32 Best Dog Friendly Pubs, Cafes, Walks and other furry things to do in Bendigo!
32 Best Dog Friendly Pubs, Cafes, Walks and other furry things to do in Bendigo!
Bendigo is a vibrant regional city worth visiting with your pooch. The city is full of dog friendly pubs and cafes, stunning dog friendly walks and plenty of off leash areas.
Wander around 19th century architecture, public sculptures, fountains and gardens for a historical journey to the Australian gold rush era. Appreciate the stunning Sacred Heart Cathedral, the second tallest church in Australia, and the Alexandra Fountain, a significant monumental composition.
Discover the creativity and innovation of a contemporary culture thriving within a unique heritage setting. Art and gastronomy flourish within the old walls of 1800s halls, banks and factories. Bendigo offers a broad range of treasures for you and your four-legged buddy to dig in a memorable adventure. Visit one of Victoria’s most dog friendly towns, with over 26,000 registered pets and a variety of dog friendly parks, attractions and eateries.
Here are the 32 Best Dog Friendly Places to explore in Bendigo and surrounds!
Editors Dog Friendly Choice
1. Panacea Estate
About 40mins drive south from Bendigo, you can find one of the most recent dog friendly wineries in Central Victoria. We surely think it is worth the drive. Panacea Estate is a family-friendly winery offering wine tastings and delicious cheese boards whilst enjoying breathtaking panoramas over stunning vines, gardens and an incredible lake. Leave your worries behind and enjoy the happiness potions (wine), laugh, play and watch the world go by from the slice of paradise.
DOG FRIENDLY WALKS
2. Lake Weeroona
A popular yet tranquil park, great for families and dogs to enjoy the sun shining over the scenery. The park is loved for its walking, jogging and cycling path, playground, rowing activities, heritage pavilions and the variety of local birds.
3. Bendigo Botanic Gardens
One of regional Victoria’s earliest botanic gardens, Bendigo’s first public garden holds historical, architectural, scientific, botanical, aesthetic and social significance. Great place to explore with your furry friend.
4. Kennington Reservoir
Popular place for bush walks, fishing and picnics. This bush land reserve is known for its wildlife, indigenous vegetation and comfortable footpaths for you and your dog (on leash) to explore Bendigo’s picturesque waterways.
5. Rosalind Park
Located on the edge of Bendigo CBD, this park features lush gardens, horticultural heritage, ornate statues, a historic conservatory, a fernery, cascades and more. 60 acres to explore with your pup on lead. Remember to climb up the Poppet Head Lookout Tower for the best views in town.
6. Lake Neangar
Located in the Eaglehawk precinct, this recreational area encompasses the Canterbury Gardens, Lake Neangar and Lake Tom Thumb. Explore the natural wilderness with your pup on lead around the lake, on a conveniently lit sealed path for a pleasant night stroll.
7. Bendigo Creek Trail
This trail is perfect for active humans and dogs who want to discover Bendigo’s heritage, history and attractions by foot. Following the Bendigo Creek, it takes you past some of the most iconic 19th century charms intertwined with the richness and serenity of the bush.
8. One Tree Hill Track
Part of the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People, this park is home to an array of native plants and animals. Although On Tree Hill Track is within Greater Bendigo National Park, dogs are allowed on-lead on specified roads and trails in the One Tree Hill section of the park.
Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!
OFF LEASH DOG PARKS
9. Allingham Street Dog Park
A fully fenced wooded off leash dog park with a separately fenced ‘Small Dog Retreat’ area. This park offers all basic amenities including undercover seating and water fountains for dogs and humans.
10. Harcourt Dog Park
A great natural environment for your dog to play, run off leash and splash around in the dams. The site is fenced, has a creek with steel bridges, good shade trees, and also features a ‘Small Dog Retreat’ area.
11. Truscott Reserve Dog Park
Large, off leash fenced area with lots of open space and bush land for your dog to sniff around. Lots of friendly dogs visit this park featuring water bowls and poo bags. ‘Small Dog Retreat’ area available for little pups to play separately from the big doggies.
12. Heathcote Dog Park Park
The Heathcote Dog Park is located next to the O’Keefe Rail Trail approximately 500 metres along Herriot Street from the town centre. The site is fully fenced and seats and drinking fountains make this a pleasant site to visit for people and their dogs.
Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!
DOG FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
13. Vintage Talking Tram Tour
These beautifully restored vehicles take you around Bendigo’s most special parks, attractions, shopping and dining facilities. Explore the city with your pup, welcome on board with the reasonable request that they remain on lead and are kind to other passengers.
14. Central Deborah Gold Mine
Dogs are not allowed in the underground tunnels but you can figuratively descend to the world of miners by tasting a traditional miner’s pasty or trying your luck at gold panning in their furry company. Four-legged visitors are welcome in the old Blacksmith’s shop and the Engine Room.
15. Bendigo Pottery
Australia’s oldest working pottery loves dogs inside all areas except for the Antiques and Collectables Centre. They keep a bowl of water at the front door of this major tourist attraction for a unique experience for both humans and pups.
16. The Bendigo Showground Market
Held every Sunday at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in Holmes Road, the Bendigo Showground Market is one of country Victoria’s biggest weekly markets. Featuring a huge range of new and used goods, food, coffee and fresh produce, this free market is dog friendly in outdoor areas.
DOG FRIENDLY CAFES & RESTAURANTS
17. Adam & Eve
A nourishing vegan cafe for both humans and pups. Extremely dog friendly, with a dedicated dog chalet with all the features your pup needs, such as bed and water bowl, while you enjoy a nice coffee break.
18. Percy & Percy
A thriving cafe with three different areas where you can sip a nice coffee while your pup enjoys their puppacino.
19. Beechworth Bakery
Scrumptious cakes, pastries, breads and pies with a lovely outdoor seating (partly shaded) where all fur babies are welcome.
20. Stupa View Cafe & Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
The largest Buddhist monument in Australia welcomes dogs in all areas, including the great stupa, the shop and the cafe.
21. Old Green Bean
They love dogs at this popular Bendigo’s micro roastery. Enjoy quality food and coffee in the roofed verandah.
22. Quarry Hill Cafe
Modern Australian cuisine in a quiet residential area. They welcome dogs in their great shaded outdoor courtyard. Their menu includes the special yappacinos, which are dog bowls of lactose free milk topped with froth and a doggy biscuit.
23. The Boardwalk Cafe
After a pleasant stroll around Lake Weeroona, relax in their dog friendly partially covered deck overlooking the lake. They have a designated dog drinking station and a specialized dog menu thanks to K9 Katering.
24. The Gallery Cafe
If you choose to spend the day at the historic Rosalind Park, then you and your pup should have a rest in the shaded outdoor area of this dog friendly cafe offering light, seasonal meals and local wines.
Free V.I.Pooch Travel Kit with every booking!
DOG FRIENDLY PUBS & BARS
25. El Gordo
Inspired by Spanish and Southern European cuisine, El Gordo is a dog friendly Spanish cafe by day and authentic tapas bar at night (Friday and Saturday) with a partially covered laneway.
26. Dispensary Bar & Diner
Dog friendly Dispensary Bar aims to create the best all-round drinks list in the country and offer inspired food and music to go with it. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor seating area.
27. The Redesdale Hotel
Dogs are allowed in the bar (not the bistro) at this legendary country side dog friendly pub. Absolutely welcome all dogs big and small and definitely have water bowls available. Even sneak some treats from the kitchen meat scraps bucket if allowed.
28. Glenwillow Wines
Family owned vineyard following sustainable principles with minimal intervention, located at the historic Bendigo Pottery Complex. Enjoy their award-winning wines in their dog friendly covered verandah (leash required).
29. Tooborac Hotel and Brewery
Beautiful bluestone, granite and ironstone building transformed into a country restaurant, brewery and pub. Located 40 minutes south from Bendigo along the Northway Highway. Furry patrons are welcome in the outdoor areas of the pub, with a few tables under shade in the verandah.
30. Palling Bros Brewery
Located a 35 minute drive from Bendigo, Heathcote’s original brewers handcraft artisan beer that you can enjoy in their large, dog friendly undercover areas.
31. True Brew
Make your own brew or enjoy a crafted beer during a karaoke night. They have a dog friendly beer garden and, if the weather is unkind, dogs are welcome inside on leash.
32. Shedshaker Brewing
Arts space located around 30 minutes south from Bendigo, serving handcrafted beer, local wines and pizza. Very dog friendly beer gardens with covering and heating.
