River Gardens Axedale

River Gardens Axedale is a boutique pet friendly farm stay at 91 Browne Lane, on the banks of the Campaspe River just off the McIvor Highway between Bendigo and Heathcote. It is a 133-acre off-grid sheep and cropping property known for its rose gardens, and dogs are welcomed into the accommodation itself, not just the grounds.

Dogs at the River Gardens Axedale

Dogs can stay in either of the two accommodation areas: a motel-style room with kitchenette or a fully self-contained unit, both under the main homestead roofline with private entries. A pet fee is payable on arrival and bookings are capped at three dogs. Speak to the owners before booking so they know the breed, size and number of pets, since the property runs alongside resident dogs, cats, chickens and guinea fowl as well as local wildlife.

Worth knowing

Dogs stay on lead anywhere on the property, both to protect the free-range animals and for safety around the working farm, and gates get closed behind you. Host Wendy puts out food and water bowls for visiting dogs, and pet sitting can be arranged in advance for a fee if you want a few hours at the Heathcote cellar doors without the dog. Breakfast provisions and home-baked treats are included, and the Campaspe River runs through the property for an easy on-lead walk. Good for calm dogs comfortable around farm animals.

Pepsi: a farm stay with a river through it and roses everywhere. Worth the drive out from Bendigo, and the resident animals are surprisingly good company.

Getting there and parking

Browne Lane sits just off the McIvor Highway at Axedale, roughly halfway along the O'Keefe Rail Trail between Bendigo and Heathcote. Free undercover parking is on site, and the Heathcote wine region is a short drive further on.

Close by with the dogs

The Axedale Tavern is the local dinner option a short drive or walk up the road, and the Heathcote Dog Park gives an off-leash stretch if you are heading on to Heathcote. If you need a cabin-style backup, BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park takes dogs on the highway into Bendigo.

More options in the region are in the Victoria pet friendly accommodation guide, and the suburb's other entries are on the Axedale destination page.