Frequently asked questions

OUR PHILOSOPHY

It’s OUR PASSION to make YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE

It’s OUR HONOUR to share in YOUR SPECIAL EVENTS

YOUR FULFILLMENT is OUR SUCCESS

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It’s OUR Pleasure to Share

Our  Piece of Paradise  with YOU

To Make YOUR  Dreams Come True

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Our Charities

World Vision

We contribute to our local and extended community in ways we feel will extend to others the basic right to have food, clean water, clothing and an education in a safe environment. We invite you to consider these charities or other worthy choices for your contribution to making this world one we are happy to leave to our children.

Water

20,000 LT water tank collects from cottage roofline used for watering of gardens

A 3 Phase Bore pumps water from 100 yards below ground to top up the lake.

Water from the lake used to water gardens as needed by pop up sprinklers

Gardens are watered over night during dry weather to reduce evaporation

Watering is long and infrequently to encourage deep root systems in plants

Fallen trees mulched and used on garden beds to reduce evaporation

Shower & spa water is retained on the property through a filtration system.

Rooftop runoff is directed to the lake as a storage reservoir.

Power & Lighting

70 LED Lights and 100 MT of 12 volt LED strip lights on bridge, gazebo and cottage

Instant gas hot water removes need to heat water storage tank

Recycling

Green waste mostly maintained on property through mulching

Plastics, paper etc. recycled

Cleaning Products

Nature Direct Seek Cleaning solutions used made from nature. Ph: 1800 148 133.

ENJO chemical free eco cleaning cloths and gloves used where suitable.

We recommend these brands and encourage you to consider moving to earth friendly products.

We  wash linens, towels as required which is not necessarily daily for long stay guests. We will discuss your needs on arrival, but feel free to ask for additional towels as required.

Guest Amenities

kudos spa – shampoo, conditioner, bath gel and hand cream

Soaps and liquids in this range are biodegradable and contain nourishing extracts and essential oils including Lanolin, Raspberry, Coconut and shea butter to promote soft healthy skin and hair.

As we have only 1 cottage, you will get the full cottage to yourselves and it has a spa just off the bedroom as shown in the photos. Yes, the photos are reflections of what you get.

Checkout is 12 noon, unless you wish to have a later checkout which can be arranged in advance and subject to availability at a cost of $25 per hour. Check in is form 2pm or later and yes, we can cater to very late check-ins. This is often the case for our honeymoon couples who will arrive usually between 11pm and midnight. Just let us know your plans and we will make arrangements for you to go straight in the cottage as all the paperwork is done in advance. We will have the heater or air-conditioner on as we think suitable and lights to show you the way. A little extra is that you might like to drop a car off earlier in the day or even the day before and this is fine with us. Again, just a phone call or txt to arrange the most suitable parking spot for you.

We leave the cottage stocked with bacon and eggs and fresh bread baked just before you arrive. Additionally, you will find cereal, baked beans, spaghetti and pancake mix in the cupboard. 1 lt of fresh milk is supplied to enjoy your favourite coffee in the espresso machine with breakfast.

Alternative menu items can be made available for celiac, vegetarians, vegans or for religious reasons. Please contact us to advise us of your preferences. We find Hash Browns popular, tomatoes, mushrooms and gluten free bread and soya milk suitable solutions for many and are happy to make adjustments to the usual menu to meet your needs.

We do not cook the breakfast for you as only you know exactly how you like your breakfast cooked and can then eat when it suits you most. No need to dress to go out to a café. You will have all you need with condiments and jams etc. provided.

Cancellation Policy

• 14 days notice – Full refund or change to another date.
• 7-14 days – Change to another date.
• 7 days or less – No refund.
• No Shows – Will incur full charge.

Cancellations received 7 days or less prior to arrival will be charged the full amount of their booking.  Guests accept we are entitled to charge their credit  card for any outstanding balance.

Travel insurance is recommended for medical and cancellation coverage.

With only 1 cottage, no we don’t. The gardens are private with you our only guests.

We can recommend  a boutique contemporary  cuisine delivered to your door from Flitterby.com.au. This service must be booked 24 hours in advance to allow time for the slow cooked cuisine to be prepared.

We are only a short drive to the top of the Dandenong ranges which has numerous world class restaurants featuring locally produced products. We are happy to provide you with a list by email or you can find suggestions under To Eat. Bon Appetite!

We do not have a restaurant onsite but can recommend several within 5 to 15 minutes drive. Check out our To Eat page and click on the map for details and names and locations of those in the area. Bon Appetit!

We are 15 to 30 minutes from numerous wineries which can be found under the To Do and To Eat pages. Click on the map to enlarge and detail the wineries along the Melba Hwy to Yarra Glen and then Maroondah Hwy to Healesville. Check their individual websites for cellar door information restaurant hours and other information.

The Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley is one of Victoria’s most popular tourist areas with lots to do for all ages and abilities. From Wineries with cellar door tastings, winery tours, gardens, walks, restaurants, hot air ballooning and all that Melbourne has to offer as well. Rochford Wineries hosts world class musicians.

The Yarra Valley is known for its award winning wines and cheeses as well as fresh fruit and offers a range of weekend markets where you can try and buy our local produce.

Puffing Billy is our Steam Train puffing his way through the fern lines gullies from Belgrave and the dinner train is something not to be missed. A great experience to bring out the child in all of us. While in Belgrave,check out the Trees Adventure park.

You can find some of these under the To Do page and don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations to your favourite passtime.

The Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley is one of Victoria’s most popular tourist areas with lots to do for all ages and abilities. From Wineries with cellar door tastings, winery tours, gardens, walks, restaurants, hot air ballooning and all that Melbourne has to offer as well. Rochford Wineries hosts world class musicians.

The Yarra Valley is known for its award winning wines and cheeses as well as fresh fruit and offers a range of weekend markets where you can try and buy our local produce.

Puffing Billy is our Steam Train puffing his way through the fern lines gullies from Belgrave and the dinner train is something not to be missed. A great experience to bring out the child in all of us. While in Belgrave,check out the Trees Adventure park.

You can find some of these under the To Do page and don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations to your favourite passtime.

Several companies offer wintery tours, usually by the half day or full day with lunch provided. Join a small mini bus and meet like minded visitors or arrange a personally guided tour taking in not only wineries but perhaps gardens or other attractions you would like to see. Give me a call to discuss your preferred time frame and I’ll find the most suitable tour companies to assist you further.

You can’t go past the lovely and talented Jodi Bouma. You will find samples of her work at https://www.facebook.com/JodiBoumaPhotography?_rdr and http://www.jodibouma.com.au/

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/vic/melbourne/kilsyth-south

Porta Cot
Sofa Bed

We do not cater for pets due to the wildlife here and we have no fenced areas. Our ducks are our pets and take about as much notice of us as the average cat, but we love them anyway. Other animals are not usually compatible with our birdlife of King Parrots, ducks, hares, lizards, fish, and turtles. So unless your pet is a rock, we are likely going to need to decline your request for your pet to come with you.

Our gallery shows you some of the flowers during those periods of time. The main difference is that most trees in the gardens will lose their leaves in about May/June and not have them back until October/November. Please peak to us for more details if you want your wedding photos in winter months, especially if you are seeing the gardens during the summer months. Roses will be in flower from around November to May. They will be pruned back to stalks in June/July as will some of the trees, especially our mop top trees along the drive.

The Dandenongs are known for the Camellias and Rhododendrons and we have several here which provide colour in the winter months along with daffodils and irises.