Arkana Motel

On the Fraser Coast stretch of the A1 at 46 Ferry Street, the Arkana Motel is a family-run stop where the dog is genuinely planned for rather than quietly tolerated. Five of its ground-floor rooms are set aside for dogs only, any size is welcome, and there is no extra pet fee, which makes it one of the easiest overnight calls between Brisbane and Hervey Bay if you travel with a dog.

Dogs at the Arkana Motel

The motel has 33 ground-floor rooms in total and reserves five as dog-friendly: two King rooms with hardwood floors, two Family rooms with a queen bed and bunks, and one Twin. The hardwood floors are the practical standout after a wet or muddy walk, and being on the ground floor means no stairs with a lead in one hand. The two rules worth planning around are simple: dogs must not be left unattended in the room, and cats are not accepted. Because only five rooms carry the pet-friendly flag, they book out well before the rest of the motel, so reserve early and book the pet room specifically rather than hoping a standard room will do.

Guests consistently call it a comfortable, welcoming place: a small pool, guest laundry, family rooms and staff who are easy to deal with. It is a road-trip motel, not a resort, and the value for dog owners is that the pet setup costs nothing beyond the room rate.

While you're out there

Maryborough's wide historic streetscapes and the river precinct near the old Customs House make easy on-leash walks, and the Fraser Coast Regional Council maintains signed off-leash areas around town, including at the end of Arbury Street. Rambo Dog Park gives your dog a proper run close to town, and after the walk the dog-friendly verandah at Portside Kitchen and Pantry on Wharf Street is a solid breakfast or lunch stop. For a morning coffee before you hit the road, Toast Espresso Bar and Concord Street Coffee are both central.

If you want to compare before booking, Blue Shades Motel is another Maryborough stay that takes dogs. Check signage at the gates of the botanic gardens and Queen's Park, where pet access is restricted in parts.

Max: no pet fee and any size dog, but cats are not allowed and the five dog rooms go early, so ring ahead and book the pet room by name.

Worth knowing

Plan your stops around the unattended-dog rule: either take the dog with you into the heritage precinct or eat at one of the outdoor tables rather than leaving the dog in the room. The motel sits handy to the Bruce Highway turnoff, so an evening walk along the Mary River followed by an early start works well. See more Queensland options on the QLD dog friendly stays page or browse what else is open in Maryborough.