From Melbourne to the Yarra Valley and all up and down the Great Ocean Road, these are the best places in the Garden State to holiday unhindered with your furry friend.
Melbourne
Dog friendly accommodation in Melbourne
If you think a cosmopolitan city like Melbourne doesn’t have time for dogs on holidays, think again. From its beaches and parks to cafes and accommodation, the City of Melbourne loves dogs. Read on to find out where you can take your pooch while holidaying in Victoria’s coastal capital.
Parkside Stay | Clifton Hill
109 Walker Street, Clifton Hill, Victoria, 3068
Boutique accommodation in self contained apartments, Parkside Stay is, as the name suggests, surrounded by parklands, is close to Docklands, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Tennis Centre. There’s also the bars and cafes of Fitzroy within walking distance.
Parkside stay is dog friendly and can even arrange dog minding if you need some strictly human time. Find more information at their website.
Birches Serviced Apartments | East Melbourne
160 Simpson Street, East Melbourne
Located close to Melbourne’s sporting district, including AAMI Park, Rod Laver Arena, the MCG and Etihad Stadium, Birches has everything you need for you and your pet to feel at home, including outdoor decks with barbecues, onsite parking and WiFi. Find out more at the Birches website.
The Aero House | Fitzroy
329 Young Street Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
A beautiful three story home that sleeps up to six people, the Aero House includes a rooftop terrace, barbecue, secure two car garage and is close to public transport and only a block away from Brunswick Street. Best of all, it’s dog friendly!
Contact Lisa on info@rejuvenatestays.com or 0411 642 857
Dog friendly beaches in Melbourne
For lovers of the big city, there’s no need for you and your pooch to miss out on the beauty and cosmopolitan lifestyle of Melbourne’s beaches.
Bayside
From Brighton to Beaumaris, the beaches of Bayside proudly welcome dogs along 17 kilometers of premium beachfront. See grand homes and the iconic painted bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach. Dip your toes in the water and take in the Melbourne city skyline as it stretches off into the distance.
Dog friendly beach zones in the City of Bayside are affected by seasonal date changes. Check this map for more information.
Kingston
A bustling community home to events like the Kingston Harvest Festival and the Mordialloc Food Wine and Music Festival, Kingston is a popular seasonal holiday destination with a bevy dog friendly beaches, including:
- Aspendale
- Bonbeach
- Carrum
- Chelsea
- Edithvale
- Mentone
- Mordialloc
- Parkvale
Dog friendly areas on the beach are seasonally available, between summer (Nov 1st to March 31st) and Winter (1 April to 31st October), Check this link on the City of Kingston website for more information.
Dog beaches in Port Phillip
The City of Port Phillip is home to popular South Melbourne and fun and funky St Kilda. The Melbourne Grand Prix circuit is here and the esplanade features a bevy of places to eat, drink and party.
For pet owners, there’s also the added benefit of dog friendly metropolitan beaches. Time zones are seasonal, so check the zoning restrictions on the City of Port Phillip website.
Dog friendly dining in Melbourne
Pelican | St Kilda
16 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda (03) 9525 5847
Located in the heart of St Kilda, dogs are always welcome in the covered courtyard of this popular mediterranean restaurant.
Fitzrovia | St Kilda
2 / 155 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda (03) 9537 0001
Fitzrovia’s dog friendly courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy the European delights of this stylish cafe just moments from Albert Park.
Merchant Society | Docklands
71 Merchant Street Docklands (03) 9078 5844
Asian fusion restaurant with al fresco dining, Merchant Society has a tasty menu, outdoor heaters in the winter and water bowls for your dog.
Palace Hotel | South Melbourne
505 City Road, South Melbourne (03) 9682 3177
Local pub mascot Billy the Staffy keeps watch over this dog friendly bar and bistro where everyone is welcome in the leafy beer garden.
Phillip Island
If nothing is too good for you, your family and your pet, then Verandah Retreat is the place for you!
This is a 5 star luxury property offering pet and family friendly accommodation. Perfectly located close to the shops and Cowes Beach which is dog friendly all year around (providing on leash), but with limits in the morning and evening in the high summer season. The home has a secure, grassed area for your fur-friend, and a laundry which provides a pet door for easy access.
This spacious property offers quality amenities including outdoor BBQ, indoor fireplace, WI-FI, TV and and fully equipped quality kitchen. As the name suggests the home is surrounded by a fabulous Verandah!
This highly recommended property is a perfect getaway for long weekend, or even better, a long holiday! Find out more about this beautiful pet friendly retreat here.
Yarra Valley
Yarra Valley Accommodation
Vibe Hotel | Marysville
36-42 Murchison Street, Marysville Victoria 3779
A contemporary hotel nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Ranges, Vibe Hotel is a picturesque establishment surrounded by creeks, hills and woodlands. Ground floor accommodation is pet friendly with water bowls, chew toys and frisbees available on request. Find out more at their website.
Helgrah Cottage | Healesville
446 Maroondah Highway, Healesville Victoria 3777
Ideal for couples looking for a lazy, relaxing weekend, this cozy cottage boasts stunning views and secluded gardens with an inviting, open plan interior. Quiet dogs in particular are welcome. Contact Helen on helgrah@bigpond.net.au or 0407 363 996.
Healesville Holiday Cottage | Healesville
Steel Street, Healesville Victoria 3777
Lovely weatherboard home with polished floorboards, modern amenities and a large, covered deck with barbecue overlooking the rural delights of Healesville. The cottage is only a short walk from cafes and shops and is dog friendly, with a fully fenced backyard, kennel and bowls provided on prior arrangement. Contact Judith or Paul on 0427 742 536 or email on healsvilleholidaycottage@hotmail.com
Yarra Valley Dining
The rolling vineyards and spectacular sunsets of the Yarra Valley seem tailor made for long, leisurely walks with your pooch. Fortunately, when the day is done, there’s a number of places you can stop in and enjoy a quality dining experience with your best friend by your side.
Cog Bike Cafe | Warburton
42 Station Road, Warburton (03) 5966 2213
Located along the Warburton to Lilydale Trail, cyclists, walkers and dogs all make their pit stops at the Cog Bike Cafe, where you can grab a coffee, breakfast and lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Innocent Bystander | Healesville
336 Maroondah Highway, Healesville (03) 5962 6111
Overlooking the main strip, Innocent Bystander is a restaurant and wine bar with a dog friendly outdoor deck. Grab a bottle to take home as well.
Healesville Hotel | Healesville
256 Maroondah Highway, Healesville (03) 5962 4002
You and your dog will love the country vibe of this popular bistro, with both the beer garden and covered courtyard open to dogs.
Fraga’s Cafe | Maryville
19 Murchison Street, Marysville (03) 5963 3216
Relaxed cafe vibe with outdoor seating that’s covered. Fraga’s Cafe serves up a bevy of fresh fare including smoked trout and gluten free cookies. You can also choose from a selection of quality beers and wines.
The Great Ocean Road
Eating out with your dog along The Great Ocean Road
Victoria’s Great Ocean Road stretches from Torquay to Allansford, taking in most of the state’s southern coastline. It’s a magnificent opportunity to see historic towns, beaches, cities and natural environments, and with so many open spaces, there’s plenty of places for your dog to stretch their legs.
Dining out on the road can be tricky, especially if you’ve got a pooch on board. Here’s some of our favourite dog friendly dining spots and eateries along the Great Ocean Road.
Great Ocean Road Brewhouse | Apollo Bay
29 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay
(03) 5237 6240
A sun soaked beer garden overlooking the Apollo Bay foreshore is the perfect spot to take a break from the drive and enjoy a hearty meal with your dog. The brewhouse features a bistro and bar, with over 100 craft beers and delicious meals made with ingredients sourced from local growers.
Dog friendly accommodation in Apollo Bay
Find yourself wanting to have a little more than a shandy while you stop over in Apollo Bay? Fortunately, there’s a range of dog friendly accommodation for the whole family, pooch included:
- Coast Cottages: Four coast cottages with views of the ocean. Book on 0407 555 017
- Marengo Beachbreak: 1 acre dog friendly property suitable to couples with dogs. Call 03 5237 7587 to book.
- Seanook: Two bedroom cottage, both rooms with ensuites. Seanook boats uninterrupted views of the ocean. Enquiries through 0407 555 017
Otway Estate | Colac
10 Hoveys Road, Barongarook (03) 5233 8400
The picturesque Otway Estate is a dog lover’s paradise, with everything from dog beds and water bowls to specially made beers that are safe for your dog to drink (no alcohol, obviously). With onsite accommodation, you can plan a day around Otway Estate on your Great Ocean Road adventure.
Forrest Brewing Co | Forrest
Grant Street, Forrest (03) 5236 6170
Open 7 days a week for brekkie and lunch, and serving up dinner Thursdays through Sunday, Forrest Brewing Company is a dog friendly restaurant, bar and brewery serving up hearty meals and unique brews in a cosy, dog friendly setting. It’s also a popular stopping point for mountain bikers through the Otway ranges.
Camping and caravaning with your dog
Hitting the road for some outdoor adventuring wouldn’t be the same without your furry friend along for the ride. Fortunately, there’s plenty of camping and caravan parks that are dog friendly across the state. Here are some of our favourites:
Marong Holiday Park | Bendigo
1800 642 329
Located only a 10 minute drive from the heart of Bendio, Marong Holiday Park is a pet friendly holiday spot with cabins, camping and caravan sites. There’s also a pool, playground, ample facilities and access to the goldfields. Marong Holiday Park is also available for bookings during the Groovin the Moo festival.
Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park | Castlemaine
1300 472 762
Just a 90 minute drive from Melbourne, Castlemaine is a picturesque holiday spot with an abundance of natural landscapes and the artisanal village precinct of The Mill. Dogs are always welcome and there is cabin style accommodation as well as powered and unpowered camping sites.
Mildura Crossroads Holiday Park | Mildura
1800 675 103
Discover the wineries and orchards of picturesque Mildura. Temperate, even in the winter, the Crossroads Holiday Park is dog friendly and features villas, cabins and powered sites along with pool, playground and picnic facilities.
Victoria loves dogs
From sandy beaches to the metropolitan hubbub of Melbourne and out into wine country, Victoria loves our furry friends. With a bit of help from Petsecure, there’s really nothing stopping you from exploring the Garden State. Start planning your trip today.
Liz Walden
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