Freshwater Creek Cottages

Freshwater Creek Cottages is five two-bedroom, self-contained farm-stay cottages on a working rural property at 815 Pettavel Road, roughly 10 to 15 minutes' drive inland from Torquay's Surf Coast beaches. The pitch to dog owners is simple and rare: dogs are allowed inside the cottages, on a quiet farm where no family member gets left behind.

Dogs at the cottages

Dogs are permitted inside the cottages, but you must notify the operator, Torquay Retreats, at the time of booking so your pet is registered on the reservation. A pet fee of $80 applies per stay. When you head out without the dog, all doors and windows need to be secured. Around the property, walk your dog under control at all times; this is a farm with livestock and free-roaming wildlife rather than a fenced dog run.

The farm around you

Each cottage is self-contained with its own kitchen and an outdoor patio or balcony, and free parking sits near each unit. The property runs the usual farm-stay activities guests consistently mention: tractor rides, animal feeding, goat walking, an orchard to wander, and kangaroos through the paddocks. Treat those as property drawcards rather than dog activities, and keep your dog on a lead around the animals.

Getting there and parking

Access is from the Surf Coast Highway (B100) or via Barrabool Road if you are coming from Geelong. Parking is free and onsite beside the cottages, so the unpack with a dog is a short one.

Nearby with the dogs

Torquay's dog-friendly options are the practical day trips: Sandbah Cafe for breakfast and 4 Pines X Boardriders Torquay for a beer by the beach, both listed dog-friendly. The Surf Coast beaches are the bigger draw, 10 to 15 minutes back down the highway.

More options are on the Freshwater Creek destination page and in the VIC stays index.