Fauna Australia Wildlife Retreat - Great Places to Stay

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Fauna Australia Wildlife Retreat

$125 to $220 per night for a couple

Please tell your hosts you found them at GPTS

Hosts: Kirsten and Dean Ewert

Address: 5040 Colac-Lavers Hill Road, Lavers Hill

Postal Address: RMB 5040 Lavers Hill, VIC 3238

Tel: (+613 or 03) 5237 3234

Fax: (+613 or 03) 5237 3234

Email: info@faunaaustralia.com.au

Property Setting: The property is located high on a ridge in the Otway Ranges, immediately surrounded by native forests and farmland. Only 2km from the Great Ocean Road at Lavers Hill.

Hours/KMs from Melbourne: Via Colac 2 hrs 45 mins / 211km. Via Great Ocean Road 3.5 hours / 240 km
(Melway map 626 H9, VicRoads 100 H4)

Nearest main town: Colac, Apollo Bay


	More than accommodation, more personal than a zoo, so much closer than in the wild! Guests at Fauna Australia Wildlife Retreat have a unique opportunity to encounter our friendly koalas and other Australian wildlife, up close and even hands-on. Fauna Australia Wildlife Retreat is ideal for international visitors and families who are keen to bring their children to stay at a private wildlife park; without the crowds. The Great Ocean Road and the Otway Ranges provide visitors with breathtaking scenes around every bend and Fauna Australia Wildlife Retreat allows guests only to combine this with a rare wildlife experience along the way.

Property Description:
In 1998 your hosts, Kirsten and zoologist Dean set about transforming 43 acres of farmland into a private wildlife park to protect, preserve and breed a growing collection of native animals, birds and reptiles, including some of Australia’s rarest nocturnal mammals. From its position high in the Otway Ranges there are sweeping vistas of mountains covered in tall eucalypts descending to fern filled gullies - a beautiful and appropriate location for a unique endeavour. Projects are ongoing to create predator-proof zones with wetlands, forest and grassland environments for rehabilitating wildlife, as well as enclosures for specific purposes/ species. Already Fauna Australia has one of the largest and most varied private wildlife collections.

Kirsten and Dean have developed accommodation for guests in the heart of the park where they can have privileged personal contact with the wildlife. This kind of interaction greatly enhances people's appreciation of these special animals. The accommodation consists of a self-contained cottage for a two to four, and a self-contained unit that can sleep a family of six in partitioned areas of an otherwise open plan space. Both have views of the garden and access to the wildlife. The one-bedroom cottage has a neat, simple design that's well appointed with facilities including a double spa. The unit is a basic concrete-block building, but well presented and comfortable inside nonetheless.

Special Features:
Fauna Australia is not open to the general public. Only guests can view and feed the animals. The collection includes friendly koalas, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, cockatoos and many other birds. There are also many lesser-known nocturnal species, which guests have the opportunity to see at night.

Number of Units: 1 cottage & 1 unit

Maximum number of Guests: Cottage sleeps 4. Unit sleeps 6

Bathroom Facilities: One bathroom in each

Suitable for Children: Yes

Disabled access: Yes

Smoking restrictions: No smoking inside

Guest Pets Allowed: No

Check In/Out: In 4pm / Out 10am

Description of Rooms/Units:

Wombat Cottage (pictured below)
The fresh, modern cottage has a small verandah and its own private yard shared with wallabies and wombats.
Inside it has an open plan living area with a kitchen. There is a separate bedroom with a queen size bed and a built-in robe. The bathroom has a double spa and laundry facilities. The cottage has ramp access and bathroom access for wheelchairs.
The living area has a double futon sofa bed, television, video and DVD player. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, microwave-convection oven and a cooktop. Outside is a gas barbecue.

Kangaroo Unit (pictured right)
The unit comprises one large room, with several sleeping areas separated by partition walls and curtains for privacy, a lounge/dining area with a kitchenette, and a separate bathroom (shower only). Sleeping facilities include a double bed, a double futon sofa bed, two single beds and a sturdy bunk.
The kitchenette is equipped with a large fridge and a microwave with built-in 2 plate cooktop. The living area has television and DVD player.

All linen is included and complimentary selection of current DVD movies is available.

Breakfast: Self cater.

Dining Options: Small selection of local restaurants and tavern/ hotel at Lavers Hill (2km). Bring your own supplies to cook in your cottage/unit. Stock up at Apollo Bay or Colac, as Lavers Hill has a limited range of groceries.

Guest BBQ Facilities: Yes

Please confirm tariff with hosts prior to reservation.

Tariff:

Wombat Cottage
Rates for a couple: 1 night $220, 2 nights $330, 3 nights $480, weekly - 7 nights $875 ($125/night)
At Peak Times - the following minimum rates apply and cover up to 4 people
Christmas / New Year: 3 nights from $675
Long Weekends: 2 nights from $450, 3 nights from $540
Easter: 4 nights from $900

Kangaroo Unit
Rates for first four people: 2 nights $350, 3 nights $510
Extra persons: $15 each
At Peak Times - the following minimum rates apply and cover up to 6 people
Christmas / New Year: 3 nights from $675
Long Weekends: 2 or 3 nights from $540
Easter: 4 nights from $900

Minimum Stay: Minimum stays apply over Long Weekends, Easter and Christmas

Deposit: 50% on booking and the balance required seven days prior.

Cancellation Terms: 21 to 60 days' notice - half of deposit to be retained. 7 to 20 days' notice - full deposit retained.
Less than 7 days' notice (or premature departure) total tariff retained.

Credit Cards Accepted: Visa, MasterCard

Visit the property's own web site: Click here

Disclaimer: Information presented on this web site has been supplied by individual properties and collected from reputable tourism resources. Great Places to Stay endeavours to keep the information accurate and current, however it takes no responsibility for errors and omissions, and the information is subject to change without notice. Intending guests should confirm pricing and other details at time of booking.