Why Autumn Is The Golden Season For Adventures With Your Dog
Words by Kerry Martin | Puppy Tales Photography
There’s a shift that happens somewhere around March in Australia. The light softens. The mornings have a crispness to them that wasn’t there a week ago. And the trees start doing something that stops you mid-walk.
That’s autumn.
And if your dog is part of how you spend your days, it might just be the best season of the year to get out and explore together.
The Practical & The Soulful
The practical reasons are obvious. Cooler temperatures mean walk at any time of day, not squeezed into the margins of first light and last light to avoid the heat. Longer hikes feel easy, and the scenery along the way is spectacular. Sunrise is later, which means you can actually be there for that golden first light without setting an alarm that offends both you and your dog. Off-peak pricing kicks in at many accommodation spots, and availability opens up in places that are fully booked through summer.
But it’s the less obvious things that make travelling in autumn with a dog something special.
"The crunch of leaves underfoot for ‘walkies’. The way your dog moves through a pile of fallen oak leaves, nose-first, completely absorbed. Mist lifting off a lake at dawn."
Anyone who’s read my guide to the best dog-friendly snow adventures in Australia will know that winter holds a su-paw special place in my heart. But autumn is a very close second, and in some ways it’s more accessible. You don’t need robust cold weather gear or alpine planning. You just need a lead, a good pair of walking shoes and a dog who’s happy to be outside in the moment with you.
These are my favourite dog-friendly autumn destinations across Australia, chosen from personal experience on the road with my own dogs.
Victoria: The Goldfields Glow
Kyneton. Castlemaine. Daylesford. When the leaves start to turn, these historical Goldfields towns become some of the most beautiful places in Victoria. Tree-lined streets, stunning gardens, historic architecture, mineral springs, and the kind of autumn colour that makes you slow down to take it in.
In Daylesford, the walk around Lake Daylesford is a gentle 2.8-kilometre loop. Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens sits above town on an extinct volcano, with a dog-friendly cafe, the Wombat Hill House, right in the gardens.
While You’re in the Area
Take a ride on the dog-friendly Daylesford Vintage Railway from Daylesford Station to Bullarto.
In Kyneton, stop by Animus Distillery on Piper Street for a gin tasting with your dog in their outdoor courtyard.
Head to Trentham to see the 32-metre Trentham Falls, then settle in at The Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Also Worth a Visit
Bright and Beechworth in the High Country are famous for their autumn displays for good reason. The Dandenong Ranges offer fern-filled walks, and Walhalla has a quiet magic in the cooler months.
Australian Capital Territory: Canberra’s Arboretum
If I could only visit one place in Canberra in autumn, it would be the National Arboretum. Established in 2005 after the devastating 2003 bushfires, this 250-hectare living collection of rare, endangered and symbolic trees is one of the most quietly spectacular places in Australia when the season turns.
Dogs are welcome on all trails on lead. There are over 20 kilometres of walking paths to choose from, so you can tailor the visit to your dog’s energy and your own.
While You’re in the Area
Hire a GoBoat on Lake Burley Griffin and bring your dog along as first mate.
Walk to the summit of Mount Ainslie for panoramic views of the city’s planned layout.
The Canberra wine region, particularly Murrumbateman, is well worth the drive.
Also Worth a Visit
Lake Burley Griffin’s Bridge to Bridge walk is a gentle 5-kilometre loop. Yarralumla is also home to autumn goodness, plus a popular dog park and dog-friendly beach.
New South Wales: Southern Highlands
Berrima and Bowral sit at the heart of the NSW Southern Highlands, just 90 minutes from Sydney, and in autumn they are glorious. Berrima is one of the most intact Georgian colonial towns in Australia, and walking its streets with your dog feels like stepping back in time.
While You’re in the Area
Browse through Dirty Janes vintage emporium in Bowral with your dog in tow.
Walk the hedge maze at Harper’s Mansion in Berrima.
Lunch at Bendooley Estate, where dogs are welcome on the outdoor terrace.
Also Worth a Visit
New England towns like Armidale, and the Central Tablelands like Bathurst and Orange, are worth the drive. Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains is a hidden gem.
South Australia: The Hills & Hahndorf
In autumn, the Adelaide Hills are draped in colour. The mature trees lining Hahndorf’s main street turn gold, and the nearby walking trails through Mount Barker and the Laratinga Wetlands are at their most beautiful.
Hahndorf has been named one of the most dog-friendly destinations in Australia. This charming German-settled town is lined with restaurants, shops and cellar doors—many of which welcome dogs.
While You’re in the Area
Hike to the summit of Mount Barker for panoramic views.
Visit the dog-friendly cellar doors at Simon Tolley in Woodside or Nepenthe in Balhannah.
Wander the Artist’s Garden and Artist’s Walk at The Cedars.
Also Worth a Visit
A drive through the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine regions in autumn is a treat in itself.
Tasmania: The Derwent Valley
Tasmania in autumn is something else entirely. The air sharpens, and the Derwent Valley around New Norfolk comes alive. The New Norfolk Esplanade is a one-kilometre walking path lined with poplars and oaks that turn gold and red as the season deepens.
While You’re in the Area
Walk the Derwent River foreshore through Tynwald Park.
Stroll around Arthur Square and the town’s colonial heritage precinct.
The Bicentennial Track follows the Lachlan River upstream from town.
Also Worth a Visit
Richmond is one of Tasmania’s most beautifully preserved colonial villages. Deloraine and the quiet Hollybank Forest near Launceston also sparkle in the season.
Queensland: The Garden City
Queensland may not be the first state that comes to mind for autumn colour, but Toowoomba earns its place. Known as the ‘Garden City’, it’s home to dozens of parks and gardens. The Ju Raku En Japanese Garden is especially delightful as the leaves fall.
While You’re in the Area
Walk the East Creek Trail through Toowoomba.
Visit the Toowoomba Farmers Market on a Saturday morning.
The Picnic Point Lookout offers sweeping views across the Lockyer Valley.
Also Worth a Visit
Stanthorpe in the Granite Belt region offers cool-climate wines, orchard country, and great autumn beauty.
Western Australia: Balingup
This 60-hectare heritage-listed arboretum holds over 250 species of Northern Hemisphere trees. In autumn, this World Collection transforms into a riot of red, orange and gold, with self-guided walks through avenues of oaks, birches, and century-old London plane trees.
While You’re in the Area
Visit the dog-friendly Balingup Fruit Winery or The Barking Cow Cafe.
In Bridgetown, walk the River Walk along the Blackwood River.
Make a detour to Gnomesville in the Ferguson Valley.
Northern Territory: Chasing the Dry
The NT’s dry season begins in April, which makes it an appealing destination for those who want to swap cooling temperatures for warm days, clear skies and wide-open landscapes. If you’re chasing a different kind of autumn adventure, the Top End could be calling.
Autumn on the Road with Puppy Tales
This autumn, I’ll be travelling through some of these very destinations with Scout and Mr Magoo as part of the Dog Tales of Australia: Pawtraits project. This is a coffee table book celebrating dogs across Australia in the places they love.
If you live in or near one of these regions and would love to be part of it, I’d love to hear from you at
Autumn seems short. The light is gentle. The air is kind. It’s a season made for being outside with a dog.
If you loved this guide, explore more expert travel tips and destinations from our archives:
Expert Tips for Stress-Free Pet-Friendly Travel – Essential advice on packing, safety, and etiquette for life on the road.Chasing the Chill: Australia’s Best Dog-Friendly Snow Adventures – Discover why winter is Kerry's "su-paw" favourite season for alpine exploring.
About Kerry Martin & Puppy Tales
Kerry Martin of Puppy Tales Photography is a Melbourne-based award-winning dog photographer known for her seasonal photography experiences and travel adventures with her dogs Keiko, Summer & Scout, and tabby cat Mr Magoo. Puppy Tales is a carbon-negative "business for good" and Kerry is the founder of the Australian Dog of the Year Awards.
