Clementine Cottage at Calala Park

Clementine Cottage at Calala Park is a self-contained cottage on a quiet residential property on Tamworth's southern edge, and it is built around small dogs rather than merely tolerating them. The listing states a 10kg weight limit, so this is one for owners of a Maltese, a cavalier or a poodle cross rather than a border collie. If that fits your dog, few Tamworth stays are set up this thoughtfully.

Dogs at the Clementine Cottage

Two dogs are welcome per stay with a $60 pet fee, and dogs are allowed inside the cottage, not shut out on a veranda. The cottage has hard floors, which the hosts chose deliberately for easy cleaning after muddy paws. Your dog gets the use of a fenced garden area off the cottage, so the first-thing-in-the-morning toilet run does not involve a lead through a car park. The hosts keep their own dogs secured separately from guest areas, which matters if your dog is nervous around others. Service animals are exempt from the size limit. Confirm the current fee and the weight limit when you book, since policies do change.

The vibe

Guests talk about a cosy country cottage with homemade treats on arrival and hosts who notice the small things. Breakfast provisions, free WiFi and off-street parking are part of the setup. Calala is a few minutes' drive south of the Tamworth CBD, close enough for dinner in town but far enough out that roosters, not traffic, set the morning schedule.

Getting there

The cottage sits on Calala Lane, reached from the New England Highway via Calala Lane on the southern side of town. Parking is on the property. From the cottage it is a short drive to Tamworth's cafes and the riverside walking tracks along the Peel River, and the region's bigger off-leash parks are within easy reach by car.

Close by with the dogs

Stock up on supplies at Oliver Brown before you head out for the day, or if you need a different style of stay in town, both Tamworth Holiday Park and the Almond Inn Motel take a more conventional approach to hosting travelling dogs. More dog friendly options are listed at stays across NSW and in our Tamworth guide.

Pepsi: A fenced garden you can open the door to first thing beats a motel car park every time. Just check the gate latch before you let your dog loose.