Oasis Motor Inn Blackall

The Motor Inn is a classic outback motor inn on the Shamrock Street side of town, the kind of place shearers, grey nomads and families crossing the Barcoo have relied on for decades. Blackall sits deep in central west Queensland, famous for its woolscour heritage and the big blue thermometer, and this motel keeps the rooms in genuinely refreshed condition after a long day on the highway.

Dogs at the inn

Per the motel's own pet policy page, there is one designated Family Pet-Friendly room welcoming small to medium dogs, configured as a king bed plus two king singles so the whole family fits. Between pet stays the room is cleaned and sanitised, which tells you the operators take the pet room seriously rather than tolerating it.

The pet kit is already in the room when you check in: a dog bed, a blanket and food and water bowls, and all rooms sit at ground level with parking at the door. Two tips from regulars: large and working dogs hit a hard size ceiling here, and on cold outback mornings let the hot water run a couple of minutes before the first shower.

The practical upshot: book that specific room early, because once it is taken there is no fallback on a busy race day or show weekend. Keep your dog leashed around the car park, since there is no fenced run on site.

The inn runs a cooked breakfast, with eggs on sourdough getting regular mentions, plus free laundry for shaking the red dust out of everything and a licensed restaurant on site. It is straightforward country hospitality, and staff who understand that travellers arrive dusty and leave early.

Blackall's main draws are walkable with a dog on leash: the historic woolscour site, the river walk along the Barcoo, and the famous thermometer on the highway. Early morning and late afternoon are the go, especially in summer when the midday heat is brutal.

Heading east, Glenview Retreat Emerald makes a solid next stop for the Central Highlands, and the Railway Dog pub in Emerald welcomes travellers making the same run. More dog friendly stays across Queensland cover the rest of the loop, with the Emerald to Cockatoo Trail for the leg-stretch.

Blackall's main draws are walkable with a dog on leash: the historic woolscour site on the town's edge, the sculptural trees and river walk along the Barcoo, and the famous thermometer on the highway. Early morning and late afternoon are the go, especially in summer when the midday heat is brutal for dogs and humans alike.

Max: Cleanest, most comfortable room we had in three weeks out west, and the dog was welcome in the pet room without any fuss.