Doon Reserve Caravan Park.

Doon Reserve Caravan Park is a riverside camping ground on the upper Yarra at Yarra Junction, about an hour east of Melbourne, and it takes dogs on its powered and unpowered camping sites, not in cabins. It is a solid pick for a low-key riverside camp where the dog can settle on your own site and walk on-lead by the water.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on camping and caravan sites with a limit of two per site. They must be leashed at all times within the park and never left unattended, and management can ask owners of aggressive or persistently noisy dogs to leave.

Bring your own bedding, food and water bowls, as there is no pet supply provision on site. Pets are not permitted inside the office, camp kitchen or toilet and shower blocks, so plan cooking and bathroom stops around that.

The vibe

Sites sit among gum trees on the river with shade for most of the day, and there is room for caravans, camper trailers and tents. The Yarra runs alongside the park with shallow sections that suit a supervised paddle, though currents pick up after rain, so check conditions before any deeper swimming.

Max: keep the lead on near the riverbank even where it looks calm. Yarra River flow changes fast after upstream rain, and the bank drops off more steeply than it looks from the campsite.

Getting there

The park is at 200 Doon Road, Yarra Junction, with free on-site parking and easy access for larger vehicles. Yarra Junction's shops and cafes are a short drive away, several with dog-friendly outdoor seating.

While you're out there

Wesburn Park Dog Off Leash Area is a few minutes up the highway for an off-lead run, and the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail offers kilometres of easy on-lead riding and walking.

The Warburton River Walk makes a good day trip, and Tarrango Ranch Bed & Breakfast is the nearby alternative if someone in the crew wants a bed instead of a tent.

Browse more pet friendly stays in VIC or our guide to Yarra Junction with the dogs.