Blue Lake Holiday Park

Blue Lake Holiday Park on Bay Road sits right beside Mount Gambier's famous crater lake, and dogs are allowed on selected caravan and camping sites and in designated pet-friendly cabins. The main draw for dog owners is location: the 3.6km Blue Lake loop walk starts at the doorstep, so morning exercise is sorted before you have packed the car.

Dogs at the Blue Lake Holiday Park

Pets are permitted in specific pet-friendly cabins and on designated powered and unpowered sites, and those bookings cannot be made online. Call the park direct on 1800 676 028 to check availability and reserve. One dog per site or cabin is the limit, and a $15 cleaning fee per stay applies to cabins. Keep the cabin clean and your dog in the agreed areas, since an additional $50 fee can be charged if extra cleaning is needed.

There are breed restrictions to know before you book: Pit Bull, Bull Mastiff and Bull Terrier are not accepted, and management has the final say on other breeds. Dogs must be on lead throughout the park, and doggy doo bags are provided in the dog-friendly site areas.

The park

This is a big, family-focused park with water slides, a jumping pillow, an indoor pool, a games room and a range of ensuite and powered sites alongside cabins. It holds a 4.3 rating across more than a thousand reviews, with guests regularly singling out the facilities for kids. For dog owners it means plenty to do for the rest of the family while the dog naps between lake walks.

Max: an entirely paved, flat loop around a cobalt-blue crater lake, with bag stations along the way? This is the easiest great walk in South Australia for a dog on lead.

The lake loop and beyond

The Blue Lake (Warwar) loop is about 3.6km around the crater rim, paved and mostly flat, with continuous views of the water that turns brilliant cobalt in summer. Dogs on lead are welcome, and Apex and Rotary lookouts make good stops. There is no swimming or water access for anyone, since the lake is a protected drinking water source, so bring water for the dog instead.

Other dog-friendly bases in town include Mount Gambier Central Caravan Park and the Limestone Coast Tourist Park.

More options are on the South Australia pet-friendly stays guide and the Mount Gambier destination page.