About Us

Tail Travel is a family-owned and operated pet transport business based in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory of Australia. Tail Travel has successfully coordinated air freight transport requirements for 1000s of animals Australia wide. We have agents in the capital city of all Australian states and Territories as well as agents located close to many major regional airports. Although we specialise in reptiles, dogs and cats, Tail Travel can organise air freight from the smallest insect to the largest animal for you. We freight with Qantas and Virgin airlines and their affiliates. Tail Travel understand how precious your animals are and treat them as if they were our own!

Contact Info

Address
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, 0870
Phone
0456665971
Email
sales@tailtravel.com.au

Safe Dog Transport Alice Springs to Melbourne

Professional dog transport Alice Springs to Melbourne with flexible airport-to-airport or door-to-door pet transport services. Our experienced handlers ensure your dog travels safely and comfortably, treating them like family every step of the journey.

How Dog Transport
Alice Springs → Melbourne Works

//Route Overview//

Alice Springs To Melbourne Dog Transport

Dog transport from Alice Springs to Melbourne is a common interstate pet travel route in Australia. With multiple weekly flights operating from Alice Springs Airport to Melbourne Airport, pets can be transported within the same day with multiple flights available on Qantas.

Alice Springs Airport → Melbourne Airport

Typical travel time:
4 –6 hours including transfers

5 flights per week available

Door-to-door available

Tail Travel make interstate dog transport as stress-free as possible. Here’s exactly what happens when you book with Tail Travel.

1. Request a Quote

Tell us your dog's breed, size, weight, and travel route. Our team will send a detailed quote tailored to your pet.

2. We Arrange Travel

We organise flights, crate requirements, airline bookings, and all freight logistics on your behalf.

3. Pet Collection

Your dog is collected from your home or you deliver them to the Alice Springs airport — whichever suits you best.

4. Safe Arrival

Your dog arrives safely in Melbourne and is delivered to your door or available for pickup at the destination airport.

What You Need to Know:
Alice Springs to Melbourne

Flight Scheduling

Dog transport from Alice Springs to Melbourne is a common interstate pet transport routes from Alice Springs. With 5 flights weekly operating between Alice Springs Airport and Melbourne Airport, dogs can usually be transported the same day with Qantas for safe and efficient pet travel.

Flight Times

Direct flights between Alice Springs and Melbourne typically take 3-3.5 hours. However, when crate handling, check-in and collection are included, total travel time is usually around 6 hours.

Airline Considerations

Dogs travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold of Qantas aircraft under strict airline welfare standards. Not all aircraft have these climate-controlled cargo holds, so it's important to know which planes can accept animals. Virgin do not fly animals on this route.

Climate Considerations

During summer months, Alice Springs and Melbourne can significantly increase in temperature and subsequently airline restrictions may affect departure times. Early morning or evening flights are often used to ensure pets travel safely. In Melbourne during heat waves certain flights may not be available for animals to travel on. From November to March every year Alice Springs will be subject to heat restriction not allowing pets to travel after 10am.

Departure Airport - Alice Springs

Dogs travel in the climate-controlled cargo holds of Qantas aircraft under strict airline welfare standards. From November to March Alice Springs will be subject to heat restriction rules preventing animals to fly after 10am. This route may not be available directly and may have to travel via another airport like Adelaide to make connection.

Arrival Airport - Melbourne

During summer months, Melbourne can significantly increase in temperature and subsequently airline restrictions may affect the route. During heat waves certain flights may not be available for animals to travel on. In wintertime Melbourne may be subject to cold weather temperature restrictions preventing animal travel, 5 degrees or below.

Travel Crate Requirements

Dog transport from Alice Springs to Melbourne require dogs to travel in IATA-approved hard-shell crates. We offer crate hire, crate purchase and advise on the correct size for your breed. See Dog Freight - Tail Travel for more details.

Brachycephalic Breeds

We specialise in snub nose or flat-faced breeds like French bulldogs, mastiffs, boxers and pugs. We understand the specific rules around flying brachycephalic breeds and comply with regulations to reduce the risk to your dog. See our page Brachycephalic Breeds - Tail Travel for a full break down.

Estimated Average Cost: Dog Transport Alice Springs to Melbourne

$700-$900

Average dog transport Alice Springs → Melbourne. Factors like the below ones will affect the price of transport.

Transparent Pet Transport Quotes

At Tail Travel we believe in providing clear and transparent pricing for interstate dog transport across Australia. When you request a quote, our team carefully assesses your dog’s travel requirements and provides a personalised estimate within 24 hours.

Prices vary based on your dog’s size, breed, crate requirements, airlines used and the collection and delivery requirements

Animal transport involves airline schedules and live animal handling, rare situations such as flight delays, missed connections, or additional cleaning requirements can sometimes create extra costs. If this happens, our team will always keep you informed and work with you on the best solution.

Our goal is simple: safe, well-coordinated transport with no surprises wherever possible.

Your Dog's Safety Is Our Priority

Every dog transport we coordinate is planned with your pet’s safety, comfort, and wellbeing as the top priority. Our team carefully manages each step of the journey to ensure your dog arrives calm, safe, and stress-free.

IATA-Approved Crates

All crates meet International Air Transport Association standards for animal welfare and airline compliance.

Temperature Control

Flights are scheduled to avoid extreme heat. Cargo holds are climate-controlled throughout the journey.

Expert Handlers

Our team and nationwide agents handle your dog with care and experience at every stage.

Medication Support

Need your dog to travel with medication? We advise on requirements and ensure correct handling.

Preparing Your Dog for Interstate Travel

01 Feeding Schedule

It’s important that your dog is comfortable during the flight. Avoid feeding your dog 12 hours before departure to reduce stress or your dog soiling the crate. Offer water right up until travel time, to avoid dehydration.

02 Exercise Before Travel

A good walk or run before the flight helps your dog settle more calmly. A tired dog is a calm dog. This may also help your dog to go to the toilet and prevent an accident during the flight.

03 Crate Training

Familiarise your dog with their travel crate in the days leading up to departure to reduce stress on travel day. This can really help your dog to reduce their stress.

04 Familiar Comfort Items

A worn t-shirt, a towel or small blanket with your scent inside the crate can provide comfort during the journey. Avoid excess items though. Less is best when your dog flies.

05 Sedation Advice

We advise against sedation unless prescribed by a vet, as sedatives can affect breathing at altitude. We do recommend natural calmatives to assist with relaxing your dog.

06 Identification

Ensure your dog’s microchip details are current. Attach ID to both your dog’s collar and the travel crate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about interstate pet transport, travel requirements, and how we ensure every journey is safe and comfortable.

Can I hire a crate for my dog or cat for their trip?

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Yes, we do hire crates but only for the medium to large dogs PP50 – PP90. We only hire these size ...

Is there any types of dogs or cats that aren’t allowed to fly?

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Yes, there is dogs and cats that are not as easy to transport as normal breeds and then there are some ...

How do I ensure my dog or cat is sized correctly for it’s crate?

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional)

Do you offer international pet transport?

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Unfortunately we only offer freight within Australia. Between Qantas Freight and Virgin Cargo we are able to reach over 85 airports ...

Can I send my reptile, bird, rabbit or fish on the plane?

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) All of these animals can be transported via plane transport but like all animals each specific type of animal has it’s ...

Are there breed restrictions for flying with pets in Australia?

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Yes, some dog or cat breeds have specific restrictions for flying due to safety concerns. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, such as: Dogs: ...

What airlines allow pets to travel within Australia?

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Several Australian airlines allow pet travel, but most require pets to fly in the cargo hold rather than the cabin. Qantas ...

What transport options do you provide?

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) We primarly are a booking agent for Qantas and Virgin but we also have members in most major cities who can ...

Clients Feedback

Jenny G

Relocated from Rural WA to Melbourne

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Tail Travel made the daunting task of relocating my three kittens much more manageable for me. Not only were their prices better than competitors, their communication and responsiveness far exceeded anyone else as well. Thank you so much for getting my babies to me safely”

Lisa C

Alice Springs resident

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Absolutely fantastic service! Would never use anyone else again. Both puppies bought on separate occasions were extremely well looked after. In particular my little daschound had to do a few flights and stay overnight, I received lovely photos showing him settling in overnight putting my mind at rest. The next day my flight was delayed so I couldn’t pick my little man up on time, and with no stress at all they accommodated me by picking him up and looking after him until I could get to them. I really cannot thank ...

John A

Reptile Breeder

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) “Very Highly recommended, never had an issue getting any of my new reptiles to us, always reasonably priced too, very helpful and friendly”

Vivienne M

New pet from Adelaide to Darwin

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Great service all around! I really enjoyed how well Ben, and the team had explained all of the costs beforehand and was kind and considerate enough to explain upcoming weather changes so my pet cockatiel would have the most comfortable flight over to Alice Springs. They really make it really easy for you and help out with any kind of anxiety you may have with your pet flying for the first time. 10/10 would recommend!

Brodie A

New puppy transported from Darwin to Alice Springs

Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional) Easy to deal with, excellent communication, well priced and unbelievably accommodating; little miss needed an over night and my pupsitter fell through, the staff took care of her better than I could have hoped (i even got photos of her taking over the house and couch to prove it!) and then if that wasn’t the only drama, my pup was too gangly to fit in the crate that she should have so last minute they arranged another one to be sent up to get her to her new home happy and safe. ...

Get a Fast Quote for
Alice Springs → MelbourneBrisbane Dog Transport

Tell us about your dog and we’ll send a detailed, personalised quote within 24 hours. No obligation, no hidden fees.

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