Doggy On Board: Embark on the Ultimate Road Trip With Your Furry Friend

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Any chance we have to bring our four-legged friends along on an adventure, we’ll take – whether it’s to the beach, on a hike, or hitting the open road. 

After all, what could be better than cruising with your hair blowing in the wind, one hand on the wheel and the other lovingly petting your canine companion?

That said, while it sounds idyllic, planning a road trip is more complicated than packing your bags, loading up the car and telling your dog to jump in. Having your paw-recious cargo on board comes with extra considerations, to help make sure they’re safe and comfortable.

That’s why we’ve prepared this handy guide that will prepare you for the trip of a lifetime.

If you haven’t settled on your route yet, don’t worry — we’ve got a fantastic list of great Australian road trips to spark some inspo. 

But if you have, the next step is to decide how you’re going to get around. Many people — particularly those on the younger side — tend to default to travelling by car, because it can be cost-effective and convenient. However, renting a campervan has plenty of unique benefits to consider, too.

For you, you get the flexibility to change your itinerary at any given moment, you don’t need to pack or unpack at every stop and you can save a little extra money by cooking for yourself.

And, for your furry friend, travelling by van helps to establish a secure, familiar environment while on the road. Since some animals don’t adapt well to constant change, you might find that van living is much more comfortable for everyone involved.

But how do you go about finding pet-friendly campervans? Camplify has you sorted.  The van-sharing platform allows you to rent a caravan or campervan for as little as $59 per day — and with 44 per cent of the platform’s options open to pets and available to rent in every capital city, finding your perfect temporary home is easy. 

A word of warning, though: do not leave your pet alone inside your car or campervan. Many people assume that hiring a campervan means you don’t have to worry about taking them with you, but it’s just as dangerous as leaving them alone in a hot car.

Once you’ve got your mode of transport sorted, it’s time to officially plan the trip! 

While you’ve likely figured out which road trip you’re taking (The Great Ocean Road and or The Red Centre Way are a couple of our favourites), it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty. 

Before you leave, make sure you book ahead if you want to secure a dog-friendly campground. 

You’ll also want to look ahead to see if there are any dog-friendly beaches and parks along the way, so you can give your pooch a chance to stretch their legs and blow off any steam. The same goes for toilet breaks.

The more often you stop, the better, in order to avoid any unfortunate accidents inside your car or van.

Before you embark on your adventure, make sure you write a checklist of your pet’s essentials. When you’re on the road, it can be thousands of kilometres between supermarkets (particularly if you’re somewhere like Western Australia or the Northern Territory). The last thing you want is to run out of important items like your dog’s favourite treats. 

Ensure you bring enough food to last the entire road trip, especially if your pet is on a special diet. Other things to tick off your list are plenty of waste bags, a bed, some towels for post-beach wipe-downs, their favourite toys, medications, vaccination records and a ready supply of water. 

Another important thing to check is that you’ve packed your pet’s collar and ID tag with your updated contact details. No matter how good your dog’s recall may be, there’s always the risk they might get lost while stretching their legs.

A road trip can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life, giving you a taste of the nomadic lifestyle and helping you connect with nature. But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone, including your beloved pooch.

Consider taking your pet on a trial run with a shorter trip before you commit to a longer, cross-country trek. It’ll allow you to learn how your pet responds to life on the road. For instance, some dogs suffer from travel sickness and will spend their time on the road miserable — which will likely make you miserable, too. 

This is particularly important for herding breeds or puppies. Being cooped up in a van for hours at a time will result in them becoming restless and the best way to counteract this is by stopping more frequently. This might make your trip stretch out longer, but it’s important to keep in mind. 

Whether you’re heading away for a short, weekend jaunt or a months-long expedition, Camplify helps make your getaway smooth, memorable and, most importantly, fun. Not only does the platform allow you to easily search for pet-friendly vans using a special filter, nationwide roadside assistance is included with every hire. So, you can have ultimate peace of mind that you and your furry friend are in good hands.

Head here to search for pet-friendly vans, sign up for an account, complete your booking and pick up your choice on the day of your trip. Plus, those who book now can save $100 on bookings by using the code TAKE100 at checkout.