Islanders' Tavern

Islanders' Tavern sits right on the Hindmarsh Island Marina, and the part to know about with a dog is the shaded back deck, known locally as The Landing: a two-level outdoor deck looking straight over the water towards the Goolwa Channel. It is the marina-side pub of the Fleurieu's river mouth, an easy bridge crossing from Goolwa.

The dog setup

Dogs are warmly welcomed on The Landing and the adjoining lawn areas, not just technically allowed: water bowls come out at the deck tables, and boaters and families with dogs are a normal part of the crowd. Keep your dog on a lead and settled in the designated outdoor zones; indoor dining is for human guests aside from assistance animals. The deck is shaded, which makes it workable through summer lunch service.

The food and the vibe

The kitchen runs a solid pub menu, with schnitzels, salt and pepper squid and lamb shanks through to a proper wine list, and it opens from 11am most days, from 8am on weekends. The tone is relaxed marina pub, well suited to a long lunch while the dog naps under the table. Opening across seven days, it takes the weekend boat traffic as well as the locals.

Getting there and parking

The tavern is on the island's marina, over the bridge from Goolwa, with free parking right outside. The cable ferry between Goolwa and the island runs around the clock, and dogs are welcome on its deck for the crossing on a lead, which turns the drive itself into part of the outing.

Nearby with the dogs

The marina boardwalk is an easy on-lead stretch before or after lunch. Ferrymans Reserve on the island is a scenic riverside walk, though council rules keep it on-lead at all times. For a proper off-lead run, the Goolwa Beach off-leash area is back over the bridge, with seasonal leash rules and signage around the Hooded Plover zones. If the day continues, Bombora on the River in Goolwa takes dogs on its riverfront deck too.

Plan the rest of the trip on the Hindmarsh Island destination page, and the full list is in the SA restaurants index.