A Guide to Dog Friendly Travel in Bremer Bay
Bremer Bay is one of Western Australia’s most breathtaking coastal destinations. It sits in the Great Southern region between Albany and Esperance. The area is known for turquoise waters, vast white-sand beaches and a peaceful small-town feel. Travellers visit for nature, solitude and a slower pace including those with their four-legged friends. The wide-open coastline and relaxed community create a welcoming escape where you and your dog can explore together. This region is also incredibly pristine so responsible pet ownership is essential. Visitors can help protect Bremer Bay’s beaches, wildlife and fragile environments by respecting local rules and caring for their pets with thought and awareness.
About Bremer Bay: Location, Region and Population
Bremer Bay sits within the Shire of Jerramungup around 515 kilometres southeast of Perth and about 180 kilometres east of Albany. Its remote location shapes the town’s charm and creates a setting of wild beaches, rolling dunes and clear shallows. The permanent population sits at roughly 230 residents. However, the community grows dramatically in summer. Holidaymakers arrive for the beaches, fishing, four-wheel-driving and diving. The town also draws visitors who travel to join the world-famous Bremer Canyon orca expeditions. During peak season thousands settle in for sunshine and long coastal days.
A Glimpse Into Bremer Bay’s History
Bremer Bay holds deep significance for its Traditional Owners the Koreng people of the Noongar nation. They have lived in connection with the coastline and waterways for thousands of years. Seasonal journeys brought inland families to the coast to fish, gather and camp. The surrounding landscape still forms an important part of cultural stories and heritage. European history began in the mid-1800s when surveyor John Septimus Roe named the area after Sir James Gordon Bremer. Early settlement centred around the Wellstead family whose homestead now forms the heritage-listed Wellstead Museum. Beyond its human history Bremer Bay sits within one of Australia’s most ecologically important areas. The region features rare flora, dramatic dunes and a rich marine environment.
Dog Rules in the Shire of Jerramungup
Under the Shire of Jerramungup’s Local Laws dog owners should understand a few key rules. Several places are completely off-limits to dogs. These include public buildings without approved signage, theatres, picture gardens, food premises and public swimming pools. Dogs are also prohibited from John Cove south of the Wellstead Estuary, Little Boat Harbour Beach and all sports grounds in Bremer Bay, Boxwood Hill, Gairdner and Jerramungup. All parks within Bremer Bay and Jerramungup remain off-limits unless listed as dog-exercise areas. Fortunately, the Shire has several designated dog-exercise areas. These include parts of the Bremer Bay Golf Course, Back Beach and Bremer Beach north of the Wellstead Estuary. However, these areas exclude playgrounds, car parks and any active sporting zones. Dog owners must also clean up after their pets. Removing waste immediately keeps public spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Where Dogs Are Welcome Around Bremer Bay
Even with some restrictions Bremer Bay offers plenty of dog-friendly areas. Back Beach is a favourite spot with a huge stretch of coastline for walking, swimming and beach exploring. Bremer Beach north of the Wellstead Estuary also welcomes dogs. Outside these exercise zones dogs must stay on-lead and under control. Local signage helps visitors understand changing rules during the year. It is also important to note that Fitzgerald River National Park is a strict no-dog zone. The park protects threatened species so visitors planning hikes or day trips need alternative arrangements for their pets. Remember to take your pooch pouch and clean up after your pet!
Accommodation in Bremer Bay (Pet-Friendly Options)
Accommodation Houses
Breakaways Bremer Bay offers four pet-friendly houses: https://bremerbay.breakaways.com.au/
Discover Bremer Bay has three pet-friendly properties available. https://www.discoverbremerbay.com.au/
Native Dog Cabin is a stunning ocean-view property that sleeps six: https://www.nativedogcabin.com.au/
Bremer Bayview Cottages welcomes pets: https://www.facebook.com/www.bremerbayviewcottage.com.au/
Bremer Bay Resort does not allow pets in rooms but allows them on-lead on the grass during meal service. https://www.bremerbayresort.com.au/
Caravan Parks
Bremer Bay Beaches Resort Tourist Park offers powered and unpowered pet-friendly sites with conditions: https://bremerbaybeaches.com.au/
Bremer Bay Caravan Park also welcomes pets on powered and unpowered sites with conditions: https://bremerbaycaravanpark.com.au/pets/
Campsites
Tozers Bushcamp (22 km’s from Bremer Bay) is pet friendly and offers unpowered sites for caravans, motorhomes and campers: https://www.facebook.com/p/Tozers-Bush-Camp-100057430129092/
Wellstead Bush Camp: The pet friendly campground offers 8 level gravel powered sites, grassed areas for tents with lots of room for large groups: https://directory.fullrangecamping.com.au/item/wellstead-bush-park-cg/
Contact Jerramungup Community Resource Centre for other options by calling (08) 9835 1630 or their website is ://www.jerramungupcrc.com.au/
Eating Out in Bremer Bay With Your Pet
Bremer Bay offers several relaxed dining spots where visitors can enjoy a meal or drink with their pets. The Telegraph on Bremer serves breakfast and lunch in a historic building. Their outdoor areas offer room for pets on-lead while you dine.
The Roadhouse Hooked & Cooked offers casual meals, snacks and easy takeaway options for travellers exploring the area.
Bremer Bay Resort operates the Mt Barren Restaurant which provides full meals with views over the estuary. Pets are welcome on-lead on the lawn area whilst owners dine.
Bremer Bay Brewing Company also welcomes dogs on-lead in its outdoor areas so visitors can enjoy a craft beer or relaxed meal with their pets beside them. The Bremer Bay CRC serves food and drinks and provides a relaxed community hub for visitors and locals.
These choices give travellers flexible places to enjoy local food while keeping pets safe and comfortable.
The Bremer Canyon: Home of the Killer Whales
Just offshore lies one of Western Australia’s most remarkable marine environments. The Bremer Canyon is a deep underwater system recognised as one of the richest orca feeding grounds in the Southern Hemisphere. Scientists drew attention to the canyon in the 2000s. Since then it has become a global hotspot for marine research and wildlife tourism. Every summer from December through April hundreds of orca gather in the canyon. They hunt, socialise and feed in nutrient-rich waters pushed upward by strong ocean currents. Visitors can witness powerful behaviours and natural interactions that few places on Earth can offer.
Killer Whale Expeditions with Naturaliste Charters
Naturaliste Charters operates the original and longest-running killer whale expeditions from Bremer Bay. The full-day offshore journey takes guests to the heart of the canyon aboard a comfortable purpose-built vessel. The marine crew and marine biologist guide each experience with expert knowledge. Guests may see orca surface behaviour, pod interactions or dramatic hunting events. Expeditions often encounter other species as well. Pilot whales, sperm whales, dolphins, sharks and pelagic seabirds are common sights. These tours are a major highlight of the region and offer an unforgettable wildlife experience during the summer season. See more: https://naturalistecharters.com.au/bremercanyonkillerwhales/
Pet-Sitting Options in Bremer Bay
Some visitors join a Bremer Canyon expedition or plan time in Fitzgerald River National Park. In those situations pet-sitting becomes very helpful. A few local homeschool teens offer dog-sitting services at Bremer Bay Beaches Resort Tourist Park. Guests can contact the front office and staff will connect them with the teens. The park is located at 333 Wellstead Road Bremer Bay and can be reached on 08 9837 4290.
The Bremer Bay Resort also offers dog-sitting services. They can be contacted on (08) 9837 4133. These services are not affiliated or vetted by Naturaliste Charters so guests need to confirm details directly before making arrangements.
Visiting Responsibly
Bremer Bay remains one of the most pristine regions in Western Australia. Its beaches, wildlife and wilderness areas depend on thoughtful care from everyone who visits. Travellers with pets play an important part in protecting this special place. Respecting local rules, keeping dogs under control and leaving no trace all help preserve Bremer Bay for future visitors and the community who call it home.
For more information about Bremer Bays local dog laws visit the Shire of Jerramungup’s website https://www.jerramungup.wa.gov.au/council/document-centre/local-laws.aspx
Blog cover image credit: Tourism Western Australia
