Wolf & I Co. Blog | Adventures Of The Wolf Pack

Stanthorpe Camping with Dogs: A Granite Belt Getaway

If you have ever experienced the "Border Collie Stare" you know how freightening it can be. Its the moment when your dog looks deep into your soul - it starts asking questions without even talking. Questions like why are you being boring hooman, why is the truck sitting there when we can head off camping and Explore! Well it happened, and Byrons mate Molly the Red Kelpie who was also up for a good time thought it was one hell of an idea too! So without too much more convincing we figured the extended pack was ready for an adventure.

Not just any adventure - it had to be somewhere new!

So like stray darts to a dart board - we shot long, packed our things and trucked on out to a magic spot named Stanthorpe — a little further than our usual spots like Kenilworth and Inskip Point, but not quite as far as Tenterfield (that one’s still on the list).

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Why Stanthorpe Is Perfect for Dogs

Set in the heart of the Granite Belt, Stanthorpe offers everything you want in a dog-friendly escape:

• Wide open spaces and fresh country air

• A cooler climate (perfect for active breeds)

• Relaxed, pet-friendly venues

• Plenty of outdoor dining and picnic spots

• Micro Breweries that will sing to your senses

For a hyper charged Border Collie and a Red Kelpie, it was pretty much heaven — plenty of space to run, sniff, and explore all day long.

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The Road Trip In

We packed the truck, strapped the dogs in, and hit the road on a sunny morning, heading west past Archerfield and up through Cunningham Gap.

As you climb over the range, the scenery shifts dramatically — from lush coastal greens to dry, open country. It’s a proper change of pace and a good sign you’re heading somewhere different.

Like any good dog road trip, there were a few stops along the way:

• quick ball chases

• stretch breaks

• the occasional “must sniff everything” moment

One of our go-to tricks: 

Searching footy fields or green spaces on Google Maps near the highway. They’re usually:

• open and quiet

• dog-friendly

• sometimes even have bathrooms

Perfect for both dogs and humans.

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Where We Stayed

We booked a dog-friendly Hipcamp before leaving — something with a bit of space, facilities, and a good natural setting.

Undercliff Farm

About 23km out of town, this spot ticked all the boxes:

• dog-friendly

• toilets and showers

• creek access

• peaceful, open landscape

We arrived in the afternoon sunshine, and the dogs were straight into it — ball locked, eyes focused, ready for action — while we set up camp.

We’d also heard whispers of a nearby waterfall and were keen to explore some off-road tracks out toward Paddy’s Flat over the next few days.

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Top Dog-Friendly Camping Spots

If you’re planning your own trip, these are worth checking out:

• Undercliff Farm

• Rosella Park

• The Folly Ballandean

• Dalmoak Bush Retreat

• Stonepine Ridge

Each offers a slightly different experience — from bush retreats to open farmland — but all are great for dogs.

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Dog-Friendly Wineries & Breweries

One of the best things about Stanthorpe? You don’t have to leave your dog behind to enjoy it.

Many local spots welcome dogs in outdoor areas, making it easy to:

• enjoy a tasting

• relax on the lawn

• soak up the Granite Belt atmosphere

A few worth visiting:

• Brass Monkey Brew House

• Stanny Brewhouse

• Granite Belt Brewery

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?️ When the Weather Turns

Of course, no good camping trip comes without a little unpredictability… and unfortunately, the weather had other plans.

It rained… and rained… and rained.

What we’d imagined as sunny days exploring quickly turned into a much wetter adventure, but we weren’t about to let that stop us.

We still headed out to explore the 4WD tracks, navigating through the Granite Belt’s backroads. While we managed to get out and about, there were quite a few closed gates, limiting access to some of the areas we had hoped to see. It felt like we were just scratching the surface of what’s out there.

That said, we did stumble across a few hidden bits of local history, which made the effort worthwhile — even if much of it was tucked away behind those closed tracks.

One of the highlights was exploring the river near camp, which we learned is actually the beginning of the Clarence River. Even in the rain, it was a beautiful spot — and the dogs didn’t mind one bit.

Muddy paws, wet gear, and all — it was still an adventure.

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Tips for Camping with Your Dog

A few essentials that made the trip easy:

• Bring a no-pull harness for winery stops and town walks

• Pack a long lead for campsite freedom

• Always carry water (even in cooler climates)

• Respect leash rules at venues

• Keep an eye out for wildlife - you don't want your dogs chasing Kangaroos

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Would we recommend Stanthorpe?

Stanthorpe is one of those rare places where you don’t have to choose between:

• getting outdoors

• Supporting a local community

• and bringing your dog along

From vineyard afternoons to fireside camping nights, it’s the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and quality time with your dog.

For us, it proved that even an “extended pack” can handle a road trip — and come back better for it.

If you’re planning your next getaway… this one’s well worth the drive.