Reasons to visit the pet friendly Coffs Harbour

Looking for places to explore with your fur-babies? The pet friendly Coffs Harbour located on the NSW Mid-North Coast provides plenty of inspiration and a great excuse to visit more than once.

Travelling with 3 small fur-babies I am always looking for places to stay, eat and exercise. Meet Oscar, Ollie & Livvie, my 3 well-travelled fur-babies who enjoy all outings including weekend getaways. Last weekend, Craig and I took the trio to the pet friendly Coffs Harbour for the night.

A place to stay – The Toreador Motel

We found a motel located on the highway, the Toreador Motel. A family run establishment hosted by John and Val that was surprisingly quiet. The rooms are basic but clean and upon check-in, a little complimentary dog biscuit is provided as a welcome to your pet.

Owners need to be mindful that it is a motel and other guests are in close proximity, to minimise any barking and ensure you clean up after your fur-babies. There is a small area near the front of the motel where owners can allow their dogs to relieve themselves or you take a quick walk around the block.

The pet friendly Moonee Beach

Prior to arriving at the motel I always try and exhaust my trio that assists in having a good nights sleep. A great place to do this is at Moonee Beach located approximately 14 km north of Coffs Harbour just off the Pacific Highway. Moonee Beach is becoming well known as a pet-friendly beachside suburb allowing pets to enter the Moonee Beach Plaza with a mini-food court area offering a variety of delights from the local food outlets. A dog-friendly beach is located just minutes away by car.

A place to stay at Reflections Holiday Park

Dogs must remain on their leash and owners must be pro-active in ensuring their dogs have gone to the toilet before approaching the public areas. Heading to Moonee Beach, parking is readily available and access to the dog-friendly beach is shared with the Reflections Holiday Park. The public areas offer toilet and BBQ facilities that are open to the general public for use.

Beware of ticks

Owners need to be aware of paralysis ticks and snakes when walking in the area, always stay on the designated paths and it is a good idea to keep your dog on the leash until you arrive on the beach. A beautiful beach that sometimes can see only you there. It is imperative for owners to be aware of the dangers of ticks and should consult their vet regarding preventative measures before travelling to these areas.

I protect my 3 fur-babies against ticks and fleas with a regular treatment, however, after each outing I still conduct a thorough check to ensure there are no ticks present. A good tip is to ensure you always travel with a pair of tweezers that will assist in the removal of ticks. Please refer to your vet or the internet regarding effective techniques and other summer safety tips.

Emerald Beach

After a long run along the beach, jumping through the waves and meeting new friends it was time to find a place for dinner. Emerald Beach located a few minutes further north by car is a great place to have a bite to eat with your fur-babies. La Hacienda 101, a Mexican restaurant located at Emerald Beach not only looks after human patrons, they are also happy to provide water for your thirsty fur-babies upon request.

A stop at Bellingen

Before heading home, we stopped at the Old Butter Factory in Bellingen. A stop that offers you and your fur-babies the opportunity to try a local cafe, toilet facilities and a lovely courtyard surrounded by a unique selection of boutique shops. Some shop owners will allow your fur-babies inside with you, however, it is always best to check first.

Our next planned getaway is the Australia Day weekend, we look forward to being able to share more of our adventures with you. Until next time, stay safe and keep cool.

Kim-Trieste Hastings resides in regional NSW and is passionate about regional economic development. In her spare time, Kim-Trieste enjoys travelling our beautiful areas with her partner and her 3 fur-babies.