STONEHENGE RETREAT

Stonehenge Retreat is a three-bedroom holiday house at 16 Kinnane Court in Ballarat North, about three kilometres north of the city centre and Lake Wendouree. It is booked as a whole property, sleeps up to six, and takes dogs by arrangement with the owner: one dog per stay is the usual cap, with approval needed at booking.

Dogs at the retreat

Dogs are allowed subject to the owner's approval, and Stayz caps it at one dog. Because this is a whole house rather than a hotel with designated pet rooms, agree the house rules up front: whether the dog is allowed on furniture or indoors unattended, and whether a pet fee applies, since none of the listings publish a figure. It is also worth eyeballing the garden fencing yourself before letting a dog off lead, and telling the host your dog's breed and size during the booking conversation. Check-in is 2:00 pm, check-out 11:00 am.

The place

The house sits in a quiet residential pocket surrounded by established gardens, with a private, cottage-like feel. Inside there are three bedrooms (two queens and two singles), a decorated living space with a fireplace or outdoor fire pit with wood provided, a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, a dedicated workspace, free on-premises parking and a hot tub. It is set up for a private family or group weekend rather than a drop-in stay, and being a single small property, specific dates go quickly.

Out with the dog nearby

Lake Wendouree's foreshore paths are a few minutes' drive for long on-lead walks, and the Pierre De Coubertin Fenced Dog Park and Victoria Park dog park at Newington give secure off-leash runs close by. For a meal, The Lake View Hotel sits on the lake at Wendouree.

More options are on the Victoria dog-friendly stays guide and the Ballarat North destination page.