Any pet owner can agree: it’s hard to be away from your precious animal. Fortunately, though, with the boom in household animals adopted during COVID lockdowns, many accommodations are not only now allowing furry friends to also stay, but even going as far as to tailor the stay so the pet is pampered, too.
In Victoria, you’ll find hundreds of pet-friendly accommodations. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of our favourites, in Melbourne and across the rest of the state. From a cottage set on a 12-hectare family farm your pup will love exploring, to city stays with special pooch pampering packages, these are our picks for the best pet-friendly accommodation in Victoria.
The Storekeeper’s House, Tatura
Built in 1905, this dreamy private home, called The Storekeeper’s House, sits a two-hour drive from Melbourne in a country town in Goulburn Valley. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and living and dining rooms clad with a mix of textures, like leather, recycled wool, and worn timbers. Small to medium dogs are welcomed on application, but there’s a pet hosting fee of $75 per pet.
Ovolo South Yarra, South Yarra
Keen to stay in the city? Ovolo was one of the first boutique hotel chains in Australia to allow pets. The brand’s V.I.Pooch equips your room with a doggy bed, food and drink bowl, and a doggy bag with toys and treats, and is available at Ovolo’s South Yarra property and Laneways By Ovolo in the CBD. Only up to two dogs are allowed per room, but the V.I.Pooch package can during select dates be tacked on free of charge, with your stay.
QT Melbourne, Melbourne
QT Melbourne is another Melbourne pet-friendly option, with a program called Pup Yeah!. Pups of less than 20kgs are treated to a mini bar of dog snacks and are even able to order from a dog dinner menu, designed by QT Head of Treats, Nic Wood. Have them look fresher than they arrived by booking them into a pupQ grooming session.
Coolart Studios, Mornington Peninsula
Book both of Coolart Studios’ two studios to fit a total of 10 guests. It’s located an hour from Melbourne’s CBD and is a great place to base yourself while exploring the Mornington Peninsula’s vineyards, beaches, and fine dining. Pets are welcome, though with approval and at an additional fee.
Liptrap Loft, Walkerville
Set on two hectares of bushland a two-hour drive from Melbourne, Liptrap Loft is a cabin made from recycled materials and with Japanese-influenced architecture. The property has a Japanese Bath House with a traditional bath, an outdoor dining table and chairs, and two mountain bikes guests can use. Well-behaved pets are welcome.
Tathra Cottage, Flowerdale
Tathra Farmstays is a 12-hectare family farm in regional Victoria with a studio, cottage, and lodge. The cottage, a cosy, mud-brick build with an outdoor spa and outdoor shower, is pet-friendly, with a maximum of two dogs allowed. You’re free to let your dog off-leash within the cottage grounds if the main gate is shut.
The Stable House, Ballarat Central
Pet-friendly The Stable House is a 10-minute stroll away from the centre of Ballarat. It can sleep up to four guests and is beautifully decorated with a farmhouse style. Relax in its lounge with a new gas log fireplace after a dinner cooked-up in its newly renovated country kitchen. Or, if it’s a balmy evening, head outside to sit under the stars.
Related: Does Sydney’s New Pet-Friendly Stay Live Up to Its Bark?
Related: These Top Pet-Friendly Hotels in Australia Deserve a Round of A-Paws
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