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Behind the Dog: Meet Lachlan, Ken; Archie the Adventure Collie

Behind the Dog: Meet Lachlan, Ken; Archie the Adventure Collie

Our Behind the Dog series puts the spotlight on the real humans (and pups) behind some of Australia's most adventurous dog-friendly feeds. This month, we caught up with Lachlan and Kennedy — better known as @lachandkenontour on Instagram and TikTok — and their blue merle border collie, Archie.

The Trio Behind the Tour

If you've ever scrolled past a stunning outback sunset with a handsome blue merle front and centre, there's a good chance you've already met Archie. At four and a half years old, this border collie is equal parts chaos and charm — a certified fly catcher, a water obsessive, and according to his humans, "a certified looker."

Lachlan and Kennedy (Ken) are currently based in Port Douglas, QLD, and have built a life around movement, adventure, and good vibes. Their Instagram and TikTok document the kind of travel that most people only dream about — remote creek swims, outback sunsets, and cyclone-induced... well, we'll get to that.

They chose a border collie for good reason. "We needed a dog who could keep up with our fast-paced lifestyle and adapt well to travelling," Ken explains. "We're high energy people, so it only felt fitting to get a high energy breed to match."

Archie: The Dog With No Hips (And Zero Chill)

Here's something you might not know about Archie — he literally has no hip joints. Diagnosed with hip dysplasia as a puppy, he had them surgically removed. Does it slow him down? Absolutely not. Archie runs, swims, leaps, and plays like it's his full-time job. Which, honestly, it kind of is.

"He is an absolute ball of energy," says Ken. "He's so smart — if we teach him something new, it only takes a few goes before he's figured it out."

His personality? "Either highly strung or as cool as a cucumber — there's no in between." Sound familiar, Lach and Ken?

Australia's Best Dog-Friendly Spots (According to Archie)

After years on the road, the crew have clocked up some serious kilometres and some seriously epic spots. Here are their top three recommendations for fellow dog parents:

Ginty's Lookout, NT — A free campsite around 40km from Kings Canyon, sitting right on the edge of the escarpment with jaw-dropping views over the valley. One of the most breathtaking outback sunsets you'll ever witness, with your dog by your side. Remote, raw, and completely worth it. Note: 4WD recommended, and it's a 24-hour stop only.

Dangar Falls, Dorrigo NSW — A powerful 30-metre waterfall with a massive swimming hole at the base, just 2km from the Dorrigo town centre. Dogs are permitted (on leash), there's free entry, and the short walk down to the water is easy and well-maintained. Top it off with a stay at the dog-friendly Dangar Falls Lodge right at the top. This one should be at the top of everyone's list.

Town of 1770, QLD — Home turf for the crew, and Archie is absolutely obsessed. The 1770 Foreshore is a calm, sheltered beach where dogs are allowed off-leash 24/7 — perfect for a full day of swimming, sunbaking, and general chaos. "We may be biased," Ken laughs, "but it's super calm and perfect to spend the whole day." For a dog who will swim straight out into the ocean and not come back, 1770 delivers.

Bonus hidden gems from the crew:

  • Finlayvale Road Creek, QLD — A local off-the-radar swim spot worth tracking down if you're in the area.
  • Robin Falls, NT — A three-tiered tropical waterfall near Adelaide River, about 1.5 hours south of Darwin. A short, easy hike leads to croc-free swimming pools — an absolute gem for the dry season (May–October).

The Adventure They'll Never Forget

Ask them their most memorable moment, and the answer is simple: watching the sunset over Uluru with Archie by their side. Dogs aren't permitted inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, but the dog-friendly lookouts at Ayers Rock Campground — offering sweeping views of the rock at golden hour — are the next best thing, and clearly unforgettable.

Ask them their funniest moment, and Ken takes a beat before answering: "Once, in the middle of a cyclone, Archie released his anal glands all through our bed. It was a murder scene, to say the least."

We'll leave that one there.

Adventuring Safely: Ken's Vet Nurse Tips

Ken is a qualified vet nurse, and when it comes to keeping dogs safe on the road, she doesn't mess around. Her top tips for travelling with dogs in Australia:

Always ensure your dog has access to fresh water and adequate shade — heat stress is a real and serious risk.

Muzzle train your dog if you're travelling through areas with a high risk of 1080 bait. This is particularly important in remote and rural parts of the country.

Stay on top of preventatives. Dogs exploring Australia's wilderness are exposed to far more than your average backyard pup:

  • Tick paralysis — critical to prevent on the East Coast of Australia. Make sure tick prevention is current before you travel.
  • Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) — a serious tick-borne disease in the Top End of Australia. Prevention is essential if you're heading north.
  • Tapeworm — can transfer to humans. Regular worming is a must.
  • Leptospirosis — vaccination recommended if your dog frequents creeks or areas with a large rodent population.
  • Parvovirus — a risk in lower-demographic and remote areas. Ensure vaccinations are up to date.

"They have a higher risk of exposure to parasites and diseases because wildlife frequent the areas you visit," Ken notes. It's the unsexy side of van life with a dog, but it matters.

For more information on travelling safely with your dog across Australia, Travelnuity's dog-friendly Northern Territory guide is a great resource, and the Queensland Parks guide on dogs in parks is essential reading before any QLD adventure.

The Gear That Makes It Work

Out on the road, simplicity and durability aren't optional — they're essential. Lachlan and Ken rely on the Wet Dog & Co Kibble Carry Bag and Packable Dog Bowl as two of their non-negotiables.

"Normal food bags would tear, and we'd end up with loose kibble all through the car," Ken says. "The kibble carry bag is good quality and seals tight — game changer." The packable bowl earns its place for being compact enough to go anywhere and doubling as both a food and water bowl on the go.

For this crew, eco-friendly gear was a natural fit. "We've always cared about the environment, so when we found a brand that combined dog gear with being eco-friendly, we couldn't go past it."

What's Next for the Crew

Right now, the big project is building out their Hilux into a fully off-grid camping rig — and yes, Archie is getting his own dedicated suite in the back seat. We'd expect nothing less.

While Lachlan heads out to work during the day, Ken works from home, which means Archie has a full-time companion from sunrise to sunset. "The lucky boy," as Ken puts it.

Follow Lachlan, Kennedy and Archie's adventures at @lachandkenontour on Instagram and TikTok.

Kornelia Pytlak