Where To Walk Your Dog In Naracoorte?

For a lot of people it’s very ‘important’ that their fury friends are able to accompany them on their travels, whether they be for work or leisure.

Fortunately for those visiting the Limestone Coast region, Carolynne’s Cottages in Naracoorte understand that pets are part of the family and offer pet-friendly accommodation across all three of our cottages.

Our spacious gardens and expanses of lawn provide the perfect space for you and your four-legged friends to stretch your legs after a long journey and to leisurely wander through during your stay.

Toby, the beloved dog Toby of Carolynne’s Cottages owners, Carol and Daryl, and Murphy, the much-loved maremma of manager Robyn, can vouch that the gardens are great place for a run and sniff.

Toby

However, Toby and Murphy would also be the first to encourage visitors to check out some of the other great, dog-friendly, walking trails in Naracoorte.

Naracoorte has several great parks, trails, and ovals well-suited for dogs of any age and size.

Toby and Murphy’s favourite walking route is probably the Naracoorte Creek Walk, but they also love going through the Naracoorte Nature Park, the neighbouring pine-forest, the Naracoorte South School Nature Park, and having a run off-lead down at Memorial Oval.

The Naracoorte Creek Walk is a loop of walking trails approximately 5km in length that weave through the township of Naracoorte following the local creek.

Toby & Murphy

 

It can be completed in one loop or in sections depending on the stamina and needs for your four-legged friends.

The trails stretch through the Naracoorte Nature Park (North) and passes by the cemetery and other local attractions including the Naracoorte Swimming Lake, the caravan park, and the Sheep’s Back Museum.

The Naracoorte North Nature Park is a large area of grassy, native woodland that allows visitors to experience nature up-close through its multiple walking trails.

The park is a feature of the Naracoorte Creek Walk and is located right by the Swimming Lake which has public facilities including toilets, a barbeque area, and a playground, making it a great spot for tourists who want to entertain both their pets and their children.

The paths through both the nature park and the creek walk are well-established: fit for pedestrian, bicycle and gopher use and are very popular among locals and tourists alike.

For the most part the paths are self-contained, away from major roads, allowing those exploring the trails to enjoy tranquillity beneath the gumtrees and take in the local flora and fauna.

Murphy personally is always very excited whenever he comes across one of the many echidnas who call the native bushland that surround the Naracoorte Creek home.

Ducks, cockatoos, parrots, rabbits, hares, foxes, and the occasional kangaroo are also animals frequently spotted around the trails, particularly in the nature park.

Dogs are required to be leashed on the creek walk and through the nature park and owners are expected to pick up after their pets, fortunately the trails are lined with multiple doggie bag dispensaries and bins that make that task easy and convenient for walkers.

Across the other side of town, Naracoorte has a second conservation park: commonly referred to by locals as the South Nature Park.

Similar to its Northern counterpart, the South Nature Park also has multiple pedestrian, bicycle, and gopher friendly paths carved out among native Australian scrub perfect for dog walking.

Additionally, just a short 10 to 15 minute walk north of the South Nature Park is Memorial Oval and its surrounding parklands.

The parklands have something for all ages including outdoor exercise equipment, a nature play area equipped with wooden climbing areas, a sandpit, and a water pump, and a shaded gazebo with tables and seats where parents and caregivers can supervise and join in on the fun.

The parklands are surrounded by a 1.1 kilometre walking track perfect for walking, jogging, and exercising your dog.

Off-leash play and exercise are welcome across the large grassy areas. Naracoorte locals, Louie and Pip, love going down to the oval for a run.

However, dog owners deserve a caution regarding Gares Swamp that’s adjacent to the parklands.

While Pip, Louie and Murphy may vouch that it’s the perfect place for a quick dip, the picturesque wetland may have your pup emerge top-deck chocolate. Not to worry though, as Naracoorte also has several dog-washes located in town. 

 

Pip & Louie

 

Finally, Naracoorte’s Market Square Recreation Area, in addition to its enclosed playground, skate park, ½ basketball court and undercover picnic area also has a fenced in dog park where pups can exercise off-leash.

So next time your passing through Naracoorte or visiting the Limestone Coast region, be sure to take advantage of Carolynne’s Cottages pet-friendly accommodation so your fury-friend can also experience the joys the area has to offer.