I think it was kismet that the first stall we went to at the Melbourne Dog Lovers Show was for Countrywide Cottages, as we'd been talking about finding dog friendly accommodation for our wedding anniversary getaway and it was perfect!
With a successful car ride there (woohoo!), we checked into Ferny Reach Cottage and let Violet off leash in her back yard for the weekend, even with the car harness still on, she was off like a rocket. Our show goodies included a bag of bird seed, which we didn't think twice about until king parrots and rosellas started landing on the balcony, we were able to hand feed them until Little Miss discovered a fun new game of staring at them before chasing them away.
It rained over the course of the weekend, but that certainly didn't put a dampener on our time away, we trekked on leash through the bush and spotted a family of kangaroos at the Otway Forest Park entrance, Violet was able to run free around securely fenced Ned's Retreat and the yabby dam, and when we needed to dry off (the humans from the rain and Violet from leaping into the dam right after Mr M said "I'd be surprised if she went in"), we snuggled in front of the fire using the chopped wood provided.
If you're looking for a relaxing retreat where your dog will have as much fun as you do, if not more, then I highly recommend.