Almare Tourist Motel

The Almare Tourist Motel is a renovated motel in Ballina that openly markets itself as the town's pet-friendly option, with dogs welcome in designated rooms for about $15 per night per pet. With comfortable rooms, a BBQ area and owners that guests repeatedly describe as welcoming, it is a no-fuss base for a Northern Rivers trip with the dog.

Dogs at the Almare Tourist Motel

Dogs stay in the designated pet-friendly rooms, which are among the motel's renovated stock. The extra charge sits around $15 per night per pet, though the figure can vary by booking channel, so confirm the current rate when you book. There is no published size limit, and reviews describe multiple small-to-medium dogs being accommodated happily. The one thing to get right: mention your dog and how many you are bringing when booking, so a pet room is set aside rather than you arriving to a full allocation.

Max: bring your own dog bedding if yours climbs on furniture, the owners keep these rooms spotless and future guests notice.

The place

Rooms are older-style but recently renovated, spacious and quiet, with comfortable beds and sofa beds in some configurations. There is a BBQ area for evenings and handy access to Ballina's foreshore and town centre, with the Richmond River paths close for daily leashed walks.

Close by with the dogs

For off-lead time, the Kingsford Smith dog park on the river flat is Ballina's main free-run space, and the Compton Drive dog park in East Ballina adds open reserve space with agility equipment. For a coffee stop, Berties Food and Drink is a dog-friendly local favourite.

More options are on the New South Wales dog-friendly stays list, and the local guide is at Ballina.