Sixteen06.

Sixteen06. is a community cafe on Heytesbury Street in Herne Hill, just over the river from Geelong, and dogs are genuinely part of the furniture. The outdoor tables out front are dog-friendly, water bowls get put out for visitors, and the cafe keeps a photo wall of its regular canine callers - the local nickname for it is the Pawparazzi wall, which tells you how seriously it takes its four-legged trade.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables out front on a leash, with water bowls set out. There is no indoor access for dogs, standard for a small local cafe, so plan on the footpath tables. The quiet residential streets around Heytesbury Street also make an easy stroll either side of your visit.

The toasties and the vibe

The cafe runs on Surf Coast coffee and has built a following around its toasties - the spicy tuna melt gets repeated mentions - plus house-baked goods and a well-regarded carrot cake. Hours run 7am to 2pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays; check their Instagram for any changes before you go. Weekday mornings are the easiest for a table with a dog; weekends bring the local crowd out early.

Getting there and parking

The address is 24 Heytesbury Street, Herne Hill, a short drive from Geelong CBD. Parking is on the surrounding residential streets rather than a dedicated lot, so expect to walk a block on busy mornings.

Close by with the dogs

Harold Hurst Reserve on Douglass Street operates as a timeshare off-leash area - dogs off-lead on the ovals when sport is not on - and the Barwon River trail handles a longer leashed walk nearby. If you are pairing cafe stops, Black Moustache Coffee Co. is the other Herne Hill option, and Windy Creek Estate adds a cellar door to the neighbourhood.

More spots around Geelong are on the Herne Hill destination page, and the full list sits in the VIC cafes index.