We present this information online to save paper and our environment. If you would prefer to read a printed version, we do have a couple of copies available at reception.
Welcome to the Grampians / Gariwerd
Dear Awesome Guest,
Thank you for choosing the Gariwerd Motel for your stay here in the Grampians. We are here to make your stay the best it can possibly be, so please have a read through the information below, and let us know if there is anything we can help you with.
We hope that you enjoy your stay and consider staying with us again in the future. Oh and if you do decide to come back we would love to give you a discount. If you book direct with us either through our website or on the phone, we can give you a 5% discount if you quote the promotional code “SAVEME”.
Cheers
Angeline and Tony
Owners, Gariwerd Motel
Thank you for choosing the Gariwerd Motel for your stay here in the Grampians. We are here to make your stay the best it can possibly be, so please have a read through the information below, and let us know if there is anything we can help you with.
We hope that you enjoy your stay and consider staying with us again in the future. Oh and if you do decide to come back we would love to give you a discount. If you book direct with us either through our website or on the phone, we can give you a 5% discount if you quote the promotional code “SAVEME”.
Cheers
Angeline and Tony
Owners, Gariwerd Motel
The A to Z of the Gariwerd Motel
An online compendium for all things about our motel, and hopefully helpful hints for your stay here.
Thanks for joining us in the beautiful Grampians. Here’s a list of important (and some not so important) things you should know about so you can enjoy your stay even more than the people who don’t bother reading these things. Once you’ve studied this in detail, if you have any further questions, special requests, or unmet desires, please don’t hesitate to ask, we’re very happy to help if we can.
Air Conditioning & Heating
Halls Gap is really hot in summer, and really cold in winter. So we fully appreciate your desire to control your room’s climate wherever possible. However, we like to be mindful of our energy consumption, so we encourage you to use your climate altering powers responsibly. Please turn off your systems and lights when you leave your room.
All rooms have reverse cycle systems. Sometimes they take a while to respond, so it you’ve pressed a button and nothing has happened, just wait a minute. If you keep pressing buttons, the machine gets confused. If you’ve got hot air blowing and you want cold (or vice versa), press the mode button until the sun turns into a snowflake (or vice versa).
If you get confused, hold your hand up and feel the air. If it’s hot, that’s the heater; if it’s cold it’s the aircon. If there’s no air blowing, you may not have turned it on yet. Do that, then repeat.
BBQ’s
Gas BBQ’s are available around the grounds for you to use. BBQ cooking tools and cleaning products are available at reception or in the Guest Kitchenette (Room 5,see details below). If you need assistance lighting the BBQ’s, ask us at reception, we’re happy to help. If you need assistance cooking, just remember to turn your sausages regularly to cook them evenly, but don’t turn your steaks too often (it makes them tough). But watch out for the Kookaburras. We recommend cooking a couple of extra snags, just in case you lose one to a swooping feathered thief.
Blankets & Pillows
Spare blankets and pillows are located either in or on top of the cupboard in your room, depending on the height of the person who put them away. Sometimes they are in the little cupboard under the TV. Let us know if you can’t reach them, or if you need more.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day (your mother was right!). It’s also our favourite meal. We serve a delicious breakfast in the dining room each morning. Times vary and are posted in reception.
Broken or Damaged Equipment
If you find something that isn’t working properly, please let us know. Chances are we’ve got a spare one lying about in the shed somewhere, or it can be fixed with a bit of Gaffer Tape and/or WD40. If you broke said equipment, please tell us. We promise not to get cross, as we are sure it was probably an accident. If it broke while being thrown across the room Rock ‘n’ Roll style, you will need to replace it (the cost of that Rock n Roll lifestyle!). So if you must go all Rock ‘n’ Roll on us, we suggest you throw a toaster, and not a television.
Bugs
We are surrounded by natural bush, which is beautiful. And the unfortunate thing about the Australian bush is we have to share it with the bugs. Lots of bugs. Here are some hints and tips to help you avoid being badly bugged:
Remember that bugs are an important part of our ecosystem, so please try not to kill any of our wonderful native buglife (just kidding… swat ‘em if you got ‘em).
Bushfires
There are no jokes here. Bushfires are very serious, and potentially very dangerous. Please take the time to read the information provided in this compendium about the potential danger from bushfires in the Grampians. If you have any concerns, talk to us. If you are unlucky enough to be here during a time of high or severe fire risk we will do everything we can to ensure you are well informed and safe. Please listen to what we have to say, and if we ask you to leave, there’s probably a very good reason for it. Go. We’ll sort out the money later.
Bush Foods
You may have noticed that there are planter boxes outside the front of the motel and around the grounds. These contain indigenous bush foods that we hope to have ready for our guests to learn about and try as soon as they mature a bit more. Blake, our local indigenous food expert did this for us. You can read more about Blake and his bushfoods at www.blakesbushfoods.com.au.
Campfires
Campfires are much more fun than bushfires, and much less dangerous. Please don’t use our firepits from December through to the end of March, and watch out even outside these dates as we may have a total fire ban day, so no lighting up on those days as well. If confused, no problem just ask us!
There are a number of campfire areas to enjoy on our property and we have firewood for you to use. But we would really really appreciate it if you don’t let your campfire turn into a bushfire. The way to do this is to keep them small and under control, and don’t light one at all on total fire ban days (yes, they apply to you too). Also, put your fire out before going to bed by tipping a bucket of water over it. You will see a red bucket near the tap opposite room 18 to use.
Clock Radios, Hairdryers, Irons, Face Washers and Shower Caps
These are things that some hotels have in every room, so some people become quite distressed to find that we don’t. DON’T PANIC! They are available, and they are free to use. If you need any of these things, just ask us at reception. Actually, if you need anything at all, just ask us at reception. We are here to help.
Note: Please be aware that you are in the bush, and ironing and blowdrying your hair is completely unnecessary, unless you are going to a wedding, in which case, they are very, very necessary. If you are going to a wedding and you need an iron or a hairdryer, please let us know immediately. Especially if it is your wedding.
Check out
Checkout time is 10am unless you have made prior arrangements with us. A late checkout fee will apply if you check out later than this and we may charge you an extra day depending on the time of your departure. This gets really awkward and unpleasant for everyone, so please don’t let it come to that. If you are having trouble getting out in time, come talk to us. If you are staying in town for the day, we are happy to store your luggage while you go out exploring.
Cooking in rooms
Your room has a kettle, which pretty much limits you to cooking to making tea & coffee in your rooms. If you’d like to cook something more elaborate, we have a Guest Kitchenette (see below for more info). Please don’t cook in your room, and please don't cook anything inside your kettle. This is both a safety and a hygiene issue. Our rooms are not equipped for food preparation. If we do find the remnants of a grand cook-up in your room, we may have to charge additional cleaning fees, this includes cooking things inside the kettle. This will be $50 or more (depending on the degree of mess) as we may need to close the room down and fumigate.
Electric blankets
Electric blankets are on all beds, except the top bunks (cords, bunks, children - not a good combination). Setting 1 is the lowest heat setting and 3 is the warmest. Please don’t turn the electric blanket on in the morning and leave it on all day. I used to do that as a kid, and I’m lucky I didn’t burn the house down. Also energy & the environment & stuff. Don’t waste it.
Emergency procedures
If we need you to evacuate your room for any reason, the emergency assembly point is at the front of the motel on the grass. Please follow our instructions, we want everyone to get out of here alive.
Please report all emergencies immediately to reception so we can get the appropriate help underway.
Environmentalism
We are an environmentally conscious and focused motel. Living in the bush in these beautiful surrounds how can we not be!? We are not perfect and running a motel such as ours we can’t always avoid certain processes. But we are constantly looking for ways to make this motel more environmentally friendly. For example: we use green power, environmentally friendly cleaners wherever we can (Angeline makes most of them!), dispenser toiletries (less waste), recycled tissues and toilet paper and we have a comprehensive composting system and compost all the motel’s food scraps. Wherever possible we are using local products, reducing, recycling and reusing as much as we can. We often donate used materials to schools and various products within the community to reduce waste. Our passion for the environment is why we don’t automatically replace linen or towels unless it’s important to you (and therefore it’s important to us!) and you only have 1 bin in the room (less bin liners). Oh and there is also free food in the Guest Kitchenette.
You can help us and the world by placing clean recyclables (plastic and glass bottles, metal cans) in the recycling bins located around the grounds, rather than in the bins in your room. Or leave them separated on the bench and we’ll sort it out. It’s a small thing, but it makes a huge difference!
Facebook
Please like us! www.facebook.com/GariwerdMotel
Feedback
As relative newbies to the motel business we love getting your feedback. It really helps us to understand what we can do to improve the motel, and how we run it. We would also really, really love it if you would (pretty please!) make some wonderful and awesome comments on TripAdvisor and/or Booking.com, Wotif & Facebook. If you have un-wonderful comments to make, they are really really important too, so please tell us so that we can make changes and make our service even better.
Food
Food is important. Besides our delicious breakfast, we strongly suggest you eat some other meals as well. (Beer is not a meal, but may be considered a snack in some countries.)
There are a number of good restaurants and cafes in Halls Gap. We have a selection of menus in reception, and we are very happy to provide some recommendations. Unfortunately, no one in Halls Gap delivers, but let’s face it, nothing is very far away.
If you are stuck for options, struggling to decide, or have particular food requirements, please talk to us. We don’t want anyone going home hungry. Or thirsty. Did we mention we have drinks too? Well we do.
Games, DVD’s, Puzzles & Books
There is selection of DVD’s, board games, puzzles (jigsaw and other) and books available for you to use (for a gold coin donation) in the reception area. The Management of the Gariwerd Motel are not responsible for any disputes, arguments or break-ups directly or indirectly related to agreeing on a movie, or the winning and/or losing of board games provided by the Management and played on these premises. Especially Monopoly (Tony hates losing at Monopoly!).
Gariwerd
Gary-who? Gary-what? Tony gets called Gary a lot these days - it’s pretty funny! However, the name of this motel is pretty special. It’s the name the original owners and indigenous people call this area. The name is a marketing nightmare, I mean how do you say it? And the name isn’t really known outside this area. To help you, it’s pronounced “Gary-word”. We kept the name because it means something to this area, and that means it means something to us. Later in this compendium we have inserted the Aboriginal Dreamtime story behind the area. We hope you enjoy reading it. If you want to know more and are interested in Aboriginal culture go visit Brambuk as they have a slightly scary looking emu (fake, so not real and its eyes light up red - most kids love it!!) and a little movie that tells the story better than reading it.
Guest Kitchenette
Did we mention that there’s a Guest Kitchenette? It’s located in what used to be Room 5. It has all the C’s: cooking facilities, crockery, cutlery and chairs (also tables, but they don’t start with C). You can cook your own meals. You can either scurry back to your room to eat, or you might like to stay there and enjoy using the tables and chairs provided or eat on the grassed area out the back. You never know, you might even meet someone interesting while you are there. Please be aware of guests in neighbouring rooms, and keep the noise down. The Kitchenette closes at 10pm because the people in rooms 4 and 6 need their sleep.
Did you say free food?
You will see that we have a fridge in the kitchenette and all sorts of food hanging around. All this food is free for you to use. We believe in minimising waste, so if you can use it please do. If you have some food that you can’t take with you, or can’t use and it is safe to be shared, please leave it behind maybe someone can use it. Please be smart about this food, although we check the food every day and throw out meat stuff, please don’t eat anything that may be dodgy, if in doubt don’t!
Hammocks
You may notice some brightly coloured hammocks around the grounds. Please feel free to plonk yourself in one and relax. Unless there is already somebody in it. We haven’t load tested them, but we’re pretty sure two adults in one hammock is a bad idea. Possibly worse if you don’t know them, or perhaps it could be the beginning of a lovely friendship.
Kangaroos
We hope you love our local kangaroos as much as we do. They often visit us right here at the Motel (you’ll find them out the back hanging out around the BBQ’s). If you want even more Roo action, they love to hang out at the oval down the road every afternoon and evening (it’s not far).
Please don’t feed the Kangaroos. These are wild animals, who don’t understand the idea of “sometimes foods”. They like people food, and each time someone feeds them, they come to expect others to do so as well. This can lead to some of them (especially the big males) becoming more aggressive over time, and then they need to be put down. This is sad.
Also sad is road kill. When driving at night (and especially dusk and dawn), please be alert – kangaroos have absolutely no road sense. They like to jump in front of cars which is no good for them or your car! Please drive slowly, and pay attention to what’s on the side of the road, not just what’s in front of you. Stay straight and brake!!!
You will also need to watch out for kangaroo poo. It’s everywhere! We try to keep on top of it, but all they do is eat and poo, and they eat a lot!
Kiosk
There is a kiosk at reception. It has stuff you might like or need (see ‘Food’ above, and ‘Toiletries’ below). It’s open whenever Reception is open (see ‘Office Hours’ below). If there is something you really, really, “this just can’t wait for tomorrow” need and reception is closed, you can try ringing us on 03 5356 4445, we will probably answer the phone, but we may be a bit cranky if it is 3am and you want to buy a can of Coke to mix with your Scotch.
Laundry
Halls Gap doesn’t have a public laundrette, but we are happy to do a load of washing for you, starting from $15.00 a small load (approx 1 shopping bag full), up to $30 for a full load (about 2 shopping bags full). We ask that you sort your clothes out and we will wash what you give us. We won’t sort it!. Remember not to wash your reds with your whites.
Your clothes will come back to you clean and folded BUT we won’t be ironing them (see “Clock Radios, Hairdryers, Irons…” above). We do an overnight service, but if you want it quicker let us know and we may be able to get your washing back to you within a few hours (for an extra $5 charge). We will take great care with your washing, but no responsibility for loss or damage so please take care with delicate fabrics, colors, fluffy textures and blacks. We will be drying them in a dryer so best not to give us your suede jacket.
Liquor
We sell a range of wine and beer in our kiosk, specialising in the local stuff! Our prices are pretty much the same as the bottle shops in Halls Gap. So if you feel like a tipple come on and see us!
Massage, Kinesiology and other natural health
How are your muscles feeling after all that walking? We can arrange a massage for you in your room at the motel. Go on, treat yourself, you’ve earned it.
We also have a fantastic and highly experienced Certified Kinesiologist (Angeline - your host). Kinesiology is awesome at releasing stresses held in the body which manifest either in physical or emotional pain.
Nana town...
Halls Gap is a small town, lovely...but small! Sometimes business opening hours vary in the winter months and those days that aren’t too busy. Sometimes our lovely businesses don’t open at all! Sorry about that! Our restaurants also don’t open “European” hours so make sure you book or go to our restaurants before 8pm. After 8pm we sleep….zzz
Office Hours
Reception is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, all year until further notice, unless there is a note on the door saying otherwise. We do normally close reception between 10 and 2pm so we can get rooms ready. If reception is closed, you can always call us if you need us: the number is 03 5356 4445. We are usually not far away, and mostly sober.
Pets
Some of our rooms are pet friendly. We have welcomed dogs, cats and even rabbits. We love our furry, feathered and scaly creatures. Our pet rules are in this online compendium.. By having a pet here, you have agreed to our rules.
R.e.s.p.e.c.t
Please do respect the environment. Do not feed the wildlife or throw rubbish on the ground. As they say… take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints...and don’t talk back to your parents!
Room Servicing
We have found that most of our guests find daily servicing to be unnecessary, and prefer to have their privacy. So we have developed a servicing schedule designed to balance these needs. This is - you let us know what you like. If you want your bed made and new towels every day - we can do that! If it is important to you, it’s important to us! However, because of our environmental initiatives we ask that you do consider re-using your towels as the reduction of towels means less commercial washing which saves the Earth’s water, energy and environmental resources. But no judgement here if you do want new towels, we are happy to provide, so it’s no problem! :-)
AND if you need anything: tea, coffee, fresh towels, sugar, hairdryer, just let us know. It’s no problem! We will assume everything is OK unless you tell us. Longer stays may require a full servicing at the mid-point - no problem!
Smoking
Smoking is bad for you, but you already know that, what with all the warnings on the packets and such. We don’t judge, we’re both ex-smokers who occasionally fall off the abstinence train ourselves.
Please don’t smoke in or directly outside your room, it really stinks. Smoke outside in the garden area and use the ashtrays that are under the tables around the grounds. It’s a National Park, and the gutters flow into creeks, and the critters eat them, and they are not nutritious. Plus there have been some rogue kangaroos that are trying to give up the smoking habit and will do anything to get hold of your butts. Best not to enable them so please put your butts in the ashtrays outside. We will ensure that the ex smoking kangaroos (the ones giving up always look a little edgy) can’t get their paws on them.
If you smoke in your room, we usually have to close the room down for a few days as we need to wash everything and clean the carpet. If this happens, we will charge you a $100 fee for extra cleaning plus any lost revenue from the room closure. Which is more than the cost of 3 whole packets of cigarettes at current prices (damn Government!).
Things To Do
You are officially spoiled for choice. There is so much to do in and around the Grampians.
Please talk to us about your plans. Let us help you make the most of your time in this beautiful place. Whether you are here for one night or several, and whether you are an Olympic-level hiker or prefer your exercise in moderation, we can help you find the right combination of things to do while you are here. In fact, it’s one of our favourite things to do.
We have lots of brochures and other information at reception, and you will find some info and general information in this compendium. And if there is anything we can do to help you enjoy your stay even more, it will be our pleasure to do so. We can book tours, arrange activities, and give directions to all the major landmarks. Just ask us.
Toiletries
Forgot something? We have a range of toiletries and other necessities available to purchase from our Kiosk (see above), including toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, first aid supplies and more. If you need a shower cap you can have these for free - no problem!
TV’s and DVD players.
There is a TV and a DVD player in every room. If you can’t work out which remote does what, or which button to push, please ask us. Sometimes they can be a bit quirky. Being in the mountains the TV reception in Halls Gap is sometimes a bit dodgy. Sometimes is it quite unwatchable. When this happens, you can always come and borrow a DVD.
DVD’s are available to borrow from reception for only a gold coin donation. Please don’t steal them. If a DVD is not returned or you have damaged it we will charge you for a replacement DVD. If you have to steal one, please steal Sliding Doors. It’s a bit rubbish. We will still charge you to replace it, we’ll just replace it with something more watchable.
WiFi
WiFi is free and is available all over the motel (and a little bit down the street) There is a 1GB limit per day per device, but don’t worry that’s plenty to do all your internet-y stuff however possibly not to stream Netflix movies for over 2 hours. You can purchase extra data for not much though so you can enjoy your movies if you so want!
The network name is: Gariwerd Guest
The password is: hallsgap
But please don’t tell our neighbours!
And finally Z is for … Zoo
Go to the Halls Gap Zoo if you have time. It’s terrific!
Air Conditioning & Heating
Halls Gap is really hot in summer, and really cold in winter. So we fully appreciate your desire to control your room’s climate wherever possible. However, we like to be mindful of our energy consumption, so we encourage you to use your climate altering powers responsibly. Please turn off your systems and lights when you leave your room.
All rooms have reverse cycle systems. Sometimes they take a while to respond, so it you’ve pressed a button and nothing has happened, just wait a minute. If you keep pressing buttons, the machine gets confused. If you’ve got hot air blowing and you want cold (or vice versa), press the mode button until the sun turns into a snowflake (or vice versa).
If you get confused, hold your hand up and feel the air. If it’s hot, that’s the heater; if it’s cold it’s the aircon. If there’s no air blowing, you may not have turned it on yet. Do that, then repeat.
BBQ’s
Gas BBQ’s are available around the grounds for you to use. BBQ cooking tools and cleaning products are available at reception or in the Guest Kitchenette (Room 5,see details below). If you need assistance lighting the BBQ’s, ask us at reception, we’re happy to help. If you need assistance cooking, just remember to turn your sausages regularly to cook them evenly, but don’t turn your steaks too often (it makes them tough). But watch out for the Kookaburras. We recommend cooking a couple of extra snags, just in case you lose one to a swooping feathered thief.
Blankets & Pillows
Spare blankets and pillows are located either in or on top of the cupboard in your room, depending on the height of the person who put them away. Sometimes they are in the little cupboard under the TV. Let us know if you can’t reach them, or if you need more.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day (your mother was right!). It’s also our favourite meal. We serve a delicious breakfast in the dining room each morning. Times vary and are posted in reception.
Broken or Damaged Equipment
If you find something that isn’t working properly, please let us know. Chances are we’ve got a spare one lying about in the shed somewhere, or it can be fixed with a bit of Gaffer Tape and/or WD40. If you broke said equipment, please tell us. We promise not to get cross, as we are sure it was probably an accident. If it broke while being thrown across the room Rock ‘n’ Roll style, you will need to replace it (the cost of that Rock n Roll lifestyle!). So if you must go all Rock ‘n’ Roll on us, we suggest you throw a toaster, and not a television.
Bugs
We are surrounded by natural bush, which is beautiful. And the unfortunate thing about the Australian bush is we have to share it with the bugs. Lots of bugs. Here are some hints and tips to help you avoid being badly bugged:
- Don’t leave your door open with the light on, bugs love lights, and they will fill up your room to get to it;
- Don’t leave food out, ants love food, and they will fill up your room to get to it;
- Do ask us about natural insect repellants and lotions to sooth any itches and bites you might have (see ‘Kiosk’ below);
Remember that bugs are an important part of our ecosystem, so please try not to kill any of our wonderful native buglife (just kidding… swat ‘em if you got ‘em).
Bushfires
There are no jokes here. Bushfires are very serious, and potentially very dangerous. Please take the time to read the information provided in this compendium about the potential danger from bushfires in the Grampians. If you have any concerns, talk to us. If you are unlucky enough to be here during a time of high or severe fire risk we will do everything we can to ensure you are well informed and safe. Please listen to what we have to say, and if we ask you to leave, there’s probably a very good reason for it. Go. We’ll sort out the money later.
Bush Foods
You may have noticed that there are planter boxes outside the front of the motel and around the grounds. These contain indigenous bush foods that we hope to have ready for our guests to learn about and try as soon as they mature a bit more. Blake, our local indigenous food expert did this for us. You can read more about Blake and his bushfoods at www.blakesbushfoods.com.au.
Campfires
Campfires are much more fun than bushfires, and much less dangerous. Please don’t use our firepits from December through to the end of March, and watch out even outside these dates as we may have a total fire ban day, so no lighting up on those days as well. If confused, no problem just ask us!
There are a number of campfire areas to enjoy on our property and we have firewood for you to use. But we would really really appreciate it if you don’t let your campfire turn into a bushfire. The way to do this is to keep them small and under control, and don’t light one at all on total fire ban days (yes, they apply to you too). Also, put your fire out before going to bed by tipping a bucket of water over it. You will see a red bucket near the tap opposite room 18 to use.
Clock Radios, Hairdryers, Irons, Face Washers and Shower Caps
These are things that some hotels have in every room, so some people become quite distressed to find that we don’t. DON’T PANIC! They are available, and they are free to use. If you need any of these things, just ask us at reception. Actually, if you need anything at all, just ask us at reception. We are here to help.
Note: Please be aware that you are in the bush, and ironing and blowdrying your hair is completely unnecessary, unless you are going to a wedding, in which case, they are very, very necessary. If you are going to a wedding and you need an iron or a hairdryer, please let us know immediately. Especially if it is your wedding.
Check out
Checkout time is 10am unless you have made prior arrangements with us. A late checkout fee will apply if you check out later than this and we may charge you an extra day depending on the time of your departure. This gets really awkward and unpleasant for everyone, so please don’t let it come to that. If you are having trouble getting out in time, come talk to us. If you are staying in town for the day, we are happy to store your luggage while you go out exploring.
Cooking in rooms
Your room has a kettle, which pretty much limits you to cooking to making tea & coffee in your rooms. If you’d like to cook something more elaborate, we have a Guest Kitchenette (see below for more info). Please don’t cook in your room, and please don't cook anything inside your kettle. This is both a safety and a hygiene issue. Our rooms are not equipped for food preparation. If we do find the remnants of a grand cook-up in your room, we may have to charge additional cleaning fees, this includes cooking things inside the kettle. This will be $50 or more (depending on the degree of mess) as we may need to close the room down and fumigate.
Electric blankets
Electric blankets are on all beds, except the top bunks (cords, bunks, children - not a good combination). Setting 1 is the lowest heat setting and 3 is the warmest. Please don’t turn the electric blanket on in the morning and leave it on all day. I used to do that as a kid, and I’m lucky I didn’t burn the house down. Also energy & the environment & stuff. Don’t waste it.
Emergency procedures
If we need you to evacuate your room for any reason, the emergency assembly point is at the front of the motel on the grass. Please follow our instructions, we want everyone to get out of here alive.
Please report all emergencies immediately to reception so we can get the appropriate help underway.
Environmentalism
We are an environmentally conscious and focused motel. Living in the bush in these beautiful surrounds how can we not be!? We are not perfect and running a motel such as ours we can’t always avoid certain processes. But we are constantly looking for ways to make this motel more environmentally friendly. For example: we use green power, environmentally friendly cleaners wherever we can (Angeline makes most of them!), dispenser toiletries (less waste), recycled tissues and toilet paper and we have a comprehensive composting system and compost all the motel’s food scraps. Wherever possible we are using local products, reducing, recycling and reusing as much as we can. We often donate used materials to schools and various products within the community to reduce waste. Our passion for the environment is why we don’t automatically replace linen or towels unless it’s important to you (and therefore it’s important to us!) and you only have 1 bin in the room (less bin liners). Oh and there is also free food in the Guest Kitchenette.
You can help us and the world by placing clean recyclables (plastic and glass bottles, metal cans) in the recycling bins located around the grounds, rather than in the bins in your room. Or leave them separated on the bench and we’ll sort it out. It’s a small thing, but it makes a huge difference!
Please like us! www.facebook.com/GariwerdMotel
Feedback
As relative newbies to the motel business we love getting your feedback. It really helps us to understand what we can do to improve the motel, and how we run it. We would also really, really love it if you would (pretty please!) make some wonderful and awesome comments on TripAdvisor and/or Booking.com, Wotif & Facebook. If you have un-wonderful comments to make, they are really really important too, so please tell us so that we can make changes and make our service even better.
Food
Food is important. Besides our delicious breakfast, we strongly suggest you eat some other meals as well. (Beer is not a meal, but may be considered a snack in some countries.)
There are a number of good restaurants and cafes in Halls Gap. We have a selection of menus in reception, and we are very happy to provide some recommendations. Unfortunately, no one in Halls Gap delivers, but let’s face it, nothing is very far away.
If you are stuck for options, struggling to decide, or have particular food requirements, please talk to us. We don’t want anyone going home hungry. Or thirsty. Did we mention we have drinks too? Well we do.
Games, DVD’s, Puzzles & Books
There is selection of DVD’s, board games, puzzles (jigsaw and other) and books available for you to use (for a gold coin donation) in the reception area. The Management of the Gariwerd Motel are not responsible for any disputes, arguments or break-ups directly or indirectly related to agreeing on a movie, or the winning and/or losing of board games provided by the Management and played on these premises. Especially Monopoly (Tony hates losing at Monopoly!).
Gariwerd
Gary-who? Gary-what? Tony gets called Gary a lot these days - it’s pretty funny! However, the name of this motel is pretty special. It’s the name the original owners and indigenous people call this area. The name is a marketing nightmare, I mean how do you say it? And the name isn’t really known outside this area. To help you, it’s pronounced “Gary-word”. We kept the name because it means something to this area, and that means it means something to us. Later in this compendium we have inserted the Aboriginal Dreamtime story behind the area. We hope you enjoy reading it. If you want to know more and are interested in Aboriginal culture go visit Brambuk as they have a slightly scary looking emu (fake, so not real and its eyes light up red - most kids love it!!) and a little movie that tells the story better than reading it.
Guest Kitchenette
Did we mention that there’s a Guest Kitchenette? It’s located in what used to be Room 5. It has all the C’s: cooking facilities, crockery, cutlery and chairs (also tables, but they don’t start with C). You can cook your own meals. You can either scurry back to your room to eat, or you might like to stay there and enjoy using the tables and chairs provided or eat on the grassed area out the back. You never know, you might even meet someone interesting while you are there. Please be aware of guests in neighbouring rooms, and keep the noise down. The Kitchenette closes at 10pm because the people in rooms 4 and 6 need their sleep.
Did you say free food?
You will see that we have a fridge in the kitchenette and all sorts of food hanging around. All this food is free for you to use. We believe in minimising waste, so if you can use it please do. If you have some food that you can’t take with you, or can’t use and it is safe to be shared, please leave it behind maybe someone can use it. Please be smart about this food, although we check the food every day and throw out meat stuff, please don’t eat anything that may be dodgy, if in doubt don’t!
Hammocks
You may notice some brightly coloured hammocks around the grounds. Please feel free to plonk yourself in one and relax. Unless there is already somebody in it. We haven’t load tested them, but we’re pretty sure two adults in one hammock is a bad idea. Possibly worse if you don’t know them, or perhaps it could be the beginning of a lovely friendship.
Kangaroos
We hope you love our local kangaroos as much as we do. They often visit us right here at the Motel (you’ll find them out the back hanging out around the BBQ’s). If you want even more Roo action, they love to hang out at the oval down the road every afternoon and evening (it’s not far).
Please don’t feed the Kangaroos. These are wild animals, who don’t understand the idea of “sometimes foods”. They like people food, and each time someone feeds them, they come to expect others to do so as well. This can lead to some of them (especially the big males) becoming more aggressive over time, and then they need to be put down. This is sad.
Also sad is road kill. When driving at night (and especially dusk and dawn), please be alert – kangaroos have absolutely no road sense. They like to jump in front of cars which is no good for them or your car! Please drive slowly, and pay attention to what’s on the side of the road, not just what’s in front of you. Stay straight and brake!!!
You will also need to watch out for kangaroo poo. It’s everywhere! We try to keep on top of it, but all they do is eat and poo, and they eat a lot!
Kiosk
There is a kiosk at reception. It has stuff you might like or need (see ‘Food’ above, and ‘Toiletries’ below). It’s open whenever Reception is open (see ‘Office Hours’ below). If there is something you really, really, “this just can’t wait for tomorrow” need and reception is closed, you can try ringing us on 03 5356 4445, we will probably answer the phone, but we may be a bit cranky if it is 3am and you want to buy a can of Coke to mix with your Scotch.
Laundry
Halls Gap doesn’t have a public laundrette, but we are happy to do a load of washing for you, starting from $15.00 a small load (approx 1 shopping bag full), up to $30 for a full load (about 2 shopping bags full). We ask that you sort your clothes out and we will wash what you give us. We won’t sort it!. Remember not to wash your reds with your whites.
Your clothes will come back to you clean and folded BUT we won’t be ironing them (see “Clock Radios, Hairdryers, Irons…” above). We do an overnight service, but if you want it quicker let us know and we may be able to get your washing back to you within a few hours (for an extra $5 charge). We will take great care with your washing, but no responsibility for loss or damage so please take care with delicate fabrics, colors, fluffy textures and blacks. We will be drying them in a dryer so best not to give us your suede jacket.
Liquor
We sell a range of wine and beer in our kiosk, specialising in the local stuff! Our prices are pretty much the same as the bottle shops in Halls Gap. So if you feel like a tipple come on and see us!
Massage, Kinesiology and other natural health
How are your muscles feeling after all that walking? We can arrange a massage for you in your room at the motel. Go on, treat yourself, you’ve earned it.
We also have a fantastic and highly experienced Certified Kinesiologist (Angeline - your host). Kinesiology is awesome at releasing stresses held in the body which manifest either in physical or emotional pain.
Nana town...
Halls Gap is a small town, lovely...but small! Sometimes business opening hours vary in the winter months and those days that aren’t too busy. Sometimes our lovely businesses don’t open at all! Sorry about that! Our restaurants also don’t open “European” hours so make sure you book or go to our restaurants before 8pm. After 8pm we sleep….zzz
Office Hours
Reception is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, all year until further notice, unless there is a note on the door saying otherwise. We do normally close reception between 10 and 2pm so we can get rooms ready. If reception is closed, you can always call us if you need us: the number is 03 5356 4445. We are usually not far away, and mostly sober.
Pets
Some of our rooms are pet friendly. We have welcomed dogs, cats and even rabbits. We love our furry, feathered and scaly creatures. Our pet rules are in this online compendium.. By having a pet here, you have agreed to our rules.
R.e.s.p.e.c.t
Please do respect the environment. Do not feed the wildlife or throw rubbish on the ground. As they say… take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints...and don’t talk back to your parents!
Room Servicing
We have found that most of our guests find daily servicing to be unnecessary, and prefer to have their privacy. So we have developed a servicing schedule designed to balance these needs. This is - you let us know what you like. If you want your bed made and new towels every day - we can do that! If it is important to you, it’s important to us! However, because of our environmental initiatives we ask that you do consider re-using your towels as the reduction of towels means less commercial washing which saves the Earth’s water, energy and environmental resources. But no judgement here if you do want new towels, we are happy to provide, so it’s no problem! :-)
AND if you need anything: tea, coffee, fresh towels, sugar, hairdryer, just let us know. It’s no problem! We will assume everything is OK unless you tell us. Longer stays may require a full servicing at the mid-point - no problem!
Smoking
Smoking is bad for you, but you already know that, what with all the warnings on the packets and such. We don’t judge, we’re both ex-smokers who occasionally fall off the abstinence train ourselves.
Please don’t smoke in or directly outside your room, it really stinks. Smoke outside in the garden area and use the ashtrays that are under the tables around the grounds. It’s a National Park, and the gutters flow into creeks, and the critters eat them, and they are not nutritious. Plus there have been some rogue kangaroos that are trying to give up the smoking habit and will do anything to get hold of your butts. Best not to enable them so please put your butts in the ashtrays outside. We will ensure that the ex smoking kangaroos (the ones giving up always look a little edgy) can’t get their paws on them.
If you smoke in your room, we usually have to close the room down for a few days as we need to wash everything and clean the carpet. If this happens, we will charge you a $100 fee for extra cleaning plus any lost revenue from the room closure. Which is more than the cost of 3 whole packets of cigarettes at current prices (damn Government!).
Things To Do
You are officially spoiled for choice. There is so much to do in and around the Grampians.
Please talk to us about your plans. Let us help you make the most of your time in this beautiful place. Whether you are here for one night or several, and whether you are an Olympic-level hiker or prefer your exercise in moderation, we can help you find the right combination of things to do while you are here. In fact, it’s one of our favourite things to do.
We have lots of brochures and other information at reception, and you will find some info and general information in this compendium. And if there is anything we can do to help you enjoy your stay even more, it will be our pleasure to do so. We can book tours, arrange activities, and give directions to all the major landmarks. Just ask us.
Toiletries
Forgot something? We have a range of toiletries and other necessities available to purchase from our Kiosk (see above), including toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, first aid supplies and more. If you need a shower cap you can have these for free - no problem!
TV’s and DVD players.
There is a TV and a DVD player in every room. If you can’t work out which remote does what, or which button to push, please ask us. Sometimes they can be a bit quirky. Being in the mountains the TV reception in Halls Gap is sometimes a bit dodgy. Sometimes is it quite unwatchable. When this happens, you can always come and borrow a DVD.
DVD’s are available to borrow from reception for only a gold coin donation. Please don’t steal them. If a DVD is not returned or you have damaged it we will charge you for a replacement DVD. If you have to steal one, please steal Sliding Doors. It’s a bit rubbish. We will still charge you to replace it, we’ll just replace it with something more watchable.
WiFi
WiFi is free and is available all over the motel (and a little bit down the street) There is a 1GB limit per day per device, but don’t worry that’s plenty to do all your internet-y stuff however possibly not to stream Netflix movies for over 2 hours. You can purchase extra data for not much though so you can enjoy your movies if you so want!
The network name is: Gariwerd Guest
The password is: hallsgap
But please don’t tell our neighbours!
And finally Z is for … Zoo
Go to the Halls Gap Zoo if you have time. It’s terrific!
Press this button for information on what's available around Halls Gap
Recognition of the Wonders of the Grampians/Gariwerd
While most people know the mountain range as the Grampians. Aboriginal people have always known this place as Gariwerd.
We acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians whose lands we are fortunate to live and work on, and you can enjoy
and we pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
You can find out more about Dreamtime and the indigenous history by clicking here
We acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians whose lands we are fortunate to live and work on, and you can enjoy
and we pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
You can find out more about Dreamtime and the indigenous history by clicking here
