A dog is for life – and for holidays! No need to leave your furry best friend behind when you get away to The Bellarine. You’ll find loads of pooch-friendly activities, venues and accommodation in this welcoming haven.

Start with a paw-some place to stay. Queenscliff and Coastal Holiday Bookings have an impressive portfolio of accommodation options, many of them pet-friendly. Need space for a big pupper or two and a family of humans? Tick. Or a close-to-everything apartment where small dogs are welcomed with open arms? Tick. Heaps of options.

And when you get out and about, you’ll never be short of things to do. Unleash some excitement on the beach. Narrows Beach permits dogs off leash all year-round. Further east and west along the coastline, dogs are allowed on-lead (subject to seasonal restrictions). You’ll find lots of fellow furry buddies zooming and sniffing their way along year-round off-leash stretches of Thirteenth and Ocean Grove beaches. Always check local signage to be sure.

For something less sandy, bond with your canine companion along the Bellarine Rail Trail or the Esplanade walk from Point Lonsdale. When you’re done strolling, relax al fresco style at a nearby café with pooch safely tucked at your feet watching the world go by. Lots of outdoor café seating to be found along the boardwalk at Queenscliff Harbour or The Esplanade at Point Lonsdale. Or try a little further afield at the legendary beer garden at St Leonards Hotel.

Fancy a winery adventure? The Bellarine region’s renowned for top-class wineries, cellar doors and vineyard eateries. With inviting gardens and outdoor areas, Scotchman’s Hill (Drysdale) and Basils Farm (Swan Bay) are just a couple of many wineries that welcome dogs to enjoy the winery experience with you. Menus boast a bounty of local produce, the wines are sublime and the views are to die for.

Let the sea breeze rustle your hair (and fur) as you ferry-cruise from Queenscliff to Sorrento and back. Searoad Ferries welcome on-lead dogs, as long as you stay on the decks and outside areas. Isn’t that where the most fun is anyway?

Come evening, retire to your home away from home and make plans for another fun-filled day with your best friend by your side.

Need help finding a holiday home that’s just perfect for you and pooch? Contact Kelly at Queenscliff and Coastal Holiday Bookings and chat through the best options to suit your needs.