The Secret Garden Cottage

The Secret Garden Cottage is a three-bedroom self-contained cottage set on five acres in Kangaroo Valley, and dogs are properly welcome here rather than grudgingly accepted. The property's own pet page sets out the terms in detail, which puts it ahead of most valley stays where you have to guess the rules from booking-site snippets.

Dogs at the Secret Garden Cottage

There is no additional pet fee, provided the house rules are respected. Declare your pet at the time of booking, bring your own dog bedding and food and water bowls, and keep the dog off the furniture and beds. Dogs are allowed inside the cottage, but they cannot be left at the property unattended.

The five-acre grounds are not fully fenced, and wildlife including wombats and echidnas moves through the property, so any dog with a taste for chasing needs to stay on a lead outside. Clean up after your dog inside and out before you leave; doggie bags are provided under the microwave and the large bins sit at the front gate. A standard bond applies, and excess pet hair or mess can attract an extra cleaning fee of around $100.

The vibe

Open lawns, ponds and bush edges make this a genuine run-around stay for a well-supervised dog, and the three-bedroom layout suits a family or two couples travelling together. The valley's village is a short drive, where The Friendly Inn takes dogs on its outdoor areas and Valley Bliss Eatery covers coffee and breakfast.

Worth knowing

Some third-party booking sites show conflicting pet details for this cottage, including pet charges that the official site does not apply. Book direct or confirm terms with the owner so there are no surprises on arrival.

Getting there and parking

Kangaroo Valley sits between the Southern Highlands and the South Coast, about two hours from Sydney via the scenic Berry route. Off-street parking comes with the cottage.

While you're out there

If you want company for your dog or a bigger run, Glenmack Park is another dog-friendly valley stay, and the river flats around the village give easy on-lead walking between properties.