Dogs in Tasmania’s national parks and reserves
As a general rule, dogs and other pets are not allowed into most of Tasmania's national parks and reserves unless authorised. This is for a number of reasons, but it is primarily to protect our native wildlife. These areas provide refuge for many species that are rare, endangered or endemic to Tasmania.
Despite the nature of your pet, their presence can be disruptive as:
- 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; and
- escaped pets can become feral and pose a major threat to many native species.
There are some reserves around the state where you may take dogs. If you are unsure if the reserve you are intending to visit allows dogs, please check with your local parks office and your local council. See Where can you visit with dogs? below for a list of some reserves and campgrounds that allow for dogs to visit. You can check local council websites to find further areas to visit with dogs.
Assistance dogs
Assistance animals, including guide and hearing dogs, are purposefully trained or accredited to aid a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of the disability. Assistance dogs are permitted in national parks and reserves, provided you can produce reasonable evidence that:
- the dog is an accredited assistance dog actively working to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of the disability; and
- the dog is trained to meet the standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for a dog in a public place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an assistance dog?
As defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) an assistance animal (including dogs) is an animal that:
- is accredited under State or Territory law to assist a person with disability to alleviate the effects of disability; or
- is accredited by an animal training organisation prescribed in the Disability Discrimination Regulations 2019 (Cth); or
- is trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meets standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place.
Examples of assistance animals include (but are not limited to) dog guides, medical alert animals, hearing assistance animals, mobility assistance animals, psychiatric assistance animals and assistance animals for developmental disorders.
Can I bring my companion dog into a park or reserve?
A companion dog is considered to be synonymous with ‘pet’ and would generally not be authorised beyond standard dog-exercising arrangements (i.e., designated dog-exercising areas).
What are the entry requirements for taking an assistance dog into a park or reserve?
When visiting a park or reserve with an assistance dog, the following entry requirements apply. The assistance dog:
- must be under effective control in accordance with the conditions of the designated area, even if it is not under the person’s direct physical control;
- must meet behaviour and hygiene standards appropriate to public places;
- should wear clear identification that it is an assistance dog at all times, or the person in effective control must have the ability to produce evidence when requested;
- should not frighten or endanger native wildlife or be aggressive towards other visitors; and
- should remain on established tracks.
Additionally, the person in effective control of the assistance dog is responsible for any damage caused by the assistance dog and the removal of any faeces deposited.
What forms of evidence can I use for my assistance dog?
While you do not need to notify anyone of your visit to a park or reserve with an assistance dog, you may be required to produce evidence that states the dog is an assistance dog. The PWS will accept the following as evidence when assessing the validity of an assistance dog:
An assistance dog may be refused entry to a park or reserve if evidence cannot be produced when requested by PWS staff, including on the day of your planned visit.
The PWS encourages anyone with an assistance dog planning to enter a park to check the latest park information on potential hazards to assist in making arrangements and to ensure a safe visit.
For further information about visiting with an assistance dog please contact Visitor Services on 1300 827 727 or parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au.
Can I drive through a park or reserve with a dog in my car?
Dogs are allowed to travel in a car on a road through reserved land if the dog is confined within a moving vehicle on a road that does not terminate on reserved land. This exemption does not allow a person to leave a dog in a stationary vehicle while they undertake a short walk or visit a lookout.
Can hunting dogs be used in parks and reserves?
Hunting dogs are permitted onto reserved land for the purpose of locating and retrieving hunted game, when permitted under a game authority with a maximum of two dogs per person and six per hunting party. Provided a game authority has been granted, no further authorisation is required from the PWS.
More information can be found on the NRE Tas website or you can contact the local Parks Office.
What happens to unaccompanied dogs in parks and reserves?
Unaccompanied dogs will be seized and detained in collaboration with the relevant council, in accordance with the Dog Control Act 2000.
Where can you visit with dogs?
There are some reserves around the state where you may take dogs. The list below shows a selection of these reserves. To find further areas to visit with dogs, or if you are unsure if the reserve you are intending to visit allows dogs, please check with the local parks office and local council.
Seasonal or time of day restrictions may apply to dog access to the following reserves. Always consider other reserve users and obey all restrictions of the designated area, including immediately collecting and disposing of any faecal matter left by the dog.
Here are some of the reserves where dogs are permitted:
Select reserves
Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area
Dogs can be taken on lead in some areas of the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area, including all areas north of Temma and in the Sandy Cape campsite. Dogs must be confined to vehicles while travelling on the Sandy Cape Track.
Bay of Fires Conservation Area
Dogs can be taken on lead in some areas of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, with some areas where dogs are seasonally restricted. Full details and the dog zone map can be found via the Break O'Day Council. Please note that dogs are not permitted in neighbouring Mount William National Park.
Coles Bay Conservation Area
Dogs can be taken in some areas of the Coles Bay Conservation Area, with seasonal restrictions on whether dogs can be on or off lead. Full details and the dog zone map can be found via the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council. Please note that dogs are not permitted in neighbouring Freycinet National Park.
Eaglehawk Neck Historic Site, Tessellated Pavement State Reserve and Pirates Bay Nature Recreation Area
These reserves are adjacent to each other. Dogs can be taken in some areas of these reserves, with a mix of on- and off-lead areas. Full details and the dog zone map can be found via the Tasman Council.
Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area
Dogs can be taken on lead in some areas of the Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area, including in campgrounds. Dogs can be taken off lead in some other areas. Full details and the dog zone map can be found via the link above. Please note that dogs are not permitted in neighbouring Southwest National Park.
Snug Tiers Nature Recreation Area
Dogs can be taken on lead in the Snug Tiers Nature Recreation Area where signs allow.
Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area
Dogs can be taken in some areas of the Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area, with a mix of on- and off-lead areas. Dog zone maps are available on signs in the reserve.
Walks
There are a number of walks in reserves where you can take a dog on lead on the designated track. This includes several of the 60 Great Short Walks. Check the Parks and Wildlife Service webpage for the walk you are considering to see if dogs are allowed.
Camping
There are several reserves with campgrounds that allow for dogs to visit. Dogs must be on lead at all times within the campgrounds. They must also be prevented from wandering outside of designated camping areas or through vegetation and must not disturb native wildlife or other camp users. Please note that while dogs are allowed in the following campgrounds, they may not be allowed in other areas of the reserves, or in neighbouring reserves.
Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area
Dogs are allowed at campsites north of Temma as well as the designated Sandy Cape campsite.
Bay of Fires Conservation Area
Dogs are allowed at most campsites except for Jeanneret Beach campground. Full details and the dog zone map can be found via the Break O'Day Council.
Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area
Full details and the dog zone map can be found via the Break O'Day Council.
Mayfield Bay Conservation Area
Full details and the dog zone map can be found via the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council.
Peggs Beach Conservation Area
Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area
Full details and the dog zone map can be found via the link above.
Waterhouse Conservation Area