General Information

Some Background about Crystal Creek

Your hosts, Don and Jan McEwan purchased the 30-acre property in February 2002. The cottage was established, but there was open paddock where the house now stands. The cottage had been built in Werribee in 1996 then transported to Yackandandah in 1998. The previous owners established the garden and commenced a Bed & Breakfast business under the name of Crystal Creek Cottage.

We initially used the cottage as a weekender while developing plans for a new house and for the Farmstay/B&B Cottage business. The site preparation for the house commenced on 1st March 2003 with us operating as owner builders out of Melbourne, but ably supported by local builder LakeRise Homes. After selling up in Melbourne we moved to the cottage in July 2003 to take a more active part in finishing the house and establishing the business. We moved into the house during mid-October and the cottage opened for B&B on 1st November 2003.  Initially, we planned to take guests in the house but we have abandoned these plans for a few more years.

So far we've had a drought in 2000, flooding in 2002, bushfires in 2003 and a  huge storm in December 2005.  Thankfully we haven’t been affected by the bushfires this summer.

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Check In/Check Out

We often need to clean and set up the cottage for the next guests immediately after you leave, however if you want to stay longer please ask us.

Cottage check in time is after 2.00 PM

Check out time is before 11.00 AM

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Sleeping arrangements

The master bedroom has a Queen size bed, the second bedroom has a double bed and the third has bunks with a trundle.  The bunks have solid mattresses that are suitable for adults.

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Facilities

There's a washing machine and dryer in the laundry and a clothes-line in the garden.

There's a Kettle-style BBQ outside in the back courtyard and we have another 'spare' in the shed.  We keep a spare at all times down in the house shed.

The kitchen has a gas cooker and a microwave.

The lounge has a TV, CD/Stereo and DVD - we have a small selection of movies and music.

There are some books and games.

The air-conditioner is reverse cycle and we have ducted heating and a wood fire with plenty of firewood.

The bathroom has a bath with shower.

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Smoking

It's a no smoking cottage, although you can smoke outside on the veranda.  We ask guests to dispose of their butts in the outside bin.

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Pets

Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement.  We have a kennel outside with a couple of chains if you want to use them. We don't mind dogs inside but we prefer them to sleep in the laundry.  We do have a rule that dogs should never be left alone inside the cottage or loose around the property and we like to know if a dog is going to be left chained to the kennel during the day.

Our dogs will sometimes come up to visit and check out the canine guests but we've never had a problem with fighting.  Just let us know if our dogs are bothering you and we'll work out a way to deal with it.

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Telephone

The telephone in the cottage is restricted to local and emergency calls. If you need to give someone the number it is (02) 6027 1229. If you want to call us at the house our number is 6027 0686, Don’s mobile is 0425 752 274 and Jan’s is 0417 434 097.

Mobile coverage for Telstra (and Orange) is supported by the tower just opposite the entrance to Haring Lane and reception is generally reliable. Optus and Vodafone don't work from the cottage.

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Bed linen

You will find extra linen, blankets and pillows in the linen cupboard in the hallway – you should be able to find something to warm you or cool you as needed.

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Take care around the property

You are welcome to walk around the property and explore the variety of settings. Please be careful around the gulley behind the cottage and the cliffs this side of the creek. These have been sluiced by gild miners in the past and there are some very steep drops in some places and it may be that the sides have been eroded - so keep yourselves and especially children well away from the edges.

Also be careful on any steep slopes. The gritty nature of the ground makes it very slippery when it's hot and dry.

Watch out for electric fences. We usually turn them off when guests are in the cottage, but it's best not to rely on this without first checking in the cottage shed that the unit is switched off. A "hot" wire stretches along the outside of the front cottage garden fence.

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Wildlife

There are some beautiful birds around the cottage. Red breasted Robins in winter and Blue Wrens throughout the year. There will be seeds in the feeder on the wattle tree at the front - this attracts Rosellas, Galahs and Parrots. And it you look up into the sky you will often see Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring and flocks of Ibis that descend to the dams.

On certain occasions you may see an echidna or even a tortoise strolling by. There are plenty of Wallabies and Kangaroos and you may even see some near-white Sambar Deer that have come out from the nearby forest. You will see a lot of rabbits, particularly up the driveway, and you may see an occasional fox.

The cottage garden sits in a bush setting and we can't ignore the possibility that you may encounter a snake - particularly in spring and early summer. Please be vigilant in long grass, around wood and rock piles and around water; and make sure you wear sturdy footwear in these areas. If you do happen to see a snake, the best approach is to leave it alone and not attempt to chase it or kill it.

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Our animals

Our guests usually enjoy the company of Jaren and Buster.

Jaren is a fairly old Labrador-Spaniel cross. We also call him Black Dog, Fat Dog, or Edgar (for J Edgar Hoover because he vacuums up crumbs).

Buster is a mischievous young Staffie who we got after our previous dog, Max, died.  Max was a real favorite with guests at the cottage and Buster looks like he’ll be taking his place.

Both of the dogs are friendly, but please don't feed them in case they start to expect it and become a nuisance to others.

Our horse is ca11ed Seymour, he's a 14-year-old Thoroughbred. His racing name was Seymour Sky. He's rea11y gentle and friendly, but please exercise caution at all times.

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Eating out

It's best to book ahead on weekends at the pubs.  Both offer Bistro-type meals and typical counter meals and they also do take-aways. On Sunday nights the Bottom Pub offers $10 roasts in winter and a cheap DIY BBQ in summer; the Top Pub offers a $10 Chicken Parma on Sunday nights in addition to their normal menu.

KG’s restaurant is at the Keeble’s Garden center on Back Creek Road on the way into town from the cottage.  It's open for breakfast and dinner at the weekend and during the days for snacks and lunches.

There are a number or other places to eat in the town during the day.

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This page last modified on 02/02/2007