While the great Australian gold rush may be over, the hunt for the finest places for you and your pup is on! This guide will help you navigate the dog-friendly Ballarat scene, from pet-friendly restaurants to activities to keep you busy in the surrounding area. If you’re planning a trip, we’ll also explore options for house sitting in Ballarat or finding a trusted Ballarat pet sitter. Let’s dig in!
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Dog-friendly cafes, Ballarat
The best way to start the day? Sitting in a dog-friendly cafe with a coffee and a pooch by your side, of course!
Pipers by the Lake
Breakfast and lunch are served in this gorgeous cafe on the edge of Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Pooch pals are welcome to join you for a dog-friendly ice cream on the lakeside decking.
Location: 403 Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree VIC 3350, Australia
Lydiard General Cafe & Diner
Open Monday to Saturday, this cafe serves toasties, coffees, and cakes in a lovely, dog-friendly setting. They also serve dog biscuits – yum!
Location: 313 Lydiard St N, Soldiers Hill VIC 3350, Australia
Webster's Market And Cafe
Known for their fresh, quality ingredients, this cafe welcomes furry friends in their shaded outdoor area.
Location: 61 Webster St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia
Racers Cafe
This renovated 1930s corner shop is the perfect place for a coffee and a bite to eat after walking the pooch around Lake Wendouree.
Location: 2 Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree VIC 3350, Australia
Tin Roof Ballarat
Settle in and enjoy brunch favorites, matcha, and coffee in the dog-friendly seating area found outside.
Location: 302 Macarthur St, Soldiers Hill VIC 3350, Australia
Drive Café
This old service station has been turned into a unique cafe on the corner serving everything from burgers to brunch. Oh, and it’s dog-friendly, naturally.
Dog-friendly restaurants, Ballarat
From brunch straight to the bistro, Ballarat’s dog-friendly dining options are sure to make you (and your dog) drool.
Griller’s Mark
Dig into buffalo wings, mac & cheese bites, and freshly grilled burgers in this popular bar and grill. The best part? Fido can choose something from the dedicated dog menu!
Location: 58-60 Lydiard St N, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia
Boatshed Restaurant
Modern Australian cuisine is served on the dog-friendly decking of this waterside restaurant. Where better to dig into seafood platters, calamari, and barramundi than beside Lake Wendouree?
Location: 27A Lake Wendouree Foreshore, Lake Wendouree VIC 3350, Australia
The Lake View Hotel
Good food, great beer, and views of the lake are all found at this dog-friendly restaurant.
Location: 22 Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree VIC 3350, Australia
Dog-friendly bars, Ballarat
Looking for a social scene that includes your pup? Ballarat’s bars provide the perfect setting.
Royal Oak Hotel, Ballarat, Vic
A range of traditional fare is served in this friendly pub, complete with a resident pooch! It’s a good idea to book a table in advance – ask to be seated in the dog-friendly beer garden.
Location: 402 South St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia
Michael Unwin Wines
Sample local wines in this beautiful vineyard just outside Ballarat. Furry family members are welcome to join and make friends with the resident pooch!
Location: 10 Powells Rd, Windermere VIC 3352, Australia
Hop Temple
With an impressive selection of around 200 beers and an outdoor dog-friendly area, Hop Temple is a great place to unwind with your pup in the evenings (open Wednesday to Sunday) or weekend afternoons.
Location: 24 Armstrong St N, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia
Cubby Haus Brewing
Situated in Mount Pleasant, this brewery offers its own craft beers, plus an outdoor area where you can enjoy them with your canine companion.
Location: 884 Humffray St S, Mount Pleasant VIC 3350, Australia
Victoria Park, Ballarat
Dog-friendly parks, Ballarat
Ballarat’s beautiful green spaces are calling; discover some of the best places for your furry friend to let those zoomies loose below.
Pioneer Park
Mainly an off-leash park, this is the perfect place for a stroll with the pooch, followed by a dip in the ponds.
Location: 5 McKenzie Dr, Wendouree VIC 3355, Australia
Friendly Forest & Sensory Trail
Clearly marked, relatively flat paths lead up to a viewpoint over Ballarat – keep Fido on the leash and watch out for kangaroos in the area!
Location: Katy Ryans Rd, Canadian VIC 3350, Australia
Union Jack Reserve
Follow the bushwalking trails through the reserve, which has plenty of space for furry friends to explore.
Location: Buninyong VIC 3357, Australia
There are also a number of off-leash dog parks:
- Dog Park Sebastopol: 182 Grant St, Sebastopol VIC 3356, Australia
- Victoria Park Dog Park: Newington VIC 3350, Australia
- Dog Park (Wendouree): Wendouree VIC 3355, Australia
- Buninyong Fenced Dog Park (James Reserve): Geelong Road &, Union Jack Ln, Buninyong VIC 3357, Australia
- Pennyweight off-leash dog park: 222 Otway St S, Ballarat East VIC 3350, Australia
Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Victoria
Ballarat things to see and do with a dog
From shopping to hiking, there are plenty of other places of interest in Ballarat that welcome dogs…
Go to Ballarat Farmers Market
Bring your leashed furry along to Ballarat Farmers Market to explore the local produce and soak up the atmosphere.
Location: Zoo Dr, Lake Wendouree VIC 3350, Australia
Visit Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Brightly colored flower beds, peaceful walking paths, and labelled sculptures throughout make this a great place to unwind with your pooch on the leash.
Location: 401-405 Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree VIC 3350, Australia
Walk around Lake Wendouree
After visiting the Botanical Gardens nearby, you can take the 6km long Steve Moneghetti track around the perimeter of the lake with Fido on the leash.
Location: Lake Wendouree VIC 3350, Australia
Stroll through Lake Esmond Botanical Garden
If you’re after a less manicured experience, Lake Esmond Botanical Garden is ideal for a leashed walk with your furry friend. Plus, you can easily combine it with a short walk around the lake nearby.
Location: Canadian VIC 3350, Australia
Go to the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park
While dogs can’t enter the museum, the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park is still worth a visit. You and your leashed pup can explore the park, taking in the memorial to Pikeman’s Dog and the Eureka Circle sculpture, which commemorates the diggers who died in the Eureka Rebellion.
Location: Eureka VIC 3350, Australia
Walk up Mount Buninyong
About 20 minutes southeast of Ballarat, Mount Buninyong Scenic Reserve is a great place for walking. Take the Zig Zag trail up to the summit or combine it with the Summit Loop walk, but remember to keep your furry friend on a leash throughout the reserve.
Location: Buninyong VIC 3357, Australia
Hike through Creswick Regional Park
For a change of scenery, Creswick Regional Park has a range of walks for you and your leashed pup, from short loops like the 1.8km circuit around St Georges Lake to longer sections of the 210km Goldfields Track.
Location: Creswick VIC 3363, Australia
Lake Wendouree, Ballarat
Tips for pet parents in Ballarat
Take a pet-friendly tour of Ballarat
While places like Sovereign Hill are major attractions, they may not be suitable for dogs. If you’re sightseeing in Ballarat, consider visiting places your furry friend will enjoy too.
Check for ticks
Ticks can be found in some areas around Ballarat, particularly in bushland. Use tick prevention for your pooch pal and check them thoroughly after walks.
Plan ahead for time away
Next time you’re heading off on a trip, why not get an in-home pet sitter to care for your furry family members? Your pooch pal will be able to stay in the comfort of their own home and enjoy all the loving care and 24/7 attention they’re used to.
Tips for pet sitters in Ballarat
Be respectful of local culture
Ballarat has a strong connection to its gold rush history. Be respectful when walking pups near historical sites, and keep them under control to avoid any damage or disturbance.
Watch out for wildlife
The surrounding areas of Ballarat have wildlife like kangaroos and koalas. Keep your pooch pal under control, especially when walking in bushland or reserves.
Explore Ballarat as a pet sitter
There’s so much to see and do in Ballarat as a pet sitter, from the dog-friendly cafes to hikes and walks in the surrounding area. So why not care for a local pooch in their own home and explore the city as a pet sitter? Find out more below.
