walking with dogs - and how do you find out about them?

[Butterfly_dawn]

We're hoping to head off next weekend for an overnight walk and then camping with friends and we WERE hoping to take our fur kid. I have done a search here and picked up a few places, like Tahune State Forest, but am at a loss to find any maps on the net of tracks etc, how many nights ish it is to where etc. I'm going to keep looking, but it's starting to seem like the combination of scant camp areas that are dog friendly and minimal info on dog accessible walks is going to wind him up in a kennel

So, what are people's regular haunts with their hounds and how did you go about finding out about them?

P.S. Mea Culpa if I've asked about something that is already posted somewhere, but I really did do a search and couldn't find the type of info I was after.

[alliecat]

Hi,

Have a look at the locations listed in this thread for starters.

A lot of the Hydro lakes have camping areas where dogs are allowed. You can contact the Hydro directly to find out the details for a specific site.

The book "Camping Guide to Tasmania" by Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage (I found it at The Map Shop in Hobart) indicates which camping areas are "dogs allowed" sites.

Hope that helps a bit.

Cheers
Alliecat

[corvus]

G'day Butterfly_dawn,
Before kids we went everywhere with our Golden Lab(it was our baby) but did not use "paying campsites" and were self sufficient back then which I am sure you could be now .
I suggest you contact Forestry in you area and ask specifically about dog friendly camping as widerness listed areas /national parks as you know are out as far as dogs are concerned but the campsites are out there especially here on the NW provided you do the poop scoop

[Butterfly_dawn]

We usually do stay at non paying sites (because we're all cheapskates ) and I do realise that the majority of dog friendly places will be in forestry and state reserve. And I did see that thread and have heard of and done at least some of them... but we're looking for an overnighter which is why I'm still hunting around for tracks in an area like Tahune or down near Recherche bay (Cockle Creek camp site looks nice as a base)

[Son of a Beach]

This topic has some excellent information about walking with dogs in the central plateau.

[corvus]

Butterfly_dawn if it looks good why not just front up if its not WHA or NP you pay your tax dont you.
On a less serious note mrs covus and I celebrate 40 years of wedded bliss in Dec and as my son is a Fireman/Driver on the West Coast Wilderness Railway we decideded that rather than a "big do" we would take the train trip premium class for 5 adults + daughters small dog ,train trip is cool but trying to find a real dog friendly pub/hotel/motel was not easy .
The most expensive in Queenstown is dog friendly as long as your dog is in the shed/stable on its own but go figure one of the cheapest ,Silver Hills (sorry for the plug) not only let dogs in the room but have a family room that will accomodate 5 adults mixture of beds and bunks (criteria is leave the room as you found it) we will be down there checking out the accomodation this Friday so will be happy to pass on comments .
Gees that was a long way from camping with your dog but you at least know where to go in the West

[tastrax]

Scroll down to the bottom of this page as there are a few "Parks" locations that allow dogs.

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=494

[Natt]

How about some of the Tasmania Trail?

We are hoping to take our woofbag on a two day - Lachlan to Judbury - at some stage

This was about the only overnight type of thing we could find

[sirius Tas]

This is an excellent topic...as I have the same problem. Many thanks to all the links provided so far...great stuff.
How about the Penguin Cradle Trail....all within State Forest....and actually concludes on the southern side of the Cradle NP. I've been over the lower sections with my canine companion(mug shot on the right)...no problems.
Basically the only places I stay out of(with sirius)...are NP's and WH areas....all others relatively easy going.
I'm sure the Tasmanian Trail would be OK...as it also is predominantly on State Forest. Cheers.

[Butterfly_dawn]

I have been told, though still waiting to have it confirmed, that you can walk dogs in State conservation areas and State recreation areas (run by parks) as well as state forests (run by forestry) unless otherwise signed obviously.

We've ended up actually opting for the Walls of Jerusalem and leaving the dog at home, but next time, we think we'll go the Blue Tier - sounds like an awesome area and apparently run by forestry so completely dog ok.

I did look at the Tassie Trail, and it looks pretty good as well, but I'd have to look more into what the tracks/roads are.

[sirius Tas]

Hi Butterfly_dawn.....the above thread posted....by Son of a Beach on Tue 14 Oct, 2008 8:41 pm ...will take you to excellent info supplied by tastrekker...with phone numbers etc. So yes you're right...it looks as if most conservation areas are dog friendly...just need to go through the right channels...and I'm sure all will be ok. I personally wasn't aware that this was the case....so will be contacting Parks this week to arrange a permit etc...as I'm planning on a geocaching trip to Mt. Ironstone. Many thanks for your thread and opening up this discussion...it's certainly proved invaluable to me. Cheers.

[Butterfly_dawn]

Wow, been too long. Thought I would update for anyone reading this that I contacted Parks and they told me NO Parks areas/reserves are dog allowed, except those specifically stated as being. SO basically, Forestry Tas areas are it. Kinda sucks for the hound, but I can understand it I guess.

Looking to go overnight for Christmas day with the houndy beast, thinking somewhere up Tyenna way (have local contacts), or possibly Styx or up the Central Highlands. Trying to keep it local for budgetary reasons Still gotta get round to Blue Tier too... one day, one day....

Oh and Walls of Jerusalem trip was awesome... but that walk started off a series of back injuries that had me completely out of action for a year. Poo. Back into it now though.