If you’re looking for a laid-back holiday destination, Adelaide has to be on your list! It’s got gorgeous beaches, relaxed coastal charm and close proximity to an enviable wine region.
Best of all, it’s has tons of pet-friendly options on offer. From dog beaches to cafes that treat pooches as well as people, your fur-baby can enjoy the Adelaide experience right by your side.
We’ve pulled together a list of our favourite pet-friendly beaches and cafes. Plus, we’ve thrown in a few fabulous accommodation choices, both in and near this wonderful city.
BEACHES:
Henley Beach
This is a local favourite for pet-parents, especially thanks to its close proximity to dog-friendly cafes. During daylight savings, dogs do need to be kept on-leash but its perfect for a long, leisurely stroll.
Henley Beach is just as popular with people as it is with pets and it’s also safe for kids to swim (under supervision of course!)
Semaphore Beach
This gorgeous beach is well-known to Aussies for its annual kite festival. For locals, it’s renowned for how dog-friendly it is! Your pooch is allowed on the beach 24/7, which makes it perfect for early morning and after-work walking expeditions.
When its out of daylight savings season, they can run leash-free.
Sellicks Beach
Sellicks Beach boasts beautiful coastal views, great surf and fishing spots with boat launch facilities to boot. Best of all, it allows dogs off-leash 24/7 and is the southern-most pet-friendly beach in the region.
The doggie exercise area runs between Robert Street, south to “Cactus Canyon”, where the Onkaparinga council ends.
O’Sullivan Beach
This is a super popular beach for pets and people alike! O’Sullivans allows dogs off-leash, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Not far from Adelaide’s CBD, it’s the go-to destination for pet parents to enjoy a whole kilometre of dog-friendly space.
The off-leash section starts south of Selway Terrace down to the north side of Heather Street.
CAFES:
Five Little Figs
To say pups are welcome here is a total understatement. The Five Little Figs staff dote on dogs of all kinds and serve up yummy treats and doggycinos. Plus, the owner runs a regular Post and Boast/Brag and Tag social media contest, where a favourite dog is chosen every month and the pet parent in question gets a coffee or meal for free. Um, talk about an incentive to visit!
The menu is healthy, wholesome and locally sourced. Sample the french toast covered in stewed apricots, the homemade granola or the mushroom bruschetta. Their coffee is faultless and there’s plenty of fresh-pressed juice on offer too. Five Little Figs is located in Payneham South.
Whipped Bake Bar Cafe
Located in Semaphore, Whipped Bake Bar Cafe serves breakfast, brunch and lunch. With delicious toasted rolls, frittatas and quiches, the menu is simple and delicious. Plus, there’s kid-serve meals for when you have the whole family in tow.
Speaking of the whole family, fur-babies are welcome too! The outdoor area is spacious, protected and dog-friendly.
Fred Eatery
If you’re passing through the Adelaide Hills area, you have to check out FRED Eatery. Your pooch will absolutely love it, from the free dog biscuits to the lactose-free lattes made just for them.
Their human menu is all about healthy, nourishing ‘comfort food’. It certainly delivers that in spades, with delicious croquet monsieur’s, bircher muesli, BBQ pork belly bowls with chilli caramel and omelette and brekky gnocchi. They also serve dinner with tasty choices like Moroccan lamb shank, pan seared chilli squid and grilled scotch fillet.
ACCOMMODATION
In Adelaide:
Seacroft Apartments
Located in Semaphore, a beachside suburb of Adelaide, Seacroft Apartments is a pet-friendly accommodation. You can choose from two short-term rentals. Unit 10 can comfortably sleep 4 guests, with additional options for extra guests. Unit 9 sleeps 2-3 with a double and single bed. Both units have a modern, self-contained kitchenette and bathroom and can access the communal pool, BBQ areas and secure parking.
Pets are welcome in both units, but must be friendly and comfortable with people, as the gated community also houses 7 long-term tenants. Pets are free to roam the secure gated community when the owners are on-site. You can also enjoy the neighbourhood with your four-legged friends in tow, with the shops within a two-minute walk and the beach only 7 minutes away.
Located under 30 minutes from Adelaide:
BIG4 Hahndorf Resort
BIG4 Hahndorf Resort has it all – comfort, convenience and a wonderful family-friendly atmosphere. Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide, this pet-friendly accommodation offers the perfect base to explore Hahndorf and Adelaide Hills or simply kick back and relax. The resort is nestled on 13 hectares of bushland, with plenty of picturesque views.
If you’re looking for something simple, choose from terraced caravan and camping sites which are equipped with power outlets, water, WiFi and grassed areas. You can also make use of the communal camp kitchen. All camping/caravanning sites are dog-friendly (though check before arrival when travelling in peak periods). You can also choose from regular accommodation options that can cater for couples, families and large groups alike. Hahndorf Resort offers contemporary resort rooms, units, cottages and houses for groups up to 10 people.
Bridgewater B&B
This quaint, pet-friendly B&B is comfortable, convenient and full of charm. There are 3 bedrooms, including a master bedroom with lounge, TV and access to the sunny balcony. Enjoy all the amenities you need for a super easy stay, with a fully functional kitchen that includes dishwasher and coffee machine. The spacious living room is equipped with a fireplace, leather lounges, TV and plenty of board games and the patio provides the perfect space for outdoor entertaining and BBQing. The property is completely pet-friendly, with a secure lawn and garden where your fur-kids can play among the fruit trees and veggie patch.
Bridgewater offers plenty of opportunities for family and pet-friendly fun, with an amazing playground and picnic area bordering Cox Creek, a lovely village pub, several walking trails and a nearby oval for exercising. For adults, there’s the historic Bridgewater Mill and wine bar and multiple wineries between 10 and 20 minutes away. The towns of Aldgate and Stirling are also close-by, filled with cafe, pubs and shops.