Joie de Vivre

Joie de Vivre is a holiday house on four hectares at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula, managed by Ocean Blue Coastal Retreats. Unlike many peninsula stays that charge a pet fee, dogs stay free here and are welcome inside the house with the rest of the family. The property sits in the hills behind the Red Hill village, with vineyards, orchards and the coast all within a short drive.

Dogs at Joie de Vivre

The house rules are simple and clearly set out by the managers. Dogs are welcome indoors but must stay off furniture and beds, so bring your own dog bedding and bowls. On arrival there is a complimentary PAWDinkum treat basket waiting for them. Outside, the courtyard deck off the master bedroom is fenced, which gives dogs a secure spot to settle while you are indoors, but the wider four hectare property is not fully fenced, so keep an eye on any explorer with a nose for the bush.

Max: stayed inside with us the whole weekend and got his own treat basket at the door. We will be back.

Because this is a full house rather than a shared property, you are not negotiating with other guests over space, and dogs that settle quietly indoors do well here. Bookings go through Ocean Blue Coastal Retreats, which looks after a small collection of pet friendly houses across the peninsula.

Make a day of it

The location puts you in the middle of the peninsula food and wine country. Cellar doors such as Myrtaceae Wines are minutes away, and the Red Hill Rail Trail gives dogs a quiet, signed walking route for morning exercise. For coffee and breakfast, Nordie Cafe in the village is a reliable stop with visiting dogs. If you want to compare notes with another option close by, Stony Creek Cottages sits on the same side of the hill, and the Red Hill guide pulls the rest of the local dog friendly spots together.