PHOTOSHOOT
LOCATIONS
Each Ragamuffin location has been handpicked to create a relaxed, joyful experience for you and your dog.
These dog-friendly spots are beautiful year-round and packed with variety – from leafy trails and open spaces to water views and hidden nooks, all within a short stroll.
With quiet on-lead areas for anxious or reactive dogs, off-leash zones for zoomies, and safe swim spots for water lovers, every location offers the perfect mix of comfort, beauty, and connection.
WILLIAMSTOWN
BOTANIC GARDENS
Tucked away by the sea, Williamstown Botanic Gardens is one of those quiet little gems that feels like it’s been plucked from a storybook. It’s one of the oldest and most beautifully preserved gardens in Victoria, first planted back in 1860 – and you can feel that history in every winding path and towering tree.
With its mix of lush greenery, charming old features, and that salty coastal breeze, it’s the kind of place that makes the perfect backdrop for relaxed, heartfelt photos.
🐶 Leash Rules: On leash only in the gardens. Off-leash is optional at the beach and grassy reserve across the road.
🐾 Distraction Level: Low – Quiet and calm, perfect for sensitive or reactive pups.
🚗 Transport: Plenty of free parking around the gardens.
🚆 Public Transport: A short walk from Williamstown Beach Railway Station
♿ Accessibility: Flat, easy-to-navigate paths. Pram and wheelchair-friendly.
🌊 Swim Options: Just across the road is a dog-friendly beach, perfect for water-loving dogs or a mix of scenery in one session
ST KILDA
BOTANIC GARDENS
Just a few blocks from the buzz of Acland Street, St Kilda Botanic Gardens is a quiet, leafy sanctuary – think wide gravel paths, a charming rotunda, towering trees, vibrant flower beds, and a lily-covered pond at the heart of it all.
🐶 Leash Rules: On leash only in the gardens. Off-leash is optional at the beach.
🐾 Distraction Level: Medium – can get busier on weekends with picnickers and families, but still plenty of quiet spots to explore.
🚗 Parking: Limited free street parking nearby – allow a little extra time to find a spot. Paid parking for the beach.
🚆 Public Transport: Easy to get to via tram – just a short walk from multiple stops.
♿ Accessibility: Flat, easy-to-navigate paths. Pram and wheelchair-friendly.
🌊 Swim Options: If you have a beach loving dog, St Kilda Beach is a 5 minute drive away
LILLYDALE
LAKE PARK
Lillydale Lake is a favourite local spot for dog lovers – and for good reason. With wide open spaces, winding trails, and a gentle lake breeze, it’s the kind of location where you can’t help but take a deep breath and slow down.
We usually head to the designated dog area near Olinda Creek. This part of the lake is surrounded by classic Australian bushland – tall eucalyptus trees, native grasses, and that earthy scent that instantly grounds you.
🐶 Leash Rules: Off leash around the creek, on leash along the walking track that surrounds the lake.
🐾 Distraction Level: Medium – Can be a lot of other dogs around, however the park is so huge that if distractions or other dogs are an issue, it’s easy to find a quieter location
🚗 Transport: Plenty of free parking
🚆 Public Transport: There are nearby train and tram stops, but both are a 10-20 minute walk away.
♿ Accessibility: Not very easily accessible for wheelchairs or prams
🌊 Swim Options: Olinda Creek runs through the park and is a beautifully photogenic spot for photos.
DAREBIN
PARKLANDS
A hidden oasis just 7km from Melbourne’s CBD, Darebin Parklands feels like stepping into the bush without leaving the city. With winding trails, open grassy fields, native bushland, and even a billabong, it’s a beautiful mix of wild and serene. It’s a favourite for nature-loving dogs who enjoy exploring a variety of landscapes in one outing.
🐶 Leash Rules: Mostly on-leash, but there are designated off-leash areas.
🐾 Distraction Level: Medium – can get busier on weekends with other dogs, but it’s a huge park so if other dogs are an issue then we’ll be able to find quiet spots.
🚗 Parking: Free parking available at Separation Street, can get busy
🚆 Public Transport: Accessible via Alphington or Fairfield train stations with a short walk, and bus routes nearby.
♿ Accessibility: Mixed – some flat, wide paths are pram and wheelchair friendly, while bush tracks are uneven and less accessible.
🌊 Swim Options: An gorgeous waterhole at the end of the park, perfect for dogs who enjoy a dip.
MORNINGTON
MOUNT ELIZA REGIONAL PARK
Nestled on the Mornington Peninsula, Mount Eliza Regional Park offers a mix of open spaces, bushland trails, and a tranquil lake - a beautiful balance of adventure and calm.
A great spot for dogs who love a good wander and for families wanting to enjoy a relaxed outing together.
🐶 Leash Rules: Mixture of on-leash and off-leash areas
🐾 Distraction Level: Medium – popular with families, picnickers, and other dogs, especially around the lake area on weekends. Large enough that it’s easy to find quiet spots for dogs who need it.
🚗 Transport: Free parking
🚆 Public Transport: Limited access – best reached by car. The closest train station is Frankston, but it requires a bus connection.
♿ Accessibility: Good – paths around the lake and picnic areas are pram and wheelchair friendly, though bush trails can be uneven.
🌊 Swim Options: The ornamental lake is not suitable for dog swimming, but dog-friendly beaches are only a short drive away for water-loving dogs.
SORRENTO
BEACH + PARK
A serene spot where the charm of seaside village life meets the natural beauty of the Australian coastline. Our favourite little spot features colourful beach huts, panoramic views across Port Phillip Bay and a stunning tunnel of old, twisted Moonah trees.
🐶 Leash Rules: Beach leash rules depend on the time of year, off-leash options nearby
🐾 Distraction Level: Medium – can get busier on weekends with other dogs
🚗 Parking: Free street parking nearby
🚆 Public Transport: Not easy to get to via public transport
♿ Accessibility: Not pram or wheelchair friendly
🌊 Swim Options: SO MANY! An amazing location for water loving dogs.
GEELONG
BOTANIC GARDENS
Established in 1851, it's one of Australia’s oldest botanic gardens – and you can feel that legacy in every winding path and century-old tree. Inside the gardens, there’s a bit of everything: a lush rainforest section filled with ferns and soft, dappled light; manicured rose gardens that look like something out of a fairytale; and vibrant flower beds that offer joyful pops of colour in every direction. Just beyond the garden gates, the surrounding Eastern Park opens up into a dog’s dream – huge open spaces where pups can go off-lead, run wild, and sniff to their heart’s content.
🐶 Leash Rules: On leash in the Gardens, off leash in Eastern Park and at Point Henry Beach
🐾 Distraction Level: Low – Quiet and calm, perfect for sensitive or reactive pups.
🚗 Transport: Free parking, can get busy during the weekend so allow a bit of extra time to find a spot
🚆 Public Transport: There are nearby train and tram stops, but both are a 10-20 minute walk away.
♿ Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchairs or prams, but the walk into the gardens does take around 5 minutes
🌊 Swim Options: Point Henry dog beach is a secluded spot that allows dogs off-leash and is just a 15 minute walk away.