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These pooch-friendly spots are the pawfect places to go puppy watching.

Fur-friendly staycations

Bring your bestie along on your next staycation at one of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's pet-friendly hotels. If your pooch gets treated like royalty at home, the red carpet treatment continues at . The V.I.Pooch package comes with your pup's very own designer doggy bag. Or stay at ³Ô¹ÏÍø's luxe dog-loving hotel, . The pampered pets package has all the creature comforts for you both. It includes a welcome pack with a bowl and cosy bed for pooches that have had a ruff day. Looking for a waterfront night with your pooch? Hyatt Centric ³Ô¹ÏÍø's king balcony rooms have been transformed into a pet paradise. Book a night for you and your furry friend in a room decked out in Oscar & Friends pet supplies. Plus, a deluxe suite, fuzzy bathrobe and slippers for yourself.

Small brown poodle sitting dog bed surrounded by toys.
Hyatt Centric

Where to grab a bite with your pooch

Can't go anywhere without Luna in tow? ³Ô¹ÏÍø has a tonne of cafes that will warmly welcome your fur baby with a smile and a scratch under the belly. It's all in the name at Vincent the Dog. With plenty of outdoor seating and some of the best bagels in town, this Carlton cafe is a dog-spotter's dream. Nearby you'll find Vertue Coffee Roasters, where you can kick back in the laneway seating for brekkie with your buddy. Grab a riverside bev on the deck at Boatbuilders Yard where the team will dote over your dog. Or combine your favourite things – cheese and dogs – with a trip to Spring Street Grocer.

A man eating an ice cream in front of a grocer while walking a golden retriever on a leash.
Spring Street Grocer comes highly recommended by Bert

The best grooming and treats for pampered pets

Tiny Tales Retreat

Pamper your pup with a luxurious grooming session. Specialising in small to medium dogs, Tiny Tales Retreat offers a full range of services. Their experienced and compassionate groomers take extra care to get your furry friend looking their best.

Supaw Bakery

A bakery designed especially with your pooch's taste in mind? Sign us up. This hidden micro-bakery specialises in unique handmade treats and custom pet cakes. Make sure to order a meaty 100 per cent natural, grain-free cake with your pet's portrait.

The Confectionist

Cookies that taste as good as they look. The Confectionist Bakery has become Insta-famous for crafting life-like cookies of celebrities, cartoon characters, and more. Now your pooch can get the star treatment with a custom cookie. Provide your favourite snap of your pet and they will craft the perfect hand-piped cookie in your pet's likeness.

Three people standing in a group wearing branded aprons, the centre person is holding a cake featuring a small dog with a love heart.
Supaw Bakery

Off-leash parks

Kings Way and Moray Street Reserve

³Ô¹ÏÍø just got a , and it's hidden under a major road. The fully-fenced off-leash park is decked out with all the creature comforts for pampered pooches. Think play equipment, a custom dog drinking fountain and even furniture for your furry friend. The pooch-sized playground is located near the City Road/Kingsway intersection, in .

Fawkner Park

Let your four-legged friend off-leash at Fawkner Park. This laid-back doggy hot spot is the perfect place to relax while your companion enjoys a run around. If you’d prefer to stay active, the walking paths are lined with Moreton Bag figs and oak trees. Enter from Commercial Road or St Kilda Road for the off-leash area.

A person walking a black dog along a tree lined path in a park.
Fawkner Park

Gosch’s Paddock

For a dog walk in the centre of ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s sporting precinct, make your way to Gosch’s Paddock. The two ovals here are bordered by Swan Street and Punt Road. Exercising is on-leash on the ovals, off-leash in the grassy bits in-between. It’s best suited to more confident dogs, as the cyclists, runners and road traffic can be distracting.

Yarra Park isn't far away, where you can run with your mutt in the shadow of the MCG. It’s a beautiful expanse of green, dotted with shady gums. Enter from Vale Street, where you’ll also find a water tap with a bowl and bin.

Princes Park

Sprawling Princes Park has two unfenced off-leash areas to let your dog run free. Head south for Crawford Oval, or to the north of the park along Bowen Crescent. Bowen is the better option, with everything your furry friend could want. Grass, trees, shaded seating, bins and a tap with a built-in water bowl.

Nearby Royal Park has a couple of other off-leash options. Take Snoopy to the oval south of Macarthur Road, or to the north of the park at Poplar Oval and McPherson Field. This is the city's biggest park, so there's plenty of space for a game of fetch.

Two couples walking dogs beside the Yarra River at sunset.
Dogs of ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Buluk Park

Dogs in Victoria Harbour Docklands should make a beeline for the puppy playground opposite . This on-leash area is both sandy and grassy. It is semi-fenced and kitted out with a water bowl. Fido can run through hollow pipes and bounce on concrete blocks, while you make the most of this urban oasis in the city.

Walking your dog

Do have fun with your pooch, but please be considerate of others when . Not sure what's on or off-leash? It's always good to .

More pet-friendly spots

Bark Road: The Pet Store

Bark Road: The Pet Store

Sustainably sourced treats and products for your pets, plus dog grooming.

Supaw Pet Bakery

Supaw Pet Bakery

Unique handmade treats and customised cakes for your dog or cat.

The Paw Principality

The Paw Principality

Natural pet food, premium accessories and cute clothing for your pampered cat or dog.

The Boatbuilders Yard

The Boatbuilders Yard

A large open space retaining the heritage and charm of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's maritime precinct.

Kirk's Wine Bar

Kirk's Wine Bar

Specialty wine and bar bites offered in a cosy and charming space.

Pilgrim Bar

Pilgrim Bar

Waterside bar serving boutique Australian wines and seasonally inspired share plates.

Riverland Bar

Riverland Bar

Outdoor waterfront beer garden by the banks of the Yarra River.

The best dog-friendly staycations in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

The best dog-friendly staycations in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

From hotels to fine dining, ³Ô¹ÏÍø's just better when you can bring your dog.

Last updated on Tue 6 Aug 2024

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The best picnic spots in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

The best picnic spots in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Try these beautiful parks and gardens for your next ³Ô¹ÏÍø picnic.

Docklands Park

Docklands Park

Kid-friendly park with walking trails and barbecue facilities.

Queen Victoria Gardens

Queen Victoria Gardens

These landscaped gardens on St Kilda Road are home to the Floral Clock.

Royal Park

Royal Park

Public park offering an array of recreational and sporting facilities.