BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park

BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park sits on Tuit Road at Aldinga, a few minutes from the sand at Port Willunga, and it is one of the few family parks on the Fleurieu with a dedicated pet cabin. Between the dog-friendly sites and the fenced cabin garden, it works for travellers who do not want to leave the dog at home to do McLaren Vale properly.

Dogs at the park

Dogs are welcome on designated pet-friendly sites and in the Pet Friendly Park Cabin, which comes with decking and a secured, fenced garden area, a genuine rarity in cabin country. Before you book the cabin, call the park to talk through your dog's size and suitability, because approval happens over the phone and pet allocations are limited. Pet fees and terms apply, so confirm the details when you book rather than assuming.

Inside the grounds the rules are conventional: dogs on lead, cleaned up after, and not left unattended. Visitor pets are not permitted, so day guests need to leave their dogs elsewhere. As with most parks, the pool and playground areas are out of bounds for dogs, which matters if you are supervising kids and a dog on the same trip.

Max: the fenced garden is the reason to book the pet cabin, but availability is tight. Lock it in early for school holidays and get your dog's size approved before you pay.

The park itself

This is a classic family property: pool with a slide, games room, mini golf, jumping castle and a camp kitchen. The trade-off is that a busy family park in summer is not the quietest base for a nervous dog, so off-peak trips suit anxious animals better.

Getting there and out and about

Port Willunga Beach is a short drive for morning walks, with the McLaren Vale cellar doors 10 to 15 minutes inland. Close by, Symonds Reserve Fenced Dog Park gives an off-leash run without a long drive, Goodness Coffee Co in the Aldinga township keeps dog treats behind the counter, and Kay Brothers Winery & Cellar Door is a heritage cellar door in the Vale for an afternoon trip.

More options are on the South Australia pet friendly stays guide and the Aldinga destination page.