32 Best Dog Friendly Wineries, Bars and Walks in Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley has long been a favourite getaway, perfect for a quick day trip from Melbourne or weekend away (as it’s less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne) and once there, you’ll be bowled over by how stunning the views are, how plentiful the cellar doors and delicious the food & wine. And now, in even better news, it’s one of THE most dog-friendly regions in Australia too!   

It’s full of dog friendly wineries, pubs, cafes, walks & hikes and with rivers and creeks galore, there are plenty of places for your pup to cool off in the summer months with a swim.  

Our friends at Pooches & Pinot Wine Tours are local Yarra Valley experts when it comes to all the best dog-friendly places and have put the following guide together for you. 

Note: Wineries do prefer you book in tastings in advance especially on public holidays and weekends when they tend to get very busy.

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Dog Friendly Accommodation

Dog Friendly Cottage | Badger Creek

Sleeps 2 | Bedrooms 1 | Bathrooms 1

This beautiful dog friendly cottage has a separate bedroom with a queen size bed and a light and bright living area. A sofa bed in the living space can accommodate extra guests. Check out the many cafes and restaurants in Healesville for breakfast, lunch and dinner or alternatively enjoy your own food back at the property. The facilities include; tea/coffee, bar fridge, toaster and kettle with all cutlery, crockery and glassware provided. The standout feature is the fireplace. Great hosts with plenty of knowledge of the area.

Dog Friendly Cottage | Olinda

Sleeps 2 | Bedrooms 1 | Bathrooms 1

Beautiful hidden cottage in Olinda, close to the dog-friendly hikes and cafés. The fireplace will warm your pooch in the winter and 1.5 acres of historical garden settings will give you and your dog plenty of room to roam.

Dog Friendly Wineries

There are over 150 wineries in the Yarra Valley, which is best known for the cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sparkling Wines. It’s the oldest wine region in Victoria with the first wines planted at Yering Station in 1838.

1. Badger Creek Blueberry Farm

11 Garnook Grove, Badger Creek

This family owned and run blueberry winery has gorgeous rolling lawns, and a fab outside covered area where you can while away the afternoon sipping their wines and ciders paired with some small plates (promise us you’ll try their home-made sausage rolls), arancini, sliders or a platter with local cheeses or antipasto.  All with your pup by your side.

2. Boat O Craigo

458 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville

We can’t love BOC more.  Your dog is properly welcome inside their beautiful cellar door by the woodburning stove in winter or out on the deck or the lawn in summer.  They serve the best platters and pizzas in Healesville, and their views are out over their own sloping vines to the dam and mountains behind.  Their sparkling is some of the valley’s finest and they now pair cheese/wine and chocolate/wine too!  

3. Helens Hill

16 Ingram Road, Lilydale

So dog-friendly they named their beers after their dogs, the crew here adore dogs and love it when we arrive with our guests with their dog leading the way.  Cracking wines, amazing cellar door with glass windows down into the barrel hall, wood burner for the cooler months   and wonderful grounds with an outdoor bar, fire pit, and lawns to run around on.  They serve great pizzas/platters too – and have a great wine club membership. 

4. Maddens Rise

Maddens Lane, Coldstream

The Maddens Rise range of wines is focused on a pure expression of the Yarra Valley region. Decisions are made based on the fruit itself, and the climatic variations of each and every season. The consistent quality of wines comes from carefully managing this balancing act. Dogs are more than welcome to join you for a wine tasting, even inside the Cellar Door (subject to other guests being alright with it).

5. Greenstone Vineyards

179 Glenview Road, Yarra Glen

Greenstone has one of the finest views in the whole valley so come for lunch, their chips and pies are seriously delicious, and you can enjoy a wine tasting on their covered deck as you admire the view with your pupster and then take him/her for a run down on the lawns. 

6. Punt Road Wines

10 St Huberts Road, Coldstream

As you drive up the tree-lined driveway with orchards to either side of you, you’re passing the apples you’ll sample in the Napoleone cider you can try at the cellar door! In summer, their alfresco pop-up cider bar is the place to be.  In the cooler months, head inside the art deco inspired cellar door and your pup can sit inside with you as you try their range of award winning wines (served with some olives which is a lovely touch).

Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!

7. Steels Gate Wines

1974 Melba Highway, Dixons Creek

Brad was made for hospo – he’s the friendliest winery owner and will meet you and your pup like old friends and bring you up onto the Pinot Deck where you can have an incredible lunch (1, 2 or 3-courses) and a wine tasting while gazing out over their vines (their Chardy is our top pick).  The deck has café blinds that make it perfect year-round whatever the weather and their menu changes seasonally and is well renowned, and loved by us locals.

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8. Yering Farm Wines

St Hubers Road, Yering

Yering Farm Wines run their cellar door from their converted hay barn, and it’s dog-friendly all the way.  Pups can sit with you inside (in winter, come in the afternoon once the wood burner has had a chance to warm the place) or outside on the brick paved courtyard.  In summer, bring a picnic or BBQ using their facilities.  Tremendous views for miles, brilliant wines, family owned and their cider is made from their pink lady apples and is dangerously easy to drink!

9. Rob Dolan Wines

21-23 Delaneys Rd, Warrandyte South

On the very outskirts of the Yarra Valley, Rob Dolan is the first winery you come to as you head to the valley from Melbourne and it’s in our top 3.  Their wines are magnificent (a bottle of their Blanc de Blanc is always in our fridge) the property is grand, and we recommend sitting out on their covered verandah with one of their cheese boards as you taste their range of wines (Rob Dolan is a philanthropist and always has a young new start up company incubating at the property – Stone & Crowe launched their cheese company from there).  Merlot their wine dog may well lumber past, he’s a friendly lab always smiling and happy to welcome you and your doggo to his winery.

10. Seville Estate

65 Linwood Road, Seville

Winery not to be missed with your dog! Seville Estate won the 2019 James Halliday Winery of the Year award and they welcome your pooch to enjoy every inch of it. Dogs are welcome inside the Cellar Door to make sure nobody misses out on tasting their award winning wines.

11. Payten & Jones

3 Lilydale Road, Healesville

The crew at P&J (as us locals call it) are irreverent to the core.  Looking like they’ve slept rough, they are the most laid back unpretentious winehands in the business and make everyone welcome at their urban cellar door (which doubles as their winery during harvest) in Healesville.  Sit inside with your dog, or outside under cover, where the DJ and local musos play on a Friday night – their wines are terrific, each comes with a story and you’ll leave wanting more.  Our all time fave winery (and that’s a big call!)

12. Killara Estate

242, Maroondah Highway

 Another what we call properly dog-friendly winery (ie you are welcome inside with your pup – none of this ‘stay outside’ malarkey). Kev has been conducting wine tastings there for longer than anyone can remember and has the spiel down pat – he’s a character and the wines are sensational (esp their Sangiovese, have it with homemade pizza).  Their views are top notch and your pup will be made most welcome.

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Book your Dog Friendly Wine Tour for 4, pay for 3! Simply mention Pupsy when making your booking!

Dog Friendly Pubs & Bars

The Yarra Valley is famed for its gins, beers and ciders as well as pub, bar and café scene. The main towns in the region are Coldstream, Lilydale, Yarra Glen, Dixons Creek, Steels Creek and Healesville, with Healesville the clear leader of the pack.

13. Matilda Bay Brewery

316 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

Dog friendly Matilda Bay is Australia’s original craft brewery, founded in 1983. Their sustainable brewery in Healesville, serves fresh draught beer made in the stainless steel tanks on site and you can order bar food too. Dogs are welcome outside on the deck which is lovely in the summer.

14. Innocent Bystander

316 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

Opposite Matilda Bay, is Brown Brothers’ Innocent Bystander and if you walk down to the right of the building you’ll come to a gate which opens into its secret dog-friendly garden.  Strung with fairy lights through the trees it’s the most beautiful spot on a warm summer’s evening, you can’t book, so get there early and you’ll have the best food (great paella, woodfired pizza) and their wines are all served on tap, in conical flasks!!

15. Watts River Brewing

7 Hunter Road, Healesville

When White Rabbit Brewery left Healesville, two of its local brewers stayed put and formed their own label – Watts River Brewing.  Their laid back open-plan craft brewery is the place to be – avail yourself of the ping pong table, piano, comfy couches, local bands on a Friday, pizzas too and their own craft beer – what’s not to love.  Your dog is welcome everywhere you are, and the vibe is 100% family-friendly, dog-friendly – altogether – friendly. 

16. The Grand Hotel Healesville

270 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

“The Grand Old Lady” with a modern twist focuses on showcasing local produce and wines. Whether you are looking for an afternoon catch up for drinks with friends, a family meal or a social gathering to wine and dine, The Grand Hotel is the perfect dog-friendly pub to visit with your dog. Dogs are allowed in the beer garden and the front verandah.

17. The Healesville Hotel

256 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

In the heart of Healesville, this dog friendly pub has put the town on the map. With its huge beer garden, this beautiful historic pub is the ideal place in summer to enjoy great food, a glass of local wine and all with your pooch by your side (in the garden).

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Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!

18. The Laneway Healesville

242 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

This tiny Mexican bar/café has a pretty, covered (so perfect in all weather) garden courtyard with lovely old brick feature walls and greenery and the best selection of Mexican snacks & cocktails!  Have a gin & vodka tasting paddle and try Alchemy’s spirits (distilled in the next door building). 

19. Barrique Wine Store

260 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

Don’t be fooled – this is so much more than a wine shop.  Barrique is THE place to be a on a Friday night from 5pm.  As Friday night is winemaker night when a local winemaker comes in and does free guided tastings of their range / new releases.  You can buy wine by the glass, sit at the long tables inside (yes with your hound) or outside in their garden, by the fire pit, and hang around and enjoy some food truck action.  During the week, (it’s open 7 days) do a wine tasting, buy a glass of wine, and bring your own cheese and charcuterie in to enjoy at the table!  

20. Cavanaghs Whisky Bar

207 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

Over the road from Barrique, you’ll find Cavanagh’s Whisky Bar. This fabulous new addition to Healesville’s Main Street has its bar well stocked with 120+ whisky’s for your pleasure. Brendan knows a thing or two about his liquor so head in and hunker down for a wee dram, all with your pup by your side.

21. Naught Gin

2/32 Peel Street, Eltham

Gin lovers you’re going to want to fit in a visit to Naught Gin, a MUST VISIT distillery in Eltham.  Head inside (I know, so exciting) with your pooch and enjoy a tasting of 3 mini gin cocktails while the staff make a fuss of your pooch – they’re all dog-mad!  It’s the coolest vibe and could be any time of day or night outside, as inside it’s all velvet and copper with mood lighting and a stunning gin still glowing from the end of the bar!

Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!

Dog Friendly Cafes

Yarra Valley is full of cafés and most of them “allow” your dog to sit under the table with you but there are others that actually LOVE your dog as much as you do. We have listed the most welcoming dog-friendly cafés in the region you should visit for that morning brew, brekkie or lunch!

22. The Lilydale General

110 Beresford Road, Lilydale

Whether you are after something hearty or healthy The Lilydale General has it on the menu, from fresh berries and fruits with granola to the mouth watering General’s Burger. Dogs are welcome in an outdoor seating area and we can almost guarantee they will have some four-legged company! Visit the nearby Lilydale Lake off leash park / beach for a play and complete the morning with a coffee at The Lilydale General.

23. My Little Kitchen

274 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

When you’re facing MLK (as those in the know call it), go to the right and walk left up the laneway and left around the back and in through the tradesman’s entrance.  Yup, dogs enter with their owners via the rear into the covered courtyard section.  There, the staff will get your pup a bowl of water, and make a fuss of him/her while you order the best café fodder in town.  

24. Cherry Tree Cafe

246 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

Walk through the café past the till and head out into their gorgeous garden courtyard.  You’ll pass a wheelbarrow at snout height, from which your doggo is welcome to help itself to a bone-shaped biscuit!  Dogaccinos are a thing here too so your pooch will be well catered for while you’re lunching.

Non-wine related activities

If you are spending more than a day in the valley (which we highly recommend), there are plenty of other things to discover than just wine. Take your dog for a swim, meet other dog owners in the off leash parks or follow the historic Warburton Railway line that used to service the agriculture industry 100 years ago.

25. Lilydale Lake

Lilydale

For a longer walk around a lake, Lilydale Lake is a favourite with local dog owners, and is always busy whatever time of day you go. With off lead areas and plenty of other dogs going for their daily walk, you’re bound to have fun. There are safe places for your pupster to swim too and if yours is anything like ours, it doesn’t need to be a hot day for a swim to be popular!!  

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26. Maroondah Reservoir Park

Healesville

Maroondah Reservoir Park is a massive area offering hundreds of kilometres of dog-friendly walking tracks along the lake and in the bush! It is something a little different to explore when visiting the Yarra Valley. Take a picnic basket and enjoy this beautiful slice of nature before heading to the wineries

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27. Warburton Historic Rail Trail

Lilydale – Warburton

Follow the historic railway line through the valley from Lilydale all the way to Warburton (or just parts of it). This stunning dog-friendly hike (on lead) provides you and your dog the most amazing views of what the Yarra Valley has to offer

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28. Donelly’s Weir

Healesville

If you’re staying in Healesville, and looking for a lovely dog friendly walk, put Donnelly’s Weir into google maps and as soon as you hit dirt roads, park by the side of the road and walk the country lane with your pup towards the weir. It’s just magic. The river runs alongside the road and babbles away and you have views on one side of you, trees and State Forest on the other.  When you get to where the water crosses the road, let your pup explore off lead, have a refreshing dip, throw a stick for them and let them enjoy a sniff. It’s a proper country walk and so beautiful.

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29. Wirra Willa Rainforest Walk

Toolangi

For the more adventurous, put Wirra Willa Rainforest Walk into your maps and head up to Toolangi – it’s a stunning winding drive up Mt St Leonards (take those bends carefully, incase there are cyclists or locals) and when you come out of the trees at the top of the mountain, you’ll turn right, and drive off road for a few kms up to the Wirra Willa Rainforest Walk carpark.  You’re now in Toolangi State Forest and you’ll find a timber boardwalk that takes you through the most pristine temperate rainforest with ancient myrtles covered in moss, tree ferns, giant Mountain Ash, incredible fungi and the freshest mountain water below your feet as Sylvia Creek chuckles and weaves away.  It’s a little piece of heaven and no-one knows about it.  And your dog will have the absolute time of its life.  

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30. Tanglefoot Track

Toolangi

For those who want to hike with your pup, Tanglefoot Track starts from the same carpark and goes for 10.8 kms.  It’s a loop, so brings you back to your car and takes approx. 2.5 hours.  It’s a bit up and down hill in parts, but only Grade 3, and can be muddy as small streams flow down the trails if it’s been raining. It’s staggeringly beautiful and you’ll be so glad you walked it.

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31. Margaret Lewis Reserve

Coldstream

Margaret Lewis Reserve is a very special dog-friendly park (left in Margaret’s will for this purpose). You’ll find it just outside Coldstream and it’s so well set up for dogs, with poo bag dispensers as you enter, plenty of bins for you to dispose of them, water bowls at various points, even benches named after special dogs and their owners.  It’s off lead too so go and have fun and let off some steam.  And dog friendly Helen’s Hill Winery is over the road, so it would be rude not to stop in for a wine tasting afterwards 🐶

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32. Yarra Valley Farmers Market

10 St Huberts Road, Coldstream

Held every third Sunday of the month between 9am – 2pm, Yarra Valley Farmers Market offers something little different to explore with your dog.

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There are several off leash areas in the region. CLICK HERE to find all official off leash parks within the Yarra Ranges.

That’s it; you’re all set for your adventure to the Yarra Valley with your dog! For other dog-friendly guides, visit Pupsy Destination Guides.

About the Author

Pooches and Pinot helps you to visit the Yarra Valley’s wineries with your dog on your very own private winery tour in a Mercedes tour van. Enjoy wine tastings at pet-friendly cellar doors, where you’re welcomed like a local and treated like VIPs.

Book a date that suits you (any day of the year) and choose from a half day tour, a full day tour including lunch OR their degustation tour (or dogustation as we prefer to call it!) where you have food pawfectly matched with wines at every stop!  Pooches and Pinot literally tailor your itinerary to your preferences, and even pick you up from home and drop you back after your tour, so you don’t have to worry about driving. On their full day tours they take you on secret location walks that only locals like them know about – your dog will have the best day ever – it really is THE way to see the Yarra Valley with your pooch.