Local advice from East Gippsland
Plan a more comfortable coastal stay in Mallacoota or Lakes Entrance, with practical ideas for walks, time away and your dog’s routine.
Mallacoota walks
Choose a short section of permitted public footpath, with space to turn back when your dog has had enough. Around the foreshore and Karbeethong, check the exact reserve, current signs and restrictions before setting out; adjoining tracks can have different rules.
Check council dog-access mapsA beach name does not mean every section is open to dogs. Check council maps, seasonal restrictions and the signs at your chosen entrance. Stay clear of wildlife, surf hazards and closed access points.
Find Betka on the mapMap location only; check dog access separately.
Pet dogs are not allowed at Double Creek in Croajingolong National Park. Plan your visit without your dog and arrange suitable care first. Assistance-dog entry arrangements are separate.
Read Parks Victoria’s access informationLakes Entrance walks
Council lists a fully fenced dog off-leash area beside the Aquadome on Palmers Road. Check the park’s signs and who is using the space before entering. A busy dog park may not suit a puppy, anxious dog or dog needing quiet care.
Read the council park informationFor a short outing around Kalimna or the lakeside, choose permitted public paths and check access at the exact location. Give cyclists, wildlife and other dogs room, and keep clear of slippery jetty edges.
Find Kalimna Jetty on the mapMap location only; dog access and conditions vary.
Parks Victoria’s visitor guide permits dogs on lead in the homestead precinct. This permission does not extend to the whole park or its walking trails. Check the current guide and onsite signs before visiting.
Read the Parks Victoria visitor guideEast Gippsland council identifies specific beach and foreshore areas with restrictions from 1 November to 30 April. Check the official maps for the exact area; these rules do not describe every beach in the region.
Check current beach and foreshore rulesChoose outings for the conditions and your dog’s comfort. Check for closures, weather and emergency warnings before travelling. Do not assume a lake is safe for swimming: review signs and current conditions, and keep your dog away from wildlife.
Before your East Gippsland stay
Ticks are a risk in coastal East Gippsland, including the Mallacoota area. Before travelling, check with your vet that your dog’s tick prevention is current and suitable for local paralysis-tick risk.
Use a vet-recommended product for your dog and follow its label and dosing schedule. Check when protection starts and when the next dose is due. Flea treatment alone may not cover ticks.
Search your dog’s whole body for ticks daily, even when using prevention, and after outdoor outings. Ask your vet to show you a thorough check. Prevention reduces risk but does not replace checking.
If you find a tick, contact a vet promptly for advice. Weakness, wobbliness, a changed bark, retching or breathing difficulty need urgent veterinary attention. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Please share your dog’s tick-prevention product and last treatment date when arranging care, along with your vet’s details and any health instructions.
Read RSPCA tick-prevention guidanceBefore travelling, save your usual vet’s details and check the nearest clinic’s current opening hours and after-hours arrangements. Do not assume a local clinic is open 24 hours. If your dog is unwell or injured, call a veterinary clinic promptly and follow its instructions.
For a booking, share your nominated vet and an emergency contact. We agree written emergency consent and spending instructions before care begins.
Read our veterinary emergency planBring familiar food, a lead and harness, bowls, bedding and your dog’s routine. Add a towel for sandy paws and have identification and vet details ready.
Read the packing guideChoose shorter, adaptable outings, unhurried sniffing and comfortable rest. Tell Tess about mobility and any advice from your vet before planning care.
Read our senior-dog guideConfirm accommodation permission and your dog’s needs. Include travel, handover and return time in a booking, and plan care before committing to a dog-free outing.
Read the holiday-care guideAsk venues directly about dog access, outdoor seating and any restrictions before you visit. If your plans are dog-free, Mallacoota and Lakes Entrance pages have ideas for your time away.
Local access sources reviewed 3 October 2026. Rules, conditions and openings can change; check the linked authorities and onsite signs for your travel date.
Pet dogs are generally not permitted in Victorian national parks. Double Creek specifically prohibits dogs. Check the exact location with Parks Victoria; assistance-dog arrangements are separate.
No. Access varies by place and season. Read council maps and the signs at your chosen entrance.
We agree a permitted outing for your dog’s age, health and temperament as part of your care plan. Tell us what your dog enjoys when requesting care.
