Travelling the Kimberley with dogs

Hi Birgit, have just purchased your Destination Kimberley book and I must say that I'm impressed. I plan a trip there towards end of August and would like your advice on just one thing: travelling the Kimberley with a dog.

I will be travelling by myself, photography being my main interest, and plan on staying away from the popular/populated van parks etc., and spend more time in isolated areas.

I plan on taking my dog with me. As I'm sure all owners would say, she is a well behaved dog, lives with wildlife around my place and never wanders far from me.

Apart from the obvious places where dogs are not permitted (and I don't plan to go there) do you think that she could be a hindrance????

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Travelling the Kimberley with dogs

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by: Birgit

Thanks for your purchase and for the kind words. Much appreciated.

Well, if you will experience your dog as a hindrance depends very much on you!

Friends just visited me on their way through and they are travelling with two dogs. They met others on the road who were travelling with three. They hadn't had any problems at all.

Sure, it is easier to find accommodation without dogs. Yes, they are a hindrance as in that they stop you from going into national parks and that many campsites will not allow dogs. But it's up to you to judge or predict how much that will bother you.

This question has already been brought up a couple of times with regard to the Gibb River Road:

Travelling through the Gibb River Road area with dogs

Taking dogs along the Gibb River Road

Drysdale River Station allows dogs (but get in touch with them first if you want to stay there), Kalumburu is also not a problem. Other stations that welcome dogs are Mt. Elizabeth, Charnley River and Diggers Rest. As with Drysdale, always get in touch first and confirm that dogs are still welcome. If they have a bad experience with someone's dogs they may change their mind, you just never know.

So at the end of the day it's not as bad as it first seems. Only the national parks and conservation reserves are off limits. There are many other places to go and things to do.

Everybody experiences it differently. I have a dog myself (very well behaved, of course ;-) ) and I would not want to travel with her. Others can not imagine travelling without theirs...

If you always or often travel with your dog then there is no reason not to this time. (Just watch those crocs!)

All the best,
B.

Dogs
by: Pilgrim

If you can travel without dogs, do so. The restrictions are many. Can't get into any caravan park in Broome. Can't take your animal into any National park or any beach. The discrimination against dogs is huge and if you can do so, leave your furry family at home.

Travelling with Dogs
by: Jules

If you think you would be equally miserable without your dog as they would be without you, then take them.

You will need to be a little more organised so you know where you can stay with dogs and as B says, it will restrict you sometimes.

BUT there are just as many places you can you with your dog, as those you can't, so when visiting a new region do what you can with the time you have and you will be fine.

Cheers, Jules

travelling with dogs
by: Bj

We travelled in july 2011 right up to Derby thru the middle of WA and experienced the best ever reception from people if you are travelling with dogs, they are a good conversation starter too!! We never encountered any problems till we got to Broome !! but we stayed in the overflow caravan park and dogs were allowed JUST ASK !! I cannot stress enough the only way your going to know is ask !!! Ours is the best damn lookin blue heeler and we plan to take her again and another one with us on our big move up there to Derby. we liked the NW so much we have decided to move up there to see more so keep ya eyes open for two blue dogs and us Barb & Marty (see you on the Derby Jetty when the sun goes down ) and nice cold ones too!!! CHEERS

If you've got an easy going, low maintenance dog, go for it!
by: Helena

Quite a few places allow dogs, especially if they're out of town and you call ahead. I travel with a collapsible canvas kennel so she's always got her own spot. Beware of 1080 baits, cane toads, crocs, snakes, heat stroke and well-meaning tourists who sometimes pick up dogs who are wandering about without their owners in sight, thinking that they're strays.

I tie my dog up if I'm not actively watching what she's up to - a bored dog's better than a dead one. It would help if she's comfortable hanging out with strangers - you might find another traveler or local willing to mind your dog for a few hours while you visit a 'no dogs' spot in return for a meal, beer or cash bribe.

Near Broome I've stayed at Barn Hill to the south or Roebuck(about 40km east). If you haven't traveled with your dog before, do a trial camping trip on a weekend to see if the inconveniences are outweighed by the enjoyment, and try leaving her tied up on her own for a bit to make sure she can cope with that.

Some dogs really can't handle the tropical heat/ humidity. I met some people whose little dog had to travel sitting on an ice pack to keep cool! This last bit is going to sound a bit paranoid but when I traveled up north with my dog I took some A4 sized pictures of her with me, just in case I needed to make up some lost dog posters in a hurry. Have fun!

dogs
by: Sonia

I have lived, worked and traveled in the Kimberley for years. The bush up there is not always a safe place for dogs for these reasons: snakes, ticks, mozzies, crocs in rivers and waterholes, heat, humidity, cattle, baits. Station owners control dingos and put out bait, you cannot always see the signs that are supposed to be put up.

Dogs get very hot in vehicles and some tracks are very rough, not comfortable if you have to balance on four fragile legs and some locals are worried dogs may chase the wildlife.

Travelling the Kimberley with dogs
by: Tracey

I lived in Darwin for a few years. My dog went everywhere with me. Dog not allowed...and I usually didn't go. And I have to say I didn't miss very much!

Don't know much about Doggie Manners, but my ACD was a fabulous companion. Got stopped by some locals (in a line sitting across the road purposely to stop vehicles) requesting a ride into town (250K's) and I'm so glad I had my dog (female alone) with me as he was the Perfect Deterrent.

My ACD traveled with me his entire 15 years and I am so glad to have shared those experience with such a loyal companion, who never complained about the state of the roads, where he slept or what he was fed, or why he couldn't swim in certain places. But we had an absolute ball!

Take the Dog!

GRR 04.1996

dogminding NEW
by: travelling

To travel through is one thing. I moticed there are NO kennels or minders listed. Does anyone know if you can get them looked after? Or shall i leave him in NT.

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