A Dog-Friendly Weekend in Gippsland, From the Dog's Point of View
Missy is a black Labrador who has now stayed here twice. After her second visit in August, her owners Alex and Ana sent me her notes (and sweet Missy pics!). Written from her (Missy that is) point of view, it is easily the best thing that has landed in my inbox this year.
I have read a lot of guest feedback since 2019. None of it has been from the dog.
So this is Missy's weekend, in her words, with the practical parts filled in by me. If you've been looking for dog-friendly accommodation in Gippsland and trying to picture what a stay here is actually like with a dog in the back of the car, she has answered it more usefully than I could.
"Missy knew exactly where she was the moment we arrived. She bounded out of the car and went straight for the back lawn and the outdoor fireplace to see if the wallabies were about." — Ana (Missy's human), August 2026
The wallabies are usually about. Not always where she wants them.
What's waiting when you get here
As a guest, you're not the only one who receives some delicious local breakfast provisions upon arrival. Dog guests get their own welcome basket too. It includes clean towels for muddy paws, a water bowl, a jar of treats, and a new tennis ball that goes home with you.
"I was delighted Kristy left me a dog biscuit as well as the breakfast produce for Mum and Dad. That sourdough loaf should be shared with the dog, if you ask me." — Missy, August 2026
The tennis ball was Ana's idea. She mentioned afterwards that one would have been handy for throwing around the back lawn, and she was right, so now there's one in every basket.
The sourdough is not shared with the dog. I'm sorry, Missy.
Fifty acres and what a dog does with them
The house sits on 50 private acres, and for the length of your stay there is nobody else on it. No neighbouring dogs, no passing traffic, no other guests. That changes what a weekend feels like for a dog more than any single feature of the house.
"I've been here before. There are lots of areas to sniff around the property, and I make sure I go around the whole lot for a thorough sniffari." — Missy, August 2026
'Sniffari' is Missy's word and I am stealing it permanently.
Two things worth knowing before you arrive. There is no secure perimeter fencing here, so we ask that dogs are supervised whenever they're outside. You know your dog and we don't, and around the house and the open grass it comes down to your judgement. Most dogs who stay potter about happily near their people. If yours is a bolter, you'll already know.
On the two walking trails we ask that dogs are on a lead. The Tramway Track is an easy kilometre out and back through tall ash gums and fern gullies, following the route of the original 1880s logging tramway, and the Tall Timbers Trail is steeper and more of a workout. Both are narrow in places and neither is a maintained tourist path. A lead keeps your dog safe on the descents, and it keeps the lyrebirds and wallabies safe from your dog. Same rule applies on every native bush track in the region, so it's a good habit to arrive with.
Loggers Lookout is the other one to know about, and it isn't on either trail. You reach it straight from the back deck, past the outdoor fireplace and down a set of stairs, and it looks across the valley toward Mount Baw Baw.
"Mum and Dad love sitting out at Loggers Lookout to watch the sunset every day." — Missy, August 2026
Sunsets and stargazing is what Loggers Lookout is built for.
Missy with Alex at sunset at Loggers Lookout and the outdoor fireplace. Ana is taking all the pics!
Dog-friendly walks in Gippsland worth the drive
Three that Missy did, all within about half an hour.
Grand Ridge Rail Trail, Mirboo North. An easy 13km through forest and farmland, dogs on lead. Start at the corner of Strzelecki Highway and Couper Street. You don't have to do all 13 kilometres, and almost nobody does.
Lyrebird Forest Walk, just outside Mirboo North. My pick of the three. Three options signposted at the trailhead: the River Walk at 90 minutes return, the Coral Fern Gully Loop at 1 hour 15, and the Warriors Walk Loop at 1 hour 45. Mossy rainforest, tree ferns, superb lyrebirds if you go quietly. Dogs on lead.
Rokeby to Crossover Rail Trail. Four kilometres one way on compacted gravel, following the old Warragul to Noojee railway line, with the timber Crossover trestle bridge along the way. The network continues on toward Neerim South, which is why you’ll see it signposted under both names depending which end you start from. Gentle gradients and rest seats every kilometre, which matters if you have an older dog. The clay sections get properly muddy after heavy rain, hence the towels.
Missy, Ana and Alex walked three dog-friendly trails during their stay. On lead the whole way, which is the rule on every native track in the region.
The stops in between
Mirboo North Market runs the last Saturday of the month except December, 8:30am to 1pm, at Baromi Park on Ridgway. Local growers, bakers, food trucks and live music.
"Mirboo North Market has several stalls with natural dog treats, and I scored a bag of chicken wrapped in sweet potato plus a new soft toy." — Missy, August 2026
Lamezleigh Coffee House in Mirboo North is right across from Baromi Park, so you can do both in one go. St Ali coffee, seasonal menu, and a good outdoor area where your dog can settle while you eat.
"Lamezleigh has a great outdoor area I can chill in while Mum and Dad eat lunch." — Missy, August 2026
Closer to home, The Shot House in Yarragon (ten minutes down the hill) does some of the best coffee in the village lane using roasted beans by Southern Addictions in Trafalgar South. Sit outside with your dog. There are complimentary dog water bowls for thirsty pups outside their door. Buy a bag of single origin to grind back at the house.
And then you come home
"Around the house, I love snoozing by the fire while Mum and Dad play Scrabble, read or chat." — Missy, August 2026
The Scrabble is in the cupboard in the living room. There's no TV in that room, which was deliberate, and the fire is laid ready to light when you arrive.
The vet, in case you need one
Worth having in your phone before you leave Melbourne. Both are in Warragul, twenty minutes from here, and both operate from the same address.
West Gippsland Vetcare — 1 Bona Vista Rd, Warragul. (03) 5623 4822. Monday to Friday 8am to 5:30pm, Saturday 8am to noon.
Gippsland Pet Emergency — 1 Bona Vista Rd, Warragul. (03) 5623 4421. Open around the clock from Friday 6pm to Monday 8am, and on public holidays. Phone ahead so they know you're coming.
"Most places that take dogs feel like a trade-off. This one doesn't. Missy gets her own bush backyard to explore, and we get somewhere we would have chosen anyway, dog or not. That's why we came back." — Ana, August 2026
"Can't wait to come back for more adventures." — Missy, August 2026
The feeling is mutual.
If you're planning a dog-friendly weekend in Gippsland, The Ridge House is 90 minutes from Melbourne, sleeps eight, and welcomes up to two dogs at $50 per dog per stay. Book direct at theridgehouse.com.au.
Continue Exploring Gippsland
A few more places to start if you're planning a stay with your dog.
A dog-friendly getaway that isn't a compromise: a place that's genuinely beautiful and genuinely welcomes your dog, is harder than it should be. She how The Ridge House hold both together for you are your dog's stay.
https://www.theridgehouse.com.au/post/dinner-yarragon-warragul: a local's guide, including which places work with a dog in tow.
Stargazing at The Ridge House: what the sky does here on a clear night.
