FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ANSWERS TO YOUR NIGGLING QUESTIONS
Our stays at the ranch are a little different to your usual accommodation, so we've listed out what we think you'll want to know. If you still have things you're unsure about get in touch with us here we're happy to help.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ANSWERS TO YOUR NIGGLING QUESTIONS
Our stays at the ranch are a little different to your usual accommodation, so we've listed out what we think you'll want to know before and after you book. If you still have things you're unsure about get in touch with us.
WHAT WE'RE ASKED THE MOST
Where is Sugar Rock Ranch located?
You can find the ranch about a 5 minutes north of Eden and 10 minutes south of Pambula on the Princes Hwy. You'll need a good map to find us, when you book we'll give you a link to Google maps with co-ordinates so you can find us.
What's the Barn Studio like?
The Barn studio is in a standalone building adjacent to the main Barn residence. It was hand built over 30 years ago with timber felled and milled on the property. Find inside an open plan studio apartment with walls lined with beautiful hardwood timber, a soft queen bed, basic kitchenette and modern bathroom.
What's included?
You get the entire studio, a comfy queen size bed with soft linen, a small kitchenette with small fridge and cooking basics like salt, pepper, olive oil, coffee, tea and sugar, a modern bathroom with towels and all natural shampoo, conditioner and soap. Outside you'll find a Yeti Esky, Weber and outdoor cooking equipment to cook meals on the campfire.
What's NOT included?
You won't find a bathtub or washing machine, no high chairs or cots, but everything else we can think of is provided. If you have something specific you need to know please shoot us an email.
Is the ranch doggo friendly?
YES! You can bring the pooch. There are a few rules but nothing we're sure you can't handle. We ask for an extra cleaning fee, that if your doggo isn't good off-leash please leave him on and never left alone during your stay. We provide extra towels to clean their feet, dog bowls and bed. Just a heads up you're doggo will be likely meet our doggos if you're staying in the Barn studio.
Is the ranch kiddo friendly?
Young families including toddlers and babies are welcomed, although we don't have facilities like high chairs or cots. The studio can sleep up to three people, one queen bed and one couch-sofa single bed. Older kiddos are also welcome, we're pretty flexible and happy to chat more on how we can accommodate.
Note we have two dams on the property, so you'll need to keep an eye on those kiddos!
Do you have a COVID cancellation policy?
Well with any luck we won't be going into any more lockdowns, but if we do or you need to reschedule (due to COVID) we'll issue you a gift card to the amount of your stay which you can use to rebook at a later date. Simple really. Just get in touch with us to sort it out as soon as possible - the earlier the better so we can rebook your dates to someone else.
Do you have WIFI and the phone reception?
Yep we do, our WIFI is on satellite NBN, works pretty well you'll be able to check your emails and on a good day watch Youtube. Note that phone reception really depends on your provider, maybe check with them before you book if you really need to make some calls while your here. (Optus & Telstra are ok-ish).
WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU BOOK
WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK
How do I book?
We list our stays on Airbnb and on Riparide, you can book through either of these platforms.
What time is check in and check out?
Check-in is anytime after 2pm, you'll find the studio is open and keys on the kitchen bench. Check-out is anytime before 11am, you can just leave the keys where you found them.
How long can I stay?
The Barn Studio is set for longer stays that can provide support for remote working and temporary relocations, if you would like to book longer than 28 days please get in touch for special rates.
Can I use my own toiletries?
We provide all the toiletries you'll need for your stay, except toothpaste. We work on a grey water filtration system which means that water run off from the shower and sinks goes back into our surrounding gardens. We need to make sure the products you use are biodegradable and don't contain toxics that could kill our flora and fauna. The products we provide are safe, tried and tested to protect our environment.
How accessible are your stays?
Unfortunately our Barn Studio is not overly accessible due to the number of stairs and size of the small bathroom. However our future plans are to build accessible accommodation for everyone - watch this space!
How private are your stays?
The Barn Studio is literally next door in a separate building to the barn and has been altered to provide privacy. It has it's own entry walkway and car spot dedicated for guests, you'll see the signs when you arrive.
To let everyone enjoy the sounds of nature we ask that you keep the noise down outside from 10pm.
What's with the composting toilets?
In our effort to become carbon neutral we want to reduce our waste as much as possible and give back to nature the good waste from food and our bodies - thats composting. Our waterless toilet system is uniquely designed to break down our bodily waste into harmless compost which is used to feed vegetation - we know you're thinking drop toilet but it's a little more advanced than that haha! You use it like a regular toilet without the flush, just give it a dust of hemp and let the compost do it's thing. Just don't put anything else in the toilet (including sanitary waste) and in a short time we'll have no waste at all.
With the tank water, can I drink the water from the taps? Is it safe?
Water is like liquid gold to those living off grid, we let nature provide rain water which is collected in the water tanks. Through a filtration system our water is drinkable, pure and fresh, like water should be - you'll taste the difference. Water from showers and sinks flows back to the garden, so we only use all natural body and cleaning products that contain no harmful toxics that kill vegetation.
What are the kitchen facilities like?
A stove top with a few pots and pans, utensils, a kettle and ceramic mugs, Chemex coffee maker. Our cupboards are stocked with your cooking basics like salt, pepper, olive oil, coffee, tea and sugar. You'll find a small bar fridge and big Yeti esky to keep things cold. Outside we provide a gas Weber and outdoor cooking equipment so you can cook on the campfire.
What's your cancellation policy?
You will be allowed to cancel or change your booking up to 5 days before your check-in date, and can opt to reschedule to another date, receive a gift voucher or request a cancellation. If you would like a full cancellation before 5 days of arrival date, you can cancel and receive a full refund less a processing fee of 5%. If it's after 5 days, you will be charged a 50% cancellation fee of the total booking amount (excluding provisions and cleaning fees). See our full Terms and Conditions of stay before booking.
Do you take a security deposit?
We take a $100 security deposit that's charged to the card used for the booking 24 hours prior to check-in. If the charge fails, we'll contact you to update your payment method prior to your stay. This security deposit is to cover any charges incurred during the stay like in-cabin provisions (eg. beer and wine), as well as incidentals or property damage and loss. If we charge for any expenses we'll be in touch with an itemised receipt. The security deposit will be refunded in full within 5 business days of your check-out unless any expenses occur.
What happens if I damage something?
Don't worry we have insurance, we will ask you to cover the cost of our insurance excess of $250 if the damaged item is over and above this amount. If the damaged item is under this amount we will be in touch to arrange payment. See our full Terms and Conditions here.
Can my friends camp next to the Barn studio?
No, sorry. Our amenities like water, waste and energy are not designed for more than the allocated people per stay. To keep our footprint small we keep our guest numbers small, so we're leaving it at that for now.
WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW
DURING YOUR STAY
WHAT WE'RE ASKED THE MOST
Can I light a fire during a Fire Ban?
Campfires and fire bans, we take it so so seriously. It's obvious don't light a fire during a fire ban - it's illegal, we'll give you the link from Rural Fire Service to look up fire ratings as they change from day to day. It's so important that fires are contained to the designated fire areas, these have been designed to prevent unruly grass fires. We want to create a safe place for you, our guests, us, the wildlife and our surrounding community so please do the right thing.
Do you provide firewood?
Absolutely we do, we provide a few bags of firewood then you can collect your own from the firewood shed found along the fence towards the back of the property approx. 100m from Barn.
Emergencies, how do we get in touch?
Whilst we do everything to make your stay safe, sometimes accidents happen. If you have a medical or fire emergency call 000. Otherwise if it's something else you can call us on 0491251188 which will be monitored by someone in our team 24/7.
What happens if there's a bushfire in the area?
If there's a bushfire in the area before you're scheduled to leave we'll be in touch by email on whether or not you should come and what to do.
A FEW OTHER
BIBS AND BOBS
Do you offer group bookings, parties and events?
While we do love a good hoe-down, our ranch isn't designed for parties or events.
Do you allow weddings or elopements?
Yes! Well, yes to elopements and NO to weddings. By elopement we mean only a few extra people other than you staying at the ranch. We allow a photographer, hair and makeup artist, and celebrant. Chat to us more about your big day and we'll see if it works for you.
Do you allow weddings or elopements?
Absolutely we do, the barn, the studio, the ranch fleet and property are all available for photoshoots. We offer full day and half day rates get in touch with us for a quote and tell us about your shoot.