The Buninyong Hotel

The Buninyong Hotel is a historic country pub at 508 Warrenheip Street in Buninyong, on the southern edge of Ballarat. Dogs are welcome across its outdoor spaces, the beer garden, the lawn and the footpath seating out front, which makes it a comfortable stop after a walk on Mount Buninyong.

The dog setup

Well-behaved dogs are allowed in the alfresco and garden areas and at the footpath tables, with the main indoor dining rooms off limits. Patrons typically bring dogs through the designated access points out to the beer garden, and staff are used to it. The indoor rooms have a log fire, so on a cold Ballarat day the outdoor spots are still the ones for a dog; check the weather or ring ahead, and bring your own water bowl to be safe.

The vibe

It is a traditional pub kitchen doing generous servings of the classics, chicken parma, lamb cutlets, barramundi and sticky date pudding, with local wine and a solid beer list in a casual, fire-lit room popular with locals and visitors alike. Hours run Wednesday to Sunday, opening from 3pm midweek and from 11:30am on Fridays through Sundays, and closed Monday and Tuesday.

Getting there and parking

The pub sits in the centre of Buninyong's main street, about 15 minutes' drive south of central Ballarat. It has its own car park, with free street parking generally available along Warrenheip Street as well.

Close by with the dogs

Mount Buninyong's walking tracks are a few minutes' drive up the road; the Mt Buninyong Crater Walk is the local leg-stretch, with dogs on-lead. For a proper run, the Buninyong Fenced Dog Park at James Reserve is close by. The main street also has dog-friendly cafes for a coffee before or after, and the Buninyong Botanic Gardens are a short on-lead stroll from the pub.

Check the Buninyong Hotel's website for menus and bookings, and aim for the beer garden when dining with your dog.