Margaret House

Margaret House is a couples-only retreat on rural acreage about 2.5km from Margaret River town, made up of a rural studio and a rural cottage, and it has been welcoming dogs for longer than most stays in the region. The setting is quiet pasture and bush rather than a suburb, so dogs get a proper yard without you giving up town, which is a five minute drive away.

Dogs at Margaret House

Dogs of all sizes are allowed and can stay inside, with the house rules being furniture and beds off limits. There is no standard nightly pet fee listed, but owners Bruce and Rosie charge for any garden damage or extra cleaning a dog causes, and dogs should not be left alone for long stretches if they are prone to noise or destruction. Confirm the current terms when you book, and tell them your dog's size and temperament: the studio has tighter, more secure fencing that suits small to medium dogs and committed escape artists, while the cottage gives larger dogs or multiple pets more room to spread out.

Max: pick the unit to suit the dog, not the price. The studio's fencing is the right call for an escape artist, the cottage for a big dog that needs a run.

The vibe

It is a couples-only property with no children, which keeps the mornings quiet and the wildlife undisturbed. The property is small and has a repeat-guest following, so book ahead rather than expecting last-minute availability, especially over summer and school holidays.

Getting there and around

Town is a five minute drive for supermarkets, cafes and the main strip, and the sealed shared path running from Margaret River town out to the coast at Prevelly makes a good on-lead walk or ride through the valley without touching a road. Driving to the beaches takes about ten minutes.

Close by with the dogs

The coastline near Prevelly and Gnarabup is where the off-lead action is: a designated stretch of Prevelly Beach runs north from Riflebutts Reserve down to the Georgette Way access, and Gnarabup Back Beach has a shorter off-lead section, while the main swimming beaches are dog prohibited. The Georgette Drive Dog Park sits right by that beach access, and Combi Coffee at Prevelly covers the post-beach coffee. Coastal bins and taps are sparse, so carry bags and water.

More options are on the Western Australia pet friendly stays guide and the Margaret River destination page.