The Best Adventures Are Better Shared

Camping with your dog means more time outdoors, new places to explore and fewer sad faces watching you pack the car without them. It is also a brilliant way to slow down and enjoy an adventure together, away from the routines of home. 

A successful trip takes a little extra planning. Whether you are camping with your dog in Australia or New Zealand, these tips will help you choose a dog-friendly campsite, pack the right gear and keep your furry companion safe, comfortable and included throughout the adventure. 

1. Before You Go: Preparing Your Dog for Camping

Before taking your dog camping, consider whether they will feel comfortable in a campsite environment. Campgrounds can introduce unfamiliar people, children, dogs, wildlife and noises. If your dog becomes anxious or reactive in busy environments, begin with a short daytime outing or a quiet overnight trip close to home.

Before you leave:

• Make sure your dog’s vaccinations, registration and identification details are up to date.
• Ask your vet whether flea, tick or other parasite prevention is recommended for your destination.
• Pack any medication your dog needs.
• Check the forecast and avoid extreme heat or severe weather.
• Look for nearby events or fireworks if your dog is sensitive to loud noises.
• Bring familiar bedding and toys to help them settle.
• Plan dog-friendly stops, activities, cafés and walks for the entire trip. Your dog should not be left alone at the campsite, inside a tent or in a vehicle.

For camping with dogs in New Zealand, use the DOC campsite finder to find campsites that allow dogs. Always open the individual campsite page and check its access rules, as some locations require dogs to remain on a lead or may require a permit.

TOP 10 Holiday Parks also has a range of dog-friendly camping locations. Policies vary between parks and may include prior approval, designated sites, additional fees or seasonal restrictions, so contact the park before booking.

For camping with dogs in Australia, access rules vary between states, territories and individual campgrounds. Dogs are not permitted in many national parks but may be welcome in selected regional parks, state forests and designated campgrounds, usually on a lead. Check the official park listing and local council rules before booking. Useful starting points include Parks Victoria’s dog-friendly camping finder, Explore Parks WA’s pets in parks guide and the NSW National Parks pets policy. 

For Australian trips, check the fire danger rating and local emergency alerts before travelling and each day at camp. Include your dog in the evacuation plan and keep their lead, water, medication and other essentials ready to go. On Extreme days, reconsider travel through bushfire-risk areas. On Catastrophic days, leave or avoid them. CFA’s pets and bushfires guidance provides a useful planning checklist. 

2. Create a Dog-Friendly Campsite

A familiar, well-organised setup will help your dog settle more quickly. Many dogs prefer sleeping close to their people, so bring their usual bed or blanket and create a dedicated sleeping area inside the tent or beneath the awning.

Place a durable, washable mat beneath their bed to help protect the tent floor from claws and damp paws. Trimming your dog’s nails before the trip can also reduce the risk of damage.

For additional shade, a Zempire Air Gazebo can create a sheltered resting area for your dog and the rest of the family. Remember that shade moves throughout the day, so regularly check that their bed and water remain protected from direct sun.

While setting up camp:

• Keep your dog secure on a lead or long line and within sight.
• Choose a shaded spot and provide fresh water immediately.
• Position their bed somewhere sheltered from direct sun, wind and rain.
• Keep leads clear of tent pegs, guy ropes, cooking equipment and campfires.
• Store food and treats in sealed containers.
• Remove uneaten food so it does not attract insects, wildlife, or other dogs.
• Keep waste bags somewhere easy to reach.

A Zempire Camp Kitchen can help keep bowls, leads and other camp essentials organised. Food, treats and anything potentially harmful should still be kept in rigid, sealed containers.

Check campsite signs and local alerts for pest-control operations, poisons or bait that could harm your dog. In New Zealand, toxins such as 1080 can remain a risk through poisoned bait and animal carcasses. Check the relevant campsite information and DOC’s guidance about 1080 and dogs before exploring. In Australia, 1080 is also used in some parks, forests and rural areas and can be fatal to domestic dogs. Keep your dog restrained, obey warning signs and stay out of active baiting areas. Explore Parks WA’s pets in parks guide explains the risk to dogs. 

If you are camping on Australia’s east coast, speak to your vet about suitable paralysis tick protection before travelling and check your dog daily, even when preventative treatment is used.

3. Pack the Essentials for Your Dog

A camping checklist for dogs makes it much easier to remember the small things that can make a big difference once you are away from home.

Pack:

• Enough food and treats for the entire trip, plus a little extra
• Fresh drinking water
• Food and water bowls
• A secure harness and standard lead
• A long line for controlled freedom around camp
• Their usual bed or blanket
• Old towels for wet or muddy paws
• Waste bags
• Any medication they require
• A pet first-aid kit
• Flea and tick protection recommended for your destination
• A collar with a current registration or identification tag
• Favourite toys, such as a ball or frisbee
• A recent photo of your dog in case they become lost
• Contact details for a vet near your campsite

Pack your dog’s supplies together in one easy-to-access bag. This helps you find water, leads or waste bags quickly without unpacking the entire car.

4. Keep Your Dog Safe in Hot Weather

Dogs can overheat quickly, particularly during summer camping trips. Choose a campsite with natural shade and create a cool resting area with plenty of airflow.

Open your tent’s ventilation points and use an awning or shelter to provide additional shade. A compatible Zempire Heat Shield Cover or Heat Shield Liner can also help reduce heat build-up inside selected tents and shelters. These features can improve comfort, but they are not a substitute for supervision, ventilation and fresh water.

On warm days:

• Exercise your dog early in the morning or later in the evening.
• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day.
• Keep clean drinking water available at all times.
• Check whether the ground is too hot for their paws.
• Never leave your dog inside a closed tent or vehicle.
• Watch for excessive panting, drooling, weakness, confusion or difficulty breathing.

A lightly dampened bandana may help your dog feel more comfortable through evaporative cooling. Keep it loose and re-wet or remove it as it warms and dries. Use it alongside shade, airflow and fresh water, not as a treatment for heatstroke.

If you suspect heatstroke, begin cooling your dog with water cooler than their body temperature, create airflow and contact a vet immediately. Follow current SPCA summer safety guidance rather than relying on unverified cooling claims or home remedies.

Australian summer conditions can combine high temperatures, humidity, intense sun and hot ground. Flat-faced, overweight, very young, older, and unwell dogs may be more vulnerable to heatstroke. If you cannot provide reliable shade, airflow and enough safe drinking water throughout the day, choose a cooler destination or another time to camp. 

Swimming can be a great way to cool down, but assess the water first. Consider your dog’s swimming ability, river currents, ocean conditions and safe entry and exit points.

Toxic algae can be extremely dangerous to dogs, even in small amounts. Check local warnings and learn what to look for using LAWA’s guide to keeping dogs safe from toxic algae. If you are unsure whether the water is safe, keep your dog on a lead and provide drinking water from home.

5. Make Camping Fun for Your Dog

The best outdoor adventures with dogs give them plenty to explore without overwhelming them. Choose activities that suit your dog’s age, fitness, confidence and temperament.

Depending on local access rules, you could enjoy:

• Beach walks
• Dog-friendly bush tracks
• Swimming in safe conditions
• Exploring a new town
• Games with a ball or frisbee
• Short walks around the campground
• Quiet time together beneath the awning

Check the rules for every beach, track and reserve before setting out. Dog access can change between locations or seasons, particularly where vulnerable native wildlife is present.

Bring regular water breaks and give your dog time to rest. New sights, scents and sounds can be tiring, even if you have not walked far.

Around the campsite, keep fishing hooks, bait, rubbish, food scraps and cooking equipment securely stored. Reward your dog with their usual treats or dog-safe food rather than fatty or heavily seasoned barbecue leftovers.

Australian wildlife risks vary by region. Keep your dog close around long grass, dense bush and waterways, and never allow them to chase or approach wildlife. Snakes can be dangerous to dogs, while cane toads are toxic where they occur. In northern Croc Country, keep pets on a lead and camp at least 50 meters from the water. If you suspect a snake bite or poisoning, keep your dog calm and seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Keeping your dog inside a well-ventilated tent or securely contained close to you at night also helps protect nocturnal wildlife. 

6. Be a Responsible Pet-Friendly Camper

Dog-friendly camping depends on owners respecting other campers, campsite rules and the surrounding environment.

Keep your dog under control and follow all lead requirements, even if they are normally reliable off-lead. Do not allow them to wander through neighbouring campsites, approach children or greet other dogs without permission. Another dog may be nervous, in training or simply need space.

Responsible camping with pets means:

• Picking up all dog waste and disposing of it correctly
• Managing excessive barking, particularly early in the morning and at night
• Keeping your dog away from other campers’ food and belongings
• Asking before allowing your dog to approach another person or animal
• Following campsite, track and beach access rules
• Keeping food, bait and rubbish secure
• Protecting wildlife by keeping your dog close and under control
• Leaving the campsite clean for the next visitors

Dogs are not permitted everywhere on public conservation land. Check the rules for each destination before visiting, including whether a lead or permit is required.

With the right preparation, camping with your dog can be comfortable, safe and full of memorable moments. Choose a suitable destination, pack thoughtfully and make your dog part of the plan from the beginning. After all, the best adventures are the ones the whole family can share.