Akoonah Park Camping caravan park

Akoonah Park Camping and Caravan Park sits inside a 27-acre bushland reserve on Cardinia Street in Berwick, a short walk from Berwick Village and directly beside the reserve's large off-leash dog area on Cardinia Creek. It is camping and caravanning only, no cabins, and dogs are welcome by arrangement with the camping manager.

Dogs at Akoonah Park Camping and Caravan Park

Dogs are permitted by arrangement, so clear it with the camping manager ahead of time rather than turning up and hoping. Ask about fenced site options when you book, since availability varies. Within the camping area itself dogs stay on a leash and are not left unattended on site, and casual dog walkers who are not staying are generally not permitted in the inner camping area. The payoff is the reserve next door, with its off-leash stretch along Cardinia Creek.

The place

The park runs powered and unpowered sites on Crown land, managed by a volunteer committee and rated well for clean amenities. There is a communal fire pit that guests rate highly, and parking sits next to your site. Demand is high and it is often fully booked, so book ahead. Access to the caravan park is via Cardinia Street at Gate 5.

The reserve next door

The Akoonah Park Dog Off Leash Area runs roughly 700 metres along Cardinia Creek, with open grass, water taps and bins, and small sandy creek spots where dogs swim. That is about as good as it gets for a camping-adjacent dog run in Melbourne's southeast.

Worth knowing

Sundays bring the Akoonah Park Market right next door, so expect more traffic and keep the dog leashed and close in the market precinct. For a longer on-lead walk, the Cardinia Aqueduct Trail out towards Pakenham makes a solid morning, and Mad Benji is a Berwick cafe stop for the trip home.

More options are on the VIC dog friendly stays guide and the Berwick destination page.

Pepsi: a caravan park with a 700 metre off-leash creek walk at the back fence is the whole reason we booked.