Best Dog Friendly Camping Victoria – Do you dream of running to a waterfall with your dog by your side? These 6 dog-friendly waterfalls in Victoria are perfect for traveling with your dog. While some can be reached with a short walk, others require a hike, even on the short side. Visit one of these waterfalls on your next dog adventure…
Agnes Falls is located in a small reserve in South Gippsland, near Wilson’s Head. Almost 200 kilometers from central Melbourne, Welshpool is only a 10-minute drive away.
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The 59 meter high waterfall was once surrounded by a mixed forest of blue gum and mountain ash with rainforest within the forest. A dam was built above the waterfall in 1925 to supply water to the local community, which is still working today. However, when I went to the falls in November 2021 after several days of heavy rain, it was really raining!
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Dogs are welcome to visit Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve as long as they are on a lead. It’s a short walk of 220 meters to the lookout or a long 340 meters along the river bank above the water. It’s an easy walk, but there are a few steps.
The reservation is also a picnic area, including a picnic shelter with two set-up tables and restrooms. Look out for wildlife, sometimes with echidnas and platypuses and, after dark, common possums.
Trentham Falls is located just outside the charming town of Trentham, about 20 minutes down Daylesford Road. The Falls and surrounding towns are only an 80 minute drive from central Melbourne and are an ideal location for travel.
The waterfall is the longest waterfall in Victoria, at 32 meters in one fell swoop. The water falls on the beautiful basalt columns, which were formed about 5 million years ago by the eruption of a volcano near present-day Newbury in the south and the gradual cooling of the lava. In recent years, water has gradually destroyed the pillar.
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It is only a short walk from the parking lot to the lookout at the top of the falls, either down the steps or down the hill. Note that the old trail to the falls has been closed for years due to recent rockfalls around the falls and ongoing hazards. The dog must be kept on a leash.
There is also a picnic area around the Coliban River Scenic Reserve with picnic tables and fire pits (just provide your own firewood). Waterfalls are usually at their best in winter and spring.
Toorongo Falls and Amphitheater Falls are twin waterfalls located close to each other near Noojee, about 2 hours east of Melbourne. They are located in Tooroongo Falls Reserve on the southern side of the Yarra Ranges National Park, where dogs are not allowed.
I was really looking forward to visiting the water during our trip around Victoria with our dog. However, they are in the wettest part of Victoria and after several days of heavy rain, not to mention the previous reviews where there was mud (and mud!), the conditions were not ideal for walking with our dogs.
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Viewing platforms for Toorongo Falls and Amphitheater Falls are accessible via a 2.2km loop and should take an hour. The trail goes through the jungle and is well planned, although there are a few steps. A shorter return route of 1.5km takes you to Toorongo Falls. Dogs can be off leash as long as they are under control.
When visiting on the weekend, it is best to visit in the morning, before the visitors arrive. Just beyond the access road are two free bush camping areas which are free and naturally popular. There are restrooms and picnic areas on the trail.
The waterfalls along Ocean Road are popular attractions, but unfortunately most of them are off-limits to dogs. Most of them are in the Great Otway National Park, where dogs are generally prohibited, including the famous Erskine Falls and Sheoak Falls near Lorne.
However, there are several dog-friendly waterfalls. One of the best waterfalls near the Great Ocean Road is Beauchamp Falls, located in Beauchamp Falls Reserve, which is part of Otway National Park. Dogs are allowed throughout Otway Forest Park and recent visitors confirm that there are dedicated signs that dogs can be kept on a lead.
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To access this waterfall while driving on Ocean Road, turn off at Skenes Creek. Then it’s a 50-minute drive on narrow, windy roads to the car park, which is off the Aire Valley Road off the Beech Forest Road. The last 3 km are barrier-free, so if you rent a car, you can skip this point.
You can reach these 20-meter waterfalls on a 3-kilometer round trip through a beautiful mountain ash forest. Previous reviews have mentioned that the trail is quite difficult, with many steps that can be difficult for small dogs and slippery when wet. The return trip takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
There is also a small campsite in the car park which has recently been renovated – quick access, free and praised by recent campers. Toilets, picnic tables and fire pits are also available.
Beauchamp Falls isn’t the only dog-friendly waterfall in this part of the Otway region. Another nearby dog-friendly waterfall is Stevensons Falls.
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To get to Stevenson Falls, turn off at Skenes Creek, but then turn north towards Forrest. It is a 45 minute drive from Skenes Creek. The turn off for the 6km unblocked road is 5 minutes before Forrest. The road is suitable for 2WD vehicles except in heavy rain.
From the day area it is only a short and easy walk to the falls, although it can be muddy after rain. There is also another campsite on the other side of the entrance. Back in Forrest, don’t miss the dog-friendly Forrest Brewery.
Access to the falls and campground recently reopened in 2024 after a long closure for renovations. Improvements include a new boardwalk and wheelchair access to the waterfall viewing platform. I’ve also heard reports that there’s a small redwood garden to visit – which is handy considering the other redwood gardens in Otway are off-limits to dogs!
La La Falls in the Warburton Valley has been delighting visitors since the 1880s. About an hour east of suburban Melbourne, the falls are located south of Warburton.
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Park in the small car park just off Old Warburton Road and then start the easy walk to the falls. About 1.6 miles each way, the trail follows a four-mile path through an evergreen forest. Allow 60 to 90 minutes for the return walk.
The waterfalls are at their best during spring and winter after heavy rains. However, this is when the trail becomes very muddy. Dogs are welcome on the trail – check they have to be on a lead as I’ve heard conflicting reports.
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of: Dog Friendly Travel. She has traveled extensively with her little dachshund, Schnitzel, including 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She is passionate about providing inspiration and information to others who want to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or abroad.
Hello! I’m Shandos Cleaver and I’ve traveled to 35 countries around the world with my miniature schnitzel dachshund. I got lots of tips for traveling with dogs, from dog-friendly destinations to pet-friendly accommodations to dog-friendly flights. I hope to inspire you to travel with your dog! Camping is the perfect way to get away from it all, relax and take life back to a simpler time. If you have a furry best friend, you might want to put these camping destinations on your must-see list.
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Camping doesn’t have to be a dog-free activity, and there are wonderful campsites across the country that are not only dog-friendly, but welcome them with open arms (and sometimes a treat!).
Always check the camp’s specific dog policy and be a responsible dog owner by keeping your pets on a lead and cleaning up after them. Whether you’re exploring the wilderness, relaxing on the beach, or hiking in a national park, your camping experience will be more memorable with your furry friend by your side.
We’ve rounded up our dog-friendly campsites – from the beach to the beautiful to the rugged countryside – there’s something for every dog-loving camper.
Located in the Otways, Lake Elizabeth allows you to pitch your tent on the Barwon River and you and your furry friend are just a short 1km walk to beautiful Lake Elizabeth where you might spot a platypus if you’re lucky. . This is an intimate setting where only 20 off-limits locations are available. Please note that there is no direct access to the campsite by car, but the car park is 15 minutes away.
