October 1, 2025
Pet-Friendly Places in the Grampians
Planning a Grampians getaway with your four-legged mate? Good news: you can absolutely bring the dog—so long as you plan smart. While the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park itself is a no-dog zone (assistance dogs excepted), the wider region is wonderfully welcoming, with pet-friendly stays, scenic drives, wineries, and leafy town parks where tails can wag all day. Think lakeside cabin mornings, café lunches in Halls Gap or Great Western, and sunset lookouts beyond the park boundaries.
In this guide, you’ll find tried-and-true places to stay—like Grampians Getaway (yes, dogs can swim in the lake), Gariwerd Motel, Yarriambiance, and Halls Gap Escape Townhouses—plus camping and caravanning options such as Acacia Caravan Park (pet-friendly cabins and sites) and Breeze Holiday Parks Grampians (all sites/cabins pet-friendly and a dedicated dog run). We’ll also point you to dog-friendly cellar doors and cafés (from Seppelt Wines to Livefast Lifestyle Café), off-leash spots around nearby towns, and the best lookouts and state parks you can enjoy with your dog on lead.
A couple of essentials before you book: most accommodations ask that pets aren’t left unattended and may charge a small cleaning fee. Within the National Park, dogs aren’t permitted—even on lead—so if you’re heading in for a big hike, consider day boarding at Plumtree Kennels & Cattery. And because the region protects precious wildlife, there’s no off-leash access in Halls Gap, Pomonal, or Dunkeld, and cats aren’t permitted in Halls Gap.
We caught up with Georgia Bennett from Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism to find out more.
What are some of the best places to stay with a pet?
For a Grampians Getaway, there’s some great dog-friendly accommodation, a few picks include:
- Gariwerd Motel
- Yarriambiance – Yarriambiance | Visit Grampians
- Halls Gap escape townhouses
If you want to search more accommodation in the area, this page lists a number of pet-friendly places to stay.
Dog-friendly accommodation in the Grampians | Visit Grampians
It should be noted that most places will require that the dog is not left unattended at the accommodation and there may be an additional fee to cover cleaning.
Are there dog friendly glamping / camping / caravanning sites?
Acacia Caravan Park is one of the best for this. They have dog friendly caravan sites and pet-friendly cabins. There’s also Breeze Holiday Park Grampians – all sites and cabins are pet friendly – it also has a dog run.
What walking tracks or hikes in the Grampians are dog friendly, and are there any restrictions (on leash/off leash)?
Except for companion dogs for the disabled, no dog may be taken into the Grampians or Little Desert national parks, not even on a leash. (Dogs can go by car from Halls Gap direct to Dunkeld or Zumsteins).
Cats are not permitted in Halls Gap and there is a local ban on owning them to protect the wildlife.
It would be best to check with Parks Victoria, however, there are several State Parks (noted below) where dogs are permitted on leash.
Big Hill Lookout – Stawell – Big Hill Lookout | Visit Grampians
One Tree Hill – Ararat – One Tree Hill | Visit Grampians
Langi Ghiran State Park (between Beaufort and Ararat) – Langi Ghiran State Park
Black Range State Park (Just outside Stawell) – Black Range State Park
Are there many dog friendly cafés or restaurants?
Seppelt Wines – Great Western
Salingers Cafe
Pomonal Estate
Black and Ginger Wine Shed
Livefast Lifestyle Cafe
Halls Gap Hotel
Parker Street Project
Grampians Olive Co.
(Always on lead and under control of owner)
Are there parks, lakes, or waterholes where dogs can swim or play off leash?
Stawell – Old Lake Oval: This area has a velodrome track running around it and is surrounded by bushland. This area is an accepted off leash area when there are no events.
Hamilton – There are several areas for off leash play: Dog exercise areas | Hamilton City Council
Horsham – Langlands Park – Langlands Park – off leash Dog park – Horsham Rural City Council
Ararat Fenced Dog Park – https://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/ararat-fenced-dog-park
If visitors would like to go into the National Parks and have nowhere to leave their pet safely they can do a day boarding rate at Plumtree Kennels and Cattery. This property has a large number of people who drop their pets off just for a short time while they go into the National Park areas. – Plumtree Kennels and Cattery | Visit Grampians.