Merricks Cottage

Merricks Cottage is a small self-contained stay at 9 Thompsons Lane in the Mornington Peninsula hinterland, and dogs are taken by application rather than as a standard inclusion: permission must be obtained before arrival, with a one-off pet stay fee of $50 per pet and a $600 security bond refunded after inspection.

Dogs at the cottage

Apply to bring your dog before you book, not after. The published terms set a $50 per-pet fee and a $600 bond, returned following post-stay inspection if there is no damage or excessive cleaning. Dogs may go inside the cottage but never on furniture or beds, and they must be house-trained and supervised. The garden is fully fenced with a private entrance, which is the real draw for dog owners here, and food and water bowls are supplied. Outside the fenced garden, dogs stay on lead, and you are expected to clean up using the bags and bins provided. No size limit is stated, so raise larger breeds with the host when you apply.

The vibe

This is hinterland wine country a short drive from the coast, suited to couples or a small family who want a quiet base with a secure garden for the dog. The fee and bond signal a host who takes the pet arrangement seriously, so a well-mannered dog is the price of entry.

Getting there and parking

Merricks sits on Frankston-Flinders Road in the Peninsula's hinterland, roughly 90 minutes from Melbourne CBD. Off-street parking at the cottage makes arrivals with a car full of dog gear straightforward.

Close by with the dogs

Merricks Beach itself is on-lead only, with a summer ban from 10am to 6pm between December and February, so for off-lead time head to the Hann Creek Off-leash Dog Park at Balnarring or the Flinders Dog Beach further down the coast. Stonier Wines is the local cellar door, and Stony Creek Cottages at Red Hill is a fallback pet-friendly option if the cottage is booked.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly stays guide and the Merricks destination page.

Max: the $600 bond is the tell, apply first, get the dog approval in writing, and keep the dog off the beds or it gets expensive.