The best pet-friendly getaway near Melbourne (that isn't a compromise)
- Kristy Plumridge
- Jun 15
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 23
The Ridge House is the best dog-friendly getaway near Melbourne that isn't a compromise: 50 private acres of West Gippsland bushland in Yarragon, 90 minutes from the city, with private walking trails, four bedrooms, a wood fire, and a host who genuinely means it when she says dogs are welcome here.
You're planning the weekend. The one where you actually switch off: slow mornings, good wine, a walk through the bush, a fire in the evening. You have the place in mind. You can picture it.
And then there's your fur baby. Your 'loved with all your heart' dog.
They're coming. That's not a question. But finding somewhere that can hold both things at once, a place that's genuinely beautiful and genuinely welcomes your dog, is harder than it should be. Most "pet-friendly" listings mean an afterthought. The places you'd actually want to stay usually have a quiet policy of not quite welcoming dogs at all. That's the gap The Ridge House was built for.
Fifty acres to call your own
The Ridge House sits on 50 private acres of West Gippsland bushland in Yarragon, 90 minutes from Melbourne, on a ridgeline above the valley toward Mount Baw Baw. For the duration of your stay, it's entirely yours. The trails, the grassland, the fern gullies, the wildlife. No neighbours. No dogs you haven't met. Just your own dog, doing what dogs were built to do, hanging our with their owners.
We have two private walking trails on the property, and the one I always recommend for guests with dogs is the Tramway Track. It follows the original 1880s logging tramway through tall ash gums and lush fern gullies, out to our neighbour's gate and back: an easy 1km that takes around 30-40 minutes. It's the kind of walk that fits anywhere into the day. A slow morning stretch before breakfast. A midday reset when everyone's been sitting too long. An afternoon wander when the light starts to go low through the gums. The property is open bushland with no enclosed fencing, so dogs on leash throughout.
This is Cocounut. He was part of the family photoshoot whilst staying at The Ridge House. Images: Kris P Photography
Capture it while you're here
One of my guests did something I absolutely love: she hired a local photographer to come to the property and capture her family, dog included. The results were beautiful. The light here, the trails, the open grassland, the deck with the valley behind it, it makes for an extraordinary backdrop, and having your dog in the shots makes them even better.
If you'd like to do the same, get in touch before your stay and I'm happy to recommend a local photographer who knows this area well. Send me an email and let's make this happen!
The house itself
Four queen bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, (see floorplan) and a wood fire in the main living room that gets lit the moment the chill arrives. There is no TV in that room. A deliberate decision, and one guests mention in their reviews more than almost anything else. Board games, a Bluetooth speaker, throws on the couches, and the sound of the bush outside.
Dogs are welcome throughout the house but we do ask they staff off the beds and furniture. We've put care into the styling, so we ask that you bring your dog's own bedding and an old towel to wipe off muddy paws at the door.
When you arrive, you'll find the fire prepped and ready to light, farm honey from our hives at Green Hills Farm next door, sourdough, Gippsland butter, and local jam & eggs for the morning. There is a picnic basket in case you want to explore. Everything is already thought of. And if you're bringing your dog, there may even be a little treat waiting for them on arrival too.
Missy is the beloved black lab of Ana and Alex. They loved how Missy could be with them on their holiday at The Ridge House
Dog-friendly walks beyond the property
One of the things I love most about this part of West Gippsland is how well it rewards exploring on foot. Here are the walks I recommend most, and where to get a good coffee before or after each one.
Downton Park, Yarragon (10 minutes)
The closest outing to The Ridge House, and a lovely way to spend a slow country morning. Before you head there, stop into The Shot House in the Village Walk (known properly as the Loui Lees Shot House, Loui and Lees being the middle names of owners Kezz and Natalie). They have their beans roasted by Roastery Southern Addictions Coffee in nearby Trafalgar South: a great house blend, roasted to perfection, and you can buy beans to take home and grind at The Ridge House too. They also do a fantastic prana chai, which I'm partial to on a cold morning.
From there, the fenced dog area at Downton Park sits near the football oval, with separate sections for large and small dogs. If you want to stretch the legs further, follow Loch Street and pick up the walking track that loops around the township before bringing you back in. Easy, relaxed, and a genuinely nice way to ease into the day.
Brooker Park, Warragul (20 minutes)
If you're heading into Warragul, especially on the third Sunday of the month for the Warragul Farmers Market at Logan Park (dogs on leash are very welcome), I'd start at the Neighbourhood Cafe, a locals' favourite on the corner of Sutton Street. They're known for their toasted sangas, and while their classic ham and cheese toastie is hard to fault, my pick is the Fresh Deli: mortadella, ham, stracciatella, salsa verde, rocket, pistachio crumb on a Turkish roll. Worth every bit of the drive.
From there, the shared walking and cycling paths at Brooker Park wind through pockets of native greenery and connect through to Jacaranda Park. An easy 2.5km loop, and a relaxed way to let a dog stretch out before heading into town or off to the farmers market.
Uralla Nature Reserve (20 minutes)
This is one of those places mostly frequented by locals, which tells you something. An easy 3.5km loop on the northern slopes of the Strzelecki Ranges, surrounded by native bushland and birdlife, dogs on leash. The Stewart Track is wheelchair-friendly. Small carpark off Giles Road.
If you'd like a coffee on the way, stop at Sweet Treats by Jamie Lee in Trafalgar. They have a cute little takeaway window, so you can wait outside with your dog on the leash. Simple and practical, and the treats are genuinely good.
Grand Ridge Rail Trail, Mirboo North (30 minutes)
For the dog who needs a proper stretch, this is my pick. Thirteen kilometres of easy trail following the old railway line through towering forest and open farmland, starting at the corner of the Strzelecki Highway and Couper Street. Walk as far as you like, then turn back. The forest section is the best part.
Combine it with a stop at Lamezleigh Coffee House & Eatery in the centre of Mirboo North. If you'd like to sit down after the walk, dogs are welcome on leash in the outside area. Check out my backroads guide for more on Mirboo North.
Coming home
After a day out, muddy boots, fresh air, everyone pleasantly tired, coming back to The Ridge House is its own reward.
The fire is easy to relight from the stack of dry wood beside it. The pantry has local Gippsland wine. Your dog settles on their bedding and is asleep before you've poured a glass. Outside, the valley is dark and quiet and completely yours.
That feeling is exactly what The Ridge House is for.
Our pet policy
The Ridge House is set on 50 private acres of open bushland, and we want your dog's stay to be as good as yours. We ask that dogs are supervised at all times outdoors and kept on a lead in the bush, for their safety as much as anything else.
Inside, dogs are welcome throughout the house. We ask that you bring their own bedding and an old towel for muddy paws, and that they stay off the beds and furniture. A pet fee of $50 per dog per stay applies.
Up to two dogs are welcome. If you'd like to ask anything before you arrive, about the property, the trails, or anything else, get in touch through the contact page. I love hearing from guests before they get here.
Book direct at theridgehouse.com.au
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