DAY TRIPS | 9 amazing day trips from Melbourne. Out the back are couches for canines, while there is also an indoor off-leash relaxing room. I've got lots of tips on travelling with a dog, from dog-friendly destinations to pet-friendly accommodation to flying with a dog. Its just over an hours drive to the Yarra Valley, with most vineyards scattered around the towns of Coldstream, Healesville and Yarra Glen. Make sure your dog stays on a leash and is well behaved. Famous for its food and dog-friendly caf culture, the highlight of a Melbourne trip is often eating. Dandenong Ranges. I'd recommend taking at least two weeks for the road trip . About a two-hour drive east of Melbourne is the Toorongo Falls Reserve at Noojee. Take your four-legged best friend somewhere nice for a weekend. Dogs are permitted on the Excursion Class carriages, at the discretion of the Station Master, but not the First Class carriages. Perhaps head here after a visit to Miss Drews Bakery and Dog Cafe (see #3)? However, dogs are only permitted on board the Puffing Billy Dog Express that runs one or two days a month and quickly sells out. 1st - 2nd Teralba. Plus, its proximity to the Yarra River and Burnley Parks off-leash area makes it a perfect stop on a dog day out. Just over an hour north of Melbourne is Hanging Rock, made famous by the novel and subsequent film, Picnic at Hanging Rock. Ask whether this is still available (I believe its currently off the menu). Great Ocean Road. 11. San Remo Bridge connects Phillip Islands to mainland Victoria and is only 120 Kms from Melbourne. Pack a scrumptious picnic for a shady rest after enjoying the sights and sounds. Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. Youll first of all enjoy a 1-hour Stand Up Paddleboard session with your pup, then breakfast together back at Chez Misty. The most well-known destination for street art in Melbourne is Hosier Lane in the city centre, not far from Federation Square. 16 Nov 2022. While dogs are not surprisingly not permitted on the underground mine tours, theyre welcome to join you on leash in exploring the surface of the former gold mine for free, including ascending halfway up the poppet head along the trestle way (if they can be carried up the stairs). Inside, floor to ceiling windows frame panoramic views of Wilsons Promontory, while large . Private guided punt tours generally last 30-minutes, and run between September and May. Wine Compass loves dogs! Accessible by car, train and public bus (the number 364) this is the perfect Melbourne day trip if you're short on time. One of the most popular day trips from Melbourne with families, Phillip Island won't disappoint. Where: Lorne - Port Fairy. Plus its easy to get around the city with smaller pets. Over the 2022-23 summer, Paddle and Brunch runs on multiple days per month, a mixture of Saturdays and weekdays. And the best bit about it is that you can bring your own car over on the Spirit too (and avoid those pesky pet cleaning fees on a rental). They say the best things in life are free - turns out, they were right! The vacation town even boasts the Must Love Dogs Boutique & Spa, a pet-friendly . There's places to set free all your wags and wiggles - until you're all tuckered out. 3 Days in Oslo: The Perfect Oslo Itinerary. Dog Friendly Cardinia Reservoir Park is a great place for a family day out. A tired dog will be more relaxed in the car. If you keep on driving past Frankston, youll arrive at the Mornington Peninsula proper. Live interstate and want to fly to Melbourne with your pet? To take the hassle out of organising a wine tasting tour, I recommend booking a dog-friendly private winery tour with a company such as Pooches and Pinot. Theres a wide variety of walking trails in the park, from the 200m stroll to Memorial Cross from next to the tea rooms to the 30km loop track that links all the major sites in the park. Here's what to see and do - and check out our . Its a scenic 4km ride through a narrow gorge each direction. | Lincoln and Gandhi. While there arent any human options on the menu, instead step across the path to the Rattling Red Cafe opposite and grab your own takeaway coffee. Take the Monash Freeway (M1) to either South Gippsland Freeway (M420), Clyde Road (C407) or Koo Wee Rup Road (C422) exit. For more information, see my guide to dog-friendly historic train rides in Australia. Populated with wineries, this popular place makes for a great long weekend getaway. If this is your first long trip, get them used to things by taking a few shorter rides to places they enjoy. Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Melbourne with your dog. On the regional V/Line trains, only small pets in a container are allowed onboard. Thanks for subscribing! This leg of the Perth to Melbourne drive takes you further along the Nullarbor and on to the '90 Mile Straight'. Geelong. 1. Baits had been recently laid at the Punchbowl Road end when we visited in November 2021, although there were no signs at the other end. While Geelong is often overlooked in favour of the Great Ocean Road that starts just past it, it is home to a beautiful waterfront that makes for a great dog-friendly stroll. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome to join you on the underground tour of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine. 1. Ferns, waterfalls, gumtrees and the songs of native birds make Toolangi State Forest the perfect dog (and human) oasis. It will help keep them busy. Have a Poke Around the Laneways and Markets. Wine Compass. As I mentioned above, dogs are welcome in the Royal Botanic Gardens and Carlton Gardens. So if youre considering setting off together, we have some suggestions for making your favourite holiday activities dog-friendly. Now, this is more of a lagoon than a beach, but we doubt youll get any complaints from your dog. Daylesford, founded during the 1860's Gold Rush (and, hilariously, originally named' Wombat'), is a popular spa town to the north-west of Melbourne, where visitors can take a load off and enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation. These privately owned gardens are open daily and were gorgeous on the late spring day that we visited. From the top of this granite outcrop theres superb views back towards Melbourne and across the Bellarine Peninsula. Dogs are also allowed year round on the sand at St Kilda West, except for the sensitive dune area, plus in between Brooks Jetty and the northern end of the St Kilda Marina car park. There's a reason that Daylesford is known as a haven of relaxation. Another park with dog-friendly walking trails close to Hanging Rock is the Macedon Regional Park, situated just to the south and containing the forested heights of the Macedon Ranges. Itll help them get comfortable and associate the car with good things. If youre travelling interstate, check that the laws around driving with dogs dont vary. The Florida Aquarium. Theres also plenty of picnic areas in the park. Explore Victoria with your pup on a tour on a dog-friendly chauffeured bus. Discover picturesque views, long and short walks, cycling or simply a place for a cuppa after leisurely strolls through the wilderness. 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. Check out Flinders St Station and Federation Square. Mt Donna Buang summit (1,245m) is located in the Yarra Valley, overlooking Warburton in Victoria only 88km away from Melbourne making it the closest snow destination for a quick day trip. 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. Any time spent in Sydney with a dog really has to be focused on the great outdoors. Cruises operate seven days per week, multiple times per day. If youre feeling a little fancy, treat yourself at this century-old local institution. If youd prefer to not head all the way into the city centre, theres also lots of great examples in other inner city suburbs, ideal for combining with brunch at a cafe or a drink at a local pet-friendly pub. The stickers also handily indicate which local restaurants and cafes allow dogs in their outdoor dining areas. Dj vu! Try break up the trip with overnights in pet-friendly hotels or campsites. 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. Luckily, Sydney has more than its fair share of spots to take a dip. Pay attention to how often your dog usually needs to go to the toilet and plan plenty of stops along the way. Each night at sunset, visitors gather along the shore to watch adorable penguins waddle up the beach at the Phillip Island Nature Park. 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. Phone +61 3 5272 5272. Tour type: Small Group. Grand Haven is a picturesque town on Michigan's West Coast loved by tourists and their dog companions alike, mainly for the amount of greenspaces and beaches. 2. While Melbourne and Sydney pride themselves on food and leisure, Brisbane manages to combine the best of both cities. If you head further afield in Melbourne, theres plenty more great dog-friendly dining options. https://www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au. Their dock is located midway along Southbank, near Southgate Avenue. (Theres a huge selection!) Make sure you pick up one of the brochures with maps, so that you explore the far reaches of the site, as well as the large kinetic sculptures on the front lawn. On the menu are a range of treats for your dog, from pugichinos to muffins and cookies. They can get in a good run too, thanks to the grassy dunes in the park area. ), I love thisitinerary for 7 days in 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. If youre staying in the city centre, I recommend heading over to the wide open spaces of Southbank for dinner, where theres plenty of dog-friendly outdoor dining spaces. Try Tasmania! Another option for a dog-friendly day tour where you dont need to drive are the Gourmet Pawprints Tours on Bella the Dog Welcoming Bus. 1. It sits on one side of the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. In any case, its best to head here early to avoid the crowds, and nab some great photos with your pup. One of the best short dog-friendly walks is the short hike up to Camels Hump, the highest point in the Macedon Ranges. 2. The Yarra Valley is known for its Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc varietals. Being right in the city, yet feeling as though you are a million miles away lost in a beautiful oasis is hard to top. The Briars Community Forest takes off-leash dog walking in a fenced area to the next level, and is a must-visit for dogs on the Peninsula. Shallow Inlet to Sandy Point Beach. Daylesford, an easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne, is a day trip that will provide you with a chance to indulge in luxury and relaxation. No matter how many breaks you take, most dogs will struggle with a whole day of driving. To explore more of Bendigos gold mining heritage, head to the Victoria Hill Historic Mining Reserve. Distance: 7.25km. For an excellent option further out of the city (a car is necessary), head to Aranga Reserve, just off the M3 motorway in Donvale. 9 Best Road Trips in Australia: Iconic Great Ocean Road Drive, Adventure-Filled . During our visit to Melbourne in 2019, we visited the Newmarket Hotel in St Kilda. New South Wales. The best day trips from Melbourne. (Its best to double check the opening hours in advance.). One of the most surprising attractions just outside of town is the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, the largest stupa in the Western World. Great Ocean Road Extended to South Australia. Just double-check which attractions do and dont allow dogs. Rutherglen (3 hours from of Melbourne CBD) Along the Murray River, Rutherglen is known as one of premier wine regions in Victoria. Dogs are still not allowed off leash inside the gardens, but they are allowed to join you for a stroll on a leash. Word of advice though: its not great for non-dog swimming. Along with the dog-friendly Vintage Talking Trams, one of the highlights of a visit to Bendigo is visiting the Central Deborah Gold Mine. Dogs are allowed off-leash all day long, year round, both on the beach and in the adjacent fenced PA Burns Reserve off-leash park. Oh, dogs like it too! Theres also multiple picnic areas. See the maps on this website. For an arty dog-friendly experience on the edge of Melbourne, head to McClellands Sculpture Park near Frankston. 3 Day Melbourne to Adelaide Tour. Find out more about taking adog-friendly getaway to Daylesford. Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Probably the closest option to Melbourne is Puffing Billy in the Dandenong Ranges, departing from Emerald Station, just over an hour east of Melbourne. Travel time between Melbourne and Ballarat varies from around 65 minutes to 2 hours 48 minutes. Only 25km from central Melbourne and you'll be immersed in some of the country's most beautiful scenery. 449km / 4hr 35min. 30th Noosa. Geelong VIC 3220, Australia. For more information, download one of the free audio guided tours. Not sure where to start? Phillip Island, about 140 kilometers from Melbourne's city center, is a top pick for wildlife lovers. 3rd - 8th Coffs Harbour. Great Ocean Road comes in at number 5 on our list of the best day trips from Melbourne. With these generous rules, it means that a quick getaway to the Melbourne CBD using public transport with your pet is possible from within the metropolitan area (for dogs of all sizes) or from across the state (for those with small pets). More info: Read about Somerset's pet options here. (Although this may change once the construction of the interior is complete.) A popular spot for dog walking, the reserve contains a number of old mining relics, including some open cut mines. Before or after, enjoy a picnic with your dog in one of the many picnic grounds, or explore the other dog-friendly attractions of the Macedon Ranges. For a comprehensive list of dog-friendly beach areas in Melbourne, clickhere. Hi! A popular dog walk among locals, due to all the native wildlife, youll need to take care to keep your dog on-leash at all times. Purchase a bone or occupier treat for them to chew on across the trip. Once youre done visiting these dog-loving beaches, and probably starving, you wont have to look far for somewhere great to eat. The 3.5km return walk takes about an hour to complete, with lots of steps along the way. 13. The return transfer coach departs from Sovereign Hill at 3.25 pm on weekdays and 3.50 pm on weekends. They can organise an itinerary for you, taking into account your tastes and recommending the best dog-friendly wineries, with both half-day and full-day options available. Lake Jubilee/Daylesford. Research the areas youre travelling through and to and make sure that roads are open and towns are welcoming visitors. Once there you'll find there is a lot to do. 2.1 Great Ocean Road. Theres even an Instagram account devoted to the dogs on the punt tours! Many of the inner city suburbs have great examples, but the most well-known destination is Hosier Lane in the city, not far from Federation Square. Perhaps the most exciting part of the hotel is that you can bring your whole family fur babies included. After all that action, make sure you save some energy and appetite for Brisbane. Roughly 140km from Melbourne's CBD is a quintessentially Aussie island escape, where wildlife and adventure awaits. More info:Hepburn Regional Park, Creswick. Find local inspiration and start planning your next road trip with our simple interactive journey planner. Source: SAKARET / shutterstock. Our dog-friendly lodging pick: While there is no shortage of pet-friendly lodging options in the Dells, our recommendation is Baker's Sunset Bay Resort, where you can bring up to two pets for $15 a day per floof. Inside the hotel, pets are allowed to stay in the courtyard rooms on the ground floor, for an additional fee (currently $30 per night). This bushland reserve might only be 15 minutes out of Brisbane, but it can feel like youre miles away from the hustle and bustle. Copyright 2023 by Shandos Cleaver | All rights reserved. But heads up, during the week its only off-leash before 9AM and after 4PM. The most popular walking track in the park heads to the summit of Flinders Peak. Tanglefoot Loop is a ten-kilometre . Alternatively, head north to Castlemaine and ride on the Victoria Goldfields Railway, taking the 45 minute journey to the historic village of Maldon. Distance - approx 142km/88 miles. 11. To the eastern side of the pier dogs are only allowed on the sand during winter. Looking for a fun day out with your dog around Melbourne? Visiting the Yarra Valley wineries is an all time favourite day trip. Some of the best historic botanic gardens to visit around Melbourne include fine examples in Kyneton, Malmsbury, Daylesford and Castlemaine. This Melbourne to Perth drive itinerary will take you to all the best spots along the bottom of Australia, and can be part of a larger road trip around Australia or a standalone trip to get you from east to west. Stay close, go fur-ther. Here dogs are allowed off-leash all day long, year round. More info: Torquay, Bells Beach and Jan Juc are along the Great Ocean Road, 1.5 hours from Melbourne CBD. 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