Maple Cottage @ Wilindi Estate

Maple Cottage is a self-contained two-bedroom cottage on Wilindi Estate, a ten-acre farm stay at Tyabb on the Mornington Peninsula, about an hour's drive from Melbourne. It is a characterful base among the region's wineries and antique shops, with a resident horse herd and rescue animals on the property.

Dogs at the cottage

Be warned before you book: the pet policy is genuinely conflicting. Some directories list the cottage as dog-friendly with a fenced garden and a fee of around $20 per dog per night, but the estate's booking listings, including its Booking.com page, state that pets are not permitted, likely to protect the resident livestock. Treat the dog-friendly status as unverified and get written confirmation from Wilindi Estate before planning a stay around it.

The place

The cottage mixes contemporary and antique furnishings across two bedrooms, with a raked-ceiling main bedroom, kitchenette, BBQ and a private hedged terrace with sunset views. The wider farm runs guided tours past the horse herd and rescue animals, and the estate adds a fenced pool, play areas and private parking. Reviews consistently rate it highly, with hosts a recurring highlight.

While you're out there

Max: if the policy is confirmed, keep your dog on a lead around the farm. Horses and rescue animals live here, and a friendly dog can still start trouble with a herd.

Tyabb's antique strip and dog-friendly cafes such as Rattling Red Cafe and Mitch and Co Cafe are minutes away. The fenced Grant Road Reserve Fenced Dog Park at Somerville and the off-leash Hastings Foreshore Reserve dog area cover exercise within a ten-minute drive.

A good peninsula base if the pet policy stacks up, particularly for dogs relaxed around farm animals. Compare options on the Victoria pet-friendly stays list or via the Tyabb destination guide.