Bellinger River Tourist Park

Bellinger River Tourist Park sits on the banks of the Bellinger River at 96 Mylestom Dr, Repton, about 3km off the Pacific Highway via Mylestom Drive. What sets it apart for dog owners is a pet policy that is written down and specific rather than left to guesswork: dogs are welcome on all caravan and camping sites, in the Park Cabin, and in the pet-friendly Tiny Homes, with only the Waterfront Villas off limits. The riverfront sites mean you can fish or moor a boat practically from your van.

Dogs at the park

Pets are accepted on powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites, in the single Park Cabin overlooking the pool, and in the self-contained pet-friendly Tiny Homes, which sleep up to three people and a small to medium dog and come stocked with dog bowls and beds. The deluxe Waterfront Villas are strictly no pets. Inside the park, dogs must be on a lead no longer than 1.5 metres at all times, retractable leads locked at that length, and there is no off-leash area. Pets are generally not accepted between 26 December and 26 January, the peak summer window, so plan coastal trips outside that stretch. Site stays are typically free for dogs; cabin pet fees are at the manager's discretion, so confirm details when booking on 02 6655 4755.

Max: book the Tiny Home if your dog prefers solid walls. The Park Cabin has no en suite and leans on the communal amenities block, which also rules it out for pets after dark.

The park itself

This is a quiet, low-key riverside park built around direct water access: spacious slab and grass sites, absolute river frontage on the prime sites, a boat ramp, and campfire pits you can hire for about $5 a night with firewood sold on site. Shared facilities include a camp kitchen, pool, laundry and a community garden. Dogs are excluded from all of those, plus the amenities block and BBQ areas, cannot be left unattended at any time, and owners are expected to bag and bin waste. The upside of a park this compact is that a short on-lead loop past the river sites is never out of reach.

Getting there and parking

Turn off the Pacific Highway onto Mylestom Drive and the park is roughly 3km in, at 96 Mylestom Dr, Repton NSW 2454. Parking is on your own site, with room for cars, caravans and boats, and the drive positions you between Bellingen and the coast.

Close by with the dogs

Urunga Dog Beach is a short drive south for off-leash sand and surf, and Liberty Providores in Urunga handles coffee and meals with a dog at your feet. Toward Bellingen, Hyde is a cafe stop worth pairing with a town walk. If you want a second base on the same stretch of coast, Reflections Mylestom Holiday Park sits by the river mouth with a dog wash bay, and Bellingen Riverside Cottages offers self-contained cottages on 8 acres across the river.

More options are on the New South Wales pet friendly stays guide and the Repton destination page.