From Playtime to Prime Suites: Hunter Pet Motel and Newcastle Airport Redefine Pet Care This National Pets Day

With National Pets Day celebrated around the world today, Newcastle Airport is proud to highlight its partnership with Hunter Pet Motel, which sees paws galore enjoy a luxurious and convenient pet boarding experience via a pet transit lounge service while their owners travel. Since its inception last year, 229 happy tails have used the Transit Lounge, of which 142 went on to enjoy the Pet Motel.

The Hunter Pet Motel’s premium cat suites, luxury dog lounges and outdoor play on offer also means that pets will be practically begging their owners to go on holiday.

Newcastle Airport’s Pet Transit Lounge, owned and operated by the Hunter Pet Motel (HPM), the region’s largest licensed boarding facility in the Hunter, is receiving a thumbs up from pet owners who can drop off their pets, park their car, and walk straight into the Departures Lounge to board their flights. 

Newcastle Airport Interim CEO Andrew Warrender said the Pet Transit Lounge was a unique airport offering with travelling pet owners able to easily fly from Newcastle knowing their fur-iends would be well taken care of.

“It’s the only Pet Transit Lounge service in Australia located right in front of the terminal and is a stress-free solution for travellers organising for the wellbeing of their cat or canine companions while they are away,” Mr Warrender said. “According to the RSPCA, around 69 per cent of Australian households own a pet, so stress-free transfer and care of these loved ones is important for many of our passengers.” 

“Our focus on increasing domestic flight routes for the region and the opening of our International Terminal in August this year, will only grow demand for this important service.”

The HPM Pet Transit Lounge is a convenient service for passengers travelling to Newcastle Airport who want to have the security in knowing their pets are safely being looked after while they travel. Customers can drop off their pets when departing Newcastle Airport knowing they will be waiting for them at the airport when they return. Once dropped off, pets are safely transported to and from the Hunter Pet Motel’s property just over an hour away in Elderslie via a purpose-built Pet Taxi for a seamless pet boarding experience. 

Hunter Pet Motel General Manager Brett Wild said the Hunter Pet Motel was proud to partner with Newcastle Airport to complement the airport’s ethos of ensuring a positive experience for all passengers arriving and departing Newcastle Airport. “We receive multiple enquiries daily from pet owners with plans to travel,” Mr Wild said. 

“More than 37 cats and 105 dogs have already utilised our Pet Transit Lounge and boarded with us at our Hunter Pet Motel, since we started offering this service in June 2024. We have permanent staff based at Newcastle Airport and are expecting demand to grow to exciting levels once the international terminal opens.

“Our pet motel emulates that of a home, with friendly and familiar surroundings designed to keep pets relaxed and at ease.  We have luxury suites with furniture they are likely to enjoy on the home front – and yes we have TVs so they can catch an episode or two of ‘Garfield’ or ‘Bluey’. In fact, our dogs get quite excited when Bluey comes on as they tend to love the animated shows.

“We also see dogs sit up and get excited once they realise they are driving to our pet motel. One Kelpie refused to go home with his owner, lying on the floor and throwing a tantrum when he realised his stay with us was at an end. Knowing their pets enjoy staying with us really gives owners peace of mind when they go travelling.  

“As part of our expanded offerings through the Pet Transit Lounge, we also provide an Australia-wide pet transport service as an authorised carrier for Virgin Australia. This includes a door-to-door pet transport option, both by air and road. 

“We are the Hunter Region's largest family-owned and operated boarding and transport service and we pride ourselves on delivering reliable and personalised customer service.”

Newcastle Airport EGM Marketing & Communications Burcak Sezer said enhancing the passenger experience in this meaningful way aligned with Newcastle Airport’s aim to be the Airport the Region deserves. 

“This service further highlights how easy it is to fly from Newcastle with easy travel, easy parking and now an easy pet transit facility,” Ms Sezer said. “As a pet owner, you would be barking mad not to use this service to make your travelling life easier.”

The HPM Transit Lounge is part of Newcastle Airport's broader commitment to enhancing the customer experience. For more information and bookings visit newcastleairport.com.au/at-the-airport/pet-transit-lounge or contact the Hunter Pet Motel on (02) 4938 3710.