BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park

BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park at 56 Remembrance Drive, Cardigan, about 10 minutes west of Ballarat's centre, runs one of the more serious dog set-ups of any Victorian BIG4: an entire pet precinct at the back of the park, formally called BIG Paws, with its own fenced sites, dedicated cabins, an off-leash water hole and a dog wash. Rather than tolerating dogs, the park has built the infrastructure for them.

Dogs at the park

The precinct holds 12 fully fenced caravan and camping sites with double sliding gates, 9 unfenced pet-friendly sites, and seven two-bedroom pet cabins, each with its own fenced outdoor dog run. Dogs may sleep inside the cabins but must stay off beds and furniture. Declare your pet at booking, because pet allocations are limited, and sign the park's dog policy agreement on arrival. Outside your own site, dogs stay on a lead under 2 metres and are never left unattended; camp kitchens, amenities, reception and the playground are off limits, and washing dogs or their bedding in the park's facilities is not allowed, so pack your own towels. Pet fees apply and are confirmed at booking.

Max: book a fenced site, not just a pet site. The double-gate ones mean the dog is contained the moment you unhitch.

The precinct and the park

Inside BIG Paws, the standout is the Pet Billabong, a landscaped water zone where dogs can swim and run off leash inside the precinct, backed by an onsite dog wash station and a dog-friendly camp kitchen so meals do not mean leaving your dog tied up outside. The park can also point you to local dog day care if you plan a Ballarat day without the dog. Beyond the precinct, the wider park is built for families: an indoor heated pool, jumping pillow, games room and camp kitchen.

Getting there and parking

The park sits on the Western Highway at Cardigan, an easy turn-off west of Ballarat, with drive-through access for large rigs. Parking is on your own site, and the fenced pet sites give extra room to maneuver big setups.

Close by with the dogs

CE Brown Reserve Fenced Dog Park in Wendouree is the closest secure off-leash run, with water and sheltered seating, and Victoria Park's designated off-leash zone near Lake Wendouree suits dogs with reliable recall. Arch View Cafe in Alfredton is a handy coffee stop on the way in. If the precinct is full, Lake Burrumbeet Caravan Park west of town and Woodmans Hill Motel and Caravan Park are the fallbacks.

More options are on the Victoria pet friendly stays guide and the Cardigan destination page.