Dogs in parks

​​​​​​​​​​Dogs in Tasmania’s national parks and reserves

Generally, dogs and other pets are not allowed into Tasmania's national parks and reserves. Unless there is a sign saying you can take your dog into a reserve or you have special permission, you cannot take your dog into:

• nature reserves

• national parks

• state reserves

• game reserves

• conservation areas

• nature recreation areas

• regional reserves

• historic sites

This is primarily to protect our native wildlife. These areas are habitat for many species that are rare, endangered or only found in Tasmania.

Even if your pet is well-behaved, they can still disrupt wildlife:

• our wildlife is vulnerable and isn’t adapted to having dogs nearby
  

• dogs can carry diseases that could affect native animals
  

• barking or scents are enough to scare away native wildlife and attract other dogs
  

• escaped pets can become feral and pose a major threat to many native species
  

There are some reserves around the state where you can take your dog. If you are unsure if you can take your dog to the reserve you want to visit, please check with your local parks office. ​

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 are trained or accredited to aid a person with a disability. This includes dogs such as guide or hearing dogs. Assistance dogs are allowed in national parks and reserves. You need to be able to produce evidence that:

1. the dog is an assistance dog actively working to assist a person with a disability

2. the dog is trained to meet hygiene and behaviour standards appropriate for a dog in a public place

Frequently asked questions​

What is an assistance dog?

Assistance dogs​, or animals, help people with disabilities. They must have either:

As defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), an assistance animal is an animal that:

Examples of assistance animals include (but are not limited to):

​What are the require​ments for assistance dogs in parks or reserves?

At all times in parks or reserves:

An assistance dog is not under control if it is aggressive towards native wildlife or other visitors.

Additionally, you are responsible for removing your assistance dog’s faeces. If your assistance dog damages anything, you are responsible.

How can I plan my visit with my assistance dog?​​​​

You don’t need to notify anyone that you are visiting a reserve with your assistance dog.

However, you will need to produce evidence that your dog is an assistance dog if Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) staff request this during your visit. The PWS will accept any evidence that shows your dog meets the definition of an assistance animal and is trained to meet hygiene and behaviour standards.

If PWS staff request evidence and you cannot produce it, your dog may not be allowed to enter the park or reserve.

The PWS encourages anyone with an assistance dog to check our latest alerts and safety information to help with your planning.

For more information about visiting with an assistance dog please contact Visitor Services on 1300 827 727 or parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au.​

Can I bring my companion dog into a park or reserve?​​

‘Companion dog’ generally means the same as ‘pet’. 

Companion dogs are not allowed in reserves unless all dogs are allowed.

Can I drive through a park or reserve with a dog in my car?​

Your dog can travel in a moving car in a reserve as long as the road doesn’t end inside a reserve. 

Because the car must be moving, you can’t leave your dog in a stationary vehicle while you go on a short walk or visit a lookout.

Can hunting dogs be used in parks and reserves?

You can have a hunting dog on reserved land to locate and retrieve hunted game as long as you have a game authority that permits a hunting dog. 

There is a maximum of two dogs per person and six per hunting party.

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 local council in line with the Dog Control Act 2000 and National Parks and Wildlife Management Regulations 2019.

I saw on a different website that an area was dog friendly. Is that correct?

Information from other sources is not always correct. 

Unless you have seen a sign allowing dogs, please always check with the local parks office to make sure you have the correct information.

Where can you visit with dogs?

There are some reserves around the state where you can take your dog. The list below shows some of these reserves. Please check with the local parks office and local council to find more places to visit with dogs or if you’re not sure whether dogs are allowed.

There may be restrictions on dog access in the following reserves. These may include times of the day or year when dogs are not allowed. Always consider other reserve users and obey all restrictions and rules you see on signs. Make sure you immediately collect and dispose of your dog’s faeces.

​Here are some of the reserves where dogs are permitted:

​​​Select reserves

Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area
You can take your dog on lead in some areas of the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. This includes areas north of Temma and in the Sandy Cape campsite. Dogs must stay in vehicles while travelling on the Sandy Cape Track (4WD track). Please note that dogs are not allowed in neighbouring Sundown Point State Reserve and West Point State Reserve. ​

Bay of Fires Conservation Area
You can take your dog on lead in some areas of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area. There are some areas where dogs are seasonally restricted. You can find full details and the dog zone map on the ​ Break O'Day Council website.  ​Please note that dogs are not permitted in neighbouring Mount William National Park.

Coles Bay Conservation Area
You can take your dog in some areas of the Coles Bay Conservation Area. There are seasonal restrictions on whether dogs can be on or off lead. You can find full details and the dog zone map on the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council website.  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 border each other. You can take your dog in some areas of these reserves. There is a mix of on- and off-lead areas.​ You can find full details and the dog zone map on the Tasman Council website.

Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area
You can take your dog on lead in some areas of the Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area, including in campgrounds. Dogs can be off lead in some other areas. You can find full details and the dog zone map using the link above. Please note that dogs are not allowed in neighbouring Southwest National Park.

Snug Tiers Nature Recreation Area
You can take your dog on lead in the Snug Tiers Nature Recreation Area where signs allow.​

Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area
You can take your dog in some areas of the Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area. There is a mix of on- and off-lead areas. Dog zone maps are available on signs in the reserve.​

​Walks

There are some 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 dogs to visit. Dogs must be on lead at all times within the campgrounds. They are not allowed to wander outside designated camping areas or through vegetation. They also 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 or 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. You can find full details and the dog zone map on the ​Break O'Day Council website.

Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area
You can find full details and the dog zone map on the ​Break O'Day Council website.

Mayfield Bay Conservation Area
You can find full details and the dog zone map on the ​Glamorgan ​​Spring Bay Council website.

Peggs Beach Conservation Area
You can find details using the link above.​

Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area
You can find full details and the dog zone map using the link above.

Waterhouse Conservation Area
​​​​You can find details using the link above.​