01. Hike up Mt Coot-Tha  

Most forest areas are national parks or state reserves, meaning they are off-limits to dogs. Luckily, Mount Coot-Tha Forest is a city park so you and your furry mate can climb from the base to the summit through dry bushland. Take the 2km Honeyeater Track to the top and soak in that city view. Looking for another challenge? Try exploring Toohey Forest at Mt Gravatt or Sherwood Forest Park in Sherwood together. 

02. Paddington pup pub crawl  

Lace-up, leash up and pound the pavement on a Paddington pub crawl with your pup. Start at Remy’s where you can hang with your dog while you chomp down on a burger. Then stroll to Hope and Anchor to sink beers in the dog-friendly outdoor courtyard. And of course, drop by Sassafras of Paddington and kick back with your pup in the hidden courtyard at this sustainable, dog-friendly café in a restored worker’s cottage.  

03. Dog-friendly beaches  

Salty, sandy fun with your dog – yes! Close to the city, Nudgee Beach is popular for walking your pups. Otherwise, the Colmslie Recreation Reserve at Murarrie, Queens Beach on the Redcliffe peninsula, Red Beach on Bribie Island, Decker Park in Brighton or Home Beach on North Stradbroke Island allow the pup to frolic freely – but always keep your eyes on them.  

04. Drive-in movies   

Dogs generally aren’t allowed to kick back by the big screen but Yatala Drive-In is an exception. Pack blankets, make a nest and cuddle up to your pooch as Hollywood stars grace the screen. You can also take your four-legged film fan to Moonlight Cinema when it rolls into town each summer. Just make sure they’re kept on a short leash, you clean up after them and they stay quiet during the movie. 

05. Sandgate day out   

Sunshine, salty sea and sand between your paws. A short 30-minute drive from The City will take you to Sandgate on Brisbane’s northern bayside. Fuel up with coffee at Satori Organics then wander the Sandgate foreshore and 300m Shorncliffe Pier. By afternoon, low tide will reveal the salty mudflats so, if you don’t mind dirty paws, let your dog run across the sea floor. Finish with fish ‘n’ chips on the grass at sunset for the paw-fect day out. 

06. Ride the River

Get a dog’s-eye view of the river with up to two pets allowed to travel with you across Brisbane’s network of CityCats and ferries. Dogs can feel the wind in their fur from the lower-level external passenger areas and can travel off-peak from 8.30am to 3.30pm and 7pm to 6am Monday to Friday and all weekend. Or chart your own course from Breakfast Creek on a doggo-friendly GoBoat. The self-captained electric boat service offers limited life vests for dogs, so it's wise to bring your own.  

07. Dogs and pubs  

Cheers to beers with your bestie. Brisbane has an impressive number of great pubs and bars that welcome you and your four-legged pal. All In Brewing in Banyo is a great craft brewery with a warehouse vibe and dog-friendly courtyard, while The Scratch in Milton doesn’t prep any food on-site (you can BYO food) so you can even let your dog hang on the couch. The same goes for West End Bar Bosc. Over at Howard Smith Wharves, pull up a patch of grass and settle in under an oversized umbrella with your pup at Felons. For something a little more up-market, check out Ruby, My Dear in Newstead and sip a cocktail while the pooch relaxes to the beats on offer.

08. Stroll along the Riverwalk   

A scenic stroll along the picturesque Riverwalk is a must-do Brisbane activity. Start at New Farm Park – grabbing a coffee from the Bellissimo kiosk – and make your way to the City and beyond the South Bank with your hound leading the way. The riverside pathway soaks in top views of the river, Story Bridge and city skyline. 

09. SUP with your pup  

Life’s all about balance so take your dog stand-up paddle boarding. Surf Connect at Sandgate will let you hire boards or a kayak and take your pooch on an ocean adventure. The team hosts regular doggy day out events or you can call and ask nicely to hire a board for you and your mate. Make sure you trim your pup’s nails before your big adventure to avoid them scratching the board. 

10. To market, to market   

Most of Brisbane’s weekend farmers’ markets understand the need to spend time with your fur baby and let you bring dogs along while you shop for fruit and veg. Try any of the Jan Powers Farmers Markets, West End Markets, Carseldine Markets, Milton Markets or Northey Street Markets for a morning out together.  

11. Did someone say puppacino?  

Treat your pup to lactose-free puppacinos while you sip your own latte. Snag & Brown in Annerley serves them and even has a dog playground out the back to let your mate socialise with other dogs. The Black Pug Cafe in Mt Gravatt, Java Lounge and Kettle and Tin in Paddington, Single Guys in Kenmore, Plenty in West End, Brown Dog Café in Woolloongabba and Goodness Gracious and Three Girls Skipping in Graceville are all dog-friendly cafes with space and treats for your dog.  

12. Climb the challenging Kangaroo Point Stairs   

A popular feat for silly humans, take your furry pal on the Kangaroo Point Stairs challenge and race them to the top where the views of the city are unbeatable. Don’t stop there, walk along the cliffs and around to South Bank for an afternoon soaking up the riverside vibes or hydrate with a cold drink at the dog-friendly clifftop café, Joey’s. 

13. Run around the dog parks   

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ideas. There are more than 135 dog off-leash areas located within Brisbane’s public parks so why not try a new one? Letting your pup run free sans leash is the ultimate freedom, and some areas have agility equipment to keep things interesting. If the human needs coffee, there are dog parks behind Yeronga Park Cafe, Darling & Co in Paddington and New Farm Park has the Bellissimo Kiosk or Powerhouse cafes and restaurants.  

14. Chase sheep in the countryside  

Pretend your inner-city, puppacino-drinking, bow tie-wearing designer pooch is a hard-working country dog for a day. One hour north of Brisbane, Sheep Herding for City Dogs is a farm teaching herding breeds their natural skills. It’s also designed to give you better control over your dog off-leash. They’ll, while they’ll have a blast. Back to chasing the lawn mower after that.  

15. Live in the lap of luxury

Let sleeping dogs lie at W Brisbane with the five-star hotel taking bookings for its P.A.W. (Pets Are Welcome) program. Check-in with your fur-baby (up to 18kg) and treat them to a custom pet bed, toys and treats, food and water bowls, clean-up bags, wee pads and a “Pet in Room” door sign. The W Hotel team can point you in the direction of nearby pet retailers and dog parks so you and your pooch can make the most of your City stay. 

16. Walk Wynnum Manly esplanade  

Similar to a day out at Sandgate, the foreshore walk from Wynnum to Manly on Brisbane’s southside is a pleasant stroll with sunshine and salty air. In Wynnum, refuel at Frenchies Cafe, browse bookshops and snoop op shops before heading back to the city.  

17. Night on the town 

Hitting ‘da club’ with your best mate isn’t going to happen, so the next best night out is a trip to Eat Street. Dogs are welcome on a leash to wander between market stalls, live music and entertainment and we reckon there’ll be plenty of smells and dropped crumbs to keep them happy.  

18. Walk the North Gorge Walk

The world’s third-largest sand island, North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah, is a natural paradise you can share with your dog. Hop over for a day or book dog-friendly accommodation and plan to walk the stunning North Gorge Walk, eat gelato on the hill, play at Home Beach and maybe even try stand up paddle boarding together.   

19. Camp on the beach with your dog

Also on North Stradbroke Island/ Minjerribah, Minjerribah Camping lets you bring your furry family members on your outdoor adventure. You have the choice of camping in one of the Flinders Beach or Main Beach foreshore camping areas. Both require a 4WD to access. 

20. Welcome to Dog Hills 

King Street’s big bar-slash-food-truck venue, Welcome to Bowen Hills, is a dog-friendly spot to grab a drink with mates and a casual snack in the inner city. Keep an eye out for its regular Dogs Day Out events where all the good boys and girls are treated to a full day of belly rubs and pats and you can browse stalls and buy treats for your mate.