Bluetopia

Bluetopia is a contemporary coastal holiday house managed by Verve Vacation Rentals, set back from the road in a quiet Rye street about a 10 minute walk from Number 16 Beach, the cafes and the general store. It sleeps up to eight across three bedrooms with two bathrooms, and it takes dogs on request, with the fenced backyard and pool doing most of the persuading.

Dogs at Bluetopia

Pets are considered on request only, so you need owner approval at the time of booking rather than turning up with a dog. Once approved, a fee of $15 per pet per night applies, and you agree to the manager's pet terms: dogs stay off the bedding and furniture and are best kept to the non-carpeted areas, and all garden waste has to be cleaned up before checkout to avoid extra cleaning charges. Bring your dog's own bed and bowls, as neither is guaranteed.

The vibe

The house is built for group and family stays: a solar-heated pool overlooking the fully fenced backyard, a rear deck and an outdoor entertaining area, a double carport, and a quiet cul-de-sac setting with national park walking trails at the back of the street. For a dog, the standout is that enclosed backyard, which gives it safe space to settle while the pool keeps the humans busy.

Close by with the dogs

The Rye Beach Dog Off Leash Area is the easy beach run, and Honey and Sol Cafe covers the morning coffee. If Bluetopia is taken, Blue Moon Cottages is the boutique Rye option built specifically around dogs, and Kanasta Caravan Park has pet-friendly cabins and retro caravans near the pier.

Pepsi: Request first, then book. The owner approval is the whole game here, and fifteen dollars a night is cheap for a fenced backyard with a pool beside it.

Getting there and parking

Rye sits on the Mornington Peninsula about 90 minutes from Melbourne, with the house set back from the road in a quiet street between the bay side and the Number 16 surf beach end of town. The double carport handles two cars.

More Peninsula bases are on the Rye destination page, and the wider list is in the VIC pet friendly stays guide.