More people are moving to and travelling around Far North Queensland with their pets, but pet-friendly holiday accommodation close to the city is still hard to find. Here's what we've learned from hosting guests and their four-legged family members.
Finding a pet-friendly place
Most city hotels and apartment complexes don't allow pets. Look for a self-contained apartment or house where the host has said yes, and check the details: the pet fee, whether there's a courtyard, and any house rules. Book early, especially in the school holidays.
Keeping your pet cool
- Walk early in the morning and in the evening. Footpaths get hot enough to burn paws by mid-morning.
- Never leave a pet in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
- Keep fresh water out all day and use the air-conditioning on hot afternoons.
Ticks, toads and crocs
- Paralysis ticks are common in bushland. Use a tick preventative and check your pet after walks.
- Cane toads are toxic to dogs. Keep dogs away from them, especially at night.
- Crocodiles live in Far North Queensland waterways. Keep pets away from the water's edge at creeks, rivers and beaches.
Talk to your vet before you travel, and save the number of a local vet clinic.
Our pet-friendly pick: Edge Hill
Our renovated Edge Hill apartment welcomes well-behaved pets for a $50 pet fee per stay. It has a private courtyard, air-conditioning, a queen and a double bedroom, a renovated kitchen, a washer and dryer, free parking and a pool. Edge Hill's leafy streets are lovely for walks, and it's about eight minutes from the airport and the city.
Book direct, add your pet when you book, and you'll pay less than on Airbnb. You'll be asked to agree to our short-stay terms, which include the pet rules.