A winter day out with your dog: walk, warm up, repeat
Let’s enjoy the Peninsula with our doggos this winter
There's something about winter on the Mornington Peninsula that brings out the best in our dogs. The crowds thin out, the air turns crisp, and the beaches and trails feel like they belong to you and your four-legged best friend.
Winter is also genuinely the easiest time of year to plan a day out together. With daylight savings now behind us, many beaches that are off-limits to dogs during summer days have swung open again. Beaches that are leash-free only before 9 am or after 7 pm in summer are off-leash all day through winter so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy our beautiful coastline.
The other lovely thing about winter? It gives you the perfect excuse to follow up a brisk walk with something warm. A coffee. A glass of pinot. A pub meal by the fire.
Below are three of our favourite walk-and-warm-up pairings to enjoy with your dog this season. And if the thought of taking your dog to a busy cafe has you breaking out in hives, we’ve got you.
1. Mount Martha beach walk + Commonfolk, Mornington
If you only do one walk this winter, make it the Mount Martha beach walk. Starting at Hawker Beach and heading north, the track passes four dog-friendly beaches – Hawker, Birdrock, Dava and Fossil – with Hawker and Fossil leash-free year-round, and Birdrock and Dava off-leash all day during the winter months. That's a lot of running, sniffing and splashing for one walk.
The terrain is mostly easy, with coastal scrub and bay views the whole way. After your walk, head into Mornington and aim for Commonfolk in the industrial precinct. Their sunny back courtyard welcomes dogs with water bowls at the tables, and their coffee is some of the best on the Peninsula. A perfect spot to thaw out while your dog dries off at your feet.
2. Balcombe Estuary boardwalk + Green Olive at Red Hill
Some winter weeks, everything is muddy. That's when the Balcombe Estuary boardwalk in Mount Martha really comes into its own. Most of the 2.5km track is raised boardwalk meandering through saltmarsh and alongside Balcombe Creek – perfect for keeping muddy paws to a minimum. Keep an eye out for echidnas, possums and microbats along the way. Dogs need to stay on lead through the reserve.
From there, it's a short drive up into the hills to Green Olive at Red Hill. This family-run farm and cellar door welcomes well-behaved dogs on leash to join you on the covered deck, with grazing platters, wine paddles and house-made cider on offer. They even have farm-made dog treats – and resident kelpies Indie and Luna to say hello to. It's the kind of place where you can settle in for a long afternoon, glass of pinot in hand, while your dog naps under the table.
A booking is a good idea, especially on weekends.
3. Flinders coastal circuit + Merricks General Store
For something a bit different, head to the Western Port side of the Peninsula. The Flinders coastal circuit is a 3.5 km loop that takes in clifftops, rock pools and a stretch of leash-free dog beach at low tide. It's quieter than the beaches on the Bay side.
Afterwards, drive back through the rolling hills to the Merricks General Store, just a few minutes from the Red Hill rail trail. The courtyard is dog-friendly and they do excellent woodfired pizza, soups and locally roasted coffee. It's a relaxed country store atmosphere, ideal for a long lunch with your dog at your feet and a glass of something local in your hand.
A few winter walk reminders
Cooler weather is kinder for most dogs, but it's still worth checking in on a few things before you head out:
Carry a leash even in off-leash areas. The shire requires owners to remain in voice or hand control with a leash to hand at all times.
Bring fresh water and poo bags – winter is no excuse to skip the basics.
Check signage at every beach. Rules vary, and some sections of the foreshore are managed by different authorities.
Keep an eye on your dog's fitness level. If they've had a quiet summer, ease back into longer walks gradually.
Most of all, enjoy it. Winter walks have a way of strengthening the bond between you and your dog – fewer distractions, more time together, and the shared satisfaction of coming home muddy, tired and ready for a warm spot on the couch.
Dreaming of café days but not quite there yet?
If you read this thinking ‘my dog would never sit calmly at Commonfolk’ – you're not alone. Plenty of dogs find busy cafes, new smells and unfamiliar dogs genuinely overwhelming, and lunging, barking or pulling on lead is incredibly common. The good news? Café-level behaviour is a learnable skill, not a personality trait.
At Pawsome Interactions, we work with you and your dog to build the calm, confident behaviour that makes outings like these enjoyable for everyone – including your dog. Whether you're starting from scratch or troubleshooting a specific challenge, we'll help you get there at a pace that works for both of you.
We can even meet you at the café. That’s one of the best things about working with Pawsome Interactions - we come to you! Usually, we start off with training in your home and then we build up to other outdoor environments. Once you and your dog are comfortable and ready, then we can meet you at a café, park, your home, the shops – whatever environment your dog needs practice in.
Find out more about what we offer here.
