Meelup Farmhouse

Meelup Farmhouse is a working hobby farm and restaurant on 54 Sheens Road, about eight minutes from Dunsborough, where free-range Highland cattle, alpacas and Silkie chickens share the grounds with a kitchen that takes South West produce seriously. Think pork belly, duck curry, mushroom gnocchi and a 500g grass-fed rib eye, often with live music on summer weekends. For dog owners the deal is simple: the lawn and outdoor sofas are yours from November to April, and the farmhouse itself is not.

The dog setup

The venue's own FAQ spells it out. Dogs are welcome on the lawn and outdoor sofas, on a lead at all times and under effective control. They are not allowed inside the restaurant, on the dining deck, or on any furniture, and they must stay clear of the orchard and the farm animals, especially the alpacas. Never tie a dog up unattended, step in if barking escalates, and bring bags because cleanup is on you. The practical play is ordering one of the seasonal picnic hampers (local cheeses, cured meats, house pate and bread, paired with local wine) in advance and eating it on the grass with your dog beside you rather than booking an indoor table.

Worth knowing

The lawn, outdoor bar and hamper service run seasonally, generally November to April, so a winter visit means leaving the dog at home or choosing a different stop. If you arrive with a dog booked into an indoor table, staff will try to relocate you to the lawn if there is space, otherwise the booking falls through. Mila, the resident dog, roams the property and is friendly, but a free-roaming dog approaching an on-lead visitor can spook a nervous dog, so keep distance if yours needs room. Bookings for indoor tables are made separately from lawn visits.

Getting there and parking

Set your GPS for 54 Sheens Road, Naturaliste WA. The last stretch of Sheens Road is unsealed dirt, so allow a little extra time and drive gently. Parking is free on site and the grounds are wheelchair accessible. The farmhouse serves 9am to 4pm Monday and Thursday through Sunday, closing Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Close by with the dogs

Meelup Dairy shares the same property if you would rather a quick coffee and ice cream than a sit-down lunch. In town, Occy's Dunsborough pours craft beer with a dog-welcoming outdoor deck, and Evviva Cafe covers the morning-coffee end of the day. Note that Meelup Regional Park and its beaches are largely off limits to dogs for wildlife protection, so plan the leg-stretch at the City of Busselton's signposted dog exercise areas on the Dunsborough foreshore instead. More options sit on the Western Australia restaurants page and the Dunsborough guide.

Max: hamper on the lawn, alpacas over the fence, and a resident dog who came over for a sniff. Ten out of ten afternoons.