The Truffledore

The Truffledore is a working black winter truffle farm at 15 Reeves Road in Lower Barrington, Tasmania, with self-contained cottages tucked among the oak trees where the truffles grow. Dogs are welcomed inside the cottages as part of the family, and the whole property works as a farm stay, about 25 to 30 minutes south of the Spirit of Tasmania terminal at Devonport.

Dogs at The Truffledore

Hosts Ina and Tim take a dogs-are-part-of-the-trip approach. Well-behaved dogs can stay inside the self-contained cottages, including Oakwood and Hollyoak Cottage, and they can walk the farm grounds with you among the oak trees, provided you manage them sensibly around the resident farm animals. Dogs can also join you at the outdoor seating of the on-site cafe during opening hours. Specific pet fees and size limits are not published, so confirm those directly before you book.

The one thing worth arranging ahead is farm etiquette. There are working animals here, including the farm's own truffle-hunting dog, so a dog that is reactive around other animals will find this a harder stay than a calm, well-mannered one.

Max: ask the hosts about etiquette around the farm animals and their truffle dog before you arrive, so your dog's first meeting on the lead goes smoothly.

The place

This is a genuine working truffle farm, not a themed cottage. Truffle season runs June to August, when guided truffle hunts are held with trained truffle dogs unearthing the harvest, and the food is a genuine draw: truffle omelette breakfasts, farm-to-table dining and end-of-season long table lunches under the oaks. Outside season the cottages and grounds still make a quiet rural base. The cottages are proper self-contained setups rather than a single room, so you have space to spread out with a dog.

Getting there and nearby

Lower Barrington sits in Tasmania's north-west between Devonport and Sheffield, and a car is the practical option, with free on-site parking. Lake Barrington is close by and the murals of Sheffield are an easy run. For a fenced off-lead run, the Sheffield Recreation Reserve Fenced Dog Park is a solid inland option, while Back Beach at Devonport gives your dog a stretch of sand. On the coast, Beach Hut Coffee at Ulverstone is a dog-friendly cafe stop on a coastal day trip.

More options are on the Tasmania dog-friendly stays list, and the local guide is at Lower Barrington.