Pets in Melbourne

Pets in Melbourne

Melbourne is growing in popularity as a dog town, and that means more options for pet owners to take their fur baby out for a day of fun and games. Here is a guide to Melbourne’s best dog-friendly destinations where you can connect with other dog-lovers and like-minded people who love to play with dogs, pet them, and spoil them.

Dog-Friendly Beaches

Melbourne has many dog-friendly beaches which include:

- Altona Dog Beach (Burns Reserve) Dog-friendly beach for summer or winter

Altona Rd, Seaholme VIC 3018, Australia 

- Port Melbourne Dog Beach near the spirit of Tasmania, off leash from Lagoon Pier and the Yacht Club 

Bay Trail, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia

- Mentone Dog Beach - 24/7 Year round dog beach

Plummer Rd to Charman Rd

- Sandown Street Beach (Brighton Dog Beach)

Between Sundown St & Bay St, Brighton, VIC 3186

- St Kilda West - West Beach

The beach is off-leash 24/7

From St Kilda Pier to Pier Road

St Kilda Beach: Between Pier Road to the north-west end of Pier Rd as well as between Brooks Jetty and the St Kilda Marina northern end car park.

Elwood Beach - from 1 November - 31 March between 5:30 am - 9:30 am)

Between the beach access ramp near Normandy Rd and the Rock Groyne South of Point Ormond 

Middle Park: (1 November - 31 March, 7:30 pm to 10 am) 
Between Langridge Street and Kerferd Road Pier.

Please remember, that it’s now compulsory to clean up after your dog, so make sure that you carry bags to do so.

Dog Specific Cafes

Melbourne boasts cafes dedicated entirely to dogs, allowing you to truly spoil your fur baby!

Dog House is a dog cafe which has raw food, dog accessories, grooming and a gated courtyard. Make sure to spoil your fur baby with a dogachino.

Address: 195 Johnston St Collingwood.

Open: Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm & Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

The Dog Cafe features a selection of goodies to ensure that your dog is on Cloud Nine! Food to make humans jealous includes Doggie Donuts, Puppacinos, as well as swimming pools, a sandpit, and a movie room with doggie bean bags which are sure to get their tails wagging.

Address: Rear of, 120 Boronia Rd, Boronia VIC 3155, Australia

Open: Thursday - Sunday 9am - 4pm

Dog-Friendly Cafes

In addition to dog-specific cafes, there are also lots of dog-friendly cafes around Melbourne, that let you bring your dog in with you while you dine, and offer a water bowl and snacks, instead of leaving them leashed up alone and outside.

Albert Park

Dundas & Faussett

Licensed Cafe, 111 Dundas Place, Albert Park

(03) 9645 5155

NSHRY

Asian Inspired Licensed Cafe, 129A Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park

(03) 9682 1077

Brunswick

Brunswick Mess Hall

Modern Asian Restaurant, 400 Sydney Road, Brunswick

(03) 9388 0297

Edinburgh Castle

Hotel Bistro, 681 Sydney Road, Brunswick

(03) 9386 7580

Carlton

Great Northern Hotel

Hotel Bistro, 644 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

(03) 9380 9569

Docklands

Merchant Society

Asian fusion Restaurant, 71 Merchant Street, Docklands

(03) 9078 5844

Fitzroy

Blackcat

Cafe and bar, 252 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

(03) 9419 6230

Union Club Hotel

Hotel Bistro, 164 Gore Street, Fitzroy

(03) 9417 2926

Public Transport

Melbourne allows dogs and other animals to be brought on public transport as long as certain conditions are met. 

Guide Dogs and Assistance Animals 

Guide dogs, guide dogs in training, or hearing guide dogs can travel on all public transport services for free. You will need to apply for an Assistance Animal Pass and demonstrate that your assistance animal helps to manage your disability, and is trained to do so.

Metropolitan Trains, Trams and Buses

If your animal doesn’t meet the requirements of being a guide dog, or assistance animal, you may still be able to travel with it while using public transport. 

On trains, trams, and buses, small animals can travel with you in a suitable animal container. 

Dogs can accompany you on trains if they are wearing a leash and a muzzle. 

There are some restrictions, which include:

- Clean up any mess after your dog

- Don’t let your dog sit on seats, or block doors or aisles

- Avoid travelling between 7am-9am or 4pm-6pm on weekdays  

Other animals besides dogs or small animals in a suitable container are not permitted to travel on trains. 

For trams and buses, animals must be in a suitable animal container to travel.

Best Pet Boarding 

Planning to go away on an extended trip, but unfortunately can’t bring your pet along? The following are pet hotels which are sure to give your pets a pampering experience they are going to love while keeping them safe.

The Pets Hotel is for “very important pets” and will ensure your dog, cat, or pet enjoy their own holiday while you go away! Features include a pet spa and activities.

Address: 7 Phillip Court, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207

Phone: (03) 9646 3696

Kepala Pet Resort & Canine Country Club features an outdoor heated lagoon pool and hydro baths, as well as four off-leash activity areas, is for when you want your dog to have the absolute best. Located just 15 minutes from Tullamarine airport!

Address: 55 Edwards Rd, Diggers Rest VIC 3427, Australia

Phone (03) 9740 1272

Hanrob Pet Hotel has a range of options for every budget and lifestyle for your dog or cat. Options include classic dog boarding, luxury dog boarding, and aged care dog boarding. Also included is a complimentary pet shuttle.

Address: 444 Melrose Drive Tullamarine VIC 3043

Phone: 1300 426 762

KCC Park (State Dog Centre)

KCC Park is a true paradise for dogs! Consisting of 74 acres, including fenced off areas, a doggy swimming dam, as well as an indoor and outdoor area which is used for obedience, training, on-lead exercise, dog sports trials, and more! Featuring BBQs and picnic tables, it’s a must for the whole family and your furry friends.

Address: 655 Western Port Highway (Dandenong-Hastings Rd), Skye, Victoria 3977 

Hours: Monday - Sunday 7am - 10pm

Pet Rental Properties

There are about to be major reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act in Victoria. A landlord currently can include a “no pets clause” as default in a rental agreement. 

However, under reforms, tenants will soon be able to have pets in rental properties, as long as they obtain the landlord’s written consent - with the landlord no longer being able to refuse any reasonable requests. Tenants will then be responsible for any pet-related cleaning, or costs that relate to damage from a pet beside general property wear and tear. 

In 2018, these changes will be introduced to Victorian Parliament, and if the reforms are passed by parliament, they will be implemented in 2019.