Royal Hotel(Mount Larcom)

The Royal Hotel is a classic country pub on the main road through Mount Larcom, about 27 kilometres west of Gladstone on the Bruce Highway, and a genuinely handy break when you are travelling with a dog. Be clear about what it offers though: the confirmed dog-friendly space is the beer garden, not the accommodation.

Dogs at the Royal Hotel

Dogs are welcomed in the outdoor beer garden and rear seating areas, on leash and under control, and regulars describe it as a shaded spot for a cold drink or a pub meal with the dog stretched out nearby. Water bowls sometimes appear for dogs but bringing your own is the safe play. Whether dogs are allowed in the hotel's own overnight rooms is not confirmed publicly, so call the pub on +61 7 4975 1154 before booking a room if you need a bed for the dog too.

Worth knowing

The pub itself is a renovated, old-fashioned country hotel with a reputation for hearty meals, cold beer and friendly locals. The town is small and quiet enough for an easy on-lead stroll, which makes the stop work as a stretch of the legs as well as a meal.

Getting there and parking

The hotel sits at 35 Raglan Street on the main road through town, with street parking right out front. Coming off the Bruce Highway it is an easy in and out, which is exactly what you want on a long drive with a dog aboard.

Make a day of it

If the hotel rooms do not work out, Mt Larcom Tourist Park is a short walk or drive away with pet-friendly cabins and camp sites, pets declared at booking. Calliope Caravan Park is another pet-friendly base further down the highway. For a proper dog day, Tannum Sands Dog Beach is worth the drive east. More options are on the QLD listing and the Mount Larcom guide.

Max: beer garden lunch, shaded tables, water bowl on the ground. We stayed at the tourist park around the corner since the rooms situation was unclear.