As is true of most national parks across Australia and the world, dogs and other pets are not allowed into Tasmania's national parks and nature reserves, not even on a lead or within your car. Of course, dogs are allowed in cars travelling on roads which pass through national parks, such as the Lyell Highway, but are not allowed out of the car.
There are, however, many State Reserves, Conservation Areas, Regional Reserves and Nature Recreation Areas and other reserves where dogs are welcome. Of course, dogs must be under effective control and must always be on a leash (unless signposted otherwise).
In most cases, local council regulations will stipulate whether dogs are permitted and under what conditions (e.g., on a leash). It is advisable to contact the local council to see what local regulations may prevail. See a list of local councils.
Why aren't dogs allowed in national parks?
One of the major functions of national parks and nature reserves is to protect Tasmania's native wildlife. They provide refuge for many species that are rare, endangered or confined to Tasmania.
Dogs and other pets are not allowed into national parks and many reserves for a number of reasons:
- our wildlife is vulnerable to the predation, disturbance and disease that dogs may cause.
- barking or scents are enough to scare away native wildlife, spread disease and attract other dogs which may invade from surrounding locales.
- escaped pets can become feral and pose a major threat to many native species.
What about Assistance Dogs?
Assistance dogs, or dogs that provide support for people with disabilities, are an exception to the regulations and are allowed to accompany their handlers into national parks and reserves in Tasmania. If possible, Parks and Wildlife Service staff should be advised of the dog’s presence on entry. See our Office Contact List.
Where can I take my dog?
There are many places throughout the State outside national parks and nature reserves where dogs are allowed. Some reserves such as Regional Reserves and Nature Recreation Areas may have designated areas where dogs are allowed.
Forestry Tasmania reserves are managed for multiple uses, and allow dogs. Details of these can be found on the Forestry Tasmania web site, at www.forestrytas.com.au
Dogs are allowed in some reserves, such as parts of Mt Wellington, which are managed by local councils. Please contact the local council in the relevant area for details of where you can take dogs.
Below is a list of some reserves and camping sites where dogs and other pets are welcome:
| East Coast and South-east |
| Boltons Beach Conservation Area |
On the beach north from the beach access track – dogs must be under effective control |
| Coles Bay Conservation Area |
|
| Denison Rivulet Conservation Area |
prohibited during bird nesting season - contact Rangers |
| Falmouth Conservation Area |
on walking tracks only |
| Four Mile Creek Conservation Area |
on walking tracks only |
| Lagoons Beach Coastal Reserve Camping Area |
prohibited during bird nesting season - contact Rangers |
| Lake Leake Camping Area |
|
| Little Beach Coastal Reserve |
|
| Little Swanport River Reserve |
|
| Marion Beach Conservation Area |
To access the council dog exercise area north of car park – dogs must be on lead at all times (dogs are not permitted on the rest of the beach area and reserve including Long Spit) |
| Mayfield Bay Coastal Reserve |
prohibited during bird nesting season - contact Rangers |
| Millingtons Beach Conservation Area |
On the beach – dogs must be under effective control |
| Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve |
on walking tracks only, permit required - contact Rangers |
| Nine Mile Beach Coastal Reserve |
prohibited during bird nesting season - contact Rangers |
| Oatlands Overnight Bay |
Oatlands |
| Peter Murrell Reserves |
designated tracks only |
| Raspins Beach Conservation Area |
On lead 10am to 6pm from 1 December to 1 March – dogs must be under effective control in this area at all other times (dogs are not permitted in the sand spit area because it is important shorebird
habitat) |
| Scamander Conservation Area |
prohibited during bird nesting season - contact Rangers |
| Tasman Peninsula |
| Chronicle Point Conservation Are |
On the foreshore from western end of Chronicle Point Beach to and including the adjoining Sommers Bay Road public reserve foreshore – dogs must be on lead at all times |
| Eaglehawk Neck Historic Site |
On designated walking tracks – dogs must be on lead at all times. On the beach – dogs must be under effective control
|
| Eaglehawk Bay-Flinders Bay Conservation Area |
On the foreshore from Arthur Highway to where the foreshore intersects with the Jetty Road boom gate – dogs must be on lead at all times |
| Norfolk Bay Conservation Area |
In the Parkers Beach section of the reserve – dogs must be on lead during shorebird season (1 October to 31 March) and under effective control at all other times |
| North Passage Conservation Area (eastern section) |
On Stinking Beach and adjoining public reserve (Nubeena Main Road foreshore) to Parsons Bay Creek – dogs must be on lead at all times |
| Pirates Bay Nature Recreation Area (various sections) |
On the beach from surfies car park access north to Eagle Hawk Neck Historic Site – dogs must be under effective control
On the beach from surfies car park access south to 100m east of penguin gate access – dogs must be on lead at all times
On the beach from 100m east of penguin gate access to the Blowhole boat ramp – dogs must be under effective control
Within the Blowhole and Pirates Bay port precinct – dogs must be on lead at all times |
| Safety Cove State Reserve |
On the northern section of the beach from north west bridge entrance to the big tree entrance – dogs must be on lead during shorebird season (1 October to 31 March) and under effective control at all other times |
| Stewarts Bay State Reserve |
On designated walking tracks – dogs must be on lead at all times
On the beach section of the outside peak user time 10am to 4pm from 1 December to 31 March – dogs must be under effective control |
| Sloping Main Conservation Area |
On the south-western section of the beach to the north eastern beach access outside peak user times 10am to 4pm from 1 December to 31 March – dogs must be under effective control |
| Tessellated Pavement State Reserve |
On beach from Eaglehawk Neck Historic Site to north eastern end of beach – dogs must be on lead at all times
|
| Hobart - Eastern Shore |
| Clifton Beach Conservation Area |
On the beach and formal beach access tracks – dogs must be on lead at all times (dogs are not permitted in the rest of the reserve and the northern half of the beach which is part of Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve) |
| Gellibrand Point Nature Recreation Area (Opossum Bay) |
On Shelly Beach from Bangor Road to Icehouse Bluff and on Mitchells Beach – dogs must be under effective control. On designated tracks – dogs must be on lead at all times
|
| Gordons Hill Nature Recreation Area (Rose Bay/Lindisfarne) |
All parts of the reserve – dogs must be on lead at all times |
| Knopwood Hill Nature Recreation Area |
All parts of the reserve – dogs must be on lead at all times |
| Meehan Range Nature Recreation Area Cambridge/Mornington/Risdon Vale |
On designated tracks in the Belbins Road and Risdon Vale sections of the reserve – dogs must be on lead at all times |
| Mount Rumney Conservation Area |
All parts of the reserve – dogs must be on lead at all times |
| Ralphs Bay Conservation Area (Lauderdale) |
On the section of embankment from South Arm Highway towards the Police Academy – dogs must be on lead at all times (dogs are not permitted in the rest of the reserve including the foreshore below the embankment section) |
| Seven Mile Beach Public Reserve (various zones) |
On the beach between Day Use Area 1 and Day Use Area 2 – dogs must be on a lead during peak user time 10am to 6pm from 1 December to 1 March and under effective control at all other times. On the beach between Day Use Area 2 and Day Use Area 3 – dogs must be under effective control in this area at all other times.
In the area between Day Use Area 3 and Day Use Area 4 outside peak user times 10am to 6pm from 1 December to 1 March – dogs must be on lead at all other times.
On other sections of Seven Mile Beach and internal tracks – dogs must be on lead at all times.
On the section of Five Mile Beach east of horse access to Sandy Point (650m beyond Day Use Area 5) outside the shorebird season from 1 October to 31 March – dogs must be on lead in this area at all other times |
| South
|
| Arve Forest Drive |
|
| Coningham Nature Recreation Area |
All walking tracks – dogs must be on a lead at all times. All fire breaks/fuel modified zones – dogs must be under effective control |
| Peter Murrell Reserves (Kingston) |
Designated Fire Trails (Scarborough, Lady Penrhyrn, Sandflats, Middle, Penny, Eastern, Howden, McVilly, Coffee Creek) – dogs must be on lead at all times. The section of the Horse Riding Trail west of Coffee Creek (between Huntingfield Avenue access point and Sandflats Fire Trail) – dogs must be on lead at all times. The Perimeter Fire Break – dogs must be under effective control. See this map for the location of the areas listed above: www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=27256 |
| Hastings Forest Drive Picnic Area |
|
| Narrows Rd Nature Recreation Area (Dover) |
All parts of the reserve – dogs must be under effective control |
|
Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area (before the Cockle Creek bridge
|
Once over the Cockle Creek bridge, national park entry fees and conditions apply - dogs are not permitted, but are permitted in the Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area, where they must be under effective control.
|
| North-east
|
| Anson's Bay Conservation Area |
|
| Bay of Fires Conservation Area |
on walking tracks only |
| Cape Portland Conservation Area/Petal Point |
on walking tracks only |
| Cascade State Reserve |
Derby |
| Gladstone Hall Camping Area |
Gladstone |
| Granite Point Conservation Area/Adam's Beach |
on walking tracks only, on Adams Beach dogs are allowed off the leash as far as the river outlet |
| Humbug Point Recreation Area |
on walking tracks only |
| Myrtle Park Recreation Ground |
30 km South of Scottsdale |
| Musselroe Bay Conservation Area |
on walking tracks only |
| Ringarooma Coastal Reserve |
20km NE of Gladstone |
| Saddleback Plantation |
8 – 10 km west of Mathinna |
| St Columba Falls State Reserve |
Companion dogs only allowed in carpark, permit required - contact Rangers
|
| St Helens Point Conservation Area
|
on walking tracks only
|
| Waterhouse Conservation Area |
8 separate areas, 25 km east of Bridport |
| Weldborough Hotel Camping Area |
Weldborough |