Advancetown Caravan Park

Advancetown Caravan Park sits at 376 Nerang Murwillumbah Road in the Gold Coast hinterland, about fifteen minutes from Nerang, in a bushland setting of eucalypt forest with walking trails leading straight off the property. It is a genuine bush camping base rather than a coastal park, and it welcomes dogs on the camping and caravan sites, which makes it one of the few pet-friendly options this close to the coast side of the hinterland.

Dogs at the park

Dogs are welcome on powered and unpowered camping and caravan sites, staying on your own site for the length of the visit. Leash rules apply throughout the park and dogs should not be left unattended for long periods. A pet fee may apply, and the exact rate is not published, so confirm it when you book by calling the park on +61 7 5533 2147. If you are eyeing one of the on-site cabins instead, check with management first: pet-friendly cabins are limited and the conditions change.

Max: book a powered site, not a cabin. Sites are the sure thing for dogs here, and your van or tent is the kennel your dog already knows.

The setup

Facilities include a swimming pool, clean amenities, a dump point, big rig and drive-through sites, and potable water, so the park suits everything from a small tent to a large motorhome. Reviewers rate the manicured grounds and spacious showers. Bring your own bowls and dog food, since the park is bushland rather than a village base.

Walks nearby

The Hinze Dam reserve is close by, where leashed dogs are allowed in the Picnic Parkland, the Pocket Park and the upper car park pathway, though not on the dam wall or the trail network itself. Nerang National Park, a few kilometres back towards town, has on-leash trails through eucalypt forest. For a secure off-lead run, Hinterland Regional Park at Mudgeeraba and Swift Park at Nerang are both fenced dog parks within a short drive.

Best for owners after a bushland base for day trips rather than a beachfront park. Book ahead in school holidays, when hinterland parks near the Gold Coast fill quickly. More options are on the Queensland pet friendly stays guide and the Advancetown destination page.