Why Australians are obsessed with pet-friendly holidays in 2022
Crawling out of the pandemic, a new way of holidaying has emerged – and millions more Australians are jumping on the trend.
What’s a holiday if you can’t bring the whole family along; four-legged ones included.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, Australia saw a boom in pet ownership, with data from Animal Medicines Australia indicating more than two million households across the country have acquired a pet since mid-2020.
According to the research, a total of 69 per cent of all Australian households now own a pet, with almost 50 per cent owning at least one dog and 30 per cent owning a cat.
As a result, more and more Aussie holiday-makers are seeking trips away that not only cater for adults and children, but for their furry friends as well.
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According to accommodation booking platform Stayz, now more than ever Aussies are seeking and prioritising travel that accommodates pets of all shapes and sizes.
“We know that many Aussie households have also added a furry friend to their family during the pandemic, so making your dog’s first holiday away with the family should be in a place that everyone will love,” Stayz Travel Expert Simone Scoppa told news.com.au.
“Our latest data shows that one-in-10 searches on the Stayz website is a pet-friendly one.
“So with 2022 set to be the year of doggy-friendly holiday travel, our research shows that pet-friendly homes are the most important factor when thinking of travelling domestically with dogs.”
Ms Scoppa said that currently, one-in-five Australian listings on the platform are pet-friendly,
with some even including a fun “custom-built” doggy play houses for dogs to enjoy.
“NSW takes out the top spot for most pet-friendly holiday homes by a whisker, followed by VIC, QLD, SA and WA,” Ms Scoppa said of the most popular homes booked by pet owners.
“Interestingly though, VIC had the most destinations with more than 90 homes in each with Rye on the Mornington Peninsula taking out the top spot with more than 180 dog-friendly holiday homes to book.”
So if you are planning a holiday or even long weekend with your best friend, here’s a few places to start:
NSW
Nothing quite says summer like a beachside escape, and this spot on the NSW south coast is everything you and your four-legged friend will need.
With uninterrupted views of Culburra Beach and plenty of pet friendly walks and cafes nearby (including my favourite Frankies Coffee Van) the region is just over three hours from Sydney, so perfect for a weekend away or something a bit longer.
The Seaview property sleeps 10 adults and three kids, has three bathrooms and plenty of space to entertain a large group both indoors and out.
The house itself is nestled between two beaches so you have plenty of choice when it comes to spending a lazy afternoon in the sun – and you’re just 60 seconds from the sand.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
If you’re more inclined to stay in a hotel, QT have you sorted – with all their hotels allowing you to bring your four-legged friend along.
Basically if your pooch is under 20kg (that strikes out my Golden Retriever) – you can enjoy all the comforts of the QT hotel experience with your pup.
Each pet-friendly room comes with a range of fun features, including a little dog-friendly minibar, in-room dinner menus for both you and your pooch and guests can even organise a day spa so your four-legged friend leaves with the ultimate shine.
VICTORIA
Until the end of 2022, ‘Canterbury Jetty Luxury Escape’ in Victoria’s Rye is the perfect spot for a decent size group of 11 people and your pets too. Rye, a seaside town on the Mornington Peninsula, sits just 63km south-west of Melbourne’s CBD.
The coastal town has boomed among holiday-makers, because of its stunning beach offering, great eateries and plenty of parks to go for walks.
The house itself is dubbed as an “architectural masterpiece” with plenty of backyard space to relax as well as heaps of heating and cooling for visits all year round.
For those chilly Victorian nights, there’s a great fire-pit tucked away behind the house, a BBQ area and even a sheltered alfresco dining space so you can enjoy the outdoors day and night.
QUEENSLAND
Year-round sun and sand, nothing spells holiday like a trip to the Sunshine State. But if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast, and don’t vibe a city-escape in Brisbane – this little slice on the Sunny Coast might be your answer.
Mount Coolum is a stunning spot perched on an awe-inspiring volcanic dome. With spectacular views at every turn, and incredible beaches to match – it’s the perfect spot for a group of mates and your four-legged friends.
This pad, dubbed ‘the Green House’ takes inspiration from the lifeguard towers that sit along the Queensland coastline and even features a surfboard on the roof.
The house is perfectly located near a park for the kids and near to a dog friendly beach so you can all enjoy some sun and sand together.
This fully airconditioned, beachfront home accommodates up to 11 guests and one of the best features is the heated Magnesium lap pool – so you can take a dip year- round.
This journalist visited a pet-friendly home as a guest of Stayz.
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