Victoria Lake Holiday Park

Victoria Lake Holiday Park sits directly on the redeveloped Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton, with the lake's paved walking tracks, shady lawns and red river gums right on the doorstep. It is one of the more flexible dog stays in town: dogs are welcome on all caravan and camping sites and in selected pet-friendly cabins, so the setup works whether you tow a van, pitch a tent or book a room. The park holds a solid rating across nearly 300 reviews.

Dogs at the Victoria Lake Holiday Park

Dogs are allowed on all powered and unpowered sites, and in designated pet-friendly cabins such as the Economy Cabin and the Standard Balcony 2 Bedroom Cabin. Two rules run through the whole park: dogs must be on a lead at all times within the park grounds, and they must not be left unattended at any time. Terms and conditions apply, so call the park on (03) 5821 5431 to lock in a pet-friendly cabin and confirm the current fee before you book.

The on-lead, no-unattended rules mean this suits dogs that travel with their people rather than dogs that settle alone. The upside is the location: step out of your site and you are walking the lake circuit, one of the best on-lead strolls in the Goulburn Valley, with birdlife on the water the whole way round.

The vibe

Max: Lake on one side, red gums overhead, and a happy dog on a lead the whole lap. We walked the lake twice a day without getting in the car.

This is a lakeside park with a natural bushland feel rather than a concrete caravan stop, and being walking distance from the Shepparton town centre and the visitor information centre makes it practical as well as pretty. Book early for long weekends, since lakefront parks fill quickly in the warmer months.

Getting there and parking

Shepparton is about two and a half hours north of Melbourne along the Goulburn Valley Highway. The park entrance is on the edge of Victoria Park Lake, close to the town centre, with drive-through access suitable for caravans and big rigs.

While you're out there

The lake lap is on-lead, so for a proper off-lead run head to Shepparton Fenced Dog Park at Ducat Reserve, which has fully fenced double runs and agility equipment. For coffee and brunch, The Local Shepparton is in town. And if a whole house suits your dog better than a site, Miss Boulevard Art Deco Accommodation offers a private house stay in town with a yard.

Check the park's pet-friendly page for the current rules before booking. More dog-friendly stays across Victoria and things to do in Shepparton are on PawScapes.