Dog-Friendly Yarra Valley, VIC: Visiting with a Dog

The Yarra Valley is a beautiful wine-growing region in Victoria just outside of Melbourne. And a visit to the area doesn’t mean that you need to leave your dog behind. I share with you my tips on the best dog-friendly options in the Yarra Valley, from which wineries allow dogs to where to stay overnight, and even a wonderful dog-friendly tour option.

Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in the Yarra Valley

There’s plenty to do with your dog on a visit to the Yarra Valley, and not everything involves wine tasting, although they’re certainly the main attraction. Take your pick from these activities, including some great outdoor activities in the forests to the east.

#1 Visit a Cellar Door or Two

It’s not a visit to the Yarra Valley without a stop at a winery or two (or more!) And luckily many of the wineries welcome well-behaved dogs to join you in the tasting room. These are some of the best dog-friendly wineries in the Yarra Valley, many that I visited on my latest visit with my dog.

Helen’s Hill Estate: Helen’s Hill is a boutique family winery on the outskirts of Lilydale, open from Thursday to Monday. There’s a long list of wines to taste across two labels: the Helen’s Hill label and the more affordable Ingram Road range. The Breachley Block Chardonnay was my personal favourite.

Helen & Joey: Helen & Joey’s cellar door has one of the most gorgeous vistas in the valley from its large outdoor deck. Dogs are welcome to join you for a tasting outside of the deck, accompanied by the view. Both a core range and sweet range tasting is available, with the cellar door open daily.

Yering Farm Wines: The cellar door at Yering Farm Wines is quintessentially Australian. With the farm originally a vineyard in the 19th century, the cellar door is a resurrected hay shed full of rustic charm, open daily. Don’t also miss out on sampling their Farmyard Apple Syder, made from the farm’s own apples.

Maddens Rise: Stepping inside the small cellar door of Maddens Rise everything has been meticulously executed with an eye to quality. With all grapes hand-picked and fermented in small batches, the range of wines is smaller than elsewhere, but carefully curated. The cellar door is open on Saturday and Sunday.

De Bortoli: While I haven’t yet had a chance to visit the De Bortoli Yarra Valley cellar door, I recently discovered that it’s possible to add on a Barkcuterie board to your booking. Available in both small and large sizes, with treats, veggies and even doggy butter for your pup, add it on to a wine tasting or picnic experience.

Sometimes rules can change, so I always recommend checking in advance that the wineries you wish to visit are still dog-friendly, ideally making a booking at the same time. It’s also best to visit during a quieter period (such as mid-week) than on a busy weekend when paws can be stepped on.

#2 Go On a VIP Tour with Your Pooch

Organising your own winery tour can be a hassle, particularly as someone needs to be the designated driver. And if you’re bringing along your dog, there’s even more research required. Luckily then there’s a fabulous company in the Yarra Valley who will take you and your dogs along on a winery tour: Pooches and Pinot.

Jeff and Helen who run Pooches and Pinot know all the dog-friendly options in the valley. They’ll organise your itinerary for you (after asking after your tastes and requests), and then drive you around the valley in style in one of their fabulous vans.

We were picked up by Jeff at 10am at our accommodation in their new Mercedes Benz van, with room for six to sit in the back facing each other. Up to two dogs can be accommodated on each tour (as long as they’re already pals), either on beds in the back or in between the seats if there’s room. Naturally Schnitzel insisted on sitting at our feet all the way.

While we were guided through our tastings at different wineries (plus a beer tasting), Jeff made sure we were well looked after, plus that Schnitzel’s needs were not ignored while we were distracted, occasionally taking him outside for a walk and gourmet treats. It’s the VIP touches like these that make this into a fabulous day out for both yourself and your pups.

Pooches and Pinot offer multiple tour options: Half Day (Monday to Thursday afternoons only), Full Day (including a cafe or winery lunch) or go for the ultimate splurge with a Degustation Tour. Prices vary depending on the number of guests. It’s the perfect way to have an indulgent day out in the Yarra Valley with your dog!

#3 Taste the Local Beer

It’s not only wineries where you can enjoy a local tipple in the Yarra Valley. On our most recent visit we also visited one dog-friendly brewery in amongst our winery visits.

Watts River Brewery is located in the centre of Healesville. Tasting is possible of both their standard range, plus their many special brews that frequently change, with all beers brewed right on site.

Further south in the valley, drop into Coldstream Brewery. Originally founded onsite nearly 20 years ago, while most of their beers are now brewed in Moorabbin, a nano brewery still operates onsite to create seasonal brews. Enjoy a tasting paddle or a meal onsite at the brewpub.

#4 Explore a Sculpture Garden

One place I want to visit next time I return to the Yarra Valley with my dog is Bruno’s Art & Sculpture Garden. Nestled among the rainforest in Marysville, the whimsical garden full of stunning sculptures and adjoining gallery were rebuilt after the devastating bushfires of 2009.

The gardens are these days open daily, with the gallery also open on the weekend. A small admission charge applies per person, with dogs admitted for free. Just make sure you keep your dog leashed and on the paths.

#5 Hike to La La Falls

For a great dog-friendly hike, head east to the Warburton Valley and La La Falls. This waterfall has been delighting visitors since the 18802 and leashed dogs are welcome to join you on the track up to the falls, that starts south of the town of Warburton, just off Old Warburton Road.

The gently inclined walk is 1.6km long in each direction, meandering through lush forest beside Four Mile Creek. The falls are at their best in autumn and winter, after heavy rain, although this is also when the track is likely to be muddy – bring something to clean your dog’s paws! Allow about 90 minutes for the return walk.

#6 Visit the Ada Tree

The Ada Tree is a giant Mountain Ash that is believed to be one of Victoria’s largest living trees. Estimated at over 300 years old, it towers over the surrounding rainforest, deep in the Yarra State Forest on the eastern side of the Yarra Valley.

The walking track to the tree starts at a picnic area, reached along well-formed gravel roads from East Warburton, Powelltown or Noojee. Then it’s an easy 3.2km long return walk to reach the tree – allow about 90 minutes. Dogs are allowed in the state forest.

#7 Dine at an Historic Railway Carriage

A popular spot along the Warburton Rail Trail in Seville is the Carriage Cafe. Home to a restored train carriage from over 100 years ago, the cafe is also accessible with a 3-minute walk from Seymour Street.

While it’s not possible to dine inside the carriage with a dog, there is plenty of dog-friendly seating at the large tables outside. It’s also great to combine with a walk or cycle along the dog-friendly rail trail. The cafe is open from Thursday to Sunday plus on Tuesday.

Dog-Friendly Parks in the Yarra Valley

There are a number of local parks in the Yarra Valley where dogs are allowed off-leash. For starters, just a few blocks from the centre of Healesville is the off-leash Coronation Park. There’s a short trail along the creek, ideal for dogs to cool off in on warm days, plus plenty of large shady trees.

Southeast of town is the Don Road Recreation Reserve, part of the Healesville Showgrounds and Sporting Complex. Dogs are allowed off-leash in most of the northern part of the reserve, outside of sporting fields and dam.

In Yarra Glen, head to the Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve and Showground. Dogs are allowed off-leash in much of the reserve, meandering along the Yarra River. Just avoid the cricket ovals and take your own bags.

Another wonderful park to visit with your dog, but where they need to be kept on leash, is Maroondah Reservoir Park. Dogs are permitted to be walked through the open parkland, but are not allowed on the forest walking tracks to the north of the Watts River or out on the dam wall.

On the way to the Yarra Valley, stop off at Lillydale Lake in Lilydale. This lake reserve is home to two off-leash dog exercise areas, including one where dogs can enjoy a swim. There’s also a 2.5km long walking track around the lake.

Dog-Friendly Dining in the Yarra Valley

There’s no shortage of amazing cafes and restaurants to try in the Yarra Valley, including many that welcome dogs in their outdoor dining spaces. For starters, many wineries have onsite restaurants or can add on grazing boards to your booking.

While visiting Yering Farm Wines we enjoyed a delicious Pruner’s Platter lunch, complete with our favourite glass of wine each from our tasting. With an array of cheese, meats and more, it was a great accompaniment to a relaxing interlude gazing out over the vines, while our dog, Schnitzel, chilled at our feet.

If visiting De Bortoli Yarra Valley Cellar Door, select to add on a charcuterie or cheese board when booking a wine tasting. Your dog also doesn’t miss out, with the option to order Barkcuterie boards containing a range of treats. Dogs are also welcome to join you when booking a Luxury Picnic for Two amongst the gardens.

While visiting the Yarra Valley, we also visited My Little Kitchen in Healesville. Open for both breakfast and lunch daily, the cafe offers up a menu full of inventive takes on brunch favourites, complete with beautiful presentation.

If you’re dining with a dog, head right through to the dog-friendly courtyard out the back. Completely covered and with some handy heaters for chilly winter days, there’s plenty of room for your dog to sit alongside you in comfort. Bookings are recommended for brunch.

Another cafe I’ve heard recommended from fellow dog owners is Cherry Tree Cafe in Healesville. Open from 9am to 3pm except on Thursdays, dogs are allowed at the tables out the front plus the large rear area, which is undercover and heated. Both dog water bowls and treats are offered up to four-legged customers.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation in the Yarra Valley

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commission if you make a purchase using the links. See my full disclaimer.

After a full day of wine tasting in the Yarra Valley, it would be a pity to head back to the big smoke… Instead, stay for at least on night on a property nestled in the valley, where you can continue to enjoy the beautiful country scenery and perhaps additional tastings of your purchases from the day.

Pet-Friendly Cottages and B&Bs in the Yarra Valley

There’s a wide range of pet-friendly cottages and B&Bs dotted around the Yarra Valley.

At Chestnut Glade in Narbethong two of the three luxurious cottages are dog-friendly, the two-bedroom Lucenti, plus the Asian-influenced one-bedroom Nanking Cottage, with its own Japanese-style garden. Both feature an open fire place and a spa bath, plus a kennel.

At the Alpaca Ridge Farmstay B&B, just outside Healesville, enquire about staying in the two-bedroom self-contained guest suite. Surrounded by nature and with plenty of large, grassy spaces, pets are welcome by prior arrangement. A dog kennel plus bowls are provided – just bring your pet’s bed. Note that as the guest studio is not fenced, your dog needs to remain on leash.

Or head to Warburton and the delightfully dog-friendly Bed & Bark. This modern, air-conditioned two-bedroom house is designed to welcome pets. Towels are supplied for if your pet is used to joining you on the lounge or the bed, along with a pet bed if requested and food and water bowls.

For more tips, check out the listings on the Pooches & Pinot website.

Pet-Friendly Caravan Parks in the Yarra Valley

If you’d prefer to camp, check out Enclave at Healesville Holiday Park, where dogs are allowed on both powered and powered ensuite sites. Pets are also now allowed in selected pet-friendly two-bedroom cabins.

Further afield, Warburton is a 30 minute drive east of Healesville. Stay at the Warburton Holiday Park on the banks of the Yarra River. This terrific park allows dogs on all caravan and camping sites, in their dog-friendly cabins, and to join you for a paddle in the river.

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Note: The author received media rates on a package including a Pinot and Pooches tour, stay at Wiggley Bottom Farm and breakfast at My Little Kitchen. However, all opinions are entirely her own.

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