Regional Victoria is putting out the welcome mat for you and your dog

“Then there’s the quick stop for a puppacino and a snack, or a chance to imbibe a deliciously fresh little H2O number.

“Perhaps a stroll along the sea front, a romp on the sand with mandatory splash in the waves or a brisk walk on a forest trail, all followed by a relaxing evening in comfortable accommodation, with good food and a belly scratch from my best human friend who makes my pawfect Victorian holiday escape happen.

“And now it’s sooo easy to plan… even for a human.” 

If your pooch friend could type, this might be the message he or she would send you.

 A short break can really recharge our batteries and our fur friends can benefit from a vacation as much as we can. Now Visit Victoria is making it simple to get your canine companion’s tail wagging.

 As an extension of the regional Victoria marketing campaign for humans Your Happy Space, a new campaign Your Dog’s Happy Space encourages people to take their dogs with them and head off to explore all the beautiful state has to offer.

Dog behaviourist and pet psychologist Dr Kate Mornement said trips away together not only saved money on boarding kennels but can have positive wellbeing benefits for humans and pets.

“A short break away can have the same physical and mental health benefits for a dog as it would their owner,” Dr Mornement said.

“A new environment is not only stimulating and enriching for a dog but quality time together with a weekend away provides an opportunity for physical exercise, further develop social interaction, strengthen the bond and relieve stress,” she said.

Dogs are widely considered a barrier to a weekend away so the tourism campaign highlights the diverse range of quality, pet-friendly experiences on offer.

Regional Victoria’s stunning natural beauty provides the backdrop to a host of activities for fur babies and their owners.

 “Instead of putting their pets in an expensive pet hotel or arranging care, we know the 65 per cent of Victorians that do own a pet would like to travel in Victoria with their extended family,” said Visit Victoria chief executive Peter Bingeman.

Your Dog’s Happy Space is full of ideas for pooch-family friendly holidays. Great accommodation, wineries, breweries, restaurants, cafes, markets, beaches and walking trails from Geelong to Gippsland, the Macedon Ranges, Daylesford  and the Yarra Valley.

So what are your waiting for? It’s time to find your best friend's happy space. Fur real.