The Old Vic Hotel

The Old Vic Hotel stands on Gaskill Street, Canowindra's heritage main drag, in a genuine old inn building with the verandah, open fireplace and old world character that guest feedback keeps coming back to. Canowindra is the small gold-rush era town on the Belubula River between Orange and Cowra, known for its fossil museum, its balloon flights and increasingly for the vineyards of the surrounding district, and the Old Vic is the town's character stay rather than a motel on the highway edge.

Dogs at the Old Vic

The hotel's own rooms pages describe the Ground Floor Deluxe Room 4 as pet friendly for dogs up to 30kg by request, and aggregators report a $25 per pet per stay charge with a two dog cap, while the venue's own FAQ defers pet questions to direct contact. So the structure is: dogs accepted by request, with the size limit and fee numbers as reported practice rather than a published policy. Email or ring before booking, state your dog's size and count, and get the pet room confirmed in writing.

Room 4 is the practical pick with a dog: ground floor, so no hauling an older dog up historic timber stairs, and the toilet run keeps clear of the main foyer. Most of the pub rooms sit upstairs, which means corridors and stairs between every break, so ask for the ground floor by name when you book. Bring your own bowls and bedding, because this is a heritage pub rather than a purpose-built pet stay, and a gentle giant a little over 30kg is worth a conversation with management before you write the booking off.

The wide front verandah is the social heart of an old pub stay and it is where the dog waits out dinner in practice, if not officially. Mind the passing foot traffic if your dog is reactive, and for the afternoon heat the rear garden pocket is the shaded, quieter corner away from the street. Gaskill Street is a short leash-friendly strip, and the river flats on the town's edge give morning walk options.

The vibe

Gaskill Street is a short leash-friendly strip, the river flats on the town's edge give morning walk options, and the region's cellar doors around Canowindra and the road to Cowra are close enough to fold into an afternoon. Winter stays get the warm fire that reviewers single out, which pairs well with a dog asleep on the rug.

For stays elsewhere in the region, Molong Caravan Park and The Molong Motor Inn cover the dog friendly options up the road at Molong, and the Molong guide covers that town. More dog friendly stays in NSW span the central west and beyond.