Ballina Beach Nature Resort

Ballina Beach Nature Resort at 440 South Ballina Beach Road is an eco-styled resort on the quiet south side of the Richmond River, with cabins, eco-luxury safari tents and powered and unpowered campsites backing onto bush and beach. The draw for dog owners is simple: a large fenced off-leash dog park on site, dogs accepted year-round in selected accommodation, and air conditioning across the range.

Dogs at the resort

Well-behaved, socialised dogs are welcome all year, including peak holiday periods, though peak bookings are limited to one dog per site or cabin. Dogs can stay in designated pet-friendly cabins and safari tents as well as on campsites, which is rarer than it should be. Rules: on lead outside your own site or room, never left unattended, fully vaccinated, and excluded from the cafe, pool and water park areas. A pet fee applies, quoted around $40 per dog per night for indoor accommodation, so confirm the current rate when you book.

The beach question

One thing to know before you arrive: the beach directly in front of the resort is not open to dogs, and fines apply on that stretch. For sand and water with your dog, Patches Beach is a designated off-leash beach about a 10 to 15 minute drive away, and it is worth the trip. Inside the resort, the fenced dog park and the nature walking tracks cover daily exercise.

Worth knowing

The resort runs to a relaxed, Bali-inspired style with a pool, camp kitchen and cafe, and free parking near both the campsites and cabins. Reaching Ballina township means a drive around the river or the short hop on the Burns Point Ferry, which keeps the south side quiet.

Max: the fenced off-leash dog park is the headline, but the leash rule applies everywhere else inside the resort, so keep a lead handy for the walk from your cabin to the gate.

Across the river in Ballina, Missingham Park off-leash area is a fenced option, and Seven Mile Brewing Co welcomes dogs in its outdoor areas. Reflections Ballina Holiday Park is the alternative if you want to be on the north side. More options are on the South Ballina destination page and the NSW stays index.