21 Best Dog Friendly Walks, Bars and Cafes in the Southern Highlands
21 Best Dog Friendly Walks, Bars and Cafes in the Southern Highlands
Edited by: Ella Holgate
We know how much planning it takes to travel with your dog. Finding dog friendly accommodation can be a daunting task in itself, not to mention discovering the best dog walks or dog parks at your destination. Your dog might also get car sickness, in which case we highly recommend you read the article on “What you should know about long car trips with your dog” from our friends at Sydney’s Southern Cross Vets before starting your journey.
The Southern Highlands has plenty to offer you and your dog. We have listed the best dog friendly accommodation, walks, pubs and cafés to make your next visit to this beautiful NSW countryside with your dog a truly memorable experience!
Dog Friendly Hikes & Walks
The Southern Highlands is filled with great dog friendly hiking and walking tracks. You can climb up the hills, hike in the bush or enjoy the equally calming dog friendly walking tracks close to the villages. We have handpicked the best walks and hikes to do with your dog!
1. Berrima Riverside Walk
Berrima
This beautiful dog friendly walk follows the Wingecarribee River. Here you can discover what the German merchant seamen built along river while they were interned in Berrima for four years during WW1. Finish the walk at Surveyor General Inn, one of the most dog friendly pubs in the Southern Highlands.
Click below for more info, reviews, map & directions
2. Bong Bong Track
Bowral
The Bong Bong track is a popular dog friendly walking track outside Bowral. Stunning scenery along the rolling hills and fields of the Southern Highland makes you forget your daily routine and take in the calmness of nature!
Click below for more info, reviews, map & directions
3. Cherry Tree Walk
Bowral
The Cherry Tree walk is listed in The Best of Bowral, and is a beautiful and popular dog friendly walk that meanders through 526 cherry trees. For the most stunning experience, visit in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Start the walk with a morning coffee from the RAW & WILD dog friendly café.
Click below for more info, reviews, map & directions
4. Gibbergunyah Reserve
Bowral
Gibbergunyah (meaning a “shallow cave used as a shelter”) is a reserve for public recreation and for the preservation of native flora and fauna. Kangaroos, wombats and echidnas are often seen so keep your dog on the lead at all times. The track is quite steep if you ascend from Howard’s Lane in Welby. The easier approach to this dog friendly hike is from Boronia Street in Bowral.
Click below for more info, reviews, map & directions
5. Mt Gibraltar Reserve
Mittagong
Hike with your dog up the hill to one of the best viewing spots around Southern Highlands. Dogs must be on the lead at all times but they will still be able to enjoy this countryside hike up Mount Gibraltar!
Click below for more info, reviews, map & directions
6. Box Vale Walking Track
Welby
The Box Vale dog friendly walking track takes you along a historic path out the back of Mittagong in the Southern Highlands. The bushwalk takes you along the track that was cut during the late 1800s for coal mining access. One of the key highlights of the hike is the cuttings; walking between the rock faces along either side of you is awe-inspiring.
Click below for more info, reviews, map & directions
Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!
Dog Friendly Pubs, Bars & Wineries
7. Surveyor General Inn
Berrima
In our humble opinion, Surveyor General Inn is the most dog friendly pub in the Southern Highlands. Dogs are allowed inside the front bar and if the days are getting a little chilly, they can lay at your feet in front of the fire place while you enjoy a beer at this old school English style pub!
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
8. Scottish Arms Hotel
Bowral
Their recently renovated beer garden must be one of the most stunning pieces of architecture you will find in the Southern Highlands. There is plenty of shade for pups and some rare Scottish beers for the two legged guests! Make sure this is one of your pit stops when staying around Bowral!
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
9. The Royal Hotel
Bowral
Located in the centre of Bowral, The Royal Hotel is popular amongst locals as well as many of the visitors in town. Dogs are welcome in the beer garden on the side of the pub.
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
10. Bundanoon Hotel
Bundanoon
Bundanoon Hotel is a relaxed dog friendly pub in the heart of the Southern Highlands. Dogs are welcome on leash on the beer garden with some shelter provided by the umbrellas.
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
11. Burrawang Village Hotel
Burrawang
This dog friendly pub is located in the quaint village of Burrawang, among the picturesque rolling green hills of the Southern Highlands. It is famous for its beautiful gardens, spectacular views and tasty food, so make sure you include it in your Southern Highland bucket list!
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
12. The Friendly Inn Hotel
Kangaroo Valley
The legendary Friendly Inn has been serving locals and visitors for a looooong time. Dogs are welcome in the beer garden, front terrace and on the deck. Visiting this inn is a must for anyone travelling through the Kangaroo Valley town centre!
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
13. Hendriks Cognac & Wine Bar
Mittagong
Hendrik’s Cognac and Wine Bar is a dog friendly bar in Mittagong, Southern Highlands! Dogs are welcome on the large outdoor seating area and a verandah which is covered from the elements with water bowls and delicious doggy treats.
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
14. Southern Highland Brewing & Taphouse
Moss Vale
Southern Highland Brewing is a dog friendly brewery / pub in Moss Vale. “At SHBC we believe that beer should be balanced and approachable. Something you’d go back for. We brew many traditional styles of beer, beers that have stood the test of time….and a couple of our own signatures that we have developed over the course of about 20 years.” Dogs are welcome at the covered front verandah, which also has heat lamps and blankets to keep you warm.
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
15. Sutton Forest Inn
Sutton Forest
Sutton Forest Inn is a cozy dog friendly country pub in Southern Highlands. With a warm atmosphere, the venue hosts a public bar, large dining room, boutique bottle shop/deli and a relaxed beer garden overlooking the beautiful southern highlands countryside. Dogs are welcome in the front bar and outside…plenty of under cover spots for them. There are also water bowls scattered around. But just to note they do get lots of little children at the pub that are running around… which might not be every dogs cup of tea!
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
16. Artemis Wines
Woodlands
If you are interested in mixing it up a bit, how about visiting a local dog friendly winery! Southern Highland wineries may not be known to be as dog friendly as the ones in the Hunter Valley but Artemis Wines is worth a visit. At Artemis Wines you can enjoy a glass of wine on the deck, which is fully covered from the rain / sun, accompanied by your pup.
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!
Dog Friendly Cafes
17. Magpie Cafe
Berrima
Magpie Café not only welcomes pups, they love them to be around at the front garden. They will get an equal (or maybe a bit more) amount of attention as you. This is a great place to start the day, followed by a walk along Berrima River!
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
18. The Press Shop
Bowral
The Press Shop is a dog friendly cafe in Bowral. Great place to stop by for a coffee, breakfast or lunch with your pup. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor seating area that is partly under cover.
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
19. South Hill Kitchen
Bowral
Fully licensed dog friendly cafe with water bowls for dogs and a big outdoor weatherproof cupboard terrace.
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
20. Raw & Wild Cafe
Bowral
This is a gourmet market with a dog friendly café at the back, which offers delicious bites for you and a doggie menu for your pup. RAW & WILD is a great place to finish your morning walk, and is near the Cherry Tree walking track!
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
21. Burrawang General Store
Burrawang
Historic 1867 dog friendly General Store and licensed Cafe in the pretty village of Burrawang. Dogs are welcome on the covered outdoor front porch (which is the place to be in our opinion anyway)
Click below for more info, opening hours, reviews, map & directions
In case of emergency
Rest assured, the Southern Highlands has excellent vet services covering everything from an upset stomach and rashes to laboratory and surgical services. Although we hope you will not need this list, it is always handy to have the local vet details close to you when travelling.
We would also like to remind you to make sure your pup’s tick treatment is up to date when venturing out in the Southern Highlands.
