The Little House on the Hill

The Little House on the Hill is a self-contained couples cottage in Badger Creek, a few minutes below Healesville in the Yarra Valley, and it is one of the region's stays that is genuinely set up for dogs rather than merely tolerating them. A fully fenced garden, a secure dog run, and water bowls, food bowls and a dog bed already supplied cover the gap that usually makes travelling with a dog awkward. Hosts Barb and Owen run the single cottage themselves and get consistent praise in reviews.

Dogs at the Little House

Dogs stay by prior arrangement, so contact Barb and Owen before booking. The property's own site says one small dog is the default with two dogs by negotiation; booking platforms describe well-behaved dogs under 20kg as generally accepted with larger dogs considered on request, and the property notes specific restrictions for English Staffies, so ask before assuming your dog fits. Charges may apply, confirmed at the time you arrange the dog. Inside, dogs are allowed under supervision by prior arrangement but not in the bedroom or on the furniture, so bring your dog's bedding.

The place

It is a private one-couple cottage with a queen bedroom, a fireplace and a living area with a sofa bed, on a quiet hillside block with valley views. The fenced garden gives real off-lead time at your own accommodation, which is genuinely rare in the Yarra Valley, and the secure dog run covers the stretch of your day when you visit somewhere dogs cannot go. One cottage means availability is thin, so book weekends and school holidays early.

Pepsi: a fully fenced garden means proper off-lead time at the cottage, but still walk the fence line and check the gate latch when you arrive.

Close by with the dogs

Healesville Sanctuary sits just below Badger Creek but does not allow dogs, so build your days around dog-friendly stops instead. The Healesville Showgrounds Dog Off Leash Area is about ten minutes away for a proper run, and Healesville's main street has dog-friendly tables at Cherry Tree Cafe and My Little Kitchen Cafe & Bar. The property also points guests to Pooches and Pinot, a dog-friendly Yarra Valley wine tour that picks up from the cottage, which the hosts can confirm when you book.

More stays in the valley are on the Badger Creek destination page, and the wider list is in the VIC pet friendly stays index.