Econo Lodge Lilydale

Econo Lodge Lilydale is a budget motel on the Maroondah Highway that takes both dogs and cats, which makes it a straightforward overnight stop for travellers heading into the Yarra Valley with a pet. It is a practical base, not a destination: clean rooms, a short drive from the wineries and a walkable distance from central Lilydale.

Dogs at Econo Lodge

The policy is generous on size and clear on cost: dogs of any size are accepted with no weight limit, at AU$50 per pet, per night on top of the room rate. Certified service animals are exempt from the fee. The catch is room stock: pets are restricted to designated pet-friendly rooms, and those rooms are limited in number, so call the motel on +61 3 9739 3900 before booking rather than reserving online and hoping a pet room gets allocated.

The vibe

Guest reviews point to renovated rooms and bathrooms, comfortable beds and air conditioning. Some rooms face the highway, which matters with a dog: ask for a quieter room away from the road at booking, because Maroondah Highway traffic is audible. It sits close to central Lilydale, so you are minutes from town rather than out among the vineyards.

Walks nearby

Lillydale Lake, a few minutes away on Swansea Road, is the main dog outing: a flat loop around the water on about 10km of shared paths, with two designated off-leash areas. Dogs are prohibited from the beach, playground and BBQ precincts, and the path gets busy with cyclists on weekends. The Lillydale Lake North West dog off leash area and the Patterson Road off-leash area cover the off-lead runs. For coffee in town, the Lilydale General is the local pick.

More options across the state are on the Victoria dog-friendly stays guide, and the Lilydale destination page rounds up the rest of the town.