The Ulitmutt Sleepover in the Yarra Valley
Take your mate on a weekend getaway in the Yarra Valley with these pet-friendly spots you’ll both love. Whether you choose a mid-week getaway or a weekend escape for your ultimutt sleepover, there’s so much to do with your dog in the region.
Day one
Grab breakfast at Round Bird in Lilydale where you can grab an outdoor seat and enjoy breakfast to kickstart your big weekend. Here the meu is thoughtfully created around seasonality and availability of produce so what you get is local, fresh and delicious.
Following breakfast, venture to Lilydale Lake which offers the perfect op-paw-tunity for a picturesque walk either on a lead or at one of their two, off-leash areas for some serious playtime.
Nearby Coldstream Brewery has an open doggie door policy for puppers keen to keep their minders company in the outdoor seating area. Quick note, if you’re visiting over a weekend, let the team know with your booking you’ll have your pooch with you to ensure you’re all seated in the right area. While visiting, grab a tasting paddle, a beer snack from their incredible menu, and soak up the sunshine while pupper has a rest.
It’s un-fur-givable to visit the region without visiting at least one of our world-class wineries, so spend the afternoon doing a tasting at Helen & Joey Estate. The views from the deck are pretty special and the knowledgeable staff are always up tummy rubs (your dog’s not theirs.) The best part? Dogs are allowed both inside and out. So relax, stay awhile, play pup-arazzi taking pictures of your mate with Bruce, their signature unicorn and his friends scattered around the property. There's plenty to see and do, which is exactly why locals love it.
Afternoon walkies are sorted in Healesville where both Coronation Park offers plenty of trees for sniffing, open space for fetching and off-lead areas for running. Nearby Queens Park also offers on-leash areas.
Finish your afternoon at Innocent Bystander for a mutt friendly sundowner in their Garden of Innocence. Here you’ll find wines, brews and snacks out the back with room to stretch out all four legs. The pizzas here are woodfired and delicious, dare we say the pup-a-roni is a winner? No matter which you choose, it’s a pawfect end to the day!
Alternatively, if you’re travelling with a group, visiting for a wedding or any other reason and you want to check your pet into their own accommodation, Yarra Valley Pet Resort is perfect for pampered pups staying solo.
Day Two
Start your morning with ChaChi Cafe in Healesville. It’s super dog friendly for your superdog and their Italian-influenced menu means the delicious fare and hit of espresso will be exactly what you need to hit the mark for morning walks.
Grab your doggo’s favourite lead and do a morning walk at Maroondah Reservoir Park. The location is super scenic with several rotundas, shelters, picnic and BBQ areas, towering trees, plenty of gardens, and so many nooks and crannies to explore and sniff, making it a treat for both you and your doggo.
Make a late morning stop at Badger Creek Blueberry Winery. It’s a pup-ular place that’s pet friendly and allows for tastings of not blueberry wine, but a variety of blueberry foods too (as well as traditional sausage rolls and all the good stuff to pair with the St Ronan's Cider made here.
One last leg stretch before starting your trip home? Call into Don Road Recreation Reserve for some off-leash playtime and walks and water views before going back to Healesville. If you’re not quite ready for the car ride home, a stop at Matilda Bay for a bevvie on the balcony with your bestie is just the place to finish off the weekend.
Need a coffee for a pep up before the drive home? Get a caffeine hit at My Little Kitchen with its dog-friendly undercover courtyard or Wombat’s Chai where your dog can enjoy a well-deserved nap in the grass.
