Wattletree Inn

Wattletree Inn is a fully fenced, mid-century cottage at 24 Wattletree Avenue in St Leonards on the Bellarine Peninsula, an easy walk from the Northern Beach and the pier, and it is set up for dogs rather than just tolerating them. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, coastal styling for the humans and a secure grassy yard with established trees for the dog.

Dogs at the Wattletree Inn

The house takes a maximum of two medium dogs or three small dogs per stay, and cats are not accepted. Dogs are welcome inside the house, with firm house rules: no furniture or beds, no unsupervised time indoors, and no washing the dog in the shower. You supply your own dog bedding, as none is provided. Pet fees are not published, so confirm the cost with the host at booking. The host also asks for guest discretion about barking, since the neighbours are close, which is worth thinking about before you leave a worried dog in a new house.

The vibe

Guests describe a charming, beautifully styled cottage with comfortable beds and a relaxed sea-breeze feel, and the host's goodie basket comes up repeatedly in reviews. The secure grassy backyard with established trees is the dog's half of the deal, and it is what separates this from the usual fenced-carport coastal rental.

Close by with the dogs

The beach and St Leonards pier are an easy walk for on-lead strolls along the foreshore, and Lenny's Ice Creamery covers the post-walk treat. For a bigger run, Point Lonsdale Dog Beach is a 20 minute drive towards the Rip. If you need a second bed in town, Holiday Lifestyle St Leonards Caravan Park takes dogs by the foreshore, and Seaview House Queenscliff is the heritage option 20 minutes down the peninsula.

Max: Two medium dogs and a fully fenced yard within walking distance of the water is the Bellarine done properly. Bring your own bedding and read the house rules to whoever is travelling with you.

Getting there and parking

St Leonards sits on the southern shore of Port Phillip, about 30 minutes from Geelong and 100 from Melbourne. The cottage is on Wattletree Avenue with on-site parking, and the beach, pier and village shops are all within a short walk.

More Bellarine bases are on the St Leonards destination page, and the wider list is in the VIC pet friendly stays guide.