Popular caravan park feature solves common issue: 'I wish more offered this'

Caravan parks have become one of the most popular options for an affordable Aussie holiday, particularly as people opt for caravanning and camping getaways. While some parks offer just the basics like cold showers and fire pits, others are more like little resorts complete with water parks for the kids, tennis courts and games rooms.

If you are one of the thousands of Aussies who have chosen to travel with your dog, then ensuring a caravan park is pet-friendly is a must before deciding to book a few nights there. While many parks do indeed welcome furry friends, some are going the extra mile and offering a feature that dog owners are lapping up.

"There’s been a massive increase in demand for pet-friendly travel," Georgina Woodlee, Park Manager at Discovery Parks – Forster tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "It’s one of the attractions of holiday parks and road trips holidays - being able to bring along the whole family, furry members included."

It's for this reason that off-leash dog areas, or mini dog parks, are popping up at sites around the country, giving dog lovers a place for their furry friends to safely run off energy, and Georgina says that the feature has been a hit with guests.

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"Our dog-friendly facilities have proven to be a huge drawcard," she says. "In addition to the dog park, we also have a heated dog wash, a dog-friendly on-site café, and we even have dog lifejackets for adventurous pooches wanting to partake in water sports with their owners. This is a great addition as the park is located right on the banks of the beautiful Wallamba River."

She continues, "The park’s off-leash dog area was introduced around five years ago and is fully fenced off and shaded, has seating for pet owners and even includes obstacles that dogs love climbing over and around. It’s located in a quieter area of the park, meaning people can exercise their dogs away from other guests."

Travellers praise dog-friendly feature of caravan parks

It's an amenity that guests truly appreciate with praise for the off-leash areas at caravan parks populating numerous online groups for campers and motorhome owners.

"So nice to see more dog-friendly areas & accommodation now," one traveller wrote. "It is so nice & safe to have our pets with us when we travel."

"Fenced off-leash area," another camper wrote with a photo of another park. "Why caravan parks don't advertise this on their sites is beyond me. It would be a decider for me if I knew which parks had them."

"Just brilliant, people are understanding how important it is to travel with your 4 legged buddies," another added. "Well done."

"Such a fabulous idea. I wish more parks would offer this," another traveller wrote.

Other pet-friendly caravan park features loved travellers

It's not just off-leash areas that visitors appreciate, but the addition of fenced-off caravan sites in some parks for those travelling with their furry friends too.

"Many parks, ours included, offer pet-friendly cabins and some are even offering fenced-off sites for pets, which is something we’re keen to explore in future," says Georgina. "However, many of our cabins have large decks with gates, so this already offers a safe environment for dogs."

Sam Smith, a manager at the family-owned Big 4 Windmill Holiday Park in Ballarat, Victoria, which offers 12 fenced off, pet-friendly sites, previously told Yahoo that they are "extremely popular" and often the first to book out. So much so, that the owners plan to add more over the next 12 months.

"There's such a market for them, it's crazy," he said. "Everybody's travelling with their dogs now, so it just makes sense".

"They'll be our most popular sites in the park and not only for people travelling with pets but for kids too. We get a lot of young families booking them," he added.

Other caravan parks perfect for travelling with pets

Travellers recently shared their recommendations for caravan parks with off-leash dog areas in a popular Facebook group, proving just how in-demand this sort of amenity really is.

"We stayed at the Gateway just out of Broome," one person wrote. "Fantastic fenced, shady, grassy and secure area. Our dogs loved it for being able to potter (our 15-year-old chi) and run and socialise (our eight-month-old pup) !! Loved that place."

"Southern Stars Holiday Park Dunsborough WA has dog-friendly enclosed caravan sites and an off-leash area," another said. "Very big area. Plus they are happy for you to bring [your] puppy over to the fire they set up every night (fire restrictions allowing)."

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"Lakes Bushland Caravan Park, 15mins from Lakes Entrance VIC - large fenced dog area, plus lots of space to walk them around on lead also Wyandra General Store and Caravan Park - fenced dog sites. Ingenia Torquay - fenced dog area," was another comment.

"Woodford Showgrounds in QLD also has a dog off-lead area and our boy loved it. Expelled lots of energy after a few days on the road. Agree, it should be a feature of their marketing ploy as many ppl travel with dogs," yet another person added.

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