Dog friendly Accommodation Great Ocean Road & Otways
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The beautiful Otway region is home to an abundance of dog friendly accommodation options (and hopefully more to come)! Here are some great options to help you book in a weekend away with your furry family members.
From cosy cottages and bush cabins with a fire places for dog cuddles to beachside holiday houses for running rampant along the beach there are plenty of options to find the perfect dog friendly accommodation option around the Great Ocean Road and Otways.
And if you want to have it all, the Great Ocean Road runs past and through the Otways in many places its possible to find something in the bush but still close to the beach.
Most of the dog friendly accommodation on the Great Ocean Road are private holiday rentals although there are a few options in caravan parks and hotels. **This article still has more destinations to be added
Dog Friendly Accommodation Otway Ranges
Glenaire Cottages
The highly rated dog friendly Glenaire cottages (booking.com) offer the best of everything – a woodfire, close to the bush and the beach and 2 of the 4 cabins have an outdoor spa with a view!
A two night minimum stay applies.
Images link to Agoda
Dog friendly accommodation in the Otways with a Fully Fenced Yard
Country Wide Cottages
Country wide cottages is one of the best options for dog friendly accommodation close to the Otways with a fully fenced yard.
A fenced yard means dogs (and kids) can run around in a big open and safe space surrounded by bush while you drink your coffee or wine/beer and listen to the birds.
These cabins are surrounded by bush just outside the northern edge of the Otway Ranges, 10 minutes south of historic Winchelsea and just 30 minutes to the beautiful town of Lorne which has a dog friendly beach. Also down the road is the very popular Deans Marsh Store and Forrest with dog friendly walks and loads of mountain bike rides.
Image opens in Agoda see below direct link to book
One of several beautiful fenced yards at Country Wide Cottages.
Visit their direct site to see virtual tours of the property and beautiful back yard.
Glen Tara Cottage at Johanna Seaside Cottages
The Glen Tara Cottage is a private dog friendly cottage with a small rear fully fenced yard tucked between coastline and country views. The beach is a 600m walk and you can sit back with a wine and snack platter and enjoy the views of the hills (there is no fence around this outdoor area so bring a long lead if your dogs recall is questionable).
It’s one of Johanna Seaside Cottages orginal style cabins but it has had a freshen up with a new bathroom. If your looking for dog friendly accommodation with a fenced yard, wood fire place (fenced to keep dogs and kids safe) and walking distance to the beach this is a great choice.
Eagle Ridge Holiday House
Eagle ridge has a fully fenced deck (not yard) to keep doggos safe while you sit back and relax (i confirmed the deck is fenced with the agent managing the property).
Dog Friendly Accommodation on the Great Ocean Road (or nearby)
If your looking to specifically stay close to or on the Great Ocean Road there are lots of dog friendly holiday houses available by searching the Great Ocean Road region on booking.com and using the filter to select ‘pets allowed’ filter under the facilities heading.
However to save you a lot of time here are a selection of peoples favourites as well as some options to stay in popular towns on the Great Ocean Road. You can also check out my posts on dog friendly beaches and bushwalks.
Dog friendly accommodation Torquay & Surrounds
Technically the Great Ocean Road doesnt start to the round about just on the otherside of Torquay town but I have included it as Torquay is great town to stay with a dog – it has dog friendly cafes and restaurants, dog friendly beaches and nearby dog friendly bush walks.
The Sands Torquay
The Sands Torquay is a four star hotel/resort about 3km from the town centre and a 6 minute walk from the beach and is a good option for singles and couples.
Its dog friendly rooms are located on the ground floor with direct access for your dog to an outdoor patio area.
Image opens in Agoda.
Felix Beach House
Perfect for families, groups or a couple that just want more space Felix Beach House is in an amazing location only 150 metres from dog friendly Fishermans Beach and the Salty Dog Cafe (dog friendly cafe on the foreshore).
Fishermans Beach is dog off lead much of the year, and in summer when it becomes timeshare (no dogs middle of the day, dog off lead early morning and late afternoon) you can walk your dog off lead all day by entering the beach about 250 metres west at the sundial!
Note it does have a charge of $10 per night per pet. While this property seems relatively new to booking.com it has loads of positive reviews on Stayz.
Dog friendly accommodation Anglesea & Surrounds
Anglesea Outlook
Anglesea Outlook is one of the best value dog friendly options with a fireplace in Anglesea (value compared to others – nothing is cheap on the GOR). It’s only a 500 metres to the beach which is dog friendly (timeshare in summer).
This older style property has an enclosed deck (wires) deck with views out over the beautiful coastline, the perfect spot for your morning coffee and sunset drinks with platter. Make sure you hire linen for no work, or you can take your own to keep the cheaper price.
This property has stairs so may not be suitable for older dogs or those with hip/leg issues.
Images open in Agoda
Roadknight Delight
Roadknight Delight is tucked away in the gorgous and quiet coastal pocket of Point Roadknight. Just a short walk to one of the most popular family beaches on the Great Ocean Road which is dog timeshare in summer as well as the dog off leash at all times beach.
A short drive to Anglesea to access cafes and shops or walk the several km’s along part of the dog friendly Great Ocean Walk to town which has sections with great views (unfortunately at the time of writing the cliffs are to unstable to walk along the beach.)
This is an older style holiday house and some reviews reflect this however people love the location, the fenced yard for dogs and that it has a pool table for teenagers.
Restricted Option
Anglesea Caravan Park offers two dog friendly cabins but you can only book them in off peak season and by calling and only for dogs under 10kg. It’s sad so many exclusions but I have included it because if your have a small dog this beachfront caravan park is close to town and a great central option.
If you don’t meet this criteria further down the GOR they also the run the very dog friendly Marengo Caravan Park
Dog friendly Accommodation Lorne – STILL TO COME
Dog Friendly Accommodation Apollo Bay
Apollo bay is towards the western end of the Great Ocean Road and is located on a dramatic sweeping beach. Marengo is a short distance away at the next point.
Marengo Caravan Park Cabins
Marengo Caravan Park is in a beautiful beach front location around 2km walk/drive along the foreshore into Apollo Bay.
All their cabins are are a great option for dog friendly accommodation in Apollo Bay – some even have a little fenced deck to keep children and larger dogs in (they wouldn’t hold a tiny dog as there strung tention wire fenced) while your relax with a coffee or wine.
It does not explicitly say on the website under the cabin features that dogs are allowed in the cabins however on booking.com they come up as a pet friendly option so I emailed them to check. Marengo confirmed to me via email (July 2022) that dogs ARE allowed indoors all cabins however they are not allowed on the furniture or in the bedroom. (I will definitely be staying soon now I know there is such a great option that is dog friendly close to Apollo Bay).
Images open in Agoda
Dog friendly accommodation Port Fairy
Port Fairy is a much loved and quaint sea side town and despite its recent growth, still maintains a village feel.
Be aware like most places dog restrictions change throughout the year. In Port Fairy dogs are restricted on some sections of beach closer to town in the summer months. Read the PDF ‘Dog Ownership’ on the Moyne Council website for the full maps (its a bit crap tbh, blurry maps etc, not as useful as the surfcoast shire one).
Hearn’s Beachside Villas – High standard of accommodation
These Villas are absolute beachfront with stunning views onto the rugged coastline and all the visitors comments are about how much they loved the views as well as the direct beach access. They are all separately listed so I have included text links to each on booking.com.
1 Bedroom
Hearns Beachside Villa 1, Beachside Villa 2 & Beachside Villa 3 are great options for couples and solo people looking for 1 bedroom dog friendly accommodation in Port Fairy that is beachfront. These villas also have a spa bath and ocean views so they are the best of everything.
Images open in Agoda
2 Bedroom
Alternatively Beachside Villa 4 (sleeps 5) & Beachside Villa 7 & Beachside Villa 8 (both sleep 4) are bigger 2 Bedroom options for families or small groups in Port Fairy that area also dog friendly.
4 Bedroom
And finally for the ultimate beachfront dog friendly accommodation for large families and groups, Hearns Beachside Villa 9 sleeps up to 8 people and still has stunning ocean views and access to the beach nearby.
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