Estuary Hideaway Holiday Park

Estuary Hideaway Holiday Park sits on the banks of the Harvey Estuary at 2151 Old Coast Road, Bouvard, about half an hour south of Mandurah. It is a quiet, family run park geared around the water rather than resort extras, and it takes dogs on its camping and caravan sites, which makes it a solid estuary base for road trippers travelling with a van and a dog.

Dogs at the Estuary Hideaway Holiday Park

Dogs are welcome on powered and unpowered sites only, kept on a lead at all times around the park. Cabins and other roofed accommodation are dog free, a firm line rather than a grey area. Pre-book your pet when you reserve the site, and confirm current conditions and any fees directly with the park, since the details are not fully spelled out online. Guests do stay with multiple dogs on standard sites, but ask first if that is your plan.

The vibe

Grassy, shaded sites with room to park alongside your van or tent, a camp kitchen, BBQ areas and a swimming pool for the humans. Fishing and crabbing off the bank is the main drawcard, and the estuary does the entertaining after that. One thing worth knowing: bandicoots, possums and rabbits move through the sites after dark, so a dog with a strong prey drive will need the lead kept honest at dusk.

Getting there and parking

The park fronts Old Coast Road between Mandurah and the Harvey side of the estuary, with free on-site parking at your site. Note that boats and trailers are not stored on site, so plan accordingly if you are towing more than the van. Mandurah is a real drive rather than a stroll; the Dawesville Cut and coastal beaches are much closer for a walk.

Close by with the dogs

The Melros Beach Walk gives a leashed coastal stretch nearby, and Halls Head Dog Beach is the closest dedicated off leash sand for a proper swim. If the site only option does not suit, Twin Waters Caravan Park at Dawesville also takes pets and offers pet friendly cabins. More stays are on the Western Australia pet friendly stays list or the Bouvard guide.

Pepsi: lead on after dusk. The bandicoots here run a night shift and I respect the hustle.