The Silk Tree Guest House

The Silk Tree Guest House is a pet-friendly bed-and-breakfast at 15 Must Circuit, Calwell, in the southern end of the Tuggeranong Valley. It is one of the few stays in the ACT where the pet arrangements are published in detail: a fenced front courtyard, dog bedding and bowls supplied, and a modest flat fee, which makes it a rare find for Canberra travel with dogs.

Dogs at the Silk Tree

A one-off fee of $25 applies per pet stay. Dogs are allowed inside and outside the property except the rear courtyard, and the large front courtyard, with grass and paved areas, is secured by high colorbond fencing and a latch gate, so there is somewhere safe to leave a dog settled while you unpack. Up to two dogs are allowed unless you negotiate more with the host beforehand. Dogs may be left unattended for short periods provided they are not distressed, and droppings need to be cleaned up promptly. Treats, food and water bowls, poo bags and a small dog bed are typically supplied, so the packing list is short.

The place

The accommodation is a self-contained two-bedroom apartment within a larger home, with private access and exclusive use of the unit, so you are not sharing common spaces with other travellers. The apartment is fully furnished with a modern, well-appointed kitchen for preparing your own meals, and laundry facilities on site, which is a genuine bonus after a muddy walk. All linen, bedding and towels are provided. It sits on a quiet street, a calm base for exploring Canberra's south.

Getting there and out with the dog

Calwell sits in the Lanyon district, about 25 minutes' drive south of Civic via the Tuggeranong Parkway or Monaro Highway. For walks, the Lake Tuggeranong loop is a flat circuit a short drive away, and Greenway Dog Park gives an off-lead run beside the lake. If you would rather stay closer to the water, Abode Tuggeranong is the apartment-hotel alternative in Greenway with designated pet-friendly rooms.

Worth knowing

The guest house appears on local pet-friendly directories, but policies can change, so confirm the fee, dog numbers and courtyard access when booking. More options around the capital are listed on the Calwell destination page and in the ACT stays index.