Crestview Tourist Park

Crestview Tourist Park is a caravan and cabin park at 81 Donald Road in Karabar, on the quiet southern edge of Queanbeyan about 15 minutes from Canberra. It is a practical, self-contained base for the capital region, and the dog policy is one of the clearer ones around: pets stay in designated pet-friendly cabins, full stop.

Dogs at the Crestview

The park's terms are specific. Socialised dogs and cats are welcome only in the designated pet-friendly cabins, and only one pet per cabin, so a two-dog household will need to split across rooms or look elsewhere. The fee is $20 per pet on top of the room rate. You must flag the pet when you book rather than at the desk. Just as important for van travellers: the terms do not extend to caravan and camping sites, so a tent or rig trip here means leaving the dog home. Standard cabins and villas are pet-free across the board.

The setup

Beyond the pet cabins there is a range of studio, one, two and three bedroom cabins plus upgraded villas, all self-contained, with a camp kitchen, barbecue area and swimming pool shared across the park. Reviews consistently call out clean rooms and spacious cabins with bunk options for kids. It is functional rather than resort-style, which suits travellers using it as a springboard for Canberra day trips.

Close by with the dogs

The Scar is Karabar's local fenced dog park for off-lead time, and Thirty 4 Café & Restaurant in Queanbeyan is a handy dog-friendly feed before heading into the city. If the pet cabins are booked out, Queanbeyan Riverside Caravan Park, the Queanbeyan Motel and the Golden Age Motor Inn are dog-friendly alternatives nearby in the directory.

Max: Book the pet cabin by name, not just any cabin, and mention the dog when you reserve. One pet per cabin and twenty dollars each, no surprises at check-in.

A straightforward Queanbeyan base where the pet rules are published, priced and easy to follow, provided your dog fits the one-pet, pet-cabin-only mould.