Weekend Escape to Karridale: Dog-Friendly Travel in WA’s South West
Looking for the perfect weekend escape with your dog in Western Australia? We recently traded the noise of city life for the peaceful paddocks of Karridale, a quiet gem tucked between Margaret River and Augusta. What we found was a refreshingly dog-friendly region, filled with welcoming locals, good coffee, and plenty of space to unwind – both for us and our German Shepherd, Lyra.
Our stay at Karridale Cottages & Hop Farm was rustic, but perfect – basic accommodation that welcomes dogs complete with nature trails to explore and massive back paddock to run in. Between windblown walks along the Augusta shoreline, coffee stops in Nannup, and chocolate runs to Margaret River, we even squeezed in some training tracks. Out the back of the cottage, Lyra powered through a few body searches with ease, and was absolutely certain she was the goodest girl!
🐾 What We Took from Black Hound
We packed light for this trip, opting for two of our favourite Black Hound travel essentials:
✅ AllSafe Crash-Tested Dog Harness
Our go-to for safety and versatility.
- Crash-tested for peace of mind
- Comes with a quick-clip seatbelt attachment
- Doubles as a comfortable walking or tracking harness
- Soft enough for Lyra to nap in by the fire
✅ No-Spill Travel Water Bowl
Perfect for long drives and cottage stays.
- Doesn’t slosh around in the car
- Easy to clean (splits in half)
- We even used it inside by the log fire
🐶 A Few More Dog-Friendly Tips:
- National Parks: Sadly not dog-friendly, but plenty of other trails, beaches and towns to explore
- Nannup: Dog-friendly cafes, great coffee, and friendly locals
- Augusta Shoreline: Rugged, windy, but so worth it — where the ocean meets the sea
Whether you’re planning a weekend away or just dreaming of the next road trip, we always recommend travelling safe, light, and dog-first.
Explore our full range of dog travel gear at blackhound.com.au