Where: a 90-minute drive north-west of Melbourne. Stay here . Duffys Road Emerald VIC 3782. Try Tasmania! Some of the best historic botanic gardens to visit around Melbourne include fine examples in Kyneton, Malmsbury, Daylesford and Castlemaine. The park will receive further upgrades to the toilets, picnic . Located around the famous mineral springs townships of Daylesford, Hepburn and Hepburn Springs, this park allows dogs on leash at all times on the extensive walking tracks surrounding the famous Mt Franklins springs. Plus make sure you detour over to Grey Street and visit Chez Misty. Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. Check out Flinders St Station and Federation Square. Located less than an hour from the centre of Melbourne, this regional park welcomes dogs to join you, as long as they stay on a leash. For an excellent option further out of the city (a car is necessary), head to Aranga Reserve, just off the M3 motorway in Donvale. The beautiful historic town of Bendigo (Courtesy City of Bendigo) Bendigo But considering most of it is covered and fitted out with outdoor heaters, its still a welcoming spot come the coldest and rainiest Melbourne night. 2. Dogs must be on leash. Let your pup have the window seat and ride in style in the spacious luxury bus where they will surely make heaps of furry friends. 2. A dog enjoying brunch at the Farm Cafe. Between December and February, plus over Easter, dogs are only allowed on the beach before 9am and after 7pm. It will help keep them busy. While dogs may not be able to head inside (and we werent either during our visit, due to university exams), its still a great spot to visit and view the imposing exterior (keeping your pup on a leash). Here's what to see and do - and check out our . Here are my top five recommendations. Note that dogs need to be kept on a leash. Make sure you pick up a brochure with a map in town. Many of the beaches surrounding Torquay are dog friendly, and some just outside town are even off-leash, like Jan Juc and Bells Beach. And spending a few hours exploring it on foot is actually a fabulous activity to do with your pup. Dog Friendly Cardinia Reservoir Park is a great place for a family day out. ; Use our free Walking Maps website to search your area and tick 'Dog off-leash area' for walks featuring a free-roaming space for your pup. Dont also miss the short walk to the top of this granite outcrop, just a 100m stroll from the carpark. Dandenong Ranges. Other dog-friendly escapes: You can book this home on Apollo Bay orthis cottage in Daylesfordfor you and your furry friend. If you're not too keen on camping but you still want to be surrounded by the great outdoors, book this dog-friendly accommodation on Riparide. Check out the Shrine of Remembrance and the Royal Botanic Gardens. 2.5 Dandenong Ranges Tour by Puffing Billy Train. Here dogs are allowed off-leash all day long, year round. Over the 2022-23 summer, Paddle and Brunch runs on multiple days per month, a mixture of Saturdays and weekdays. The 6 best day trips from Melbourne without a car Sep 3, 2022 8 min read. Your cultured Collie will love the 20-acre San Juan Islands Sculpture Park where she can frolic off-leash, critique 150 unique outdoor sculptures, and sniff around the . Find out more about visiting Walhalla with a dog. Victoria's your best friend's paw-fect place. 3 Day Melbourne to Adelaide Tour. Its a scenic 4km ride through a narrow gorge each direction. . Distance: Around 600km. Phillip Island, about 140 kilometers from Melbourne's city center, is a top pick for wildlife lovers. Try some in-tents bonding at Johanna Beach and Lake Elizabeth, Great Otway National Park; Jerusalem Creek, Lake Eildon National Park; Shoreline Drive, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park; Lake Hindmarsh Reserve, and Howqua Hills Historic Area, Mansfield. Many of the cellar doors are open daily, and also welcome well-behaved dogs to join you, either outside or even inside. Word of advice though: its not great for non-dog swimming. I've got lots of tips on travelling with a dog, from dog-friendly destinations to pet-friendly accommodation to flying with a dog. San Juan Island. The rooms are spacious and have been recently redecorated, with modern lines and colourful accents. One of Australia's best wine regions, the Yarra Valley, is just a short drive from the CBD, making it an easy day trip from Melbourne. Another surprise is that pets are welcome to join you in visiting the stupa, both outside and even inside. Theres plenty of swimming, adventuring, eating, and drinking to keep you both busy. The Mornington Peninsula. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. The most well-known destination for street art in Melbourne is Hosier Lane in the city centre, not far from Federation Square. Generally there are clear sign posts, but sometimes you may need to look online at the council websites. Probably one of Australia's most iconic road trips, the Great Ocean Road never . Many of the cafes have dog-friendly tables out the front, or else the beer garden at the Maldon Hotel is pet-friendly. Punt for a lazy 30 minutes by day or choose an evening hour-long tour. Spend the morning browsing the enticing shops and galleries. Take the Monash Freeway (M1) to either South Gippsland Freeway (M420), Clyde Road (C407) or Koo Wee Rup Road (C422) exit. It would be cruel to bring them to this beautiful city and not have as many swims as possible. Or head just downriver to Arbory Afloat, a floating cocktail bar that is especially popular on sunny afternoons in summer. The building is one of the few remaining examples of the exhibition buildings erected across the world in the late 19th century. The stickers also handily indicate which local restaurants and cafes allow dogs in their outdoor dining areas. This bushland reserve might only be 15 minutes out of Brisbane, but it can feel like youre miles away from the hustle and bustle. Gourmet Pawprints operates tours to multiple wine regions, including the Mornington Peninsula, the Yarra Valley (both the Melba Trail and the Friday evening Doggo Friday Wine Downs) and the Bellarine Peninsula. Want more opportunities to learn paddleboarding with you pup? Hourly regional trains go there from Melbourne, taking 1.5 hours. 2. This makes this one of the greatest day trips from Melbourne with dogs. From the visitor information centre at the Carousel, its a flat 950m walk to Eastern Beach. Canova Dog Beach Canova Beach Park in Indialantic, FL, is home to Brevard County's only dog-friendly beach. Your dog wont be allowed inside of the Luna Park amusement park (and wouldnt appreciate the screams), but instead take a walk out along the pier (dogs allowed on a leash) or visit one of the surrounding beaches. 13. The Somerset on Elizabeth manages to provide the privacy and autonomy of an apartment while still offering the hospitality of a hotel. Lavandula swiss italian farm. Phillip Island is found just off the south coast of Victoria and makes for one of the most exciting day trips from Melbourne. Check out Harlow Bar in Richmond, which welcomes dogs both in their beer garden and on the rooftop, accessible from the stairs in the beer garden. Just like most places in Australia, the majority of shops in Melbourne wont be happy if you try and take your dog inside. 2.7 Macedon Ranges Tour. Dont let your dog wander around the car. Featuring a promenade, beach volleyball, and an enclosed ocean pool with diving boards, it's a fun destination for the whole familyso pack a picnic and plan for a day trip. Otherwise stop off at one of the cafes along Acland Street for coffees and cake. Puffing Billy Half Day. Dogs are welcome in the gardens, as long as they are kept on a leash, including at the outdoor tables at the small tea house. They are most welcome on small group private tours of the best dog-friendly vineyards in the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and Heathcote. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of both Flinders Street and Southern Cross Stations (handy for if youre arriving with your pup by train). Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach for the whole weekend. Getting there: Ballarat is one of the best side trips from Melbourne because of how easy it is to reach. We considered paying extra for room service and having breakfast delivered to our room, but instead opted to take-away the tasty Egg and Bacon Muffins. . Travel time between Melbourne and Ballarat varies from around 65 minutes to 2 hours 48 minutes. Grand Haven, Michigan. Once there you'll find there is a lot to do. Travel on the safari bus through Australian grasslands to spot koalas and kangaroos. Unlike the majority of cities in Australia where pets on public transport are a no-no, pets are allowed on public transport in Melbourne with some caveats. 2.2 Phillip Island. Melbourne is home to one of Australias most unexpected World Heritage sites: the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, on the northern fringe of the city. Luckily, Sydney has more than its fair share of spots to take a dip. Doggie Road Trip Around Victoria No. Tempting as it may be to exclusively explore Melbourne's tapestry of shops, restaurants, cafes, laneways and culture, there is p. 10 of the best free things to do in Melbourne. Make sure your dog stays on a leash and is well behaved. On each tour, there is a charge per human, plus a small charge per dog up to $25. 2. The return transfer coach departs from Sovereign Hill at 3.25 pm on weekdays and 3.50 pm on weekends. If visiting on a Sunday, check out the market along the Esplanade. While the dog-friendly falls are best viewed after periods of rain, note that the track can get muddy and slippery underfoot, so make sure you pack a towel to clean off your pup. At the time of our visit, they offered a Puppy Parma for dogs on Tuesday nights, along with their discounted parmas. Known for its picturesque intertwining lakes, amazing camping grounds, and the famous Ninety Mile Beach - it's a popular spot for families and nature seekers. For more information on taking pets on all types of public transport within Victoria, see the full guidelines. (On the dog sign-in form, dogs are permitted to be left in the room as long as you put the do-not-disturb sign on the door.). The best tours in Melbourne are: Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo; From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour; Melbourne: SEA LIFE Aquarium Entrance Ticket; From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip; Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise Book Your Tour Now. Its an easy 80-minute drive the opposite direction from Melbourne to Geelong. 3. Afterwards, make use of the new dog wash-down area next to the carpark, with multiple spraying taps at different heights for all sizes of dogs. VICTORIA ROAD TRIP | Our ultimate 7-day Victorian road trip guide. For an arty dog-friendly experience on the edge of Melbourne, head to McClellands Sculpture Park near Frankston. Hike the George Bass Coastal Walk. 10. During our stay in Melbourne, we stayed at the Best Western Melbourne City Hotel, the first hotel in Melbourne city to be pet-friendly. For a comprehensive list of dog-friendly beach areas in Melbourne, clickhere. A solid 3-hour road trip from Melbourne, Lakes Entrance is found in the eastern corner of Victoria. Distance - approx 142km/88 miles. Location: Melbourne City Royal Botanical Gardens. Warburton is one of the city's best kept secrets and the perfect weekend getaway from Melbourne. Theres multiple carpark options along the way, at Foreshore, Fulcher Street and Wombat Flat, or else its an easy walk from the centre of town. The Kyneton Botanic Gardens contains many large National Trust-listed trees, plus are adjacent to the Campaspe River with a wonderful riverside walk. Find out more about visiting Bendigo with a dog, To view Melbourne from a different viewpoint, take a relaxing cruise along the Yarra River. There's places to set free all your wags and wiggles - until you're all tuckered out. Donna Buang. How far from Melbourne: The Great Ocean Road starts at least 1.5-2 hours from the city, and is at LEAST a 3-hour drive to the end. Book Now. Itll help them get comfortable and associate the car with good things. For more information, download one of the free audio guided tours. 14. (Its best to double check the opening hours in advance.). The gardens are home to many heritage-listed trees and avenues, as well as a new 21st Century Garden. Guides & Tips. If you feel like heading out and exploring, there's a shallow river nearby that's safe for your pup to splash around in. The Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens in Daylesford contain a short scenic drive loop, plus the dog-friendly Wombat Hill Cafe. Given its seaside location, when you head to Queenscliff for the day, pack your bathers and towel. Although, if you do make it to the top, youll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the city. Melbourne is a great travel destination with a lot to do and see, but sometimes you need to get away and explore the surrounding areas. The park has several trail options to explore, so you can easily spend as long as you like enjoying natureand maybe even spot a wallaby or koala. Wine Compass loves dogs! The area has recently been revamped, with some new rules in places. Tours run daily, with a single tour on most weekdays but multiple tours on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays. Theres some great burgers options on the menu, and if youre visiting during the week make sure you arrive before 6:30pm to nab the Happy Hour drink specials. Mornington Peninsula. Start point: Melbourne. Plus its easy to get around the city with smaller pets. Close to Federation Square, Pilgrim Bar is another riverside spot that is dog-friendly, serving up tapas-style plates and gourmet toasties. Flickr/Richard Elzey. 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