Splitters Farm

Splitters Farm is a 160 acre rescue-animal sanctuary on Splitters Creek at 205 Blairs Road, Sharon, about 15 minutes from Bundaberg, and camping here means sharing the place with more than 400 rescued farm animals. Dogs are welcome to stay, but this is a dog-tolerant property rather than an anywhere-goes one, and the rules are built around the residents.

The dog setup

Overnight dogs are accepted on powered and non-powered camp sites and in the retro vans; glamping tents are excluded, so pick your site type carefully when booking. Pet fees apply per animal, every dog is registered at reception on arrival, and dogs stay on lead through the main farm areas and are never left unattended at camp.

The redeeming feature is a large secure fenced exercise area next to the camel paddock where dogs can run properly off lead, and a kennel service is available for a fee if you want to join farm activities that do not take dogs.

The vibe

Beyond the animals there are self-guided farm tours, hand feeding sessions, sites with picnic tables and BBQs, a shared camp kitchen, and a creek that supports platypus and more than 150 bird species. It suits calm, well-socialised dogs that settle on lead around livestock and other campers, and it is the wrong fit for dogs that react strongly to animals.

Max: double-check the booking confirmation lists a pet-friendly site type before you pay. The glamping tents look appealing, but dogs are not permitted in them, and sorting it out on arrival is a hassle you do not want.

Getting there

Turn off into Blairs Road and follow it to the farm gate; on-site parking comes with your site, and Bundaberg's centre is roughly a 15 minute drive back down the road.

While you're out there

If the farm books out, the Platypus Park Riverside Retreat at South Kolan is another pet-welcoming property in the region, and the MPB Dog Park at Moore Park Beach makes a good on-lead day trip run for some off-lead time by the coast.

More options are gathered in the Queensland pet friendly stays guide, with the rest of the region on the Sharon destination page.