Wayfarers Cottage

Wayfarers Cottage is a centrally located historic cottage at 20 Oliver Street in Goolwa that takes dogs, and it suits a couple or solo traveller who wants a settled base with a secure yard rather than a caravan site. It is a short walk to the main street, the wharf and the cafes, so morning walks and coffee runs do not need the car.

Dogs at the Wayfarers Cottage

Dogs are allowed to stay overnight, and past guests report the outdoor areas are secure, including a rear suncourt that gives a dog a sheltered space of its own. The house rules are firm on the inside: dogs are not permitted on any furniture, so pack your own dog bed. You also need to clean up after your dog and clear all waste before departure. Booking platforms list pets as allowed with charges possibly applying, and no fixed pet fee is published, so confirm the amount when you book.

This is a one-bedroom, self-contained cottage, so the fit is one or two guests plus a house-trained dog that is happy on its own bed. If your dog is a furniture climber or a left-alone howler, this is not the property for it.

The vibe

A restored historic cottage with modern amenities rather than a purpose-built rental. The draw is location and a fenced outside area: you can park the car and walk everywhere in town. It is a quiet-stay property, not one set up for multiple dogs or large groups.

Getting there and parking

Goolwa sits at the Murray mouth on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, about 80 minutes' drive south of Adelaide. Oliver Street is a few blocks back from the Goolwa wharf precinct, with street parking at the door. From the cottage you can reach the Goolwa Beach Off-Leash Area in a few minutes by car for a proper run off the lead.

Close by with the dogs

If the cottage is booked out, dog-friendly options nearby include Boat Haven Studios on Liverpool Road, which takes dogs in its River Shack studio, and Discovery Parks - Goolwa for caravan and camping setups. Across the bridge, Hindmarsh Island Caravan Park also takes pets with conditions, and BIG4 Port Elliot Holiday Park is a short drive up the coast.

Book direct where you can, confirm the pet fee and any size limit before you pay, and bring a dog bed, towels and waste bags. See more options across the state on the South Australia dog-friendly stays page, or plan the rest of the trip from the Goolwa destination guide.