Day Walks with Dogs & Young Kids Launceston area or Nearby?

[Son of a Beach]

My sister in law and her Husband and their dogs want to go for a day walk while they're here with my wife and very young kids. (I'll be elsewhere that weekend). I think something between one and three hours and not too difficult or steep and obviously where dogs will be acceptable.

Any ideas of suitable walks not too far from Launceston?

[stepbystep]

suitable walks not too far from Launceston?

I often have trouble finding places to combine bushwalking with my dogs, most natural places don't allow dogs for good reason.
Near home I walk them at Bedlam Walls which is a pretty interesting place, badly neglected.
Generally though for low impact dog walking the beach is the best bet, open spaces, very little wildlife to chase, other than gulls and the kids love the beach, rock pools etc.
Therin lies your problem in Lonnie(not renowned for it's beaches). If they have time to head up to the coast, I'm sure they will have fun there.
Pages 8-10 of this PDF give some options, including some nice looking bushland walks.
http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/images ... ochure.pdf

Would be interested to hear of dog friendly camping options, anywhere in the state.

[Son of a Beach]

Would be interested to hear of dog friendly camping options, anywhere in the state.

There's a bit of information here:

• Bushwalking with dogs in southern Tas
• Walking with dogs and how to find out about them
• winter hike with dogs lake mckenzie area

Some of the central plateau is OK for dogs (where it's not national park), but you may need to look into a permit.

[Son of a Beach]

The only options I've been able to come up with for my original question are:

• Lobster Falls
• Allum Cliffs (not the southern ones)

Notley Fern Gorge would be nice too (and VERY close to home), but I don't think dogs would be welcome there.

These are all very short walks, but that's probably OK for this purpose, I suppose.

[Chris]

Not sure how the track is now, but I used to live in West Launceston and went dog-walking regularly along the Gorge from Duck Reach to First Basin. Obviously you have to go back the same way, as no dogs allowed in FB.
Seem to remember also once climbing steps from DR power station into Trevallyn Reserve; maybe not really exciting walking, but certainly dog (and probably kid) friendly.

[Phil]

Not sure how the track is now, but I used to live in West Launceston and went dog-walking regularly along the Gorge from Duck Reach to First Basin. Obviously you have to go back the same way, as no dogs allowed in FB.
Seem to remember also once climbing steps from DR power station into Trevallyn Reserve; maybe not really exciting walking, but certainly dog (and probably kid) friendly.

I run/jog these tracks multiple times each week and they certainly are in good condition. The stairs from duck reach up into trevallyn are a hike (if un-fit) but once you're at the top there is plenty of walking and tracks to choose from that wander all around the trevallyn reserve. Some of the tracks up there (which are used by maintenace vehicles) have been quite muddy of late but have dried out enough now to make for comfortable walking........and I even passed two seperate parties of walkers who both had dogs on saturday.

[Liamy77]

such a shame it has come to this.... if a dog is PROPERLY trained (no matter its size) on leash with a responsible owner who picks up the poo and carries it out then there wouldn't be an issue.... unfortunately there is no "Dogowners Moral License"....
I go dog packing over here (WA atm) ... have made my own equipment as well... and take my dog many places with me - he is on lead, is really well trained, calm, etc. we carry a material muzzel (never needed it though), and the beaty of the bags is the dog carries his own food on one side and ALL the rubbish on the other side - (can give more details on this if you want)... I often walk on crown land and some forestry areas (with permission) ... but carry a copy of the dogs vaccination, microchip, training and registration records, tick/flea meds... Have never been kicked out yet...
have used the pooch for SAR in his younger days.... "Boof" is over 10 these days, and while he still comes out he likes his old armchair in the lounge corner more these days than in the past.. next dog once we move back to Tas...

Last edited by Liamy77 on Mon 09 Aug, 2010 10:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Peripatus]

suitable walks not too far from Launceston?

Generally though for low impact dog walking the beach is the best bet, open spaces, very little wildlife to chase, other than gulls and the kids love the beach, rock pools etc.

Beaches are not so low impact. We are losing many beach nesting birds (inclduing threatened species like the fairy tern and little tern) in no small part due to dogs on beaches.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/20 ... -news.html

[Liamy77]

stay below the high tide mark and its ok...

and it's due to irresponsible / ignorant dog OWNERS on beaches!