Victoria offers coastal walks, lush parks and charming country hideaways perfect for exploring with your pet. There is even a dog-friendly winery here and Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites is dedicated to making sure that hounds stay happy! This state knows just what to do to keep hounds happy.
Pet-owners looking for more adventure will be pleased to know that well-behaved animals are welcome on board V/Line trains, the regional train services connecting iconic Victoria destinations such as Goldfields Railway Steam Train in Castlemaine or Daylesford Spa Country Railway in Bullarto.
1. Beacon Hill Park
Victoria seamlessly merges west coast nature with urban vibrancy, and no park better reflects this than Beacon Hill Park in downtown Victoria. Situated steps away from Fairmont Empress and Royal BC Museum, Beacon Hill Park features 19th century ornamental gardens, sports fields, playgrounds, children’s petting zoo and an exhibit featuring Victoria’s native Garry Oak ecosystem.
This park is one of the few pet-friendly areas in the city where dogs may run free from leashes, although they must remain under control at all times. A dispenser containing biodegradable doggie bags as well as a trash bin are both provided to ensure litter-free play in this space. Other off-leash spots in San Francisco include Good Acre Lake and Ross Bay Cemetery (between June 1st and August 31st), Gonzales Beach (during summer months only), Pioneer Square and Gonzales Beach.
Beacon Hill Park offers the ideal environment for walking or jogging, relaxing picnics with family or fur-kids and sporting/recreational activities such as sports fields/playgrounds/bandshell/totem pole created by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Mungo Martin in 1956 – making for an enjoyable visit!
Beacon Hill Park is easily explored on foot, making it perfect for exploration by bike tour of Victoria’s historic neighbourhoods or scenic coastal walks along James Bay. There are also horse-drawn carriage tours which visit Beacon Hill Park and its waterfront area, or you can ride Victoria’s extensive network of bicycle lanes as part of a small-group bicycle tour. Or visit some of Victoria’s top wineries that welcome pets inside their wineries or allow them outside at their tables!
2. The Royal Botanic Gardens
Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens are an exciting attraction that offer plenty of architectural treasures – such as a fountain, pond with Rainman, Alister Clarke Rose Garden and Sub-Tropical Rainforest Conservatory – which will delight visitors to Melbourne.
The gardens also host exhibitions throughout the year as well as educational and ecological programs, featuring an herbarium collection and library library available to researchers, scientists, government agencies and private individuals alike. Furthermore, taxonomic enquiries and plant identification services are provided, as well as management of numerous botanical research projects such as Victoria Conservation Seedbank.
At The Royal Botanic Gardens there’s so much to see that it takes at least an hour just to walk its perimeter. These gardens boast manicured lawns, shade trees and shrubs, ornamental lakes, rock gardens and water gardens – plus an outstanding collection of old shrub roses!
The Royal Botanic Gardens is not only known for its beautiful horticultural displays but also serves as an important historical landmark. From early stages of development when seeds were exchanged between early European botanists and indigenous communities to later becoming home for famous performers like Dame Nellie Melba and Paderewski who contributed their own plantings, The Garden holds much history that must not be lost!
Take an exclusive sightseeing tour to get acquainted with Victoria’s bustling capital on a tailored sightseeing tour tailored to your interests. Explore Fitzroy and Collingwood laneways filled with street art, or discover world-renowned sports arenas such as MCG or St Kilda with an expert local guide. Whether you want to know more about its indigenous culture or botanical history, the right tour will unveil Victoria at its best!
3. The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road, widely recognized as one of Australia’s most stunning driving routes, traces the coastline of Victoria’s southwest coast hugging cliffs and creating breathtaking vistas. Renowned for its dramatic craggy cliffs and empty beaches, but also home to epic surf, native wildlife, and unforgettable hiking trails, this scenic driving route enthralls visitors of all kinds.
The Great Ocean Road spans from Torquay to Warrnambool and can be driven in a day (if your pup doesn’t tire himself out! ), however it is much wiser to take your time along this stretch of coast. Be sure to add several stops along your itinerary and spend plenty of time walking, surfing or horseriding on its beaches or simply relaxing!
At RJ Hamer Arboretum, nature enthusiasts should stop and take in its many paths winding through grassy areas with exotic trees and large picnic tables. You can walk right up to the edge of the dam for picnicking and explore its colonial past at Point Gellibrand Heritage Park’s walking trails – another must for nature enthusiasts!
Stay along the Great Ocean Road or head inland to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve to spot koalas and kangaroos in their natural environment. Additionally, pet-friendly historic modes of transport like paddle steamers or Victorian Goldfields Railway offer unforgettable journeys; Victoria Metropolitan trains also allow small pets in secure containers; while buses and trams permit dogs with muzzles or carriers only.
4. Flinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station (FFS) in Melbourne, Australia, serves as a main commuter railway station. Situated at the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets in central Melbourne, FSS sees over 110,000 train boardings daily and houses the oldest weatherboard building – now home to a cafe – along with one of the longest railway platforms worldwide (Platform 1, which extends two city blocks from Swanston Street to Queen Street).
Flinders Street is an iconic Melbourne landmark and essential component of Melbourne’s Central Business District, serving as an important transport hub as well. We celebrate its linear form and way it separates city from river in our proposal, which seeks to unlock new public space while celebrating history of site while better serving users of Flinders.
While most Australian states have banned all pets from public transport, Victoria permits small pets in carriers to ride trams and buses throughout Victoria including Melbourne’s free tram zone. Furthermore, regional V/Line trains allow small pets as long as their carrier falls below maximum size restrictions and does not leave it unattended onboard.
Just a little planning will ensure a rewarding Victoria pet vacation – from staying at one of Melbourne’s pet-friendly hotels like Langham, W or QT; hiking at beautiful locations like Yarra Bend Park or Samford Conservation Park; or enjoying one of Victoria’s many pet-friendly wineries where your four-legged companion can join.
5. V/Line Trains
Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted in national parks; however, many state parks and urban areas welcome canines with designated walking tracks, bike lanes and public transport transportation options that allow their travel. Dogs may travel with their owners provided they remain seated or secured to an acceptable carrier according to RSPCA rules.
If you are taking a regional V/Line train service, the best way to ensure you secure a seat is to pre-book tickets online. Tickets may also be purchased from ticket offices, PTV hubs or on board. When buying onboard you will require cash as it cannot be loaded onto myki Express cards at V/Line trains.
The V/Line app makes planning journeys convenient by saving your favorite journeys and showing the next five services at a glance. In addition, live service updates and an ideal tool to plan journeys during peak hour are provided as well.
Maldon, Victoria’s historic gold mining town, offers an exceptional day trip. Explore on board Maldon Railway Historical Society’s only operational steam train (small dogs in carriers are welcome on board!). Walhalla also offers dog-friendly historic railway attractions – ride the Old Colliemines Gold Mine Tour through one of Victoria’s highest producing gold mines; alternatively head north towards Beechworth for an equally captivating heritage experience!