If you’re looking for an easy getaway from Adelaide and a truly pet friendly destination in South Australia, then head south to the relaxed and friendly town of Normanville on the Fleurieu Peninsula.  

It’s a little over an hour from the city and you can base yourself at the Jetty Caravan Park to discover what the region has to offer.

The caravan park is in easy walking distance to the town and there you’ll find some lovely gift shops, a surf store, supermarket, hotel, fishing and tackle store and more.

The caravan park is looking in tip top condition with lush green lawn sites and the Bungala River that runs through the park in full flow. Because of these conditions there were lots of ducks wandering through the park including a family group with six ducklings following behind.

The park is dog friendly and in a location that dog owners will appreciate, with Normanville Beach just a short walk out of the park gate. You can take a comfortable stroll along the beach northwards towards the town of Carrickalinga, giving you and your dog a good walk of around five kilometres return.

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It’s a much shorter walk to visit the Normanville Surf Lifesaving Club, where you can stop in for a Friday night drink and support the club which overlooks the small jetty, beach and coastline. There is also a beach café and kiosk serving up great coffee and food and they are dog friendly too. There are plans for improvements to this jetty precinct so a revisit will be on the cards when changes are made.

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For views and brews in the area, take a drive to Forktree brewing at Carrickalinga. This family friendly (and yes that includes fur family) is situated in an historic shearing shed and gives visitors incredible views towards the coast. Their list of beers include Seabreeze Session Ale, Sunrise Pale Ale, Sunset Red Ale and the Eclipse Porter Ale to try or you can select from a long list of wines, ciders, spirits and soft drinks.

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Its location and menu range makes it a very popular spot with locals and visitors so it definitely pays to book and reserve a table for lunch or dinner. The bar and restaurant is open from Thursdays to Saturdays from 11am to 9pm and Sundays from 11am to 5pm, and during school holidays and long weekends the hours are extended.

If you follow Forktree Road where the restaurant is situated, you can drive to the town of Myponga, where on weekends and public holidays the Myponga market is held in the old cheese factory. The market has loads of books, bric-a-brac, collectibles and vinyl records for sale and even a record themed café.

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Behind the market building you’ll find another must visit venue, the Smiling Samoyed Brewery which overlooks the Myponga Reservoir. There are always plenty of kangaroos to see in the reserve surrounding the reservoir and there’s a new addition of a bright mural painted by local artist Chad Spencer (Epik artist) on the pump house building.

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The painting features two of the local endangered bird species, the Southern Emu Wren and Scarlet Robin, as well as kangaroos, the old butter factory and a kayaker and fisherman, which represent the new public access to this reservoir area for recreational activities.

Keep Normanville and surrounds in mind if you’re looking for a dog friendly holiday location in South Australia.

Cheers

Glenys