Travelling with Pets - SOUTHERN LAKES FIORDLAND OTAGO

Explore the craggy mountain ranges tipped with snow in the winter and basking in sunlight over summer. Paired with valleys washed through with clear, fresh waterways everyone will be revitalised after quality time here.

DOG PARKS

WAKARI DOG PARK, DUNEDIN With undulating hills, valleys, streams and an array of walking tracks there is no shortage of terrain for your dog to sniff and explore. Those looking for a challenge will enjoy the agility area.

EAST TAIERI DOG PARK Come one, come all! This fully-fenced dog park, on Cemetery Road in Mosgiel, has areas specifically dedicated to large and small dogs giving everyone space to roam free. With an agility course and pipes for playtime, there’s lots of fun to be had here.

KEW PARK DOG EXERCISE AREA, DUNEDIN Sociable dogs will relish this much-loved park in Caversham. It offers wide open spaces for zoomies, trees plus shrubs to sniff at and an obstacle course for exploration! While they do that, you can sit back and watch the good times roll.

MORE…

• Rotary Park, Waverley

• Fenwick Park South, Ōamaru

• Awamoa Park East, Ōamaru

• Green Island Dog Park, Dunedin

• Ōmarama Recreation Reserve (eastern end)

Six dogs

© Camille Courtois Taylor

CHECK OUT

MEADOW FRESH DOG DERBY, CORONET PEAK This iconic dog derby event, held every August, has a history on the mountain dating back almost half a century. Contestants showcase their canine human bond using honed handling skills to traverse the mountain in either the Country Dog, Townie Dog or Kids division.

SNOW FARM, CARDRONA Pups can now enjoy the snow just as much (if not more) than you! Grab your dog a pass to share in the fun for a ski or snowshoe adventure either on the trails or off-piste.

UNDERDOG, ALEXANDRA Give your dog a break and have a go at driving a professional team of sled dogs. Offering both summer and winter tours, you’ll get your adrenalin fix interacting with these cute but hardworking dogs. If you have smaller folks wanting to have a go, then try snuggling up for a basket ride.

TOP & TAIL TIP

If you see any wildlife, maintain your distance – at least 20m from sea lions and 50m from penguins.

Moeraki Boulders, Otago

© Adobe Stock

WALKIES

Tire your dog out with a walk up the world’s steepest street – Baldwin St in Dunedin

HOMESTEAD TRACK, ŌTŪRĒHUA Easy 3km return, on-leash

MOUNT IRON LOOP, WĀNAKA Moderate 5km loop, on-leash

PEREGRINE LOOP, ARROWTOWN Easy 2.5km loop, on-leash

BENMORE PENINSULA WALK, ŌTEMATATA Moderate 4km loop, on-leash

LAKE ALTA TRACK, QUEENSTOWN Moderate 2.5km return, on-leash

GLENORCHY LAGOON WALK Easy 3km loop, some on-leash

ARAWATA BRIDLE TRACK QUEENSTOWN Moderate 3km return, on-leash

BOB’S COVE TRACK QUEENSTOWN Easy 2km return, on-leash

HURIAWA PĀ WALK, KARITĀNE, DUNEDIN Easy 2.5km loop, on-leash

AROUND BLUE LAKE TRACK, ST BATHANS Easy 4km loop, on-leash

ROSS CREEK RESERVOIR TRAIL, DUNEDIN Easy 4km loop, on-leash

GABRIELS GULLY INTERPRETATION WALK, LAWRENCE Easy 3km loop, on-leash

QUEENSTOWN GARDEN TRAIL Easy 2km loop, on-leash

Baldwin St, Dunedin

© DunedinNZ

BIG ADVENTURES

LAKE HAYES LOOP, ARROWTOWN Easy 8km loop, on-leash

MOUNT CRICHTON LOOP TRACK, QUEENSTOWN Easy 6.5km loop, on-leash

OTAGO DAM TRACK, LAWRENCE Moderate 6.5km return, on-leash

TOP & TAIL TIP

The Long Dog Café in St Clair, Dunedin is a little slice of doggy heaven, right by the beach. Pop in after your morning walkies for a ‘pupcake’ or two.

Luna

© Sian Chapman

HAPPY CAMPERS

It pays to check before you go!

• Kakanui Camping Ground, Ōamaru

• Glencoe Campsite, Moeraki

• Homestead Campsite, St Bathans

• Kinloch Campsite, Glenorchy Wānaka TOP 10 Holiday Park

• Macetown Campsite, Arrowtown

• Skippers DOC Campsite, Queenstown

• Kingston TOP 10 Holiday Park

• St Bathans Domain Campsite

• Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creekside

• Twelve Mile Delta Campsite, Mt Creighton, Queenstown

• Moeraki Village Holiday Park

• Ōamaru TOP 10 Holiday Park

DOG-FRIENDLY SPOTS

• Waikouaiti Beach, Dunedin

• Bethunes Gully (on leash in the picnic area), Normanby, Dunedin

• Ocean Beach Domain, Dunedin

• Brighton Beach Reserve, Dunedin

• Smaills Beach, Dunedin

TOP & TAIL TIP

Located right in the heart of Queenstown, you can bring your own nibbles, kids and dogs aboard Perky’s Floating Bar. This is New Zealand’s only floating bar and is permanently moored on stunning Lake Wakatipu. Open 7 days from 12pm until 11pm.

Rusty

© Kath Webster