Having your furry family member join you on your holiday is great.  Not worrying about them staying at home or troubling your friends and family is priceless. Here are few handy tips on where to stay and where you can go around town.

But once you have arrived – what is there to do?  And where do you go? Here are some ideas and information to help make your time and your furry companion’s a good one.
 

Pet & Dog Friendly Restaurants / Cafes

 

St Crispin’s Café
They are so dog friendly they even have dog treats you can buy!

N17 Burger Co
Sit outside in their alfresco dining area and devour these delicious burgers whilst people watching.  Your furry companion will certainly wish they could be joining you!

Café Ziva
Sit in the al fresco pavement area and watch the world go by.

Origin Espresso
Great coffee in a relaxed vibe.  Original home of the local Four Coffee Roasters whose blends now are used throughout Port Douglas.

Whileaway Bookshop and Café
A great place to relax, catch up on the latest books and soak up Port’s tropical vibe.

Café Fresq (Vietnamese Food)
Pavement café and Vietnamese Restaurant a great place to see Port life pass by.  Have a coffee or a fresh juice, or in the evening feast on flavoursome Vietnamese food.

Chilly’s Pizza and Trattoria
This restaurant is certainly the most scenic in Port Douglas.  Surrounded by palm trees, fairy lights and offering a totally tropical vibe.

Lure Restaurant & Bar
Located at the Crystalbrook Marina this is the perfect place to have lunch or breakfast. They will even welcome your furry friend with a water container so they won’t overheat.

Hemingway’s Brewery
Sip on locally brewed beer – a great place to have a sundowner as the sun dips behind the boat masts at the marina.

The Beach Shack
Sandy floors, great pizzas and a buzzy local vibe. Aside from the bar and the snack area there is also a great restaurant (dogs allowed only in the outside snack seating area).

Coffee Club
Located in front of Coles in Port Douglas Shopping Village. So can do your grocery shop (just tie furry friend to the posts outside) and then relax together with a coffee or all day breakfast or lunch after.
 

Dog Friendly Port Douglas

 
Where can I walk them?

Bearing in mind that this is croc country just be aware if they like swimming in the sea be vigilant (avoid river mouths on beaches). If you are walking next to the lakes along the paths in Port Douglas – keep them away from the edge.

Dogs are to be on a lead at all times unless in a designated ‘no leash’ area.

They are not allowed in the National Parks, but if you keep them in the car in Cape Tribulation, Cow Bay Beach is dog friendly where they can run off the leash.

If you would like to let your dog off lead along Four Mile Beach then head to Cowrie Street. South of this exit is a designated off-leash area.  There is also a hose and water to rinse down the dogs afterwards and give them a drink.

 

Off Leash Areas:
 

•    Hutchins Park, Oriole Street, Port Douglas

•    Southern end of Four Mile Beach, start at Cowrie St entrance.

•    Back of Lou Prince Park, Cooya Beach

•    Northern end of Cooya Beach (north of the public toilet block).

•    Northern end of Newell Beach (including the foreshore area to the end of Marine Parade, north of Phillip Street) – avoid the Mossman River mouth as there can be crocs here

•    Diwan Reserve, (behind Douglas Shire Council Depot)

•    North Wonga Beach (starting at Giblin St to Vixies Rd)

•    Cow Bay beach (south of Buchanan Creek Rd car park area)

•    Foxton Avenue, Mossman (Northern section of George Davis Park, north of the fitness equipment to the edge of the proposed Botanic Gardens)

 

Dog Services
Dog Sitting Highly recommended if you want your dog to be minded for a few days is Dog Direction Training and Services.  Not only will they have somewhere to stay, they can get trained at the same time! Hannah: 0402 354 249

Dog Shopping
At the Port Douglas Markets on Sundays and Wednesdays there are a couple of stalls where you can buy anything from fold up doggy bowls, rhinestone collars (complete with custom name), doggy outfits to hand made dog food.

 

Vets

Mobile Vet 15 mins drive away 0416 147 775

Hands on Healing 47 Front Street, Mossman 07 4098 1999

Mossman Veterinary Surgery 15 Theresa Drive Mossman 07 4098 1888
 

Top Image: Rex Lookout just south of Port Douglas makes a great stop to stretch your legs on the trip up to Port Douglas. Image: www.letitbefood.com