22 Best Dog Friendly Beaches, Bars, Wineries and Walks in Gippsland
Stretching from Melbourne’s eastern outskirts all the way to the state border with New South Wales in Victoria’s far east, the Gippsland region is an extensive and charming area known for its natural beauty. Enjoy spectacular coastlines, rolling hills, rugged terrain, and some incredible businesses using gourmet and regional produce. The Gippsland region is also incredibly dog friendly, with a range of breweries, wineries, cafes, holiday parks and more that love furry visitors. Here’s our list of the best dog friendly beaches, bars, walks and wineries to visit with your pooch.
Before we start the list, here are some dog friendly accommodation options to stay with your dog.
Dog Friendly Accommodation
Belrose Estate
Sleeps 2 | Bedrooms 1 | Bathrooms 1
Belrose Estate is nestled amongst the picturesque vineyards and green valleys of South East Gippsland, Victoria. Enjoy bike rides, hikes, surf sessions, or just take a peaceful stroll through our vineyard. The sweeping views of Grande Ridge Road and Wilsons Prom through our picture windows make it easy to slow down and reconnect.
Belrose Estate by Tiny Away is one of the charming holiday homes perched on top of a hill in Dumbalk, close to Venus Bay, Meeniyan, and Tarra Bulga National Park, among other attractions. This cozy 139-square-foot studio unit is perfect for two people/adults with a queen-sized bed, easy access to water, split air conditioning, a kitchenette, cooking tools, and excellent bathroom facilities. These amenities include an eco-friendly compost toilet, a hand basin, and a gas-heated shower for hot showers.
Dog Friendly Beaches
1. Port Albert Beach
Port Albert
If you’re visit the charming port town of Port Albert then you can’t miss its dog friendly beaches. Dogs are welcome off leash in all beaches and parks in Port Albert except at Rutter Park.
2. Ned Neale’s Lookout
Sandy Point
Sandy Point beach is a wide beach that stretches for miles. Ned Neale’s lookout western end of Beach Parade is a 24h dog beach in Sandy Point.
3. Inverloch Beach
Inverloch
Grab a ball and let your pup run free along the sandy shore of Inverloch beach. Running along the front of the town, there is plenty of space for a splash and a play.
4. Golden Beach
Golden Beach
This dog friendly beach (on lead only) is part of a ninety mile long stretch of pristine golden sand that separates the Gippsland Lakes from Bass Strait. Golden Beach is often secluded and offers plenty of space for you to walk with your dog. Dogs are welcome on lead in the following beaches in The Lakes area: Barrier Landing, Ocean Grange, Paradise Beach, Loch Sport Causeway, The Wreck, Flamingo Beach, The Honeysuckles between campsites one to six on Shoreline Drive at Golden Beach.
Dog Friendly Cafes
5. Bayside Lady
19 Abeckett Street, Inverloch
Established in 2015, The Bayside Lady is located in the heart of the beautiful coastal town of Inverloch. The family owned and operated restaurant aims to deliver quality homemade food using fresh and local ingredients, while providing unbeatable customer service to all two legged and four legged guests. Serving all day breakfast and lunch, pizza and pasta from 5pm, plus delicious coffee and a selection of house baked cakes in between, this dog friendly cafe has something for whatever you and your pup fancy. They are fully licensed, and have a spacious beer garden for you to enjoy with your fur baby.
6. Fozigobble
79 Princes Highway, Yarragon
A unique name with unique food, Fozigobble is a dog friendly cafe that caters for all dietary needs, using local, organic products. Indulge in their Sri Lankan menu and enjoy the serene garden area with your pup by your side.
Dog Friendly Wineries
7. Cannibal Creek
260 Tynong North Rd, Tynong
With its rolling green outlook, Cannibal Creek proves the ideal pit-stop for a weekend sipping session, especially if you have a furry friend in tow. Grab a prime position on the sunny deck with your pooch, order one of their many award-winning wines and dig into the restaurant’s menu before heading out to explore the vines up close — well-behaved canines are free to explore the surrounding lawns off-leash.
8. Toms Cap Vineyard Retreat
322 Lays Rd, Willung South
Escape to this serene and award-winning vineyard retreat in the heart of Gippsland. A small boutique vineyard situated in Central Gippsland and surrounded by the forests of the Strzelecki Ranges, the ninety-mile beach at Woodside and the natural flora and fauna of the Tarra Bulga national park. Relax on the verandah with your pup as you enjoy delicious wines. The Cellar Door is open Thursday to Monday, from 10am to 4pm.
9. Lightfoot & Sons
717 Wy Yung-Calulu Rd, Calulu
Lightfoot and Sons is a family owned and operated vineyard, winery and cellar door in the Gippsland Lakes district, specialising in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz. The tasting space shares a story with the local region, using reclaimed timber from the old Calulu Bridge and Gippsland Lakes jetties. The vineyard and sensational Lindenow Valley views can be enjoyed with a local tasting platter on the dog friendly deck.
10. The Vines on Avon
446 Maffra-Stratford Road, Maffra
An established boutique vineyard set between the picturesque country towns of Stratford and Maffra overlooking the Avon River Valley. Stop by for stunning vineyard views and wine tasting. Your tail-wagging friend can join you in the partly covered outdoor seating area as you admire the views.
11. Wa-De-Lock Cellar Door
76 Tyers Street, Stratford
Originally opening in 1999 for wine and cheese sales, Wa-De-Lock Cellar Door has since developed a reputation as a great coffee stop. A cellar door for all Gippsland wineries, you can taste your way through the regions finest wines and produce. They serve breakfast and lunch seven days with a local produce menu, and have a fantastic alfresco dining area that is dog friendly.
Dog Friendly Breweries
12. Burra Brewing
12 Commercial St, Korumburra
The Burra Brewing Co. is a dog friendly microbrewery located in the beautiful rolling hills of Korumburra, the gateway to South Gippsland. Try a delicious wood fired pizza and one of the beer sample paddles with your pup by your side in the sunlit beer garden, where there’s plenty of shade.
13. Blizzard Brewing
Lot 5 Cattle Pen Dr, Dinner Plain
Located in Dinner Plain, at an altitude of 1550 metres above sea level. The brewery site at 5 Cattle Pen Drive is 50 metres from the Cobungra ski lift. As well as being Australia’s highest brewery, Blizzard Brewing is a great place to unwind after a great day on the snow. The brewery welcomes dogs and their owners into the warmth of their tap room, where the friendly team will serve up a range of their fresh brews and delicious snacks.
Dog Friendly Pubs & Bars
14. Waterwheel Beach Tavern
577 Lake Tyers Beach Rd, Lake Tyers Beach
Enjoy cold craft beers, great food and magic views at Waterwheel Beach Tavern. Situated on the Ninety Mile Beach, the “Wheel” offers tranquil water views from every one of their bistro tables and their expansive dog friendly deck. There are umbrellas to keep all two legged and four legged guests cool as they admire the beautiful Lake Tyers Beach ahead.
15. Meeniyan Hotel
117 Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan
Experience country hospitality in this charming hotel in the heart of Meeniyan. The Meeniyan Hotel is one of the South Gippsland’s most iconic hotels and recognised as a local institution that’s been around since 1930. Enjoy a tipple from the pub’s stellar range of wines whilst enjoying an extensive range of gastronomy pub style meals. Take a seat with your doggo out on the dog friendly beer deck where there’s plenty of shade to keep you both cool.
16. Metung Hotel
1 Kurnai Avenue, Metung
The popular Metung Hotel has been a key watering hole in the region since 1870. It’s the perfect space to enjoy locally produced and sourced fresh seafood, friendly service and amazing views over Bancroft Bay. Dogs are welcome to join owners for a bite to eat or a drink on the outdoor deck area or the waterfront tables, all of which offer fantastic water views plus shade.
17. Lakeview Bar & Bistro
Basin Blvd, Loch Sport
Enjoy the slower pace life at Lakeview Bar and Bistro in Loch Sport. Sit with a beer in hand and gaze out over the lake, or take in the sunset while digging into seafood and pub classics. There is dog friendly seating outside with water views and umbrellas for shade.
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