Our How-To Guide For Guests

Thank you for choosing Watch The Whales as your holiday home. Since we’re unable to personally give you a guided tour, we’ve provided this how-to guide to help you become familiar with our house and its features. Please take the time to read through it so that you’ll know all the important information to help you have an optimal stay.

Accidents

We understand that accidents happen. To allow us to arrange replacement or repair, please advise of any issues or breakages.

Arrival

Please call us on arrival (0400 119055) for us to remotely open the garage for you. Keys (2 sets) are in a bowl on the dining table. Please leave the keys on departure. We can remotely close the garage door if you prefer.

Bath/Shower (bathroom middle level)

When using as a bath, pull the handle and button (underneath the handle) outwards. To use as a shower, pull the handle outwards and push the button in. (You may need to twist it around a bit)

Bedroom 2 (closest to the garage)

We invite guests to use the egg chair. However, please do not swing on it.

BBQ

Use the long-handled lighter to light the exposed burner. The igniter is not working and we are trying to have it fixed.

Clothesline

The clothesline is located on the verandah of the entry level. You will see a piece of metal affixed to the bearer, and an orange rope affixed to the wall. See image 1.

Release the orange rope and reattach on the looser setting. The clothesline fixing point will now be in position. See image 2.

Next, locate the housing for the clothesline. See image 3.

Pull the clothesline out and attach to the fixing point. See image 4.

Lock the clothesline in position by identifying the locking mechanism. See image 5.

Push the locking mechanism up to lock the clothesline in position. See image 6.

Coffee machine

Make yourself a delicious cup of coffee using the steps below. Please do not attempt to descale the machine, as this can overheat the fuse causing machine failure.

1. Ensure there is sufficient water in tank by checking the clear window. The water level should be below MAX yet visible above the bottom of the window.

2. Press POWER button which should illuminate. If this does not occur, ensure steam wand and hot water are both closed.

3. When 93 degrees is displayed, discharge water from the steam head by lifting the lever on the right of the machine upward, while the wand is pointed over the machine's grate. CAUTION - HOT! Then close (lower) lever.

4. Pre-heat the group head and cup/s. Add coffee to filter basket. Tamp gently. Overfilling will result in slow drip extraction. Select single or two cup option using buttons on upper right of machine to begin extraction, with heated cups placed under filter basket dispensers.

5. Half-fill jug with cold milk. Insert steam wand to the 3 o'clock position and slowly lift the steam lever to the open position. Stop when the jug is hot to the touch. Lower the lever to the closed position.

6. Run steam to clear milk from the wand. Wipe wand after each use.

Departure

Please close all windows and lock all doors except the front screen door, ensuring front glass door is closed and locked. Departure time is 10am. Please leave keys on the kitchen table. Exit through the garage door which can be operated with the wall-mounted button. Note that there is sensor that will cause the garage door to open if it is triggered. The sensor is positioned low near the bottom of the garage door track. Simply stopover the sensor, or call us to close remotely (0400 119055).

Dishwasher

The machine operates best on the "normal" setting. Spare rock salt and rinse aid is available in the cupboard under the sink.

Dryer

The dryer is a condenser, so there is a drawer on the upper left of the machine which slides out to reveal a water container. This should be emptied after each use, as should the lint filter in the door. To empty the water container, simply slide back the yellow door on the top and pour into the sink. To empty the lint filter, lift it out of the door using the plastic handle, remove the lint by gently pulling or rolling it away with your fingers and replace the filter in the door. The best setting for drying is COTTONS Normal (2 o'clock position).

Garage doors

The top button on the remote operates the larger garage door. One press to either open or close. The bottom button opens the smaller garage door.

Gas

The gas is supplied in LPG bottles. These supply the hot plates and the barbecue.

Iron

An iron and ironing board is available in the laundry.

Kitchen

Please note that the water in the kitchen sink is VERY HOT. Return the tap to the right to prevent accidental burns.

Laundry chute

There is a laundry chute in the main bedroom, on the right hand side before you walk into the ensuite.

Lift

The lift is a valuable tool for those with mobility issues and to move shopping etc. Please ensure it is treated respectfully. It must be returned to the lower level, or it will frequently re-level, light up and "talk". Do not turn lift off. Doing so flattens the battery and may result in a fee.

Living room

The four windows to the right of the lift are operated by remote control, which should be located on the shelf below them.

Outdoor hoses

There are multiple hoses outside for you to use. There is a hose/shower next to the driveway, hoses in the front and back yards, and a hose on the middle and top verandah. After use of these, please make sure to turn them all the way off at both the tap and the nozzle. (Twist)

Pianos

We welcome visitors using our pianos in a gentle and respectful manner. They are used annually for the Stradbroke Chamber Music Festival, so please treat them with care. Nothing is to be placed on the pianos.

Rubbish

Bins are collected on Monday morning. Please place on the footpath on Sunday night.

Sheets

We use a local linen service to provide sheets, bath towels and tea towels. Please bring your own beach towels.

Television

Using the Samsung remote, press the Home button (little house) to display a taskbar at the bottom of the screen. From here, you can navigate to the app you would like to view by using the outer circle button on the remote, eg. click at 3 o’clock to move right. Navigate to the app of choice, then select using the inner button in the circle. Guests can use the Stradbroke Guests tab to view Netflix, or press the Home key to exit Netflix. See image 7.

To watch Foxtel, navigate to the app and use the Foxtel remote. Please note that the Foxtel box must be on (power button is blue).

To watch a DVD, press the Home button on the Samsung remote. Scroll left to the Source button, and select blu-ray. Use the LG Blu-Ray Disc player remote to view a DVD.

• Bedroom

  Using the Samsung remote, press the red power button. Channel up or down using the P button.

• Lower level

  Using the Panasonic TV remote, press the red power button. Change volume or channel using the relevant button.

Toilets

Please note that the house operates on a septic system. Nothing other than toilet paper is to be flushed. Only vinegar should be used to clean the toilets.

Washing machine

Slowly rotate the dial clockwise through the Finish/Start position (12 o'clock) to the Quick Wash position (11:30 position, just before Finish/Start) for the best wash cycle.

Have a question? We’re here to help.

Our guests are our priority so if you have a question or concern please get in touch and let us know.