Heathcote Queen Meadow Caravan Park

Heathcote Queen Meadow Caravan Park spreads over 10 peaceful acres at 3 Barrack Street, Heathcote, at the foot of the McIvor Ranges, and it is genuinely set up for dogs: pets are welcome on powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites all year round, and the park has its own fenced off-lead exercise area on the grounds called Charlie's Park.

Dogs at the Heathcote Queen Meadow Caravan Park

The rule set is simple: dogs stay on sites only, kept on lead everywhere in the park except inside the fenced off-leash zone, and they are not permitted in the cabins at all. If you want a roof over your head you will need a different property, so mention your dog when you book a site and confirm the arrangement by phone on (03) 5433 2304.

Charlie's Park is the standout. It is a controlled, fenced space right inside the grounds where your dog can run and sniff off the lead the moment you pull in, without a drive or a walk to a council park. If your dog is reactive to wildlife, note that kangaroos move through the grounds regularly, especially at dawn and dusk.

The vibe

A tidy country park with camp kitchens, clean amenities, grassy unpowered sites alongside powered ones, and a walkable position near town. The township's cafes, pubs and cellar doors are close enough to reach on foot. Book a grassy site on the quiet side of the park if you want the calmest pitch.

Getting there and parking

Heathcote is in central Victoria about an hour from Bendigo and 90 minutes from Melbourne's northern edge, on the Northern Highway. Barrack Street is just off the main road, easy in for caravans, with parking at your site. For an extra off-lead session beyond Charlie's Park, the Heathcote Dog Off-Leash Park and the Heathcote Dog Park are both close by in town.

Close by with the dogs

In town, The Coffeehouse Heathcote is the easy coffee stop. If you need cabin-style accommodation that takes pets, Heathcote Retreat Motel on High Street offers pet-friendly rooms with approval arranged at booking, and River Gardens Axedale is a riverside stay option to the north. Broader options are on the Victoria dog-friendly stays page, and the Heathcote destination guide covers the town.

Before you book: confirm you are on a pet-friendly site (not a cabin), keep your dog leashed outside the fenced area, and mind the roos if your dog chases.

Pepsi: The on-site dog run is handy for a quick stretch and sniff right after you've set up camp, before heading into town for the rest of the day.