Enny Sulivan
Best Dog Friendly Mountain Towns – Just 90 minutes west of Sydney’s CBD, the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales is a convenient and beautiful weekend getaway from Sydney. While many areas of the national park are dog-free, learn about the Blue Mountains’ many dog-friendly overlooks, hikes and more, as well as great dog-friendly accommodations, from luxury resorts to ranches. Relics Every time I visit the Blue Mountains, I discover something new!
Blue Mountain National Park has the same rules as almost all national parks in Australia: dogs are not allowed in the park, not even in your vehicle. Because Blue Mountain National Park is large and encompasses most of the region’s towns, it lacks many dog-friendly attractions, including overlooks and hiking trails.
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The only exception is when highways pass through a national park (as opposed to access roads to a national park). For example, the Bell Line north through the Blue Mountains passes through much of the national park. In this case, dogs are allowed to lead the vehicle, but stopping and using the facilities while driving in the National Park is prohibited.
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The main reason to visit the Blue Mountains is the beautiful scenery of the mountains, the sandstone peaks glistening in the sun, the bush stretching as far as the eye can see.
Just because you’re visiting the Blue Mountains with your dog doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on the sights. Lookouts in the Blue Mountains National Park around several villages (mainly Wentworth Falls, Evans Lookout and Govet’s Leap Lookout) are off limits, but there are other lookouts run by the local council.
Echo Point Lookout: The most famous lookout in the valley, this lookout offers close-up views of the famous Three Sisters and is dog-friendly. However, it is impossible to go to the “Three Sisters” with your puppy, because the trail passes through the national park area. Please note that parking on nearby streets is expensive.
Eagle Hawk Lookout: On the other side of Scenic World, this lookout is also a good alternative to Echo Point in Katoomba. There are wonderful views of the Jamison Valley, but only a distant view of the Three Sisters. Parking is free, but there are only spaces for three cars, so it’s best to visit during quieter hours.
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Sable Point Lookout: Sable Point overlooks the Jamieson Valley from the village of Leora, close to the national park. The lookout is a 5-minute walk from the parking lot, and there are also some lovely picnic tables near the point.
Cahill Lookout: This lookout on the west side of Katoomba overlooks the Magalang Valley and its farmland. It is famous as a sunset viewing platform. Parking is free in the small parking lot and has a few picnic tables. A sign near the parking lot points to local cliff top hikes.
There are many other things to do with your dog while visiting the Blue Mountains. If you want to spend more time exploring the natural scenery of the Blue Mountains, there are many dog-friendly hikes available. Or visit some of the area’s beautiful gardens, especially in the spring or fall, or explore the gardens and farms. Check out these ideas…
One of the main reasons to visit the Blue Mountains is the many hiking trails in the area. Many of the most popular hikes are within the national park itself, and the further you look, the more dog-friendly options there are. Check out my list of the best Blue Mountains hikes for dogs.
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One of the most popular dog-friendly hikes is the South Lawson Falls Loop Trail. I recommend starting from the point identified on Google as “Five Waterfall Walk Southern Carpark”. From here you can complete the 600m walk back to Cataract Falls or the full 2.5km loop, visiting four beautiful waterfalls.
Note that it can get dirty, so you’ll need to take small dogs up one of the many stairs. There is also a metal mesh bridge near the start that most dogs don’t like, so let them walk across the stream. Puppies have plenty of opportunities to splash in the water, which is great for warm days.
Note: As of March 2022, a short section of the footpath is temporarily closed due to a rock slide, but recent visitors have reported being able to cross the area.
If you’ve already followed the falls in South Lawson with your dog, another great waterfall hike for dogs is the Horseshoe Falls Walk in Hazelbrook. Starting from Oaklands Road, it is a moderate 700m trek to Horseshoe Falls. Or walk another mile to reach Oaklands Falls and Burgess Falls.
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Allow two hours for the return walk if you go up to Burgas Falls. Dogs must be kept on a trail and the walk is best after rain when the waterfall is flowing, but be prepared for a muddy trail.
For a dirt-free paved walk, check out the west end of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk in Katoomba instead. The 1.3 km section near Katoomba Falls between the old Katoomba Falls kiosk and Cliff View is outside the national park and dogs are allowed on leads.
If you’re in the Blue Mountains after dark, you can also do this walk at night when Katoomba Falls turns into a night light walk. The lights come on at dusk and remain lit until 10:30 pm, with the highlight being the Katumba Falls.
The Blue Mountains are known for their gardens, many of which feature large displays of cool-climate flowers and deciduous trees, and some are dog-friendly.
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Campbell’s Rhododendron Gardens are located in Blackheath and are open all year round, with entry by donation. The best time for rhododendrons to bloom is from early October to mid-November, when rhodo teahouses are also open.
The gardens are full of maple and other deciduous trees, and autumn is also a great time to visit, although we found late May too late in the season. Please note that dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Another dog-friendly park in the Blue Mountains you can visit is Breenhold Gardens, located on the north side of the Blue Mountains in Mount Wilson.
One of the largest private gardens in Australia, the garden covers 45 hectares and contains thousands of exotic and native species planted over the past 40 years. The centers consist of six stone-walled gardens, some with pools and fountains.
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Check the website for opening dates and entrance fees (the parks are usually only open in the spring and fall). Be sure to keep your dog on a leash and pick him up.
The town of Bilpin on the Bell Line is famous for its many gardens. Especially in the autumn months, a popular activity is visiting the orchards, which you can pick yourself, usually from January to April for apples, dates vary from year to year.
Until recently, pets were not allowed in the garden, but that is changing. Both Pine Crest Orchards and TNT Produce allow pets on a leash. Check back for their opening hours and latest rules when they reopen for the next collection season.
Alternatively, you can always visit the cafes in the area, as well as places specializing in local cider. Sit and enjoy a beer at Bilpin Cider, open daily and their farm kitchen is open on weekends and holidays. Dogs are allowed in the large outdoor area and water bowls are available.
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Dogs are also welcome at Hillbilly Cider, which features wood-fired pizzas and tastings of alcoholic and non-alcoholic ciders. There is a large outdoor area with dog bowls and indoor heaters for cooler days.
Many orchards have roadside stands where you can buy prepared fruit and locally produced apple juice, apple pies and cider. One of the biggest places is the Bilpin Fruit Bowl.
Magalang Valley, facing the Blue Mountains, is part of the Unseen Region. The farmland valley is accessed by a steep descent from Blackheath.
Megalong Valley Tea Rooms is one of the major attractions in the valley. Established in 1956, these tea houses are famous for their scones and apple pies. Open daily from 9am, they also serve breakfast and lunch throughout the day. There is a large outdoor area where dogs are welcome, plenty of space for dogs and children, as well as a small enclosed outdoor area.
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The valley is home to two wineries, Megalong Creek Estate and Dryridge Estate, both of which have dog-friendly cellar doors. On our last visit to the Blue Mountains, we stopped at Megalong Creek Estate for a tasting. With a beautiful view of the sandstone cliffs that stretch across the valley,
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