Located on the South Island of New Zealand, Queenstown is set against a dramatic mountain backdrop. It is a playground for outdoor adventurers. But if white-knuckled pursuits aren’t your thing, don’t worry, Queenstown has got it covered. It’s also a great base for exploring the surrounding historic mining towns or visiting the local vineyards. As always, we’re thinking about pet travel and travelling with dogs is always at the front of our mind. Thankfully, the town is packed with dog-friendly businesses. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore too. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find plenty to do with your dog in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Lake Hayes Walkway

This 8km loop takes you around the edge of Lake Hayes, a beautiful, peaceful route that should take around 2-3 hours. Take in the stunning mountain views as you walk this well-maintained gravel track. You must keep your dog on a lead while on this trail. As well as being a popular mountain biking spot, it’s also home to the Australasian crested grebe. If you visit in the summertime, the lake is a popular swimming spot too.

The Boat Shed

Dog-friendly, delicious and divine views, this friendly cafe has it all. Serving a seasonal menu of fresh produce on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this spot is open from 8am-4pm daily. The historic building dates back to 1869 and the volunteers of the Wakatipu Community Maritime Preservation Society restored it in 2011. Dogs are welcome to join you in any of the outdoor areas, including the deck, the garden or out the front.

Kinross Winery

Located half an hour away from Queenstown, this beautiful winery offers a range of tasting experiences. If traditional wine tasting isn’t your thing, they also do a fun wine quiz that gives you the chance to test your knowledge while sampling a flight of three wines. The bistro offers an ever-changing seasonal menu made from the freshest local produce. Expect to find items like freshly baked focaccia, grazing platters and sourdough pizza on the menu. 

So whatever you enjoy, you’ll find plenty to do with your dog in Queenstown, New Zealand.

The largest city on the South Island, Christchurch is a beacon of urban regeneration following the 2010 & 2011 earthquakes that hit the city hard. Home to the most stunning modern architecture, set in the natural beauty of Canterbury, Christchurch is a lively, bustling town with a fantastic food scene. Whether you want to soak up the city’s colourful atmosphere, or venture further afield into the surrounding mountains, you’ll find plenty to do with your dog in Christchurch New Zealand.

Bottle Lake Forest Park

Located on the coast in the north-east of Christchurch, Bottle Lake Forest Park is a working pine plantation with many tracks and trails. With 800 hectares of shady forest to explore, it’s a popular spot for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. Some of the pathways are shared, but there are also specific horse riding and mountain bike trails. There are 3 main walking tracks to follow ranging from 3km to 11.4km. Dogs are permitted to be off leash on the blue track and the green track, but must be ‘under effective control’ on the blue coastal track. There’s even a fairy village to visit which sprung up during the COVID19 lockdowns. 

Hello Sunday cafe

This beautiful daytime cafe is located in the old Post Office in Sydenham. It’s open from 7:30am – 3pm during the week and 8:30am-3pm at the weekends. Serving a menu of mouthwatering bright, fresh food, this is one of the top spots for brunch in the city. Dogs are welcome to join you when sitting outside.

Pet Central

With four locations around the city, Pet Central is a great place to shop for all your dog’s needs. As well as offering all your usual essentials like food, toys and bedding, the Papanui, Shirley and Moorhouse locations also offer grooming services. The Papanui Superstore is home to the Central Bark Cafe, which caters to humans and dogs. The dog menu includes items such as puppuchinos, pupcakes, dog nachos and they even offer dog birthday cakes!

Whatever you enjoy doing, you’ll find plenty to do with your dog in Christchurch New Zealand.

Located on the Pacific Coast of California, it’s easy to see why San Diego is one of America’s most visited places. It’s the eighth largest city in the United States but it doesn’t feel like that when you’re there. The laid-back vibe and chilled personality of its streets and locals will make you feel right at home. It’s got a bustling downtown area, a world-famous zoo and the nicest weather you could possibly wish for. Whatever you enjoy, you’ll find plenty to do with your dog in San Diego.

Ocean Beach Dog Beach

Home to a whopping 60 beaches, this is San Diego’s original dog beach. Located at the northern end of Ocean Beach, dogs are permitted off leash at any time of the day here. There is plenty of parking and a lifeguard on duty if your dog fancies giving surfing a try!

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

This stunning hike follows a shady trail beside a creek, offering your pup a chance to cool down if the heat gets too much. Dogs need to be leashed at all times. You’ll also need to be aware of cyclists who also use this route. The full trail covers 7 miles but it’s mostly flat and ends in a spectacular waterfall. It’s $3 a day to park at the East Trailhead but there’s plenty of alternative parking spots around.

Balboa Park

Balboa Park is one of the largest parks in the United States. It’s 1,000 acres covers plenty of walking paths, open space, various beautiful gardens and an incredible 16 museums. Dogs must be leashed throughout most of the park but there are two designated off-leash areas available, including the popular Nate’s Point Off-Leash Dog Park.

Barbarella restaurant

Located in La Jolla, Barbarella offers a classic menu of pizza, pasta and salad that will suit all kinds of diners. They also have a dedicated doggy menu which includes eggs, chicken breast and even ice cream! It’s a stones throw from the beach, which allows dogs after 6pm or 4pm in the winter, so it’s a great place to fill up after a walk.

Dexter’s Deli

Dexter’s Deli is a health food store for pets with locations in Carlsbad, Del Mar & North Park. They offer everything from delicious turkey jerky to fresh-baked dog biscuits and even birthday cakes. Established in 1996, this neighbourhood pet store provides education on nutritional options for your pets and caters for natural alternative diets.

So whatever you enjoy doing, you’ll find plenty to do with your dog in San Diego.

New Zealanders love their pets. In fact, a recent study showed that the number of people owning dogs in the past 5 years has soared. Nearly every city saw a larger increase in dog numbers than in their human population figures. The city of Dunedin on the South Island has the highest number of pets, with one dog per seven people. But facts and figures aside, as a country, it’s about as pet-friendly as you can get. There are plenty of things to see and dog with your dog in New Zealand.

The Secret Garden, Waihi Beach, North Island

This Balinese-inspired garden cafe is a stunning oasis retreat bursting with tropical plants and trees hiding just off the main high street. It offers a range of hot and cold drinks as well as small snacks and treats. If you’re lucky, you might even catch some live music. The cafe is more than dog-friendly and even has a photo wall of recent doggy visitors! One thing to note is that there are no restroom facilities on-site, but there are public facilities a short walk away.

The Groynes Dog Park, Christchurch, South Island

This large, open space is fully fenced and perfect for dogs of all sizes. With three agility courses to keep your pooch well exercised, as well as safe access to two spring-fed streams for swimming, dog parks don’t get much better than this. There’s even a dog-friendly picnic area and toilets and taps and water bowls to keep your four-legged friends well hydrated.

Hallertau Brewery, Auckland, North Island

This brewery offers a range of in-house organic beers as well as serving homemade meals using seasonal produce. The stylish indoor warehouse-style setting keeps things casual and they’ve got a fantastic beer garden out the back that even has a kid’s playground. Dogs are welcome in the back garden and water bowls are provided.

Lyall Bay Beach, Wellington, North Island

Dogs are allowed off-leash at the eastern end of this popular surfing beach. It’s a great place to socialise your dog and let them have a good run around. As an added bonus, just over the road is dog-friendly The Botanist Cafe, where you can relax in one of the outdoor areas with a coffee. They even have dog beds for your pooch to get comfy in!

Whether you’re visiting the North Island or the South Island, looking for outdoor adventures, or something more chilled, there are loads of places to take your dog in New Zealand.