It s definitely a dog s life! I don t just get to come on holidays with my family, I have my own private courtyard complete with a cosy kennel. Inside a comfy bed is waiting for me beside the wood fire with my own towels, shiny bowls and yummy treats.

Once we re all settled, in we only have a short drive to Johanna Beach where I can run along the sand and play in the waves. Back at the cottages, there's a big dam I can swim  in and horses to say hello to. At night, if my people are feeling adventurous, we can go for a walk up the hill and look for our own special glow worm patch!

My family have their own comfy queensize bed, a really big spa bath (I hope they don t put me in it!) and they can sit on the couch and watch me snooze in front of the wood fire. They also get some treats like I do. Waiting for them when they arrive is a yummy continental breakfast basket.

The resident pooches, Bodi and Penny, may even come up and say hello and show me around their playground. The property backs onto a large pine forest with lots of tracks just waiting to be explored. I am not allowed into any of the national park areas of the Great Ocean Road but I am allowed to spend the day in my own private courtyard while my people go exploring.

You really must ask your family to bring you on a holiday to Blue Johanna Cottages.

Places for Dogs to Visit

• Blackwood Gully Tearooms - Lavers Hill - outside only
• Lavers Hill Tavern - Lavers Hill - outside only
• The Bend cafe - Glenaire - outside only
• Johanna Beach - entire beach
• Triplet, Beauchamp & Hopetoun Falls - Lavers Hill to Colac Road
• Main Street of Apollo Bay - must be on a leash at all times. Many cafes will allow dogs to sit at the outside tables while you eat.
• Sea Grape & Bay Leaf are cafes that will happily allow most well behaved dogs to sit outside.
• Marengo Beach - between Ocean Park Drive and the Breakwater
• Apollo Bay Main Beach - between the Breakwater wall & adjacent to Joyce Street: 30 April-24 December. Dogs allowed other times before 9 am & after 7 pm.
• Skenes Creek - entire beach: 30 April-24 December
• Marriners Falls - Barham Valley Road
• Carisbrook Falls - Lorne
• Stevensons Falls - Barramunga
• West Barwon Reserve - Forrest
• Lake Elizabeth Walk - Forrest