MACKAY

We stayed at the Seabreeze Apartments its about 15min from the city at place called Slade Point. 

They’re nothing flash but they have everything, a kitchenette, full laundry facilities in the room, configuration of queen bed + single or queen and bunks, the rooms are ground level and a small grass area at the back (not enclosed but if you stayed a few days and had pet fencing I’m sure staff wouldn't mind a barrier being put up)

The pub at front of establishment does a bloody good chicken schnitzel and chips ????
Arlo & Dave also tried the salt & pepper squid.
Dave goes off his food when we travel so sometimes sharing some sneaky human snax ensure hes getting something.

  

 

Close to the esplanade for morning walks there’s a lookout about 20min walk away and painted water tower about 25min. unlike a lot of coastal towns in other states it’s not over run with coffee shops so you will need venture out for the morning brew (rooms have complimentary coffee if you dabble in instant haha) or uber eats.

 

Off to AIRLIE BEACH, this was a personal pit stop as 20yrs ago i almost moved to Airlie for a job alas its taken me 20yrs to actually make it ????

We walked part of the board walk / esplanade which is clearly marked which path doggos can go with paw prints. We parked in the paid parking area nestled in near the "lagoon" which is a public swimming area (no dogs though) We then had brunch at Sidewalk cafe. After brunch we strolled a little but it was warming up and the boys where ready for their air conditioned chariot to move on.

    

  

Up the road about a hour’s drive is BOWEN where we stopped for a photo at The Big Mango! Bowen actually looks and sounds lovely when looked into it and definitely would recommend a few days if you have the time.

After Bowen we headed through to INGHAM where we stayed at the Hotel Ingham on the right-hand side opposite the information centre.

The queen room is spacey with a little kitchenette and parking at the door, the bathroom is a tad on the small side and if you’re a little on the larger side the shower recess will be annoying as was a little "tight" for my own liking and I’m not skinny by any means ????

Up the road is TYTO WETLANDS which is dog friendly, but advice is to keep leashed at all times as it has been known to have the odd croc (and we were up here a few weeks after floods and a 3mtr had been removed around the floods and another from a storm water drain close by only a fortnight before we arrived)

We did however opt for the Botanical gardens which is small but quite nice and a short stroll from the hotel.

Again, with recent floods some damage sustained to pathways and the little lagoon but was a "safe" option for a NSW rookie to crocs to know what should and shouldn't be in a garden.

 

CARDWELL

Seabreeze cafe was a pit stop on the way through to Cairns to see a old work colleague who moved up here about 5yrs ago. Pet friendly even to sit inside if all outside tables are pre- occupied. You can walk out to the end of the pier and there is a nice garden area around there.

 

CAIRNS

Well to be honest we didn’t explore a lot as we needed some down time, but we did head to the promenade but take note of the signs as there is some restrictions on which areas along there they can go.

We had brunch at Muddy’s which if also travelling with kids is good as although doggo needs stay at the cafe with you your children can run off safely into the kids outdoor area and play.

After brekky we headed up to KURANDERA - if you are able have pupper looked after you can get the skyrail, however, as we're travelling solo and it’s their holiday we drove, usually a 45min drive however recent landslides has major works happening and a few sections are single lane. Dogs are welcome in both markets the Heritage and the Rainforest one as well as most the shops in the township. If travelling with partner and or kids this is easily a place you can spend all day, but my advice is get in early and avoid the crowds as by lunch time is pretty busy (we went on a Friday) 

 

Leaving Cairns we headed to ARCHER RIVER Road house.  Like most of them, up to the tip is dog friendly - they must remain on leads at all times and are not allowed in the common areas (as most caravan parks too) $15 for the night unpowered sites only, it’s a matter of rock up, pay, claim your spot. We were doing our explore as soon as arrived and heard the distinct bark of Dachshund over yonder, so we walked over and said hi to the other 2 camping there for the evening. 

There is a resident big dog who sometimes breaks out of his yard to come say hi but he seemed harmless and left us alone while having my two gremlins flip at him.

There’s a memorial plaque out the front for *Toots* Holzheimer if you’re not sure who she is have a google as she was one hell of a woman that’s for sure!

 

There are several stops between Archer and the Tip, pending how the road is and if you can handle keeping on going if the road is bad. We were lucky and driving a Nissan Qashqai so a small SUV AWD there was parts we had to be careful and slow right down but in general 80kmph.

We made good time so decided push through, we called our accommodation at the   but they couldn't accommodate us an extra night, so we went to LOYALTY BEACH.

$27 for a powered site (first in gets best spots) however all sites are with ocean views and the sun set doesn't disappoint. We set up and I decided to get the pet fencing out to try before our 3 nights at the next site.

 

Heading closer to the tip - THE CROC TENT

This quick lil pit stop is good for all your tip souvenirs and is also dog friendly so they can join as you browse.

From CROCK TENT is 17km to PAJINKA (The tip)

Or you turn left to head to PUNSAND BAY.

Book Punsand as early as you can as this place books out fast - we booked our time here in like September / October at the end of their season (we travelled in June the start the next season)

      

The road in is weather and traffic dependent so like all other sections of the trip up drive to conditions- there was a few wash outs I had to let oncoming traffic through before I could assess getting my car through, which was a simple roll through slowly and going at it on an angle.

 

PUNSAND is the ultimate disconnect from the world destination. 

If you have starlink you’re fine but if not, you can enjoy peace and quiet until you wander on / near the beach where Telstra and optus both have a smidge of service,  

Note they have cabins but dogs need to sleep outside, they’re allowed in all other camp areas powered / non powered. They’re allowed to brekky / lunch/ dinner with you but on the grassy area at front of the pool not up in the main bar area.

Note the menu switches between wood fired pizzas and a la cartè.

It’s a bit pricey by the average person standard looking at $30 for a steak sandwich and almost that for a burger. The local caught Spanish mackerel was low $20s.

  

As someone who’s worked in hospitality and now works in food service these prices are well within reason to the overheads that come with being remote and providing a service when the closest place to grab a bite to eat is about an hr away.

 

The beach- now this will come as no surprise but Be Croc Safe!

Do not let your dog off lead, be vigilant and pay attention at all times, there is a "resident " croc who frequents and its advised not to swim in the ocean - there is however the pool area, most camp sites state dogs can’t be left alone but id say if you have a caravan and doggo happy in there a dip in the pool would be easily done.

 

PAJINKA!

(The Northernmost point of Australia)

15km from The Croc Tent the roads like the rest of the PDR, drive to the conditions and take easy where needed, there was a few dicey wash outs we had to take easy in our car but reasonable to say most cars would get there pending when you travel.

Now when you get to the tip there is the beach walk (which if tides out they say is safe to walk) 

Or a bit of a scramble over the rocky hill.

We choose the rocky hill which to be honest will give you some phone reception and some good photo opportunities (plus we were a bit croc paranoid even though many say safe)

 

We took 2ltr of water and where walking about 10am between the boys an myself we drank the whole 2ltr so definitely take water, it was about 25c but its humid and you’re in the blaring sun at that hour.

We took it slowly as well as Arlo does struggle in the heat and heading back, we really did need to just go slowly with extra water offered.

If your confident in doing on dusk walks watching sun rise / sun set here would actually be pretty cool just note it is shrubby and rocks so could be snakes about too.

 

We had a few days down time at PUNSAND where we then headed to WEIPA.

We stayed away from Injinoo and Bamaga town as a lot of stray dogs and I wouldn't risk the boys safety.

We left Punsand and decided to go to WEIPA. I suggest looking into pet sitters or checking with the caravan park (which we stayed at) if your doggo is allowed stay in your caravan if your off site, as unless it’s a mine tour a fishing tour etc your unlikely find much here to do - the caravan park is lovely with an amazing sunset but it really is a town based around the mining & fishing!

(And the road is again more dirt and Corrugations!)

 

From Weipa we headed to COOKTOWN.

Easily done in 8-9hrs pending how you and doggos travel. Cooktown I was very suprised by and we loved Cooktown caravan park on Hope Street (just as you come into town on the right if come in via Lakeland) We got in about 3.30pm so set up and just hung at the park.

The next day we headed out. Our first stop was the esplanade where there is a coffee shop and amazing paved and grassy area to walk along (if wanting to have a longer walk park up in town at the lions park where Saturday mornings there is a market so if up early like us by time you get back markets are up and going by 8/830)

The lions park has a lot of history signs about Cooktown etc as well so take your time and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

    

We had FINCH BAY on our to do however as we rocked up there was several warning signs saying in the past 7days a 5mtr croc had been sighted, however after chatting to locals they said "na - its all good just go for a walk at low tide" 

However, we aired side of caution and headed back down the road to the Botanical gardens / Gallop botanic reserve 

This garden Will Not Disappoint!

Heritage listed being established around 1878 honestly, I’m not even going to spoil it by giving my spin, you, your doggo & of travelling with kids won’t be disappointed!

After much exploring you can head to the cafe (doggo can join- but isn’t allowed into the nature's powerhouse so will need to tag with travel party)

The boys and i enjoyed pancakes and bacon for brunch at a reasonable price of $16!

 

From here we popped up to the light house... I did leave the boys in the car as it was Howling with wind and neither of them like it - but it is dog friendly and they can walk about with you.

 

Also, there is a pawsome dog park on Adelaide Street (heading towards the esplanade with the "top pub" on your right turn left on walker street)

This park has small and big dog section with a mini agility area covered bench seat and water station for both dogs an human.

An unexpected stumble across find which the boys where stoked with as they got to stretch their legs and not get in trouble for yelling at the big dogs next door.

 

EMERALD CREEK ice creamy - dog friendly good loo stop for both humans and doggos as well as a sneaky treat - the boys shared coconut sorbet half scoop while I had a Vanilla cone.

This stop is on the way back down to Cairns as we buggered up our dates and could only get accommodation back down near CAIRNS before PORT DOUGLAS. 

  

 

              

Sarayi – PALM COVE is where we stayed and although a little on the pricey side of pet friendly rooms (around $250) but was a last min only option at the time, however when getting there King bed very roomy smallish courtyard for the boys and across the road from the beach, the boys were also welcome on the rooftop pool area.

Palm cove is very resort area and lots of places to eat and drink.

The boys had a lovely afternoon stroll along the esplanade.

 

We then headed back up to PORT DOUGLAS and checked into the Pink Flamingo.

This quirky hotel has it all, it’s close to town, it’s quiet, you get your own courtyard a pool table / library / cds / dvd a pool area with a mini bar and your dog is allowed in the pool area (just not in the pool) 

The rooms are spacious and fully equipped kitchen in the courtyard you also have a outdoor bath/shower which would be amazing to relax in on a clear night.

The hotel offers complimentary mozzie coils candles and bath salts plus a little doggo welcome pack which includes a bowl, a blanket some poo bags.

    

We had lunch at Choo Choo’s which is one the cafes at the marina, the staff super welcoming and loving towards the dogs, this also has markets every Wednesday evening, there are several places to eat along the marina.