Waratah Cottage in Halls Gap, Victoria | Cottage

Waratah Cottage

Locality: Halls Gap, Victoria

Phone: +61 427 868 670

Address: Wattletree Road 3381 Halls Gap, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.waratahcottage.net.au

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25.01.2022 Quiet Friday night! Hopefully visitors will be allowed back to the Grampians soon!

25.01.2022 Whilst weekends are booked for October, still plenty of mid week stays available. If keen and able to getaway throughout October get in touch and explore the Grampians!

24.01.2022 Peaceful 25 degrees today. Slightly more comfortable than 45 yesterday!

23.01.2022 Photos from last weekend's snow fall up on Mt. William, the highest mountain of the Grampians National Park. We were up well before sunrise, with the stars stil...l out at Grampians Paradise, and the clouds covering the top of Mt. William. The hope was for a sunrise in the snow on Mt. William. Not this day, but still a great adventure close to home. See more

22.01.2022 The normally bustling tourist town of @Halls Gap, Victoria is looking more like a ghost town during the COVID-19 lockdown. How keen are you to get back to The Grampians, Victoria, Australia?

22.01.2022 Wood supply restocked ready for winter!

21.01.2022 Venus Baths and Chatauqua Peak

19.01.2022 Sun/Rain/Sun in the Gap

19.01.2022 Just waiting to open up again!

18.01.2022 Is it just about climbing?... My perspective after 20 years as a climbing guide in the Grampians. I write this in loving memory of my brother Ben Earl 15/08/73-... 04/03/19, for my family and friends the Traditional owners of Gariwerd (the Grampians), the climbing community and importantly to all the climbing guides and climbers in the world that may or may not know how important you are. I do not consider myself as an articulate individual with words, nor a great story teller, though I hope you are able to read this and find something here that resonates for you. Moving to the Grampians from the hustle of Melbourne in August 1999 to work as an outdoor adventure guide, I cemented a new love and passion for the Grampians and rock climbing. I had no idea of where this would take me, the people I'd meet, the life I'd live and the impact I'd have on people's lives through my work. This year is my 20th year as a guide here. My work has meant so much to me. Not just to support my life here, mainly to give my life the sustenance it requires. I like helping people in need. Always did. I had worked with at risk youth and young adults many times and was able to easily connect and facilitate knowledge or learnings that would empower them and hopefully assist them in their life ahead. But nothing had prepared me for the day when my brother called me from Beaufort, fuelling up his motorbike, just an hour down the road and said, "what are you doing?" It was summer around 2001. I said, nothing much, what about you? Ben replied I'm on my way to Adelaide, I've a date with a truck! Thought I might stop by if your around?. What do you mean, a date with a truck. He replied, I'll tell you when I see you. Awesome I'll catch you soon then. And he soon rode towards my abode in the bush, known to locals as The Shack. Waiting out on the road, I wave him into the the bush track that accesses the Shack. He didn't know what to expect as he arrived to see my tent and the wooden shack that had no bathroom, no kitchen, windows but no glass, no power, no plumbing, no flat ground for his bike - after all it was just a shack. I place a piece of stringy bark under his bike-stand so it wouldn't move in the sand and cause his bike to fall over. It was definitely an eye opener for him, from the hustle of Smelbourne (no harm intended) and suburban life to see me, set up at the Shack. Though once you arrive at such a place you start to connect back. Back to those primal roots embedded deep in us all, become calm, smell the bush and see through different eyes. What did you mean when you said, a date with a truck I asked? Ben then told me that he was going to ride his bike towards Adelaide into an on-coming truck and end his life! That he just decided for some reason to call me and perhaps to see me. This definitely took me for surprise to hear this. What could I do? How could I help him? I had helped many people, but none that I thought were suicidal. This was a big deal and he was my brother after all and us brothers connect, no matter what the situation is. Only one thing to do-that was to take him climbing. I wanted to show him that there's more to life. To most non-climbers, I accept that you may think that taking someone climbing may not stop someone from being suicidal, or empower them through their depression or some other mental illness. But it was the only card I had to play. Climbing had changed my life; perhaps it'll help with my brother's. So I took him to the local crag called the Watchtower and we walked steeply up to the base of the crag. His tobacco filled lungs had not felt this alive for some time! Just reaching the base and seeing what loomed above him was invigorating enough, I sensed him now with some excitement and amazement pumping through his heart as he did not know what to expect. I also saw that he was proud of me to have taken up such a passion. I sort out the gear, we tie in and I start the ascent up the cliff to a position 25 meters above. I anchor myself and set-up so that Ben may safely ascend on the other end of the rope. For the 10-15 minutes as he climbed up towards me, he was out of my sight. He was just by himself, nothing else could matter - no history, no future, just him and his decisions, connected to the rock face, a relationship to the earth he had not felt before. And to then present himself at the top, to see the view around him and to see the world now through different eyes, this was more than clear to both of us. All that was needed from my brother was a nod, the recognition of a reset, a re-connection to the earth and himself. This is what I call, the real world and I am fortunate to see this living and climbing in the Grampians (Gariwerd). I tell many people that to see the world through these eyes looking out upon the real world can change the way your see your life. That life you live with all the stresses, pain and complications can seem so far away, perhaps unnecessary or without such challenge seen from this perspective. Suddenly you may see differently. Fulfilled with life, recharged and empowered, he rode back to Melbourne, sought the help he needed and carried on. Made a family with three amazing kids and continued to be a great Dad and friend to so many people around him. Now 18 years later, I wish I had that opportunity before he made that final decision, to re-connect him to the real world and recharge his heart, empower his mind, take him on another climb to reunite him with the real world he had not seen for so many years. This recent event in my life with him passing on, my role a as climbing guide, and the current situation in the Grampians National Park regarding the profile of climbing and climbers has inspired me to speak out about how important the role of a climbing guide and climbers can be. As we have helped so many people over so many decades reconnect themselves, rediscover the real world, become aware, empowered once again, see through different eyes to make their world and the world a better place and all this, through a simple climb! And for me, all this, in this amazing place, Gariwerd-the Grampians. I do not intend to speak for all climbers, offend or disrespect anyone or peoples. Just in hope to share my knowledge or experiences, that a greater awareness may provide a positive light in the dark time I have experienced. Gariwerd is such a special place. There's no wonder so many people's ashes have been cast here. I sincerely thank the Traditional Owners for their part in sharing Gariwerd with the greater community. I hope their culture will be kept intact and that all visitors will have only more awareness when visiting the Park. We need to respect the Traditional Owners and I'm sure the Traditional Owners will love to know that all kinds of people have been touched deeply by climbing in Gariwerd, that the majority climbers and the people they introduce to Gariwerd through climbing, would naturally give recognition to this land, find an enhanced respect to the history here through climbing, have a heightened connection to the earth that is found atop of a cliff while looking out upon this aged landscape, where the modern world is not seen and the real world prevails. To the Traditional Owners of Gariwerd, Parks Victoria all climbing guides and climbers alike, I hope we can still benefit, save lives, reconnect people to mother earth and themselves through the spirit of Gariwerd and climbing for the years to come. Earl. Business owner of Hangin' Out, lover of Gariwerd, helping people and rock climbing. Please help broaden peoples understanding of climbing and share with your friends.

17.01.2022 Lovely day in Halls Gap!

11.01.2022 Hey guys, As we all feel helpless throughout the fires through Aus at the moment my family have found our way to help out! We will be offering temporary stabi...lisation for horses affected and evacuated from the fires. Our property is located in central Victoria, Baringhup! We have room to accomodate a large number of horses. The paddocks are big enough to accommodate 2 horses each and all have shelters, undercover boxes available also. We have big paddocks for mares and foals and can also accomodate for stallions too. My phone number is -0478926850 Feel free to send me a text/call if you need to drop your horse and float off! We will look after your babies for you Please share!

11.01.2022 Weekend renewal!

11.01.2022 Lovely night in the Gap

11.01.2022 Take a peek at what all the fuss will be about. Our menu is now viewable and can be seen on our socials as well as our website. Want a hard copy? Our take away ...menues will be available outside Raccolto from the end of today. Online ordering and table reservations are available via our website. We'll be open on Thursday 19 November and can't wait to see you!

06.01.2022 HUGE News :: Online Shop Open! with Australia-wide shipping This is the biggest news for our young little brewery in quite some time. We just can't sit still... at Paper Scissor Rock Brew Co. We've used lockdown #2 to invest into larger capacity canning options and now we can proudly send it out to you, our loyal fans, just about anywhere across Australia. Build up your own 'PSR 12 Box' with 4Packs and Merchandise, or just order a whole case of your favourite Pale Ale delivered straight to your door. We know a few of you have been asking for this for a while, and we thank you for your patience and support. Good things take time, but when our fans ask, we always do our best to deliver! We ship every Monday-Tuesday from our little country town, so jump on over and place your order this weekend at https://paperscissorsrock.beer/shop/ #shop #online #independent #craftbeer #brewery #hallsgap #grampians

06.01.2022 Overcast but peaceful!

03.01.2022 Hey Legends, A few changes to operating hours due to a slight staff shortage. We will still operate breakfast lunch & dinner every day, however we will be clos...ed 3pm - 5pm. Also wood fired pizza will currently only be available Thursday - Sunday from 5pm. We're trying really hard to get a few more staff on board, so please reach out if you know of anybody looking for work (kitchen and front of house).

02.01.2022 OPENING 26/12 - come down on Saturday from 11am to try one of our 20+ flavours of gelato!! You now have exciting Boxing Day plans #gelatoguys #hallsgap #thegrampians

02.01.2022 A little damp today but still good to be open again!

02.01.2022 Holiday weather!

01.01.2022 STAYING COVID SAFE Visitor numbers are expected to soar in the Grampians this weekend, with people eager to break free from isolation. That's why we are put...ting up signage reminding people services are limited due to COVID-19 and to be kind to each other. The impact of COVID-19 restrictions may cause a decrease in service levels around Halls Gap. We ask everyone to respect local communities as we all work to get back on our feet. Please observe appropriate hygiene measures to keep everyone safe. Please follow directions of signage, give 1.5 metres allowance between yourself and others, and be courteous to locals and visitors alike. Local businesses have done a magnificent job in meeting their COVID-19 operating requirements and we wish everyone a wonderful long weekend.

01.01.2022 Open for bookings again. Escape for couple of nights and enjoy the views and peacefulness of the Grampians.