Aussie holiday-makers in Ballarat go wild over dog enclosures at caravan parks

Travelling Aussies have revelled in the inclusion of fenced-off enclosures for their dogs at caravan parks.

A holiday-maker heading through the Central Tablelands in Victoria snapped a photo of one of the custom-built sites found at the Big4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park.

The picture, shared to social media, shows a Winnebago caravan parked in the centre of a fenced-off enclosure, so dog owner’s can enjoy a getaway while taking their pets with them.

Holiday-makers have raved about the inclusion of private dog enclosures at caravan parks after a woman uploaded a photo of one at the Big4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park

The post was favourably received by other holiday-makers who have called on other park owners to consider adding fenced-off spaces.

‘Great idea. So innovative and thoughtful. Generates more cash as well for them as considerate dog owners will go the extra mile for their pups,’ one wrote.

‘The hardest part of taking my two dogs camping is having to leash them all the time and them getting tangled around each other or chairs. This would give them so much more freedom,’ another said.

‘Great idea because all camping areas and caravan parks you have to have your pets on a lead at all times, so this is great,’ a third commented. 

‘Definitely need these in Tasmania. Our furbabies always come with us in the caravan. It’s such a shame for them to on leash at all times,’ one said.

Parents also loved the inclusion of the enclosures, saying the fences would ensure their young children remained close by if they had to duck into the caravan.

‘Great idea and it doesn’t upset others in the park. Also for parents with young children. They can run around and play safely while mum prepares lunch. In a safe area. Brilliant idea,’ one person said. 

‘I’d go here just to make sure my daughter can’t run anywhere. It’s why I’m hesitant to go camping ’til she’s way older. How amazing,’ another remarked. 

‘There’s a park in Canberra (or literally 100m over the border) that offers this. It was fantastic for our dog not only so they weren’t chained up all day but to stop people coming up and trying to pat it. It stops people walking through your site, nicking your stuff and is fantastic for young children,’ one wrote in a comment. 

Only a select number of caravan parks in the country actually feature private enclosures.

The Big4 Windmill Holiday Park has four powered caravan sites available for holiday-makers travelling with their dogs.

The park also has a swimming hole dog that owners and their dogs can swim in.

Each site can host up to six people and costs $50 per night.

For those who would rather not stay in a caravan, dog-friendly cabins are also available at the park.

The park, located in the Central Tablelands in Victoria, has four powered caravan sites available for those taking up accommodation with their dogs

The park has a swimming hole dog that owners and their dogs can enjoy and dog-friendly cabins 

Acacia Caravan Park in Ararat, an hour’s drive from Ballarat, also has several large fenced-powered sites.

Best Friend Retreat in Tarra Valley has multiple dog-friendly options, including cabins and powered sites.

In NSW, Reflections Holiday Park in Evans Head on the far north coast has five powered dog-friendly enclosures.

Capital Country Caravan Park in Sutton, near the NSW/ACT border, has four ‘dog freedom’ sites.

For Western Australia, Southern Stars Holiday Park in Dunsborough – located just north of the Margaret River – has a few large, fenced-off enclosures.

The Summit 1770 at Agnes Water in Queensland has ten spacious powered sites for dogs to run around in.