Love the thought of a weekend getaway in Victoria but worried about leaving the dog behind? You don’t have to, as Urban List has been hard at work digging out the best pet-friendly accommodation for you and your four-legged family member.
Grab the ball and get ready for an adventure. These perfect Victorian pads include a Grand Designs eco home with a pool, a St Kilda penthouse with dreamy views, a mud brick cottage with its own sauna and a Fitzroy hideaway with a rooftop onsen.
Say no to slumming it in uninspiring stays when holidaying with your dog and delve into these epic pet-friendly options. You’re welcome!
Callignee Callignee Eco Bush Retreat
Ever watched Grand Designs and wondered what it’d actually be like to stay in one of the pads featured on the show? Wonder no more with this totally off-grid two-bedder hidden in five acres of bushland in Victoria’s Gippsland region.
Pets are welcomed for a small additional fee and, as you peel open your eyes after a night in your king size bed, you’ll see why this place was made for TV.
Look up and you’ll see a ceiling made of timber recycled from Melbourne’s Princess Pier. Head to the bathroom and you can dream of waterfalls under the open glass double head shower—there’s complimentary organic shampoo, conditioner and soap for use during your stay.
Wait, there’s more. Potter into the rustic open plan kitchen of this pet-friendly accommodation and you’ll find it flows into a 12-metre outdoor lap pool and gardens. That’s you and your dog sorted for the weekend.
Fitzroy Gerty Longroom
A hidden pet-friendly gem in the heart of Melbourne, this Victorian split-level terrace pays tribute to the artists and designers who make Gertrude Street a global destination.
Step through the poster-pasted front door and first you’ll find a single open-plan living space running the entire length of the block.
Your lounge has views onto Gertrude St— with its magnificent magnolia trees, boutique shops, cafes and bars—and your pup will love to snooze on the giant Flokati sheepskin rug by the couch.
This accommodation caters well for dogs, with a bed, bowls, poop bags and Greenies for chew-time provided free of charge.
Humans also get a complimentary taste of the owner’s farm in regional Victoria, with fresh herbs and milk provided, along with a couple of surprise extras depending on the season.
After making yourself a well-deserved cuppa, pad upstairs and you’ll find a master bedroom with a king bed draped with Egyptian linen sheets.
From there you can admire the view of your own, private Japanese-inspired garden, complete with entertaining zone, cabana and outdoor bath, shaded by a maple tree. Bliss.
Ventnor The Wülshed
What was once a working woolshed is now a unique pet-friendly stay for up to four guests on Victoria’s Phillip Island.
Your home away from home is located on a ten-acre property close to Berry’s Beach, and stumbling distance from the dog-friendly Phillip Island Winery. (They even have a doggy menu in case your mate wants to dine with you.)
Expect timber from floor to ceiling in this rustic stay—there’s cosy cushions and rugs aplenty and even a grand piano for the musical among you to play.
Outdoors, you’ll find a firepit for evenings spent under the stars and you can arrange to have optional wood fired hot tub access—just contact the owner in advance to ask.
Wandiligong Pebblebank on Morses
Expect soaring views over the treetops at this two-bedroom hillside retreat in Wandiligong, Victoria, an hour and a half south of Albury.
It’s a spot for those seeking solitude with their dog in tow, and has everything you need for a pet-friendly stay.
You and the pooch can choose to snooze by the French Cheminees Philippe wood fireplace in the living space or whip up a feast in the full Miele kitchen, complete with zip tap. There’s also a full butler’s pantry stocked with essential basics for your stay.
Watch the sunset around the firepit or on your outdoor deck overlooking Morses Creek and Mystic Mountain. If the weather’s a bit iffy, there’s a purpose-built snug that sings out for movie-time.
Come your final day, rest in the knowledge you have time for brunch before you leave your accommodation, thanks to the luxury of an 11am checkout.
Apollo Bay Salty Cottage
A stone’s throw from the beach and cafes of Victoria’s Apollo Bay, Salty Cottage is a relaxed coastal pet-friendly retreat.
The fully-fenced rear courtyard is a drawcard here, it’s just the spot to indulge in a spot of playtime with the pup.
Keen to explore further afield? You’re just a five-minute drive from the dog-friendly Marengo Beach and right on the seriously picturesque Great Ocean Road, so there’s a heap of options for an adventure day.
Back at your two-bedroom accommodation, you’ll find it a delightful mix of vintage and modern charm, with a cedar window-framed open plan living space and distant hill top views.
Gather around the indoor fireplace with a glass of the good stuff and settle in for games night with the whole family.
Glenaire Mud Brick Cottage
Pets are welcome at this rustic mud brick cottage overlooking the Aire Valley, Victoria, and close to the dog-friendly Johanna Beach.
Koala-watching is on the cards at this scenic spot and the outdoor hot tub will have you cracking open a cold one and diving right in as soon as you arrive.
This quiet spot sleeps seven across three bedrooms, so the whole crew can come along for the ride.
Once you’ve enjoyed an outdoor dip, why not head to the Finnish barrel sauna and sweat out those toxins before gathering the gang around the firepit for a night spent toasting marshmallows.
Cockatoo The Cottage
Leave city living behind and immerse yourself in a cottage adventure with the whole crew at this three-bedroom beauty in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges.
Tucked away in a mountain ash forest, this pet-friendly heritage stay can sleep eight comfortably—and that’s not even including the dog!
You’re just 100 metres from the iconic Puffing Billy railway here (and it’s actually possible to book a spot in a carriage for your dog too. Just be warned, the Puffing Billy dog express is mega popular so you’ll need to check dates and availability first).
If rail travel’s not on the itinerary, how about a trip to the Old Olinda Golf Course dog park instead?
Back at your timber-clad home, grab a bottle of red and head out to your covered outdoor patio area, where there’s a barbecue just waiting to be fired up for burgers.
St Kilda Dream View Melbourne
Fancy your own private penthouse with million-dollar views? This pet-friendly Melbourne stay is the place for you.
Perched on the top floor of an eye-catching art deco building, Dream View has direct line of sight to St Kilda beach, the Formula 1 track, Albert Park lake and Melbourne CBD. Talk about spectacular!
Inside, expect a light and bright living space, two bedrooms with storage, an office, a stainless steel kitchen and a huge bathroom with a rain shower.
Outside, you and your dog have your very own huge north-facing balcony, plus outside this pad’s front door you’ll find a tennis court-sized rooftop that can play host to sunset drinks.
Need more? You’ve got a bottle shop across the road and a bunch of pubs, cafes and restaurants on your doorstep.
Balnarring The Good Place
Cosy, charming and within strolling distance of an epic coffee. Now this is a pet-friendly stay we can all get behind.
You’ll find The Good Place down a quiet dirt road fringed with pine trees and just a three-minute drive from one of the best beaches on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome here, but they must stay off furniture, out of bedrooms and a pet cleaning fee applies.
Inside your accommodation, you find lamplight, art-filled walls, a heap of books and board games and a handcrafted kitchen made from rare Australian timber by a renowned local craftsman.
Fancy heading out to explore? You’re a five-minute walk from Balnarring village, where you’ll find great restaurants, craft cocktails, a brewery and more. Cheers to that.
North Melbourne Canopy Terrace
Step inside this inviting dual-level sanctuary and you’ll forget you’re in the city at all.
A pet-friendly townhouse occupying a top spot in bustling North Melbourne, it offers easy access to the CBD.
Decked out in a deliciously retro style, this Airbnb has a bright and spacious open-plan living area and a fully-equipped kitchen that can handle anything, from cheese and crackers to stews.
Pour yourself a Margarita, plonk yourself on the egg-chair in your private courtyard and enjoy some one-on-one time with the dog.
It’s worth noting that the peeps that own this place allow dogs outside and provide a kennel for that purpose, but you’re asked to chat to them about your pet at the time of booking so they can assess whether the place is suitable for them.
If you’ve got a car, street parking permits are available for guest use. Just ask about that too.
Mount Martha Casa Frida Studio
Prepare for cuteness overload as you enter the ivy-covered Balinese gates of this studio, which is styled with the owner’s favourite places in mind.
You’ll find more than a whisper of Indonesia, Morocco, Spain and Mexico at this pet-friendly space that has been transformed from an old art studio in Mount Martha, Victoria.
This colourful accommodation is a tribute to the owner’s favourite artist, Frida Kahlo, and if you’re after modern five-star luxury, it isn’t for you. Instead, expect a character-filled spot that’s meant to inspire.
Get your creative juices flowing by painting a picture, or soak away the stresses of the day in the tempting outdoor bath.
There’s pretty views overlooking the bay and an on-site swimming pool that you’re welcome to use too.
She Oaks Cattle Yard Camp
Glamping with the dog. Why not?
Get away from it all with a stay at Cattle Yard Camp, a unique pet-friendly accommodation experience on a 26-acre property close to Geelong, Ballarat and Daylesford, Victoria.
You can get out in nature without needing to sleep on the floor at this private bush retreat, which offers guests a comfy bed, a well-equipped kitchen and sparkling clean bathroom.
Dogs are welcome to roam freely here, as long as they are within their owners’ sight at all times.
There’s heaps to do around here for humans too, with the historic town of Steiglitz on your doorstep and plenty of walking and mountain bike riding options nearby.
Prefer to stay in and amp up the romance factor? Pack a picnic rug and a bottle of champers and sit on the grass outside your glamping tent to watch the stunning sunset.
There’s a firepit for cosying up together under the stars too.
Capel Sound Weeping Willows Retreat
The surprises keep coming once you open the front door of this unassuming property on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
This pet-friendly two-bedder backs on to Chinaman Creek and boasts a fully-enclosed backyard with a grassy space that lends itself to games of fetch.
Inside, you’ll find an open plan living and eating space with high ceilings, wooden floors and space for six around the dinner table. But open the stacker doors into the outdoor area and you’ll discover where the magic happens.
You’ve got a large back deck, with a barbecue and pizza oven for whipping up an Italian feast, plus an outdoor firepit for those nights when stargazing calls.
Prefer to indulge in some me-time? There’s a six-person sauna at this indulgent spot, plus an outdoor bathtub if that suits your mood.
Oh, and the garage at this pad is worth a mention in itself—it’s got gym stuff, a pool table, table tennis and darts, plus an Apple box attached to a TV if you want to watch the footy.