NATURE BASED BOUTIQUE RESIDENCES
Here are answers to questions you may have about your stay.
How many residences are on Boroka Downs?
There are five residences - each suitable for just one couple - spread out on an 800 metre elevated ridge that runs mid-way through the 306 acre property. With a minimum of 50 metres separating each residence, plus trees and foliage, privacy has been maximised. You will struggle to see any other guests! Nevertheless, each residence has its own private views of the surrounding mountains and trees virtually as far as one can see.
Are all residences identical?
Yes, what you see on this web site is what you receive during your stay. However, the views are slightly varied. One residence faces East and receives the morning sun rising above the Black Ranges across the valley. (Birds on the dam are a feature!) The other four residences face West and have views of the Mt. William range of the Grampians. All residences have unimpeded views of surrounding mountains and trees as far as one can see. All residences have daily visitation from the original occupiers of the land - the kangaroos. A large variety of birds (listen to the flapping of wings) and the occasional emu and wallaby are also to be seen.
Do the residences have blinds?
Yes. All lower windows have blinds which are not completely opaque. They give privacy but continue also to allow guests to view the animals and the mountains. The experience of waking to kangaroos beside your bed on the other side of the window is not to be missed!
The merging of the interior and exterior environments is something quiet unique to Boroka Downs.
How do I find reception?
Reception is situated at the end of the 800 metre driveway. Drive past all the residences - all of which face away from the driveway - to reception on the right at the end of the driveway. Your hosts will be there to greet you.
What is the check-in procedure?
At reception you will be asked to fill in your details for your invoice and decide whether you would like to go onto our e-mailing list;
Select three or four DVDs to swap over at any time while you are with us;
Accompanied to your residence where you will be instructed on everything from how to light the fire, to how to make a great cup of coffee with the espresso machine and how to use the TV, DVD and stereo equipment.
Do you service the residences daily?
Boroka Downs is a self catering retreat, and is classified as such with the AAAT (Australian Automobile Association Tourism). Upon checking in, we explain that we regard each guests residence as their own private ‘sphere’ and that we will not intrude without our guests’ permission. While we do not service the residences on a daily basis, we are always on hand should assistance be required. A full service of the Residence is given on extended stays of 5 nights or longer after the third or fourth night.
Boroka Downs has 24 hour reception and your hosts Ron and Jo are available should you require anything day or night. We are fond of saying – there are just two things to remember, 9 is the number and NOTHING IS A PROBLEM.
Are any meals included in the tariff?
A Continental breakfast is included in the one night stays. Generous breakfast provisions are included in all of our package offerings except Accommodation Only packages. All residences have a complete kitchen (large fridge, dishwasher, microwave, gas cook top, oven, and all cooking and eating utensils) designed to make self- catering as easy as possible.
For evening meals we offer a small menu of "in house catering packs" featuring seasonal fresh produce for you to prepare or Halls Gap, a distance of 7 kilometres, has an array of restaurants and eating establishments.
When are off-peak times for the free night offer?
Off-peak times occur generally outside public holidays eg Easter, Melbourne Cup weekend, long weekends, and the period between Christmas and the first week in January. To check on specific dates, you will need to confirm availability for the free nights by e-mailing enquiries@borokadowns.com.au or phoning 03 5356 6243.
How will you confirm my reservation?
All reservations are confirmed on the day of receipt of the booking fee by e-mail, which will include directions on how to find us.
How long will it take to reach Boroka Downs?
Approximate traveling times are as follows:
- Melbourne CBD 3 hours;
- Port Fairy 2.5 hours;
- Adelaide 5.5 hours;
- Ararat 30 minutes;
- Apollo Bay 5.5 hours.
Can we feed the kangaroos?
You will see many kangaroos during your stay on Boroka Downs. All 306 acres has been given over to our native wildlife - kangaroos, wallabies and emus in particular. It is important to recognize that these animals are, and should remain, wild. Feeding creates dependency which is contrary to our goal of co-habitation with our natural environment in all its manifestations.
Can my reservation remain a surprise to my partner?
Certainly. Many guests here surprise their partners for a special occasion or celebration. We need to be made aware of where to discretely send confirmations (if indeed that is necessary) and after that, the keeping of the secret is up to you. You may also like us to order flowers to be in your residence upon arrival.
We are also committed to protecting our guests’ privacy before, during, and after their stay with us.
What information do you require to make a reservation?
Typically we will ask you for the following in completing a reservation:
- Name;
- Date of arrival;
- E-mail address;
- Verification of Tariff;
- Mobile phone number;
- Estimated time of arrival;
- Credit card details if paying by this method;
- Where you first heard about Boroka Downs e.g. which web site.
All information remains strictly private and will not be divulged to any other third party.
Your presence at Boroka Downs is also the business of nobody else. We decline to divulge your presence here should anyone ring inquiring – unless instructed otherwise by our guests.
How much deposit is required?
All multi-night reservations require a $250 booking fee and single night reservations $100. This may be paid using a Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit card, by direct deposit or by sending a cheque within three days of making the reservation. The cancellation policy is included in your confirmation email.
Can I pay for a gift certificate for someone else?
Gift certificates are available to be sent out to any person designated. They cost no more than the standard charges on the services stipulated in the Tariff and Other Services pages. Payment in full is required before we issue Gift Certificates.
What size is your spa and bed?
The spa is large and circular and designed for two persons with ease. The bed is a king-size.
Are there laundry facilities?
Each residence has its own individual laundry room complete with washing machine-dryer combination, sink, iron and ironing board.
Are there business facilities?
Each residence has a notebook jack for Internet connection and a phone for external dialling. Facsimile and photocopying are accessible from reception.
How serious are you about non-smoking inside?
Very;its the law. We have provided facilities for smokers on the decking outside of each residence. We emphasise the non-smoking nature of our accommodation both verbally when reservations are made and in written form when reservations are confirmed. Should prospective guests wish to smoke inside, Boroka Downs is not suitable for them.
What happens if I arrive and I am disappointed and don’t wish to stay?
We have no wish to have unhappy guests staying against their wishes. On the contrary, we do everything to provide our guests with the greatest possibility of enjoying themselves. In the unlikely event that, upon arrival, you are disappointed and unhappy to stay, we will fully refund your booking fee and do our best to find alternative accommodation for you.
How should one behave with the kangaroos and emus and other native animals?
As members of Land for Wildlife and Trust for Nature, we welcome all native animals on Boroka Downs.
The wonderful diversity of native animals on Boroka Downs is protected both by law and by our own policies. The animals enjoy pasture, water and protection on Boroka Downs. It is not neither desirable nor safe for guests to feed or approach them. They will tell you when you are too close by simply hopping away.
Under a Trust for Nature covenant, all 306 acres of land around the residences have been reserved particularly for the kangaroos. Kangaroos are nocturnal and come out every late afternoon to graze around the residences throughout the night. Usually you will wake to the sight of them not far from your bed! The kangaroos are not at all aggressive. On the contrary, should you try and approach the kangaroos they will quietly hop away to what they consider a safe distance.
After planting over 15,000 trees on the property, the native birds have responded favourably by using the property frequently. Dozens of Red-rumped parrots have occupied the driveway for the past two years. Gang-gangs regularly can be heard in the mornings and evenings. Eagles can be seen reasonably often by the sharp-eyed. A bird guide and high quality binoculars in each residence will help you identify the numerous other bird species that you will undoubtedly see during your stay.
What should we bring with us?
You should bring your favourite CDs or your ipod (dock provided) to make the best use of the surround sound stereo system.
You may wish to bring you favourite DVDs although Boroka Downs has its own complimentary DVD library which is accessible to all guests without charge. As far as we can gather, the DVD library on offer at Boroka Downs is the most extensive in Halls Gap.
Should you wish to self-cater, we recommend you bring all your food with you. There are Safeway, Coles and Aldi supermarkets in Ararat and, Safeway and IGA in Stawell.
How old is Boroka Downs?
The building of Boroka Downs was completed in April 2000. The buildings were designed with the help of two architects, an interior designer and the input of the two owners. The building process took more than nine months to design and about the same time to build. All five residences were first completed and fully occupied in April 2000 during Easter time.
How safe is Boroka Downs from bushfires in summer?
This question is very relevant after the bushfires of January 2006. As a result of good design and preparation, all residences remained virtually untouched by the fires. Having had a 'good burn' in 2006, we believe that this has greatly reduced the risk of fire in the coming years. Nevertheless, we remain vigilant for our guests.
Boroka Downs places the safety of its guest above all else. At the beginning of the summer period:
- Our bush fire plan and firefighting equipment is reviewed and prepared;
- The areas around the residences are slashed to minimise the risk of grass fires;
- Each residence has been built to maximise fireproofing;
- Each residence has its own water tank;
- Your hosts have had community fire guard training as well as holding a first aid certificate.
- There is designated safeer area at Pomonal (3 minutes away)
How far is Boroka Downs from the nearest restaurants?
Boroka Downs is just 7 kilometres from Halls Gap but a world away in terms of views, starry night skies, abundant native animals and peace and tranquility. A number of restaurants and takeaways can be found in Halls Gap should you wish to move from one world to the other. We are happy to make reservations and recommendations.
Do you cater for children and pets?
Boroka Downs has been set up with high quality equipment and furnishing to accommodate just one couple in each residence. Thus the property is unsuitable for children. However, babies in portacots are welcome.
Because of the constant presence of native wildlife on Boroka Downs, the property is not suitable for family pets.
Can we invite guests and show them the residence?
Unfortunately not. One the key features of Boroka Downs is the peace, privacy and seclusion. Extra cars and people detract from these characteristics and could disturb other guests.