Travelling Australia with a Dog (Tips for Tail-Wagging Adventures)

Travelling Australia with a dog is a rewarding experience. Whether you’re taking a trip for a long weekend or a bigger journey around Australia, you’ve got heaps of options.

There are three primary advantages of travelling Australia with your dog instead of holidaying overseas.

1. You save a lot of money
2. Don’t need to quarantine on return
3. You get to share your adventures with your best friend!

We advise against taking short holidays with your dog overseas. Because international pet travel is a complicated process that needs thorough planning.

Travelling Australia with a dog is a fantastic alternative. We’ll offer expert advice for a smooth trip, ensuring you and your dog have tail-wagging adventures.

Entering Different States with a Dog

Generally, Australia has the same biosecurity levels across states. So, your dog won’t need treatments to travel between most states.

Bringing your dog to Tasmania is the only exception.

Domestic pet travel to Tasmania has some regulations. Your dog must get treated for hydatids 14 days before departure, a simple treatment.

To enter Tasmania with your dog, you must provide one of the following:

1. A veterinary certificate (from a registered vet) detailing effective treatment within 14 days of export to Tasmania
2. A Statutory Declaration from the dog owner indicating effective treatment within 14 days of export
3. Evidence of effective treatment, such as the worming product packet

Health checks typically aren’t mandatory if you’re flying domestically with your dog. But pets aged 8-12 weeks or over 12 years and snub-nosed breeds like French Bulldogs must get a vet check before flying.

We recommend getting a health check when travelling Australia with a dog to be on the safe side. This gives you peace of mind and avoids any nasty surprises along the way.

Flying with a Dog in Australia

You can’t fly with your dog in the cabin in Australia. Service dogs are the only exception.

But Virgin Australia recently announced its plan to allow pets to fly in the cabin on domestic flights. Only small cats and dogs will be allowed to fly in the cabin and pets:

• Will be restricted to a limited number of designated rows
• Won’t be able to roam freely or sit on the owners’ laps
• Must be in a Virgin Australia-approved pet carrier
• Must fit under the seat in front of the owner

For now, your dog must travel in the cargo hold on domestic flights. This is generally at the rear of the plane.

Don’t worry because flying pets in the cargo area is perfectly safe for your beloved pets.

• This cabin is pressurised – just like the one you fly in
• The captain sets the temperature at a comfortable 18ºC
• The area is dimly lit as well – so your pet will be comfortable
• Your pet has a separate area in the compartment, away from bags

7 Tips for Flying with a Dog in Australia

1. Visit the vet – Dogs aged 8-12 weeks or over 12 years and snub-nosed breeds like French Bulldogs must get a vet check. We recommend all dogs get a health check before flying.
2. Choose the right crate – Your dog must fly in an IATA-approved crate. This should be the correct size for your dog. We can help you choose the best pet crate.
3. Crate training – We recommend crate training before flying with your dog. Introduce your dog to the crate before your flight. Familiarise them with the carrier using calm and positive reinforcement.
4. Don’t sedate your dog – Your dog can become dehydrated, disorientated and sick under sedation. Also, airline personnel will reject your dog for travel if they appear sedated.
5. Consider comfort items – You may be able to include your dog’s favourite toy in the crate. But some airlines have a strict no-toys policy. You can also include a familiar blanket if the airline allows it.
6. Food and water – Feed your dog eight hours or more before the flight. Keep them well hydrated for 48 hours before travel – they also have access to water throughout the trip.

Stay calm – Make sure you’re relaxed on departure day. Your dog can pick up on your stress and get anxious, so stay calm and keep your dog at ease.

Driving Around Australia with a Dog

A popular option is driving around Australia with your dog. You can pack up your car, ute or campervan and visit pet-friendly places along the way.

Researching pet-friendly accommodation is always a good idea. You may want to stay in pet-friendly hotels, Airbnb or campsites.

Fortunately, the number of pet-friendly hotels in Australia is growing. And it’s pretty easy to find a pet-friendly Airbnb.

You can also take advantage of free campsites around the country. Most of these sites typically allow dogs and don’t have any restrictions.

Camping with your dog in Australia is desirable for many travellers. The safety of your dog is always a priority when camping.

7 Safety Tips for Travelling with Your Dog

You might think about learning first aid and packing a first-aid kit for you and other people. But have you ever thought about doing it for your dog when travelling?

Knowing pet first aid might just save your dog’s life. You could end up many kilometres from the nearest vet, so pet first-aid skills can help manage issues before reaching them.

Your intervention could be the difference between life and death for your dog.

These are safety issues you can encounter while travelling with your dog:

1. Heat stress
2. Restraints
3. Microchip
4. Toxic foods
5. Snake bites
6. Cane toads
7. Ticks

1. Heat Stress

Dogs are susceptible to heat stress, especially if you leave them in the car or a hot tent. Please don’t do this because it can be fatal for your dog.

Having a nice shaded spot nearby is always helpful for your dog. They can rest there out of the sun and pant to cool down.

Always make sure they have access to plenty of water. And you can even give them ice blocks – dogs love that.

Glands in your dog’s paws also help them cool down. Letting them stand in water reduces the chances of heat stress.

2. Restraints

Will you be travelling with your dog in a trailer or ute? Legally, you must secure your dog with appropriate restraints.

Improper restraints are a safety issue. According to the RSPCA, 5,000 dogs each year are injured or killed jumping from a moving vehicle.

Correctly restraining your dog inside your car is also a vital safety consideration. An unrestrained dog can distract you when driving or seriously injure themselves or you in an accident.

We recommend using a pet carrier for travelling Australia with your dog. This helps keep your pet safe and secure during the trip.

3. Microchip

Getting your dog microchipped before travelling Australia is a good idea. Microchipping increases the chances of reuniting with your dog if they get lost.

Your lost dog may end up in an animal shelter or at a vet. Authorities here can scan the microchip, get your contact details and reunite you with your dog.

Is your dog already microchipped? Always make sure your contact details are up to date before you travel.

4. Toxic Foods

Your dog loves picking things up in its mouth, right? They do it to figure out new or unfamiliar items.

But this can cause accidents when they check out unfamiliar foods. Because some foods are toxic for your dog, including:

• Macadamia nuts
• Chocolate
• Grapes
• Onions
• Alcohol

Induce vomiting in your dog if they eat any toxic foods.

One trick to get your dog to vomit is a mixture of honey and salt. Make them swallow the solution to spew up the toxic foods.

5. Snake Bites

Adventurous dogs can come across snakes when you’re travelling Australia. Venomous snake bites are dangerous for dogs, and you need to get them treated quickly.

You may not know the type of snake that attacked your dog. Even so, wrap the bite area with a bandage.

Keep your dog still and calm. Don’t let them move too much because their system will pump the venom quickly around the body.

Signs of a snake bit include:

• Heavy breathing
• More lethargic
• Vomiting

Get to a vet as soon as possible if you suspect a snake bite in your dog.

6. Cane Toads

Dogs are attracted to cane toads like kids to candy. Your dog will likely start mucking around with a cane toad on sight.

And the chances are high of running into cane toads if you’re travelling Queensland with your dog. Poisonous cane toads are pretty much everywhere in the Sunshine State. You’ll also find them in parts of the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Western Australia.

Your dog can absorb toxins from the toads into their body. Symptoms include:

• Foaming mouth
• Seizures
• Vomiting

Rinse your dog’s mouth with water if you think they’ve absorbed cane toad toxins. Wipe their gums with a damp cloth.

The gums may look bloody when you’re wiping them. But they should come back to normal when you clear the toxins.

In all cases of cane toad poisoning or suspected poisoning, we recommend you take your pet to the vet immediately.

7. Ticks

Keeping up to date with your dog’s tick treatment is important. Dogs love exploring the leaves and undergrowth, where ticks are most likely active.

In Queensland, ticks are active all year round. So, don’t forget to treat your dog for ticks, even in winter.

Symptoms of tick paralysis include:

• Trouble walking
• Change in bark
• Swollen face
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Gagging

Your dog sniffs through grass, leaves and undergrowth to investigate. So, ticks generally attach to their head, chest and front legs.

Think your dog has symptoms of tick paralysis? Take them to a vet to get ticks removed and for anti-serum treatment.

Alternative Transport for Travelling Australia with a Dog

Sometimes, you might need alternative transport options for travelling with your pet. Maybe your car broke down, or your rental car doesn’t allow pets.

Whatever the reasons, there are alternative transport options.

Pet Road Transport

A company like Dogtainers offers domestic pet road transport on select routes. This is helpful if you need to transport your pet for a specific part of your journey.

We offer local pet transfers in major cities. Our services are scheduled weekly between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

In some instances, we can offer dedicated road transport to Cairns, Townsville and Adelaide. For safety reasons, we do not offer domestic pet road transport to Perth or Darwin from other cities. 

Maybe you want to send your dog ahead of time to a location and keep them in a pet boarding facility until you get there. This can be helpful if you’ve planned some activities that aren’t pet-friendly.

We have 13 offices in every state across Australia and can offer tailored solutions for Aussie pet road transport. Your dog will travel in a customised, climate-controlled, pet-friendly van.

Road transport is also an excellent alternative to flying. Some reasons your dog may be better off in road transport include:

1. Anxious flyer
2. Brachycephalic breed
3. Banned from flying
4. Too large

Public Transport

Generally, public transport isn’t great for travelling in Australia with your dog.

Dogs typically aren’t permitted on long-distance trains like Great Southern Rail, which runs The Ghan and Indian Pacific trains. Guide dogs are the exception.

In Victoria, small dogs can travel on the long-distance V/Line trains – but aren’t allowed on coaches. They must travel in appropriate pet carriers at the assigned location on the train.

Each state has its own rules and regulations around dogs on local public transport.

Queensland

Dogs aren’t allowed on any Translink bus, train or tram service in Queensland. Certified guide, hearing and assistance dogs are the only exceptions.

Your dog can travel on Brisbane River ferries and CityCats between 8.30am – 3.30pm and 7pm – 6am on weekdays and any time on weekends.

You must ensure:

• Your dog is on a lead and wearing a muzzle or is in an enclosed carrier   
• Your dog is under your control and remains outside the ferry cabin
• You carry waste bags and clean up after your dog

New South Wales

You can bring small dogs on buses, light rail and ferries in NSW. But they must be in an enclosed carrier, and you should avoid peak hours.

Dogs can’t travel on all public transport in NSW, though. No dogs, except guide dogs, are permitted on trains, coaches or metro lines.

Australian Capital Territory

Dogs can travel on buses and light rail services within the Transport Canberra network. You must confine your dog in a box, basket or other appropriate pet container. You also need to get the driver’s permission before boarding with your dog.

Victoria

The Garden State has the most dog-friendly public transport system. Small dogs in a carrier can travel on all metro and regional trains, buses and trams throughout the state.

Public Transport Victoria also permits large dogs on metro trains. They must be on a leash and wear a muzzle to travel.

Travelling with a dog on a train means you must:

• Clean up any mess your dog makes
• Keep your dog under your control at all times
• Make sure your dog doesn’t sit on seats or block aisles and doors
• Avoid travelling on weekdays between 7am and 9am or 4pm and 6pm

Dogs can’t travel on V/Line coaches, including rail replacement buses. Guide dogs are the only exception.

Other States and Territories

South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have the least dog-friendly public transport in Australia. You can’t bring your dog on public transport here – unless it’s an assistance dog.

Conclusion

Travelling Australia with your dog can be heaps of fun. Our furry friends make fantastic travel companions.

Driving around Australia with your dog is a popular option. But remember to keep the safety of your dog in mind.

Flying with your dog in Australia is also a great way to get around. This option takes some planning, but we can help make the process stress-free.

Pet road transport is another way we can help you travel in Australia with your dog. We have offices in every state and can deliver tailored road transport.

Get your quote today or call 1300 13 52 52 to find out more.