Venice Caravan Park

Venice Caravan Park is a no-frills, dog-friendly caravan park in Little Hartley in the NSW Blue Mountains foothills, popular for its large sites, relaxed atmosphere and easy access to the surrounding bushland. It is a camping-and-caravanning park first, and a quietly practical option for travellers with a dog in tow.

Dogs at the park

Pets are allowed, but management asks owners to keep dogs supervised at all times given the bushland and wildlife nearby, and kangaroos are regular visitors to the grounds. The park does not publish a size limit or pet fee, so confirm both directly with the office when booking, especially if you are after a cabin rather than a powered site. Clean-up rules apply as you would expect anywhere with this much wildlife around.

Max: kangaroos grazing two sites over at dusk. I stayed on the lead and still counted it as the best wildlife viewing of the trip.

The place

Sites are large, several with concrete slabs, and the amenities are kept clean. The park operates on a cash-only basis, so bring enough for your stay and any extras. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than programmed: no jumping pillows or water parks, just a quiet patch of the foothills and room to breathe.

Getting there and parking

Little Hartley sits on the Great Western Highway about 15 minutes east of Lithgow, so access is an easy highway drive from either Sydney or Bathurst. Sites take caravans and motorhomes comfortably, and the surrounding bush roads make for quiet on-leash walks straight from your site.

Close by with the dogs

For an off-leash run, Bowenfels Off Leash Dog Park is the closest fenced option toward Lithgow, and Hartley House Cafe on the highway back toward the mountains makes a good lunch stop. If you would rather a cottage than a campsite, Marigold Cottage is the other Little Hartley stay on the directory.

For more options across the state, browse dog-friendly stays in New South Wales, or plan the rest of the trip with our Little Hartley guide.