Stony Rise Cottage

Stony Rise Cottage is a bed and breakfast on 2.5 acres of established gardens at 13 Rundle Road, Devonport, in an 1880s heritage building about five minutes' drive from the city centre and the Spirit of Tasmania terminal. It is the sort of semi-rural garden setting dog owners look for on a ferry-side stopover, but the pet policy needs a phone call before you commit.

Dogs at the cottage

Listings conflict. Some describe the B&B as pet-friendly on enquiry and welcoming of dogs of varying sizes across the garden grounds, while third-party booking channels mark it no-pets. No size limits or fees are published anywhere. The honest position: dogs may well be possible, but only by prior arrangement directly with the owners. Ask about approval for your dates, any fee, and whether a dog can be left in the garden unattended before booking.

The place

Pepsi: think ferry timing. A 6.45am sailing means an anxious dog in a heritage cottage before dawn, so confirm the unattended-dog question or book the ferry the night before.

The property pairs the heritage main house with a self-contained cottage option, set in established gardens that give a dog room to stretch. Reviews highlight the friendly owners, the interior design and the serene gardens; continental breakfast comes with homemade preserves. Two things to check suit you: the bathroom is shared rather than ensuite, and some guests mention highway noise, worth weighing for a light-sleeping dog.

Getting there and out with the dog

Rundle Road sits just off the Bass Highway entry to Devonport, which makes the ferry terminal, the Mersey Bluff precinct and the city centre each about five to six minutes away. Free on-site parking is right at the door. For exercise, Devonport Dog Park is a dedicated fenced run, Devonport Back Beach adds a longer coastal walk, and The Little Goat is a popular dog-watching cafe in town.

Mersey Bluff Caravan Park is the beachfront alternative if the pet arrangement does not stack up. Broader options sit on the Tasmania pet-friendly stays list or in the Devonport destination guide.