BIG4 Caloundra

BIG4 Caloundra Waterfront sits right on the Pumicestone Passage at 37-47 Maloja Avenue, a family holiday park with water frontage, a pool, jumping pillow and camp kitchen. For dog owners the headline is simple: dogs are welcome, but only on designated powered and camping sites, never in cabins, so this is a stay for tent and caravan travellers rather than cabin bookers.

Where dogs can stay

Dogs go on designated pet-friendly powered and camping sites only. There is a 25kg weight limit, and the park does not accept aggressive dogs or the ones it bluntly calls "bitey" or "barkey". A flat fee of $10 per pet per stay applies. Pet sites cannot be booked through the online system, so ring the park on 07 5492 0000 and have staff allocate you a pet site. Availability is often restricted during peak QLD school holidays, so confirm before you lock in dates.

On site, dogs stay leashed at all times with no extendable leads, and they are kept out of the amenities block, camp kitchen, pool, playground and reception. Waste dispensers and bins are dotted around the grounds and cleaning up is on you. At check-in, keep the dog in the vehicle or hand it to a travel partner for a walk while the driver registers.

The park itself

It is a waterfront park geared to fishing, boating and family stays, with the Passage and its foreshore on the doorstep. Water slides, a jumping pillow, a camp kitchen and rotating food and coffee vans fill out the facilities, and water bowls are placed around the site for guests' dogs.

Getting there is via the Bruce Highway and Caloundra Road, with parking on your allocated site once you check in.

Close by with the dogs

The southern end of Currimundi Beach is a designated off-leash stretch with a popular dog swimming spot, and the northern end of Moffat Beach allows off-leash exercise between roughly 4pm and 8am. Kings Beach, Bulcock Beach and the Caloundra headland are on-leash or dog-prohibited, so check council signage before unclipping. For a fenced run, the dog exercise area at Ridgehaven Park in Currimundi is a short drive, and Bokarina Dog Beach extends the off-leash coastline further south. Grab coffee at Between the Flags Coffee at Dicky Beach on the way back.

Max: Book a pet site by phone before you commit, especially in school holidays, because online booking will not flag whether dogs are allowed on your dates.

It suits an easygoing dog under 25kg and a camping or van trip where the foreshore walk is right outside your door.

Browse more dog friendly stays in QLD or plan around Caloundra.