Thousands of Australians each year are excluded from accessing and transiting thorough National Parks as a result of holidaying with their beloved 4 legged canine family members. For many people, leaving the family dog at home when travelling this magnificent country of ours is just not possible. Not everyone has the luxury of family or friends to look after our fur covered children, and leaving our beloveds in a kennel long term is financially impracticable and just plain stressful for owner and dog.

Having just returned from a family outback adventure with our dog, I was shocked how much our travel options were significantly reduced. With limited places to stay, we were practically forced to stay in pet friendly caravan parks. Having to back track 100s of kilometres to avoid transiting through a National Park area or having no choice other than stay in a 6x 4 metre caravan park site with fellow travellers located mere metres away on all sides is hardly what you could call experiencing the great outdoors!

With so many travel destinations already located within National Parks and more areas being incorporated in the future, there needs to be a common sense approach to provide responsible dog owners with access to and through National Parks.

A common sense approach may look like:

• Dog owners apply to each State’s National Parks online/in advance or at Park Ranger Stations for a companion pet permit to access National Parks. This will provide a new revenue opportunity for States that can be reinvested into maintaining our wonderful parks

• Each dog requires a permit – similar to standard council tag for easy identification

• Permits are valid for 12 month to significantly reduce administration

• All dogs must be registered with their originating council and micro chipped for identification

• Significant fines apply for dogs found in National Parks without a permit tag, off the lead or lost (owner onus)

• Dogs to be restrained at all times when outside of a vehicle, and at no time allowed off a lead

• The permit provides access to roads, tracks and designated areas within National Parks (i.e. camping areas)

Please help cut the red tape that is continually strangling our freedoms and let common sense prevail for the grey, and not so grey haired people who travel this great land with their beloved dogs, and considerably contribute to the economy of regional and rural Australia. Thank you!