Riviera Bed and Breakfast

Riviera Bed and Breakfast is a French-inspired country guesthouse at 53 Evanita Drive, Gilston, on eight private acres of rainforest near the Nerang River in the Gold Coast hinterland. It is one of the few traditional B&Bs in the hinterland that genuinely takes dogs, though the house-rules matter here: this is a shared guesthouse with a resident wildlife population, so dogs stay in designated areas by prior arrangement rather than roaming free.

Dogs at the B&B

Well-behaved, fully house-trained dogs are accepted on request, with a limit of two dogs per booking and a charge of $25 per pet per night. Because this is a shared B&B rather than a private cottage, dogs are restricted to designated pet-friendly areas and need host approval before you book, so call ahead rather than arriving with a dog in the car. If you want a day at the theme parks or a mountain drive without the dog, the hosts can arrange one-on-one pet sitting at $15 per dog per three-hour session. The grounds carry kangaroos, ducks, chickens and a heavy bird population, so a reliable recall and supervision are part of the deal.

The vibe

Guests book here for the old Queenslander character: wide wrap-around verandahs over the rainforest, French doors onto the deck, antique furnishings and hosts Caroline and Robert, who cook the breakfasts guests rave about, French omelettes and stacks of crepes, often with lorikeets and kookaburras around the tables. Optional three-course French dinners and even French lessons run on site. There is a seasonal outdoor pool and a shared guest lounge, and guests regularly mention kangaroos grazing across the lawns at dawn and dusk.

Getting there and out with the dog

Gilston sits just inland of Nerang, about 15 minutes from the Gold Coast beach strip but a world away from it. For a proper off-leash run, the Kamholtz family fenced dog park at Nerang is the closest secure option, and the Hinterland Regional Park fenced dog park at Mudgeeraba is another good one heading south. If you want to compare hinterland stays, The Cottages on Mount Tamborine is the other well-regarded dog-friendly option in the region. Before you drive up, the Chanoyu cafe in Nerang is a solid coffee stop.

Max: this is a request-based pet policy in a shared house. Call first, get approval for your dog, and accept the designated-areas rule before you book.