4 of the Best Dog Friendly Cafes on the NW Coast of Tasmania

I love sitting at a good dog friendly cafe with my boy George. I watch the people go by and wonder at their lives, their character and what they do. If I’m not watching people, I’m reading a book on my iPad or an actual book. I like to do this with George by my side after he’s had an adventure. I know he’ll be quite happy to sit and relax, watching the world walk by.

So for George and I, a dog friendly cafe has to fulfill some criteria for both of us to be happy. Food is not the most important, a good coffee is at the top of my list, and a place nearby that George has been able to  exercise both physically and mentally. I think it’s only fair that he gets something for himself before I ask him to sit quietly for an hour indulging my coffee desire.

Our Criteria

• Place for George, my dog, to exercise before I sit at a cafe. 
• Good coffee for me.
• Nice outdoor seating that is welcoming and not too exposed for both George and I.

The following are the dog friendly cafes that I found meet mine and George’s criteria, and have an individual added bonus each that means we go back time and time again. They are on the North West Coast so visits to other parts of the State to check out some cafes is in order. They are in no particular order.

1. Pennyweight on Gilbert in Latrobe
2. Beach Hut Coffee in Ulverstone
3. The Vault at Wynyard
4. Seekers Bar & Cafe at Boat Harbour Beach

1. Pennyweight on Gilbert in Latrobe

Pennyweight cafe in Latrobe is out of our way to visit, but whenever we pop into Latrobe it is here we will stop for a coffee and a bite to eat, usually lunch by the time we get to Latrobe and George has had his run. Pennyweight is on the main drag, 78 Gilbert Street, on the block before the last roundabout out of Latrobe heading towards Spreyton and the Axemman’s Hall of Fame. You enter via a discreet entrance off Gilbert Street through white tall paling fences with trees over the fence hinting at the seclusion within. The sign and entrance is easy to walk past if you’re not looking for it. 

Immediately upon entering you are in a cool tree shaded courtyard, perfect for summer, quiet and peaceful and in winter with the sun streaming through the bare branches it’s a wonderful sun trap. You can sit in this dog friendly courtyard, go up on the verandah which is deliciously dark and shaded for hot days, or you can continue to the open grassy fenced area at the back with your dog to let them have a little controlled run around without bothering other dog guests. Food and coffee is brought out here to you by the friendly staff too. 

• 78 Gilbert Street, Latrobe
• 0415 310 500

For George the best thing about Pennyweight is that it’s quiet, sheltered and is minutes away from several great dog walking areas (listed below) that are a mix of on and off lead, long or short hikes. A couple of these walks/hikes we haven’t done yet, but will tick them off each time we visit Pennyweight.

Pig Island at Bell’s Parade

• Great if you want to follow formed paths. There are some uneven surface sections to navigate if doing the whole walk but on the whole it’s nice and easy.
• Off lead walk unless walking alongside Bells Parade picnic area.
• Access to the Mersey River at sections for hot days, not so great when the tide is out in some sections.
• Large grassy area suitable for ball throws.
• Poop bags are provided once you cross the bridge over what was once the Port for Latrobe.
• How to get there:
  • Located at Bell’s Parade by the Axeman’s Hall of Fame off Gilbert Street.

Dooley’s Hill Walking Track

I’ll admit we haven’t done this one yet.

• Dogs to be under effective Control
• A walk for birdwatchers who love the little Blue Fairy Wren and the Firetail that mate for life. There’s a Bronzewing trail, Kookaburra Trail and Boobook Trail. Keep  looking up as you follow the trails if you want to spot the birds.
• Take either the flatter trails or the moderate climb. 
• I like that there are interpretive signs along the trails.
• How to get here:
  • Enter via Victor Street or Kings Park off Gilbert Street.

Warrawee Forest Reserve

• This is a 5km up and down circuit walking trail
• It skirts the Wild Mersey Mountain Bike Tracks which are not dog friendly, so avoid going into the interior.
• Part of this track however does incorporate a shared walking/mountain bike track.     
• Reports are that the circuit walking track hasn’t been well maintained.
• If you were after a really long 20km plus dog friendly hike, cross the suspension bridge and follow the Railton Express Trail into Railton.
• How to get here:
  • From Gilbert Street take Hamilton Street which turns into Shale Road and follow all the way until Shale terminates in the Reserve.

Sheean Walk from Bells Parade

This is another walk we have not yet managed to get to do.

•  Great to add after walking around Pig Island and head into Latrobe to Pennyweight.
• Follows the former railway line so you’ll be walking along a bitumen path.
• This is a memorial walk of the conflicts the Australian Defence Force were involved in. 
• The walk is named after courageous Ordinary Seaman Edward “Teddy” Sheean who bravely strapped himself into the big anti-aircraft gun on HMAS Armidale as they came under attack and started to sink, he kept shooting at the Japanese aircraft even as the ship sank beneath the waves. 
• How to get here:   
  • Enter by the Latrobe Mersey River Caravan Park opposite the Axeman’s Hall of Fame.

2. Beach Hut Coffee in Ulverstone

We love this place. When in Ulverstone it is our main coffee haunt. I’ve been here alone with my dog/s and with a gang of six dogs. Beach Hut Coffee advertise themselves as being a ‘dog friendly relaxed beach side cafe’.  If you’re into food check out Beach Hut Coffee on Facebook for delicious looking food, and yes we love their menu!

There is a side entrance to the lovely large courtyard out the back which is flower filled when it’s the right time of the year. Some of the large wooden tables are on raised decks. It is popular so be warned! The staff are all friendly and take the time to say hello to your dog. Parking is easy out on Beach Road, there’s plenty of spaces. 

• 2 Beach Road, Ulverstone
• 03 6425 9387

George gives this his paws up approval because the off lead dog friendly beach is directly behind the cafe to the left. Fabulous for a run and swim before sitting in the courtyard and relaxing.

Buttons Beach

• From the Leven River to Victoria Street this is an off-lead all year round dog beach. 
• Conveniently Victoria Street is right by the Cafe, so you come off the beach and right into the cafe on your left on Beach Road. Couldn’t be easier!
• How to get there:
  • Enter off Beach Road by the cafe or through Bicentennial Park (on lead) off Dial Street.

3. The Vault Cafe at Wynyard

Located at the bottom or top end of Wynyard township, depending on which direction you are coming from, The Vault sits on the corner of Goldie and Hogg Streets overlooking Gutteridge Gardens and the Inglis River. They have a small deck area out the front that looks out over the gardens and the river, so it’s great for people watching as they walk through the gardens or paddleboard on the tidal river. Depending on the time of day it can be pot luck getting an outdoor table, we usually aim for the morning before 10.30. Wynyard is our local town so we do spend quite a bit of time here whenever George and I come in for town supplies.

I love the fact that George gets a good walk alongside the river which is quite pretty with the tide in and a swim if needed before I get to sit and people watch. Parking is easy, I usually park down in the gardens.

• 7 Goldie Street, Wynyard (on the corner of Goldie and Hogg Streets).
• 03 6442 5236
• The Vault website

George recommends this place for the people watching, the walk through Gutteridge Gardens or along the Inglis River, the enclosed fenced ‘Bark Park’ exercise area by the showgrounds and for taking a dip in the river if so inclined, or a run and swim along the beach and walk along the Foreshore track.

Gutteridge Gardens & Inglis River

• The walk through the gardens is on-lead. There’s a convenient dog watering amenity by the river and poo bags. 
• The walk through the gardens is relaxing  with a couple sheltered picnic tables, a Centotaph Memorial up by the Showgrounds (new dog friendly RV/Caravan camp area here), the enclosed ‘Bark Park’ is by the showgrounds too, and if you wanted a much longer walk before having a bite to eat or your coffee, the Gutteridge Gardens walk joins the Inglis River Walk, following the river out to the bridge on the Bass Highway and back (up one side of the river and back down the other) about 12km. Once youve done this, coffee and cake is definiately needed! 
• How to get here:
  • The Gardens are at the top/bottom end of Wynyard (depending on which way you entered Wynyard) on Goldie Street.
  • The Inglis River Walk can be started from the Gardens, from Jenner Street down by the old cemetery, from Cape Bridge Reserve off Saunders Street or for the longer walk off the bridge over the Inglis River on the Bass Highway (A2).

East Wynyard Foreshore Trail

• This trail connects with Gutteridge Gardens. 
• You can walk from the Gardens along the beach foreshore out to Doctors Rocks and beyond. For an exceptionally long walk you could go all the way into Burnie along the connected coastal trail.
• If you wanted a shorter section to walk then try along the Foreshore and back along the beach into Wynyard and your coffee. 
• How to get here:
  • This located along Goldie Street and all along the Old Bass Highway (C240).

East Wynyard Beach

• There are two sections that you can go with your dog. 
• The on-lead section is from Inglis River to Port Creek Mouth.
  • You can walk along the Foreshore track and then back into Wynyard along the beach.
  • Between 10.00am and 6pm the beach is on-lead. Outside of those times it is off lead. So if you time it right your dog can have a romp off-lead before sitting at The Vault. 
• The off-lead section is from Port Creek Mouth to Burntwood Point. Opposite Burntwood is another dog friendly cafe, Bruce’s.
  • The beach is off-lead all year round, no time restrictions.
• How to get there:
  • Located all along the Old Bass Highway (C240)

4. Seekers Bar and Cafe at Boat Harbour Beach

This is one of our favourite cafes at the Surf Club for a lazy sunday breakfast after a beach swim and walk. Located at Boat Harbour Beach, voted one of the best beaches in Australia several times, it is sheltered unless an easterly wind blows through, glorious clear aqua waters with a stunning vista and white beach. 

Seekers Bar and Cafe has a large sunny outdoor deck popular all day as you have the amazing view out over the beach and sea. We get there early for the swim and run along the beach. It’s not a large beach, but if you have a frisbee or ball it’s big enough to give your dog a good run and then swim in the bluest calm waters. Waves can roll in if there’s an easterly wind coming onshore. This is one of our favourite cafes at the Surf Club for lazy sunday breakfast after a beach swim and walk. Located at Boat Harbour Beach voted one of the best beaches in Australia several times, it is sheltered, unless and easterly wind blows through, glorious clear aqua waters with stunning vista.  

• 290 Port Road, Boat Harbour Beach
• 03 6445 1113

Note: at the time of publishing this post Boat Harbour Beach foreshore area is undergoing a multi million dollar redevelopment. It’s going to be fabulous when done and even more popular! There is going to be a new bigger cafe and surf club. Parking is currently rather frantic and impossible after 10.30 down at the beach front,  with folk parking up along the roadside and walking down to the cafe and beach. Hang in there it will get better!

Geroge recommends this cafe for the sunny deck, people watching, the beach and little walk up behind the hidden sewage works around Shelter Point. He also approves of the poached egg and slice of turkish bread from my Eggs Benedict breakfast (highly recommend this generous meal) I share with him every sunday!

Boat Harbour Beach

• This is an off-lead/on-lead beach with time restrictions that are the same all year round.
• Between the hours of 10am – 6pm dogs must be on-lead, outside of these hours dogs are welcome off-lead.
• How to get here:
  • From Wynyard take the Bass Highway (A2) for approximately 9km.
  • After the Boat Harbour School turn right onto Port Road (C232).
  • Port Road turns into Sisters Beach Road (C233) but you will turn right onto Port Road again and follow down the hill to Boat Harbour Beach.

If you’ve got some time on your hands, want to try somewhere new for a coffee, passing through any of the above areas with your dog after a dog friendly adventure and want to stop at a dog friendly cafe, then check out our recommendations. If you visit any of them be sure to share your adventures with us on Facebook, George and I would love to know if you agree.