12 Extra Dog-Friendly Caravan Parks in Victoria

Many caravan parks in Victoria allow pets to stay with you, especially if you’re staying on a site rather than in a cabin. However, there are some parks that stand out more than others, that are truly dog-friendly, and are the perfect places to stay when travelling with your dog in Victoria.

Whether these parks have off-leash dog exercise areas, where your dog can enjoy a run without even leaving the park, pet-friendly cabins, dog washes or just an extra friendly welcome for four-legged guests, your dog is truly made to feel like a guest of the park. Next time you’re holidaying with your dog, stay at one of these extra dog-friendly caravan parks in Victoria.

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#1 BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park, Ballarat

One of the most dog-friendly caravan parks in Victoria is the BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Caravan Park in Ballarat. This park is very popular with dog owners thanks to its fully fenced camping sites in their special pet-friendly precinct, the “BIG PAWS Pet Zone”. It’s possible to park your car and caravan (or the rest of your set up) within you fenced site, then let your dog safely off-leash.

If you don’t have your own set-up, the park also offers Dogwood, a two-bedroom dog-friendly cabin. The cabin sleeps up to five and dogs are allowed inside, although not on the furniture. Dog bowls and toys are provided, plus it features an enclosed verandah and has its own dog run. There are also multiple other pet-friendly two-bedroom cabins, each with their own yard.

However, the latest dog-friendly addition takes this caravan park to the next level. There is now a pet-friendly billabong area at the rear of the park, where both humans and dogs can have a splash in a natural setting. There’s also a pet-friendly camp kitchen and dog wash onsite. Make a booking for the ultimate pet-friendly stay!

Check out my guide to dog-friendly things to do in Ballarat

#2 Best Friend Retreat, Tarra Valley

Another especially dog-friendly accommodation option in Victoria is Best Friend Retreat. This pet-friendly resort is located in the Tarra Valley of Southern Gippsland, south of Traralgon. A peaceful spot surrounded by rainforest and with plenty of wildlife, yet it’s only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Melbourne, perfect for a long weekend away.

This resort has been specially set up with dog owners in mind. There are six fenced off-leash areas, meaning there’s always somewhere your dog can run around off-leash. One of the areas even has agility equipment, while another has a giant ball for dogs. There’s also a hydro-bath hut to freshen up at the end of busy, muddy days.

When it comes to accommodation, choose between the pet-friendly cabins and a variety of sites. Each of the cabins are securely fenced, although of course dogs are expected to sleep inside. Some of the campsites have also been fenced, large enough to park your caravan or set up your tent inside.

#3 Prime Pet-Friendly Tourist Park, Lakes Entrance

Another delightfully pet-friendly caravan park in the Gippsland region is the Prime Pet-Friendly Tourist Park. This park is located in Lakes Entrance, just a short walk from the waterfront. The park recently became the first child-free caravan park in Victoria – instead it’s targeted at those travelling with pets.

At Prime, all of their cabins, cottages and vans are 100% dog-friendly. In fact, they are only available for pet owners! Out of consideration for dog owners with allergies, one of the cabins is restricted to hypoallergenic dogs only. There’s also an accessible holiday cottage. Or just pull up on a site like we did.

Also on site you’ll find a dog wash, an off-leash dog run, a washing machine for pet bedding and even dog day care kennels, available on days with suitable weather (excluding when temperatures are high or it’s raining).

Find out more tips for visiting Lakes Entrance with your dog

#4 Rich River Caravan Park, Echuca

If you’re planning on heading to northern rather than southern Victoria, consider making a booking at the Rich River Tourist Park in Echuca. This park on the Murray River welcomes pets year round, both on sites and in selected cabins.

Choose between staying in a Standard Cabin, Deluxe Cabin or Deluxe Villa. Standard Cabins sleep either two or three guests, while Deluxe Cabins and Deluxe Villas sleep up to four guests. Each are fully self-contained with their own bathroom and include linen. Note that an additional pet fee applies.

The park also has a dog wash onsite next to the office and its own off-leash dog exercise area in one corner of the park. It’s perfect for enjoying relaxing days together with your pup!

Find out tips for visiting Echuca with a dog

#5 Marengo Family Caravan Park, Apollo Bay

One of the most popular caravan parks to stay with dogs along the eastern section of the Great Ocean Road is the Marengo Family Caravan Park, just outside of Apollo Bay.

Part of the attraction of the park is that pets are welcome year round, including during the busy summer months, one of the few options along this stretch of coastline. Additionally, pets are allowed in all of their cabins, for no additional fee, as well as on sites.

Choose between their Holiday Cabins, Seaview Cabins and the luxurious Seaview Spa Cabins. Each cabin can accommodate up to five or six people and is fully self-contained. Just keep your pets off the carpeted areas and the furniture.

Pets are also allowed to join you for a stroll on the adjoining foreshore, although only in the morning and evening during summer. There’s nothing more ideal for a dog-friendly beach holiday close to Melbourne!

Check out my full dog-friendly guide to the Great Ocean Road

#5 Gum Tree Caravan Park, Port Fairy

There’s multiple pet-friendly caravan parks around Warrnambool and Port Fairy, at the western end of the Great Ocean Road. However, one of the most pet-friendly options is the Gum Tree Caravan Park, located just outside of Port Fairy.

This pet-friendly caravan park welcomes pets 365 days per year, and has its own off-leash area and playground for all four-legged guests to enjoy. As well as allowing pets on sites, pets are also allowed in selected cabins.

Choose between the Studio Cabins (that I can assure you are very comfortable and ideal for a couple), or the Villa Cabins, Superior Ensuite Cabins, Standard Ensuite Cabins or Budget Ensuite Cabins. Just skip the Deluxe Ensuite Cabins and One-Bedroom Holiday Units, with bookings for pets taken over the phone.

#7 Beechworth Lake Sambell Caravan Park, Beechworth

The historic town of Beechworth is a wonderfully dog-friendly destination to visit, about a 3 hour drive northeast of Melbourne. There are two pet-friendly caravan parks nearby, but the most pet-friendly option these days is the Beechworth Lake Sambell Caravan Park.

This caravan park is closed to the edge of Lake Sambell, a great spot for an on-leash dog walk. Pets are allowed to join you at the park year round, both on sites and in selected pet-friendly cabins.

There are seven pet-friendly cabins to choose from, both six-berth Budget Cabins and four-berth Studio Cabins. Dogs are allowed both inside (but not on the beds) and on the enclosed verandahs. There’s just a small extra fee per stay for your dog.

Read more about visiting dog-friendly Beechworth

#8 Crystal Brook Tourist Park, Doncaster East

If you’re looking for a pet-friendly caravan park close to Melbourne, one of the best options is the Crystal Brook Tourist Park. This park is located in Doncaster East, on the northeastern edge of Melbourne.

At the edge of the park is an off-leash dog exercise area with an agility course, available to all dogs staying in the park. As well as allowing pets on sites, pets are also allowed inside selected cabins.

Choose between the premium Pet-Friendly Family or Hillside Villas, both sleeping up to six guests, or a Pet-Friendly Two Bedroom Cabin that can accommodate four. Each of the cabins are self-contained and have their own bathroom, with just a small additional pet fee applying per stay.

#9 BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park, Marong

The BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park is about a 15 minute drive west of the centre of Bendigo, a wonderfully dog-friendly destination to visit, where I found plenty to do with my dog, from visiting former gold mines to walking through the beautiful parks, even a Buddhist Stupa!

This award winning park with a huge list of facilities allows dogs year round on both powered sites and in their dog-friendly cabins, as long as you register in advance.

There’s both deluxe and budget dog-friendly cabins, each with their own fenced and gated deck. Dogs are also allowed in the one-bedroom and two-bedroom accessible studios, with the manager’s discretion. There’s also a dog wash in the park and an off-leash dog exercise area for all to enjoy.

Find out things to do when visiting Bendigo with a dog

#10 Wodonga Holiday Park, Wodonga

Whether taking a road trip north or staying for awhile along the Murray River, a terrific pet-friendly caravan park to stay at in Wodonga is Wodonga Holiday Park (formerly BIG4 Borderland Wodonga Holiday Park). The park has a dog run at the rear of the park, perfect for building off energy if driving along the Hume Highway with your dog.

Additionally, they also have pet-friendly standard studio cabins, with dogs allowed inside and just a small cleaning fee per stay. If booking online, look for the pet-friendly cabin option with a paw print. (But also call before you arrive to add your dog to your booking.)

If you’d prefer to stay in one of the other cabins, the park has also purchased two portable dog kennels that can be placed outside any cabin, although pets of course are not allowed inside the other cabins.

Check out my dog-friendly guide to the twin cities of Albury-Wodonga

#11 Yarrawonga Riverlands Tourist Park

About an hours drive from Wodonga downstream along the Murray you’ll find the Yarrawonga Riverlands Tourist Park, near Lake Mulwala. Pets are welcome at the park except over the peak Easter and Christmas/New Year periods – double check with the park for the exact dates.

This pet-friendly caravan park allows pets on all sites and in five pet-friendly cabins. Choose between Basic Cabins that sleep up to six or the smaller Standard Cabins that sleep four, with a handy enclosed verandah. Contact the park directly to ensure a pet-friendly cabin is available, with a small additional fee applying per stay plus a pet bond.

As well as plenty of facilities for human guests, even outdoor chess, there’s also the Paws Park Dog Run for four-legged guests. The fully fenced dog park even has colourful agility equipment to ensure your pup has plenty of fun.

#12 Kerang Holiday Park, Kerang

Another pet-friendly caravan park in northern Victoria is the Kerang Holiday Park, which welcomes pets year round and is well situated to explore the surrounding lakes and rivers.

In addition to being allowed on powered sites in the park, pets are also allowed in selected cabins. Choose from a range of pet-friendly Executive and Superior Cabins, as well as Budget Single Rooms. If uncertain, double check with the park. Note though that pets are not allowed on beds or furniture. There is also a limit of two pets, with a small additional fee applying per pet per stay.

At the rear of the park is a large fenced off-leash dog park, the “Doggie Playground”. And come evening time relax around the outdoor fire pit.

Have you stayed at an extra dog-friendly caravan park in Victoria? Let me know by posting a comment, so that I can add it to this list!

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