Strathmore Lodge

Strathmore Lodge is a small block of self-contained apartments at 35 Watonga Street, Port Macquarie, about 300 metres from Lighthouse Beach and directly across from the Lighthouse Beach shopping centre. It is a quiet residential-side base rather than a resort, and the short walk to one of the coast's best-known dog beaches is the main reason it suits a dog holiday.

Dogs at Strathmore Lodge

Dogs are accepted on request, with the lower-level two-bedroom apartment (Unit 1A) the one flagged for pets. You must notify management at the time of booking, and a pet surcharge of around $20 per day or $70 per week applies. Some units have a backyard or garden, which makes early-morning and last-call toilet trips easy. Because this is a small property with only a handful of apartments, get the pet arrangement confirmed in writing when you book rather than assuming any unit will do.

Max: Book the lower-level unit and you get the garden, which matters more than the view when your dog needs a 6am patch of grass.

Worth knowing

The apartments are self-contained with kitchen facilities, and the position is genuinely useful: ocean and lighthouse views from the property, the beach at the end of the street and a shopping centre across the road for supplies. Lighthouse Beach has council-designated leash-free sections, so check the signage posts when you get to the sand, and the dog rules change along the beach depending on the zone.

Getting there and parking

Watonga Street runs through the Lighthouse Beach end of Port Macquarie, about ten minutes' drive south of the town centre. Parking is at the apartment, so unloading gear and a dog is simple.

Close by with the dogs

Stuart Park Fenced Dog Park is the town's fenced run if you want to drop the lead somewhere safe. If Strathmore is booked out, Little Palm Cabins at Lake Cathie and NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park both take dogs.

More of the coast is on the Port Macquarie destination page, and the full list is in the NSW stays index.