26 August 2026 - 13 minute read time
Finding somewhere genuinely special to stay with your dog on the South Island can feel harder than it should. These escapes are different. Every one of them welcomes dogs, and every one of them is genuinely worth the trip. Beautiful settings, warm hosts, and the particular satisfaction of waking up somewhere special with your dog right beside you.
Here are some of our favourite dog friendly escapes across New Zealand's South Island. If you're looking for dog friendly stays on the North Island, visit our guide to dog friendly accommodation on New Zealand's North Island.
1. The Wild Irishman: Dunback, Otago
Nestled in a secluded valley in East Otago, The Wild Irishman offers stunning panoramic views of steep bluffs, with fantails flitting about, New Zealand falcons soaring overhead, and wild deer occasionally spotted in the gully below. It's raw, dramatic, and completely captivating.
A private sauna, dogs welcome, and just one hour from Dunedin. The Wild Irishman is one of our most beloved romantic dog friendly escapes in the South Island, and an ideal anniversary escape for couples who explore New Zealand with their dog.
Dogs welcome | Adults only | From NZ$420/pn | Sleeps 2 | Includes sauna | 1hr from Dunedin, 30 mins from Moeraki Boulders
2. The Lookout Nest: Kaikoura Coast, Canterbury
Surrounded by kanuka trees just 10 minutes from Kaikoura township, The Lookout Nest is a cosy pod with breathtaking views of the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. It's the kind of escape where you settle in, pour a glass of something cold, and realise you have absolutely no reason to go anywhere.
Dogs, children, and horses are all welcome, making The Lookout Nest one of the most flexible escapes in our South Island collection. Spend your days swimming with dolphins, kayaking, or exploring the town, then return to that view as the light fades over the mountains.
Dogs, children and horses welcome | From NZ$340/pn | Sleeps 2 | 10 mins from Kaikoura, 2.5hrs from Christchurch
3. Little Rock: Darfield, Canterbury
A dreamy riverside cabin tucked among trees and ferns on the banks of a pretty Canterbury stream, just one hour from Christchurch. The cabin has a wood burner, a covered outdoor kitchen, and a lovely outdoor bath right by the water's edge. Dogs are explicitly welcome here, hosts Jody and Alan are dog people themselves and have created a space that feels genuinely welcoming for four-legged guests.
The river is right there for a morning swim with the dog, the Washpen Falls Track is on the doorstep for a post-breakfast walk, and Mt Hutt is 30 minutes away for ski days in winter. A romantic riverside escape for couples who bring their dog on every anniversary trip.
Dogs welcome | Adults only | From NZ$290/pn | Sleeps 2 | 15 mins from Darfield, 1hr from Christchurch
4. Rocky Ridge Hut: Dunback, Otago
Set high on a hill on a sheep and beef farm in East Otago, Rocky Ridge Hut is one of the most quietly spectacular dog friendly escapes in the South Island. Sea fog rolls into the valley below in winter, harrier hawks and rare NZ falcons hunt overhead, and the ever-changing Otago light plays across the Kakanui Ranges in a way that genuinely stops you mid-sentence.
A hot tub on the deck and a telescope for stargazing on clear nights make this a deeply romantic escape for couples and their dogs. As one guest wrote: "Best of all, my dog was welcome!" The Moeraki Boulders are just 30 minutes away for a morning walk with the dog.
Dogs welcome | Adults only | From NZ$320/pn | Sleeps 2 | 1hr from Dunedin, 30 mins from Moeraki Boulders
5. Whispering Cove: Kenepuru Sound, Marlborough
Hidden within Kenepuru Sound in the Marlborough Sounds, Whispering Cove is one of the most remote and romantic dog friendly escapes in New Zealand. Two escapes sit on the same property: Ātaahua, a spacious two-storey house sleeping four, and Tātahi, an intimate cabin for two with an outdoor bath, private deck, and enveloping native bush.
A private beach is just minutes' walk away, dolphins and stingrays are regularly spotted in the waters below, and the James Vogel Track to Mistletoe Bay is a brilliant dog friendly day walk. An extraordinary escape for couples or groups who want to feel genuinely far from the world, their dog included.
Dogs welcome | From NZ$380/pn | Sleeps 2 or 4 | 1hr from Picton, 1.5hrs from Blenheim
6. Tussock Rocks: Banks Peninsula, Canterbury
Perched atop a secluded grassy hillside on Banks Peninsula with incredible seascape views stretching to Christchurch and Kaikoura in the distance, Tussock Rocks is a two-bedroom escape that sleeps four and welcomes both children and dogs. A 4WD vehicle is required to get there, which makes the arrival feel properly adventurous.
Inside, a cosy window seat, crackling wood burner, and a clawfoot bathtub on the deck make for a beautifully self-contained stay. Next to the property is a 50-hectare QEII covenanted bush block, one of the few remaining original bush sites on Banks Peninsula, with native birds, moths and lizards throughout.
Dogs and children welcome | 4WD required | From NZ$295/pn | Sleeps 4 | 1.5hrs from Christchurch, 40 mins from Akaroa
7. Sky House: Cheviot, Canterbury
Two beautifully designed pods perched above farmland near Cheviot, with sweeping views of rolling hills, St Anne's Lagoon, and the Kaikoura mountains beyond. A spacious connecting deck, outdoor bath, outdoor shower, and campfire area create a generous and beautifully considered setup for two or up to four guests, with children also welcome.
Dogs are welcome here for a small additional fee. Gore Bay beach is 15 minutes away for a long dog friendly morning walk, and Kaikoura is under an hour for whale watching on a day trip. One of the most practical and photogenic dog friendly escapes in the Cheviot area.
Dogs and children welcome | From NZ$320/pn | Sleeps 4 | 1.5hrs from Christchurch, 15 mins from Gore Bay
8. Little Creek Cabin: Cheviot, Canterbury
A cosy standalone cabin on a farm property in Cheviot, with an inbuilt outdoor bath overlooking Caroline Stream as it meanders through the surrounding gully. A skylight sits directly above the queen bed for stargazing, a firepit is just steps from the deck for evening s'mores, and winding pathways beckon you to explore the property at your own pace.
Dogs are welcome, Gore Bay beach is just 15 minutes away for a morning walk, and Kaikoura is under an hour for whale watching and dolphin swimming. A genuinely lovely dog friendly escape in one of Canterbury's most underrated areas.
Dogs welcome | From NZ$270/pn | Sleeps 2 | 1.5hrs from Christchurch, 15 mins from Gore Bay
9. St Bathans Views: Ōmakau, Central Otago
Three weathered corrugated iron huts nestled into golden tussock-covered hills in Central Otago, with panoramic views of Mt St Bathans and Dunstan Peak in every direction. Hosts Stacey and Paul have farmed this corner of Central Otago for nearly a decade, and their warmth and love of the land comes through in everything they've created.
Children and dogs are both welcome, a crystal-clear creek runs through the property for swimming, and the historic gold rush township of St Bathans is just minutes away. One of the best dog friendly family escapes in Central Otago.
Children and dogs welcome | From NZ$280/pn | Sleeps 2 per hut | 2hrs from Queenstown, 2hrs from Dunedin
10. French Peak Wagon: Banks Peninsula, Canterbury
Perched on the edge of a vineyard on Banks Peninsula with sweeping Pacific views, French Peak Wagon is a genuinely one-of-a-kind stay. Wake up to vineyard rows in the foreground and the ocean glittering beyond. One of the few escapes in our collection that welcomes dogs, making it a brilliant choice for couples who want something unusual without leaving their four-legged companion behind.
Akaroa's charming village is just 20 minutes away for dining and harbour cruises, and the vineyard setting makes it a natural base for a romantic dog friendly anniversary escape on Banks Peninsula.
Dogs welcome | Adults only | From NZ$280/pn | Sleeps 2 | 20 mins from Akaroa, 1hr 10 mins from Christchurch
11. The Brewer's Night Inn: Reefton, West Coast
Set on a quiet street in Reefton, a small historic town on the West Coast filled with yesteryear atmosphere, The Brewer's Night Inn is one of the most unique dog friendly escapes in our collection. Built in the 1870s, the original cottage has been meticulously renovated to maintain its historic edge, with a moody interior that sits somewhere between a rustic high-country cabin and a luxurious boutique hotel.
French doors open onto a brick patio and a thriving English garden, a Victorian-inspired concrete soak tub sits in the bathroom, and dogs are welcome on the property. A genuine off-the-beaten-track dog friendly romantic escape for couples who love history and character.
Dogs welcome | Adults only | From NZ$295/pn | Sleeps 2 | 3hrs from Christchurch, 2.5hrs from Nelson
12. Erehwon Cabin: North Canterbury
More spacious than most of our glamping options, Erehwon Cabin is a rustic yet beautifully appointed two-bedroom cabin 45 minutes from Christchurch. A wood-fired cedar hot tub fits 4 to 6 people, a wood-fired pizza oven on the lawn is a genuine highlight, and a short stroll takes you to the Okuku River for fishing and swimming. Friendly horses and sheep are regular visitors, and dogs are welcome too.
A brilliant dog friendly base for two couples, a small family, or a group of friends wanting to escape the city properly, with the dog very much included in the plan.
Dogs and children aged 5+ welcome | From NZ$395/pn | Sleeps 4 | 45 mins from Christchurch
13. The Ark: Diamond Harbour, Canterbury
Built on top of a boat hull discovered buried in the blackberry by sculptor host Steve and artist host Wendy, The Ark is an off-grid ark-shaped cabin sitting just 15 metres from the edge of Diamond Harbour. A queen bed, pot belly fire, and outdoor bath and shower overlooking the harbour make this one of the most characterful dog friendly escapes in Canterbury.
A two-minute walk takes you to your own piece of the bay for a morning swim with the dog, and a 40-minute coastal walk leads to Diamond Harbour cafe. The Black Cat ferry to Lyttelton runs minutes away. A wonderfully quirky romantic escape for couples and their dogs within easy reach of Christchurch.
Dogs welcome | Adults only | From NZ$345/pn | Sleeps 2 | 45 mins from Christchurch
14. Te Whenua Hideaway: Gibbston, Otago
Set on terraced land in the heart of Gibbston wine country, Te Whenua Hideaway is a beautifully considered adults-only escape surrounded by some of Central Otago's most famous vineyards. The area is best known for its world-class Pinot Noir, and the setting here, with the gorge and surrounding schist landscape, is as dramatic as the region gets.
Dogs are welcome here, with one lovely condition: your dog must be friendly toward other dogs, as the property owners have their own dogs on-site. A genuinely special romantic escape for wine-loving couples who travel with their dog. Queenstown is just 40 minutes away for day trips.
Dogs welcome | Adults only | From NZ$310/pn | Sleeps 2 | 40 mins from Queenstown, 1hr from Wanaka
Things to Know Before Bringing Your Dog
Every escape on this list welcomes dogs, but a few things are worth knowing before you book:
Vaccinations and worming. All dog friendly escapes in our collection require dogs to be up to date with vaccinations and wormed with Praziquantel at least 48 hours before arrival, in line with Ovis Management guidelines for farm properties. This is a condition of booking across the collection.
Stock friendly. Most of our escapes are on working farms or rural properties. Dogs must be calm and stock-friendly at all times, and must be kept under supervision or on a lead around livestock.
Additional fees. Some escapes charge a small per-night dog fee. Check the individual listing for details before booking.
4WD required. Tussock Rocks on Banks Peninsula requires a 4WD vehicle for access. Check individual listings for any access requirements.
Not on furniture. Dogs are welcome inside most escapes but must not be on furniture or soft furnishings. Bring your own dog bed or crate.
FAQs About Dog Friendly Accommodation on New Zealand's South Island
Where can I stay with my dog on New Zealand's South Island?
We have dog friendly escapes across the South Island, from riverside cabins near Christchurch to remote Otago farm stays, Marlborough Sounds hideaways, and West Coast historic cottages. Browse the full list above or use the dog friendly filter on our find your escape page.
Which dog friendly escapes are closest to Christchurch?
Little Rock near Darfield is just one hour from Christchurch. The Ark at Diamond Harbour is 45 minutes away, and Erehwon Cabin in North Canterbury is 45 minutes from the city.
Which dog friendly escapes are closest to Queenstown?
Te Whenua Hideaway in Gibbston is just 40 minutes from Queenstown in the heart of Central Otago wine country.
Which dog friendly escapes on the South Island welcome children?
Tussock Rocks on Banks Peninsula, Sky House near Cheviot, Erehwon Cabin in North Canterbury, The Lookout Nest near Kaikoura, and St Bathans Views in Central Otago all welcome both children and dogs.
Which dog friendly escapes on the South Island sleep more than two?
Tussock Rocks on Banks Peninsula sleeps four and welcomes dogs and children. Sky House near Cheviot sleeps four and welcomes dogs and children. Erehwon Cabin sleeps four and welcomes dogs. Whispering Cove Ātaahua sleeps four and welcomes dogs.
Is there dog friendly accommodation near Kaikoura?
Yes! The Lookout Nest is just 10 minutes from Kaikoura and welcomes dogs, children, and horses.
Where can I find dog friendly accommodation on New Zealand's North Island?
Browse our guide to dog friendly accommodation on New Zealand's North Island for our full North Island collection.
About Canopy Camping Escapes
Canopy Camping Escapes is a New Zealand-owned collection of 230+ handpicked nature-based accommodation properties across Aotearoa, from the top of the North Island to the far South. Every property is chosen for its beauty, its character, and the quality of the host behind it.
Whether you're searching for dog friendly accommodation South Island, pet friendly glamping New Zealand, dog friendly stays near Christchurch, dog friendly escapes near Queenstown, or simply somewhere beautiful to take your dog for a weekend, we've got a spot for you.
