Tolka Cottage is a wildlife haven, located 20 minutes from Casterton, home of the famous Kelpie Festival, only 1 hour from the Coonawarra Wine Region and Mt. Gambier and 1 1/2 hours from the Great Ocean Road, Nelson and Portland on the coast & the Hamilton/Grampians Region.
The Cottage is a short walk to the Glenelg River where you can see platypus, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas & over 140 species of birds including the endangered Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
Sole occupancy facilities include a formal sitting room & sunroom, 3 bedrooms (one queen sized, one double & one with 2 single beds), bathroom with shower & toilet, fully equipped kitchen & outdoor entertaining area with barbecue.
The Cottage provides luxurious linen, towels & continental quilts, electric blankets, reverse cycle air conditioning, colour TV, DVD & stereo/CD player, books & games.
Surroded by Wilkin Flora & Fauna Reserve, famed for native orchids, abundant & rare wildlife.
You can walk, fish, canoe, bird, swim and spot platypus!
Enjoy eggs from our poultry & produce from our garden.
Your horses & dogs are invited to visit.
The Cottage has a dog proof garden and you are welcome to bring your dogs. We also have secure dog pens if you wish to avail of them. Food & water bowls can be provided, if required. Please supply a current vaccination certificate prior to arrival.
PET FRIENDLY INFORMATION
All dogs are welcome, larger dogs must remain outside only unless prior arrangements are made. Small dogs are allowed inside provided they are fully house trained.
Of course, they are not allowed on any furniture or beds.
Kennels can be provided for dogs if you wish to leave them while you explore the local area.
SURROUNDINGS
You are more than welcome to explore our beautiful surroundings but we do ask you keep your pets on a lead when walking through the paddocks and bush.
There are numerous wild kangaroos, emu and domesticated stock and we would like your pets and our animals to stay safe. There is plenty of space for your animals to enjoy the fenced in garden.
WHAT TO BRING
• Your pets bedding
• A lead
CONDITIONS
• Please pick up all droppings in a bag and deposit in the rubbish bin provided at the back of the laundry.
• Please no barking.
• Make sure your four legged friend doesn’t damage the screen doors or windows.
• Be aware that we have female unsprayed dogs on the property.
• Your dogs must be fully immunised.
PLEASE BE ADVISED
In order to avoid embarrassment or disappointment we advise in advance that additional charges will apply if:
• More cleaning than usual is required because of your dog
• Dogs have been inside our accommodation without prior agreement
• There is any damage to our property
If you wish to travel to Tolka with your horses, you are welcome to do so.
There are horse paddocks, yards and stables all available at an extra cost, during your stay.
If you wish to leave your horse here for some days before or afterwards: Horse agistment/boarding facilities can be provided for $15 per day in yards and $20 per day in stable. Horse health certificates for tetanus/strangles & worming must be currentand supplied in advance of arrival.
A Hidden Delight for those who are looking for a stop over for a couple of nights or longer
This is a secret corner of Australia, undiscovered by mass tourism. A hidden delight for the connoisseur.
It will suit those who are travelling from Melbourne to Adelaide, or those who are on the route to, or from, the Great Ocean Road and/or the Limestone Coast. The Cottage makes an ideal stop over, for a couple of nights, for a complete chill out.
It provides a retreat for those who wish to enjoy the many festivals at Mt. Gambier and Coonawarra, but who want to have the freedom to escape from the crowds, at the same time.
The Cottage has an outdoor entertaining area with a gas barbeque and, in winter and outside fire restriction periods, guests may light fires for picnics on the property.
The farm with its wild areas, left unspoilt to encourage wildlife and its billabong will enrapture the unadventurous.
Those who venture into the Wilkin Flora & Fauna Reserve which surrounds Tolka, will be treated to a botanical delight, rich in native wild flowers, orchids and fungi.
The Casterton Horse Races take place several times a year and are a fun day out for the family and Tolka is ideally suited as a base for race goers, especially, if they wish to tap into Ivy's expert knowledge of the racing world.
Tolka Cottage is always in demand for the Casterton Kelpie Festival each June. The Kelpie breed of dog originated in this area and is celebrated with the Kelpie Muster, the Festival and Working Dog Auction. So book early.
Please note 2 nights minimum stay on weekends and public holidays. Kelpie festival minimum 3 nights stay, four adults.