Bonnie Doon - Guest Guide
The below index covers everything you’ll need to know about visiting our Space in Bonnie Doon. Things like what to plan for before you leave, where to stop for a bite or drink on the way and how to stay safe and enjoy the beautiful surrounds of Lake Eildon.
Simply navigate via the drop down menu that corresponds to the area of interest.
For any further questions, or if you need to get in touch for any other reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Phone: +61 400 651 616
Email: info@spacesinplaces.com.au
Before you leave
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Welcome to Spaces in Places | Bonnie Doon
We created this Space so that you can find your Place.
This guide will help you with anything you need to unwind or speed up. Whatever experience you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
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Our Spaces come fully equipped with high-speed WiFi and the surrounding area (usually) has strong phone reception. None the less, if you’re the kind of person who likes to be extra prepared, you can download this guide for offline use.
Click HERE to download the PDF version of this guide. -
We’d suggest the following at a minimum:
Clothes are a good start. Preferably comfy ones for lounging. If you intend on having a campfire (and have checked the fire restrictions accordingly) maybe pack some rags you don’t mind smelling like a fire.
Swimming gear. Handy for submerging oneself in water. There are two bodies of water at the site. A plunge pool / hot tub and a slightly larger stretch of water known as Lake Eildon.
Footwear appropriate for the outback. You know, rocky terrain, plants, trees, rain etc.
Raincoat, hat & sunscreen. Like Dad always said; “you’re more likely to get burnt on the cloudy days”, remember?
Enough food for your stay (but remember it’ll have to fit into a small fridge). BYO esky if you want more.
BYO milk for your tea/coffee.
Alcohol (beer/wine) is available in the space for a small fee. Feel free to BYO though. Drinking vessels are provided.
Anything else you’ll need to survive: medication, lip balm, ragged teddy you definitely shouldn’t still own at this age. The essentials.
What not to bring!
Look, we know our space is flash, so we can understand why you’d want to dress for the occasion. Alas, the kitten heels, Prada sunnies and Dior handbag should probably stay at home.
Fellas, unless you intend to visit one of the local golf courses, please leave the clubs at home. Yes, flushing one off the deck and watching it soar high above Lake Eildon would feel like riding a Great White Shark down a 20ft wave while being struck by lightning… but, you’ll have to find that rush elsewhere we’re afraid.
Other things not to pack:
Appliances like heaters, toasters, electric cooktops, microwaves etc. These will drain the solar power battery and anything you’d need these appliances for is already provided for.
Please let us know if you’re planning to bring or use a sleep apnea CPAP machine.
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Unfortunately, pets are not permitted on the property. This is due to the potential risk to local wildlife & neighbouring properties with pets and livestock.
We will, of course, make an exception for Sea Monkeys.
For all larger four-legged friends, we suggest considering the following kennels and pet care options in the local area:
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This one’s pretty straight forward, take a peek at the weather forecast for the dates of your stay. It’s important to know what weather to expect so you can adhere to any restrictions and official advice from emergency services.
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Absolutely. While we can’t guarantee phone reception during the entire duration of your trip, we can ensure you’ll have high-speed WiFi at the space itself. There is also phone reception in the immediate area as well.
This means you can stream, cast, project, scroll, share, ping, like, comment & subscribe to your hearts content. Or, put the little pocket computer away for a couple days and open a book. It’s entirely up to you. Cocoon or crusade.
The WIFI access information is:
Username:
Password:
Checking in & out, cleaning & charges
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Check in is from 3pm (unless otherwise expressed by booking team).
You can arrive anytime from 3pm. Just be aware that if you’re arriving at night, keep an eye out for local wildlife on your drive and as you enter the property.
Please don’t enter the cabin before 3pm as our space manager needs this time to get your stay ready.
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Check out is 11am sharp.
Be mindful to leave before or at 11 am on the day of your check out. Our hosts and space managers need this time to clean and prepare the space for the next guests. Late check outs will incur a fee charged by the hour.
If you’d prefer a late check out, this can be arranged via the ‘Purchases & Additional Expenses’ section.
Checkout Process:
Remember to leave the space in a respectable state. This means:
All rubbish and food items are placed in the bins provided.
Electronic and cooking appliances are switched off & unplugged.
Windows and doors are closed.
Fireplace is extinguished and outdoor cooking equipment is placed in the sink.
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Cleaning fees are included in the booking cost, however this is a shallow clean and reset of the space.
Significant mess or damage to the space, including but not limited to: the structure itself (including floor, walls, ceiling, windows and doors), fixtures, fittings, linens, kitchen equipment and appliances, can incur a charge.
Please make every effort to avoid treading dirt or mud into the dwelling and leave dirty shoes outside on the shoe rack provided.
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Damage to the space or surrounding property: starts at $50 however total cost will be based on recommendation of the space managers & property owners & the Spaces in Places team.
Late check outs: $50 per hour.
Lost or damaged keys: $50/key.
Lost & found return items: $10 handling + postage costs.
Your Space
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We supply everything you could need for the stay you’ve been looking for. Whether you plan on battening down the hatches and cozying up with a coffee and a good book. Or waking up at the crack of dawn to go kayak fishing.
For a recap of what you should bring (and what you should leave at home), refer to the “What to pack?” section above.
In the Space, you will find:Kitchen - all you could need; utensils, crockery, pot, pan, tumblers, stove top kettle, coffee plunger, tea pot, cutlery. Electric stove, kitchen sink, and bar fridge.
Campfire cooking - firelighters, cast iron pan, grill, tongs, fireproof gloves. (Again, please check CFA Fire Bans & Danger Ratings page before considering a camp fire).
Kitchen consumables - coffee, tea, olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar, foil, paper towel, lighter/matches, bug spray, dish suds, tea towel, dish brush.
Water - the water in the space is safe to drink.
Bathroom - Hot shower, toilet, towels, bath mat, toilet paper, body wash, hand wash.
Bedroom - Queen bed, linens, quilt, blanket, 4x pillows (hard and soft).
Entertainment - Portable projector, streaming services, WiFi, surround sound speakers, books, card games, yoga mats, picnic blanket.
Outdoors - 2x chairs, table, fire pit, hammock.
Emergency items - Fire extinguisher, fire blanket and first-aid kit are located {insert location}.
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Our spaces are built to be ‘high-performing’. Without going into too much detail, it essentially means the internal environment of the space is built to be as comfortable as possible year round. This means:
Comfortable temperature all year round. Warm in winter, cool in summer.
Sound pollution is minimised (by up to 44dB). So loud traffic and noisy neighbours are a thing of the past.
An air tight space prevents cold drafts from ruining your evening, or cool air escaping on hot summer nights.
The spaces are available for purchase via the construction arm the business, Second Spaces. For more information, visit www.secondspaces.com.au
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AC / HVAC
Thermal bridge of the Space
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Yep – slipping into the hot tub and looking out over Lake Eildon is pretttttty nice. However, there are a few rules.
1. Only fill the bath once and leave the same water for your entire stay.
2. Never turn on the water heater without water in the tub.
3. Follow the instructions below.Using your hot tub is as simple as:
Fill the tub. Ensure the level is above the indicator marked.
Turn on the water heater (if required, in summer you may prefer to keep the water cool)
Stir the water every half hour to lift the colder water from the bottom of the tub.
Check the heat. Once the water reaches 34 degrees you can turn the water heater off to save electricity.
Jump in at your desired temp…and relax. Most people prefer 36-40 degrees (in the winter of course).
The remaining warmth from the heater should keep the water warm for many hours.
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Yep – our Spaces are fully off-grid. Meaning the big yellow fire ball in the sky is giving us our energy. Because of this, always remember to turn off and unplug items when not in use and avoid items like hair dryers and microwaves… these are a quick way to drain the power and leave you in the dark (there is a backup generator, but she’s fairly loud!)
Get in touch with the team if the solar cuts out and we'll talk you through the steps to check if it's a blown fuse or the system simply needs a bit of sun rays. We'll help guide you and ensure you’re back up and running in no time.
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We have a strict NO SMOKING policy within the space. Any guest found to have smoked in the space will incur a $500 deep cleaning fee.
Smoking is permitted on the deck and surrounding area and any cigarette butts or smoking materials should be disposed of in the ash trays provided.
The Place
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There is no shortage of activities in the surrounding area. So, if you feel like getting out and about, our top 10 recommendations are:
1. XYZ
2. ABC
3. ETC.
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Kayak
Outdoor Games
Fishing
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On inland waterways such as rivers and lakes, never jump in before checking for hidden dangers like strong fast-flowing currents, colder than expected water temperature and submerged branches and debris. For example, see how fast the water is flowing by looking at water ripples and things floating downstream. But be aware, there could also be strong currents under the water that you can’t see. Don’t jump in if you can’t see what’s under the surface of the water.
Always wear a lifejacket when boating. Never go into the water after consuming alcohol.
There has never been an official sighting of a monster lurking in Lake Eildon. However locals may or may not say otherwise.
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Please be respectful of local wildlife. The area is home to a diverse and delicate ecosystem and it’s important to keep this in mind during your stay.
One particular species of animal poses a greater risk than others, the notorious Joe Blake.
During summer snakes are more active. Avoid walking in tall grass, wear appropriate clothing and shoes, step loudly, and keep a lookout. Dial 000 in an emergency, there is a first aid kit located {insert location}.
Outdoor Fire Pit
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Everyone loves a campfire under the stars. But in the wrong conditions things can quickly go wrong. A campfire that is not properly built, maintained and extinguished can get out of control and pose a risk to yourself, native animals, the surrounding properties and their inhabitants.
Before considering a fire, make sure you have checked the fire danger rating on the CFA website: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/home/local-information
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Know the rules - before you light a fire make sure there are no fire bans in the area.
Use the fire pit and ensure your fire is contained within it. Use the provided shovel to dig the pit deeper if required. It’s advised to be 15-30cm below ground.
Build a safe campfire – start with small dry kindling, increasing the size of the sticks and twigs gradually. As the fire builds, slowly add larger pieces of wood that will burn longer. Remember, there’s no need to build it too big - a small fire (50cm – 1m in height) will generate more than enough heat to warm you up and cook your food.
Keep an eye on that match - always light your fire with a match not a lighter. Under no circumstances should any lighter fluid or accelerant be used on the fire. Make sure once lit, you cover the match completely with water or throw it directly into the fire... a lot of fires have started from discarded matches. -
Keep water nearby - we always provide buckets in the front exterior cupboard of our cabins. Before you start a fire, fill this bucket up and have it within reach. There's also the garden hose at the back or side of the cabin. Have it ready to put out any fire. That way, if any flames try to jump out, you've got water to stop it in its tracks. Always use this to ensure your fire is 100% out before you leave the site or go to sleep for the night.
Mind the wind - a gust of wind can spread your fire. To one-up the wind, make sure anything flammable (including unused wood, clothing etc.) is at least half a meter away from your fire.
Never leave a fire unattended. If you're on your own, grab everything you might need or want from inside before lighting your fire. If you're with a friend or partner you can always tag team, as long as one of you is always there.
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Put the fire out completely - that's what that bucket is there for! Throw water on the fire, use the fire tongs to stir around the ashes and then add a bit more water. If the campfire isn't cool enough to touch with your hands, then it isn't cool enough to leave.
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There are outdoor fire pit utensils and cooking equipment available for you to use. Please be mindful when cooking on an open fire. Wear protective clothing and avoid putting your hands in close proximity to the flames themselves.
Purchases & Additional Expenses
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If you’d like to pre-order from a range of culinary and drink package options, please refer to the ‘optional extras’ section of our booking page.
These are available at the time of booking or up to 7 days before your check in date by getting in contact with the team via email.
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Mini Bar:
There are a selection of beverages and food items available in the fridge. Each item and the associated costs (charged to your account after check out) are listed on the menu in your room.
Pantry Items:
There is a selection of items complimentary to your stay. Any items that come at a cost are listed on the menu contained in your room.
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