No | 1,746.3 | 2.2 |
*Pets allowed in aircraft cabin up to 8kg in carrier on select routes
The Sunshine Coast topped our dog-friendly destination index, earning first place thanks to its abundance of dog-friendly cafes and hotel options. The popular holiday destination recorded the highest number of pet-friendly hotels in the study with more than 54 available per 100,000 residents. It also performed well for outdoor adventures with seven dog parks and 20 dog-friendly cafes per 100,000 residents. Adding to its appeal, the Sunshine Coast is one of the few Australian destinations where passengers and pets are eligible to travel in the aircraft cabin, dependent on the route, making it a very attractive choice for those planning a getaway with their furry friend.
Hobart was ranked second overall in our dog-friendly destinations index, performing particularly well for access to veterinarian clinics and favourable weather conditions for outdoor adventures. The Tasmanian capital recorded the highest number of veterinary clinics per capital with more than 19 per 100,000 residents. It also performed well for a day out with a four-legged companion, with more than five dog parks and 18 dog-friendly cafes per 100,000 residents, while also benefiting from one of the lowest annual rainfall rates in Australia. Hobart offers plenty of opportunities for dogs and their owners to enjoy a holiday together.
The Gold Coast was ranked third overall in our dog-friendly destinations index in Australia, thanks to a mix of pet-friendly facilities and travel accessibility. The coastal city stood out as one of the destinations where pets are allowed to travel with their owner in the cabin on select routes, making it ideal for those looking to holiday with their furry friend. The Gold Coast also offers many accommodation and dining options with more than 12 pet-friendly hotels and 13 dog-friendly cafes per 100,000 residents. Along with six dog parks per 100,000 residents, it offers a range of options for dogs and their owners to enjoy a getaway together.
Melbourne was ranked fourth overall in our dog-friendly destinations index, performing well for pet-friendly travel flight options and its availability of dog parks. The Victorian capital is one of the few where you are allowed to fly with your furry friend in the aircraft cabin on some routes, making it easier for owners to holiday with their pets. Melbourne also has more than five dog parks per 100,000 residents, and over seven veterinary clinics per 100,000 residents. Surprisingly, Melbourne has one of the lowest annual rainfall rates, making it a convenient option for travelling with your pet.
Sydney ranked last in the dog-friendly destinations index, largely due to limited access to pet-friendly travel options and relatively weaker performance across several key pet friendly measures. Sydney recorded one of the lowest rates of veterinary clinics per capita in the study, with just six clinics per 100,000 residents. The city also had fewer pet-friendly hotels and dog-friendly cafes relative to its population, with almost five hotels and cafes per 100,000 residents. Coupled with high annual rainfall and no in-cabin pet travel options, Sydney received the lowest overall index score.
Perth ranked second-to-last in our dog-friendly destinations index. The Western Australian capital recorded six dog parks per 100,000 residents and benefits from a relatively low annual rainfall compared to the other destinations in the study. However, a lower number of pet-friendly hotels and dog-friendly cafes per capita, and the lack of in-cabin pet travel, impacted its overall score. Perth remains a destination where dog owners can enjoy a range of parks and outdoor adventures with their pets but may not be ideal for a pet holiday.
Brisbane placed ninth overall in our dog-friendly destinations index. The Queensland capital performed well in terms of access to dog parks and veterinary clinics, with more than six dog parks and almost 10 veterinary clinics per 100,000 residents. However, it had a low number of pet-friendly hotels and dog-friendly cafes per capita. Brisbane also missed out on in-cabin pet travel options and experienced relatively high annual rainfall compared to several higher-ranked destinations.
For pet owners looking to take their four-legged friends on holiday, there are airlines that allow pets to travel on most Australian domestic routes in the freight section of the aircraft. However, there is an option to utilise airlines with a Pets in Cabin program which currently allows cats and dogs weighing up to 8kg, including their carrier, to fly alongside their owners on selected routes; Adelaide return to Melbourne and the Gold Coast, Melbourne return to the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
Adrian Taylor, Chief Executive of General Insurance, comments: “For many Australians, pets are part of the family, so it’s only natural that they want to include them in their holiday plans. Before travelling, it’s worth researching pet-friendly accommodation, transport options and nearby veterinary services to help ensure a smoother trip for both you and your furry companion.
“While destinations with plenty of dog parks, pet-friendly cafes and accommodation can make travelling with a pet easier, it’s also important to be prepared for the unexpected. Pet insurance can provide peace of mind by helping cover eligible veterinary expenses, allowing owners to focus on enjoying their holiday rather than worrying about the financial impact of an unexpected trip to the vet. However, cover can vary between policies, so it’s important to read the Target Market Determination (TMD) and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand inclusions, exclusions, limits and applicable waiting periods when purchasing a policy or before jetting off on a holiday”
Compare the Market analysed Australia’s capital cities and selected holiday destinations to determine the country’s most dog-friendly locations. Following data collection, destinations were ranked across each factor and assigned an overall score to determine Australia’s most dog-friendly travel destinations
See our 2024 study on the best dog destinations globally: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/pet-insurance/features/most-dog-friendly-destinations-2024-archive/