Salt House

Salt House sits right at Marina Point on the edge of Trinity Inlet, an open-air Argentinean grill and bar where the draw is the water view and the breeze coming off the marina. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, so it works for a sunset drink or a long lunch with the dog settled at your feet.

The dog setup. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor dining area only, the breezy waterfront tables overlooking the marina, not inside the main restaurant. Staff are used to dogs and will usually bring a water bowl, but pack your own to be safe. Keep your dog leashed and tucked under the table, since the deck gets busy on warm evenings.

Good to know. The kitchen leans on the Argentinean grill, with fresh seafood and meats over open flame, and the spot is one of the better-known sunset perches in Cairns. Live music features regularly, so an early table is the calmer pick if your dog is noise-shy.

Getting there and parking. The address is 6/2 Pier Point Rd, at the entrance to the Marlin Marina. Paid parking sits around the marina and through the surrounding CBD streets, and it is an easy flat walk from most central Cairns hotels and the Esplanade.

Nearby with the dogs. The Marlin Marina walk runs right past the door, and the Cairns Esplanade boardwalk is a short stroll away with grass and ocean air. Note dogs are not allowed inside the fenced Esplanade Lagoon, but the surrounding parklands are fine on lead.

When to go. Late afternoon for the sunset and the breeze, before the live-music crowd fills the deck. Good for social dogs who are happy in a busy, buzzy spot.

Sources

• Salt House - Queensland · queensland.com
• A Guide to Dog-Friendly Cairns, QLD · trustedhousesitters.com
• Best spots to watch the sunset in Cairns · wanderlog.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.