Kate Dinning: Where to go camping with your dog this dry season

Wanting to take your four-legged friend on an adventure this weekend? Kate Dinning has found all the places you can camp — and swim — with your dog.

Camping with pup Yolanda on the beach.

Did you know there are rules for taking horses, donkeys, mules, and camels into NT parks and reserves?

I found this out when trying to find a campsite where my friends could bring their new puppy. To keep our parks clean and safe for all the native animals, we all know that pets generally aren’t permitted in parks and reserves – but what do you do when it comes to Dry Season and you want to take your best mate on an adventure with you?

I went on a mission to find out.

I must preface this with the general statement that comes directly after almost every ‘dog-friendly’ line – the dogs must be well-behaved, responsive to your commands, and not disruptive to other campers. Seems reasonable to me.

Donna Versace Mango goes camping with her dog in the NT.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way – perhaps the best thing that I discovered was that finding dog-friendly campsites on the app HipCamp was very easy – and there are some incredible spots.

If you’re not familiar, HipCamp is like an Airbnb for campsites – and there are plenty of Territorians who have opened their private land to allow you a weekend under the stars, for as little as $15 a night.

If you’re heading to the KATHERINE region - home to the famous Nitmiluk Gorge and the Katherine River, there’s multiple spots you can head to with your furry friends.

A great pet-friendly park just outside of Katherine is the fabulous Manbulloo Homestead Caravan Park.

It’s just the right distance from town to feel like you’re properly camping, but close enough for a dip in the Hot Springs if you need it.

Manbulloo is a working cattle station, so there’s daily horse and cattle feeding - and the best bit for the pooch pals – the motel rooms and cabins have lockable verandahs that are built for your dogs - and there’s even a free dog bath.

On HipCamp, you can search ‘“The Escarpment” @ The Gorge’ for a beautiful, dog-friendly 400-acre bush camp, right up against a ridge.

There are multiple sites at different prices - but the ones you want are the ones next to the creek - you can swim in it during the dry season.

Donna Versace Mango goes camping with her dog in the NT.

Suppose you want to go even further - Donna Versace Mango suggests taking a trip down the Stuart Highway to the Daly Waters Pub.

Dogs are permitted in the adjacent caravan park and in select rooms and cabins for an extra fee – and while they’re not allowed into the pub with you, you can park up at the tables out the front for a beer.

If you’re sticking closer to home, the Litchfield Tourist Park should be on the list.

It may not be ‘camping’ - but you can book ‘the Dog House’ - a dedicated tiny home where your pets are welcome to be inside with you.

There’s an enclosed verandah for them to hang out on while you head into the National Park, and the team pop by every few hours to make sure they are OK. Isn’t that so cute?

On HipCamp, only 50km from Darwin – check out the ‘Paperbark Farm’ just off the Stuart Hwy between Berry Springs and Manton Dam – there are 7 acres of Paperbark Forest, lots of butterflies and even some friendly buffalo.

One of the most popular ones, you can of course take your dogs to visit Robin Falls just outside Adelaide River.

It’s only an early Dry Season waterfall as it stops flowing early into the season - but there are spots to camp just a short walk away from the waterfall – and your dog can swim too.

If you’re heading towards DUNDEE – check out ‘Deckabout Dundee’ on HipCamp for a pet-friendly site with a huge amount of space for tents, boats and caravans – and a purpose-built deck with amenities, only 10 mins from the boat ramp. Or book the ‘Kick Back & Relax Campsite’ - a fenced residential block that allows dogs, and has direct access to the beach and a fire pit. Happy Camping!