So after last year and having to cut our Queensland road trip short due to wet weather and potential flooding, I decided, after a stressful year of work we needed take a three week holiday and get as far away as possible within a “budget”.

Having a lot of friends in Victoria and some of us having lost our original dogs through how we met, I decided Arlo and I would do the Great Ocean Road... then it turned into oh well we aren’t that far from Adelaide and I’ve never been so lets do it!!!

Arlo is a three year old rescue boy, adoped at 15 months old through Dachshund Rescue Australia. When he came to me, he was skinny anxious and a bit naughty, however, over time with lots of work and patience he's still a little naughty haha but is the best little travel companion.

1^st stop Gundagai
Yep you guessed it Dog on the Tuckerbox – only a short drive from home just over 2 hours it was our first pit stop for a loo break. We arrived at around 8am before the gift shop and cafe opened, but there is a service centre just next door.

2^nd stop Ettamogah Pub
Purely just for Arlo photo opportunities as I’ve been here a few times before. We didn’t stop for anything to eat as I’d stocked up on subway cookies and coffee in Gundagai. I have seen over the years people with their dogs in the pub.

3^rd stop Echuca
Why you may ask? Well why not when there is a pet friendly paddle steamer!
After roughly a 6.5hr drive - arriving with half an hour to spare we made it to the promenade bought our ticket for the “PS Pevensey” $27.99 and Arlo got his own 'K9 cargo' boarding pass. We then strolled up to the bakery grab a pie and a coffee to scoff before the ride.
 

Off to the paddle steamer we went, the ride wasnt that long as after the floods the Murry well around Echuca atleast has subsided alot an so the river isnt that high again but 100% worth it for the fact it was pet friendly.
Both service providers have a pet friendly steamer so please check with either operator as they dont run every day / every trip.

We car camped at Rich River Tourist Park on Cresent street, which had pet friendly camp sites. $39 for a powered site. As with many places, dogs are not allowed in community areas ie. kitchen, showers etc. However, what stood out with this place is it had its own fenced off corner as a dog yard (like a mini dog park). You need to have a human with dogs at all times.

We had dinner at Shamrock hotel (pub) which the beer garden was pet friendly (kitchen doesnt open until 5.30pm) was a good feed and lovely staff as well.