Wanting to vacay where your fur baby is welcomed? You’ll get the red carpet treatment in the river cityof Maitland. Midway between the Newcastle coastline and Hunter Valley vineyards, the city and surrounding villages are a pet friendly mosaic of wide open countryside, urban food culture, historic intrigue and creativity at every turn.
STAY !
In the pretty village of Morpeth, the white picket fenced perfection of River Haus cottage is a dog owner’s dream getaway, with lots of fully enclosed, soft green grass for running laps around and nothing spared by way of creature comforts for you or your four legged companion. Melt into a soft leather sofa and set the dog bed by the crackling woodfire for some quality downtime together.
It’s a truly luxe stay for up to five guests and one dog with the option to arrange in advance for a puppy playmate to tag along. All within walking distance of the village shops including Morpeth Sourdough in the original Arnott’s biscuit bakehouse and brilliant Morpeth Butchery home of Hunter Natural grass fed free range beef, galleries to browse, eateries to enjoy, rose gardens and gothic architecture to admire.
Wake up to a charming farmhouse kitchen stocked with Nespresso pods and a thoughtful jar of dog treats. Explore charming historic laneways on your morning walk, or take a short drive to the nearby Lorn Riverbank where you can let your pup loose for a swim. Alternatively, take a five minute drive to Baker’s Brickyard Park at Raworth for some off leash socialising.
If wide open countryside is more to your liking, book a little piece of paradise in your own private cabin at Hunter River Retreat is a pleasant 15 minute drive from Maitland. A Cattle Dog’s idea of heaven, it’s a sprawling 110 acre property fringed with bushwalking trails, where wildlife roams free and your dog is welcome at your choice of either Bluegum or Cedar cottages, each fully fenced and elevated for spectacular views.
Enjoy sweet seclusion from your outdoor deck, disturbed only by cheeky Kookaburras, or snuggle up by the slow burning fire. Drop a line in the river or work up a sweat on the tennis court, then take your pup for a run up the hill to enjoy a scenic picnic together.
SIT !
Just try keeping up once your doggy knows about the Puppy Menu made just for them at Central Park Café on Maitland’s High Street. Treat them to a cheeky puppacino, lashings of gravy drizzled meatloaf with steamed rice or a turkey and veg pie with mash and even a peanut butter ice cream cup, among menu fav’s. Not forgetting who’s picking up the tab, there’s a tantalising breakfast and lunch selection to tempt you with everything from berrylicious waffles and mooreish share plates to luscious sweets and seriously good coffee!Â
Feel free to rock up with your dog to the beer garden at The Belmore Hotel, legendary for its live music vibe or stop in at The Metropolitan for a pint and a bite. Cultured pooches will love going alfresco with you in the whimsical gardens of Seraphine Café at Maitland Regional Art Gallery where the seasonal salads and lavish sweets are as eye catching as the artworks on display.
COME !
What pooch wouldn’t love coming along on a winding countryside drive with the wind tickling their ears and wild bunnies to spot in the scenic green hills around Maitland? Take them along for an afternoon of touring, over the old timber bridge at Luskintyre to Tranquil Vale Vineyard where you can enhance your appreciation of the local drop, savour some estate grown wines with a regional grazing board, and dip house made damper into locally infused olive oils. Stop at Bolwarra Heights Lookout for a birdseye view of the township and farmlands before looping back into Morpeth.
SHOP !
Stroll The Levee shopping strip in Central Maitland together and step back in time to the heritage shopfronts of historic Morpeth. If you’re in Maitland on the first Sunday of the month (except January), visit Maitland Community Markets for a fun outing with local artisans. Splash out!
Need a freshen up after all that fun? Bubbles and Splash offers an oatmeal shampoo and conditioner hydro bath with blow dry and brush for your fur baby while Elements holistic day spa at Morpeth is the grown up’s go to for total pampering and relaxation.
STAY IN !
You’re spoilt for choice of take out when down time is high on your holiday agenda. If it’s comfort food you’re craving you can’t go past authentic Italian woodfired calzone and house made lemon gnocchi from Ometto Pizza Bar. Be sure to swing by Jubilo Gelato for a take home tub of luscious, locally made sorbet, gelato and vegato with 24 extraordinary flavours to choose from.
Enjoy it all watching the sunset from the porch swing of your cottage stay for an idyllic finale to your fur baby friendly Maitland escape.
calendar note
You might want to diarise the many special events coming to Maitland in 2024.
Tail wagging good times are back this October with Dogs in the Park, a festival of best dressed competitions, dog trick contests and pet fair packed with grooming products and accessories. A summer highlight is Maitland Riverlights which will be held Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 October 2024 with lantern parade, river flotilla, live music and a dynamic light show.
