Torquay
Multiple options
Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park (dog-friendly sites + cabins), Bell's Holiday Park, multiple Airbnb rentals. Beach has dog-friendly hours. Torquay accommodation guide.
Dogs welcome
Pet-friendly Great Ocean Road stays
Caravan parks, motels, and holiday rentals that welcome dogs across every town — plus the practical knowledge of where you can and can't walk them.
The pet-friendly reality
More options than you'd expect, with one big constraint
The Great Ocean Road is broadly pet-friendly. Most towns have dog-friendly accommodation across multiple tiers — caravan parks, motels, holiday rentals all commonly accept dogs. Beaches generally have dog-friendly hours or year-round zones. Café outdoor seating typically welcomes leashed dogs.
The constraint is national parks. Both Great Otway National Park (the entire Otway forest, koala spotting at Cape Otway, all the waterfalls) and Port Campbell National Park (the entire Twelve Apostles section including Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps, London Arch, The Grotto, Bay of Islands) prohibit dogs. If your dog is on the trip, you'll need to plan accommodation, beach time, and town visits around the parks.
For most pet-owning travellers, the practical approach is to base in dog-friendly accommodation in towns (Apollo Bay, Lorne, Anglesea), do beach walks and town activities with the dog, and either skip the national park attractions or visit them while the dog rests at accommodation.
Pet-friendly accommodation by town
Anglesea
Family caravan focus
Anglesea Family Caravan Park (dog-friendly camp sites + cabins), holiday rentals on residential streets. Beach has off-leash zones. Anglesea accommodation.
Aireys Inlet
Smaller pool but solid
Aireys Inlet Holiday Park, multiple holiday rentals. Beach allows dogs outside summer patrol hours. Aireys Inlet accommodation.
Lorne
Caravan park + Erskine on the Beach
Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park (multiple sections, dog-friendly), Erskine on the Beach apartments, holiday rentals up the cliff streets. Lorne accommodation.
Apollo Bay
Caravan parks + Sandpiper Motel
Apollo Bay Holiday Park, Pisces Caravan Park, Sandpiper Motel (dog-friendly rooms), multiple holiday rentals. Apollo Bay accommodation.
Port Campbell
Limited but available
Port Campbell Holiday Park (dog-friendly sections), some Airbnb rentals. National park surrounds make dog walks limited. Port Campbell accommodation.
Warrnambool
Best variety on the western end
Surfside Holiday Park (dog-friendly), multiple motels and rentals accept dogs. Regional-city scale gives more options. Warrnambool accommodation.
Port Fairy
Heritage town with options
East Beach Caravan Park, Gardens Caravan Park, multiple heritage cottage rentals. Beach has dog-friendly zones. Port Fairy accommodation.
Frequently asked
Pet-friendly FAQs
- Is the Great Ocean Road pet-friendly?
- Mostly yes — multiple accommodation options across every town accept dogs. Dog-friendly beaches exist at most towns (with seasonal restrictions during summer patrol hours). National parks have stricter rules — dogs are not permitted in Great Otway National Park or Port Campbell National Park. Plan around the parks if your dog is on the trip.
- Where can I find pet-friendly accommodation on the Great Ocean Road?
- Most caravan parks have dog-friendly camp sites and selected dog-friendly cabins (Anglesea, Apollo Bay, Lorne, Port Campbell, Warrnambool, Port Fairy all have options). Several motels accept dogs (Sandpiper Motel Apollo Bay is consistently dog-friendly). Many Airbnb and Stayz holiday rentals filter for pets. Check current listings.
- Are dogs allowed on Great Ocean Road beaches?
- Most town beaches have dog-friendly hours (typically before 9am and after 5pm in summer; less restricted outside summer). Specific beaches have year-round dog-friendly zones. The exact rules vary by town and council — always check current signage. National park beaches (Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge) do not allow dogs.
- Can I take my dog to the Twelve Apostles?
- No — Port Campbell National Park does not permit dogs at any of the Shipwreck Coast viewpoints (Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps, London Arch, The Grotto, Bay of Islands). If your dog is on the trip, you'll need to plan around this — leave the dog at the accommodation and visit unaccompanied, or skip the Apostles section.
- Are there pet-friendly cafés on the Great Ocean Road?
- Many — outdoor seating typically welcomes dogs across all major towns. Café operators on the foreshore strips at Lorne, Apollo Bay, Anglesea, and Port Fairy often have water bowls and welcome leashed dogs at outdoor tables. Indoor seating typically does not allow dogs (food safety regulations). Always ask before bringing the dog.
- What's the cost difference for pet-friendly accommodation?
- Typically AU$15-30/night pet fee at properties that allow dogs. Some properties include the fee in the room rate; others charge separately. Caravan parks often have lower or no pet fees on dedicated dog-friendly sites. Multi-night stays sometimes negotiate the fee down.
- Where can I walk my dog along the Great Ocean Road?
- Most foreshore promenades welcome leashed dogs (Lorne, Apollo Bay, Torquay, Anglesea, Warrnambool, Port Fairy). The Surf Coast Walk has dog-friendly sections (check specific signage). The Otway hinterland trails generally don't allow dogs (national park rules). Outside national parks, most coastal walks accommodate dogs.
- Are there dog-friendly tour operators?
- Limited. Most coach tours and small-group tours do not accept pets. Some private tour operators accommodate well-behaved dogs on request — confirm at booking. For pet-owning travellers, self-drive remains the practical option. Boarding kennels exist in Geelong and Warrnambool if you want to leave the dog for specific day trips.