Big4 Holiday Park in Australia praised for feature

Australian travellers have praised a caravan park for offering fully-fenced sites, allowing people to travel and stay with their dogs.

A holidaymaker shared a photo on the 'Caravanning With Dogs Australia' Facebook page, showing one of the fenced sites at Big4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park.

The picture, posted on Sunday, shows wooden and steel-wire fences surrounding the site, along with an open steel gate large enough to accommodate big caravans.

The tourist wrote: 'There are approximately 40 fully-fenced caravan sites, yes this is correct, fully fenced with a locking sliding gate.

'That is well and truly wide enough to get a very large van through, together with a pedestrian sized gate that is lockable.'

The sites, which are either lawn or astro-turf and measure approximately 20 by 10 metres, are also located near a dog park featuring a lake and large rocks for travelling dogs to explore.

Although the holidaymaker stayed in one of the cabins, it was also dog-friendly, with a fully fenced deck and fenced sides around the dwelling.

Aussies were quick to support the 'awesome' feature with many calling it a 'fantastic idea'.

'Need more like it,' one wrote.

'Certainly going to have to go here. Fantastic idea,' another said.

A third added: 'I wish we had these in South Australia. It would make things a lot easier as I have three dogs'.

Other holiday-makers who stayed at the Ballarat park also shared how great the experience was for their dogs.

'You can just open the door and dogs have freedom to run in and out We will go back,' one wrote.

'I've taken my Jack Russell onto one of the fenced in sites a few times and we love it. The oasis for dogs at the back is fabulous,' a second added.

'My ex's rotti had an absolute ball there and wasn't chained up all the time. Such a wonderful park to stay at,' another wrote.

Many Aussie travellers said the fenced sites are also ideal for people and families without pooches.

'Wow! Would even love the fences for my kids,' one said.

'This would be amazing for toddlers too,' another wrote.

Another added: 'My kids always talk about this park and love it.'

The park's designated pet-friendly sites cost around $75 per night, while cabins are priced at around $300 per night, depending on the season.

Many caravan parks that allow pets require dogs to be kept on a lead at all times, which has led to the growing popularity of designated pet-friendly sites across Australia.

In Victoria, the Best Friend Retreat in Tarra Valley offers fenced caravan and camping sites, as well as luxury cabins. The retreat also features a dog playground, a giant dog ball run, a 'hydrobath hut,' and six fenced off-leash areas.

Another option in Victoria is the Acacia Caravan Park in Ararat, near the Grampians. It offers a mix of fenced powered sites, pet-friendly cabins, and an on-site dog wash.

In South Australia, Pine Country Caravan Park in Mt Gambier offers fenced sites, pet-friendly cabins, and an off-leash dog paddock.

In Western Australia, Southern Stars Park in Dunsborough features eight powered, fully fenced sites, allowing dogs to enjoy off-leash time.

In New South Wales, Capital Country Caravan Park in Sutton, just outside Canberra, provides 'dog freedom sites.'

Reflections Holiday Parks Evans Head, located on the Far North Coast of NSW, also offers sites with dog enclosures.

In Queensland, The Summit 1770 in Agnes Water caters to travelling pets with a mix of cabins and fenced sites.

Wyandra Caravan Park in western Queensland, near the NSW border, provides fenced sites ideal for dogs to stretch their legs, all at budget-friendly prices.