The Robert Towns

The Robert Towns is a central hotel at 261 Stanley Street in Townsville City, a few blocks off Flinders Street with a pool and BBQ area for down time. Its pet credentials are more formal than most CBD motels: there is an actual Pet Friendly Twin room type listed on the hotel's own site, rather than a vague pets-on-request note.

Dogs at the Robert Towns

Dogs and cats stay in the designated pet rooms, which are on the ground floor with tiled floors and are sanitised after each pet stay. Up to two pets are allowed to a combined 40kg, with a pet fee of around AU$20 per room per night, though booking platforms list figures up to AU$25. The pet rooms are specifically allocated and limited, so call ahead and confirm the room type when you reserve. Arriving with an undeclared pet is the one way to turn a cheap fee into a problem: booking platforms note cleaning penalties that can run to $300.

Worth knowing

The Pet Friendly Twin sleeps up to three guests with a queen and a single bed, so it doubles as a family room. The CBD location means walks are street walks rather than park runs, but the Strand foreshore is a short drive north, where dogs are welcome on the paved walkway on a leash. Council signage marks the sections off limits to dogs, including signed swimming beaches and playground areas, so follow the signs rather than the map.

Pair it with

For an alternative base, Townsville Lakes Holiday Park in Currajong has dedicated pet-friendly cabins about six minutes' drive from the CBD, Yongala Lodge by The Strand puts you on the North Ward side, and BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks - Rowes Bay adds a beachside caravan option.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly stays guide and the Townsville City destination page.