Are you looking for a pet friendly holiday with your four legged best friend? 

Are you looking for holiday accommodation that doesn’t just tolerate pets but welcomes well behaved pets with open arms as part of your family.
Well look no further we have a small selection of genuinely dog friendly holiday accommodation at Apollo Bay in the heart the Great Ocean Road, Victoria. 

Sharon the director of Otway Getaways has 2 beautiful Golden Retrievers herself named Artie and Jemma (they’re the doggies in most of the photos throughout the site) and they travel everywhere with her. This means she knows how important truly dog friendly accommodation is for people on holidays!

Well behaved and house trained pets are very welcome inside almost all of our holiday accommodation and we welcome them as a member of your family!

We are very lucky here as Apollo Bay offers a great selection of cafes that welcome well behaved dogs and dog friendly beaches are available all year around!
The Great Ocean Road Brewhouse has a dog friendly beer garden dining area and they even serve dog friendly beer!

Dog friendly holidays and entering the Great Otway National Park

Dogs are not permitted in the Great Otway National Park, with the exception of Johanna Beach (beach area and the campground), where they must be on a leash at all times. This is to protect our native flora and fauna.
Dogs are permitted in cars travelling along the Great Ocean Road or other roads, which pass through National Parks. Dogs are not permitted out of the car at the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Maits Rest or the Cape Otway Lightstation.

Apollo Bay Township

Dogs must be on a leash and attended by their owner at all times this area includes the shopping precinct and grassed foreshore areas.

A gravel footpath leaving town alongside the Great Ocean Road, leads to Marengo Caravan Park (3.2km – 40mins one-way). This is dog-friendly. There is also a walk through the sand dunes starting behind the Visitor Information Centre and continuing East to Wild Dog Road which is also dog friendly.

Dogs are permitted all year around on the beach at Marengo between the rocks at the Apollo Bay breakwater, around Point Bunbury and south through to the carpark opposite the Heathfield Estate/Ocean Park Drive. This area is also where Apollo Bay Pony Club is located, adjoining the bridge over the Barham River estuary.

Apollo Bay Beaches

Dogs are prohibited on the following beaches from 24 December until 30 April between the hours of 9am and 7pm. Outside these times dogs are permitted if on a leash and attended by their owner. The beautiful white calm beaches of Apollo Bay are a great destination for dog friendly holidays.

Marengo Beach – from the carpark at the campground (Marengo Holiday Park), north to the carpark opposite the Heathfield Estate/Ocean Park Drive.
Apollo Bay Beach – From the harbour to point on beach opposite Marriners Lookout Road (harbour inclusive). Dogs are not permitted at Marriners Lookout. 
Skenes Creek – The entire beach area. Described as the sand area between the rocky outcrops at both ends of the beach.
Kennett River – The beach area between the Revegetation Fence and Surf Lifesaving Club.
Wye River – The beach area between the Foreshore Camping Ground and the toilet block.

Other Dog Friendly Walks in the Otways & Great Ocean Road

Stephensons Falls – 1 hr return. Easy grade. 
Johanna Beach – All year round on lead.
Beauchamp Falls – 1hr return. Moderate grade. 
Old Beechy Rail Trail – 48km walking or cycling trail from Colac to Beech Forest.

It is advised that dogs are on leash/under full control at all times when walking off private property. 

If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to call, SMS or email us. We look forward to helping you plan your dog friendly holidays soon.