Torquay Hotel

The Torquay Hotel holds the Esplanade end of Hervey Bay's dog friendly pub scene, with a large outdoor beer garden and terrace areas looking over the bay where dogs are welcome on a leash. The policy comes by way of aggregator listings rather than the venue's own published rules, so the usual courtesy applies: lead on, outdoor areas only, and a quick check with staff on arrival.

The dog setup

The beer garden and the terrace over the bay are the dog zones, both outdoor and both with room to spread out. One practical note for dog owners: water bowls are not always put out, so bring your own water and bowl, especially in the warmer months when the sea breeze is doing the work the shade is not. The hotel opens from 10am daily and runs late on Thursday to Saturday nights, so lunch in the garden with the dog is the calm version of what can be a big venue after dark.

The kitchen covers the seaside pub classics: oysters, a seafood basket and a chicken schnitzel that gets ordered more than anything else. Live music and raffles fill the weekly calendar, which changes the feel of the garden depending on when you go, so a midweek lunch is the quiet option and a Friday session is the full spectacle. People watching along the Esplanade from the terrace is half the appeal, for you and for a dog who likes a view.

Make a day of it

Torquay makes an easy dog day on the bay. Aquavue Beachfront Bar & Eatery sits along the same waterfront stretch for a breakfast or coffee stop with the dog, and Crafty Cargo Taphouse & Sports Bar is the alternative session if you are bar hopping. Staying over, Ingenia Holidays Hervey Bay is dog friendly and close to the Esplanade. The Torquay destination guide and dog friendly pubs across QLD cover the wider trip.

Keep your dog leashed in the garden and terrace, pack water and a bowl since the hotel does not always have them out, and pick your session for the atmosphere you want.