The Orana Hotel

The Orana Hotel is a locals' pub at 98 Wansbeck Valley Road in Blacksmiths, on the Lake Macquarie coastline between Swansea and the beach. Wood fired pizza, scotch fillet and cold drinks come with live music on the calendar, and the beer garden is where dogs go. Reviewers single out the outdoor area and friendly staff, and dog friendly is literally one of its own listed calling cards.

The dog setup

Dogs on leads are welcome across the outdoor areas, including the beer garden and courtyard seating, with shaded spots to settle under or near your table. The indoor bistro and bar stay humans-only. Water bowls are typically provided and staff are used to dogs calling in, though it is worth confirming on the day since setups can shift with events. Well behaved dogs comfortable lying at your feet are exactly what the space is built for.

Worth knowing

This is a neighbourhood pub rather than a destination diner, and that is the appeal: classic pub plates, wood fired pizza from the oven, a scotch fillet when you want something heartier, and live music sessions that fill the beer garden. Coming in from the beach with a sandy dog is a normal sight here.

Getting there and parking

The hotel sits just off the Pacific Highway at Blacksmiths, a short drive from Swansea and a short walk back from Blacksmiths Beach, so it slots neatly into a swim-and-pub-visit loop. Parking runs along Wansbeck Valley Road and the surrounding streets.

Close by with the dogs

Swansea Dog Exercise Area covers the off-lead leg stretch nearby, Boffee Cafe at Caves Beach is the coffee stop, and Caves Coastal Bar and Restaurant down the road welcomes dogs in its beer garden and deck areas too.

More options are on the New South Wales dog friendly restaurants guide and the Blacksmiths destination page.