Towerhouse 1 is a beautiful alpine property centrally located in Dinner Plain Village. This property had a kitchen and bathroom update in 2015 and comes with all the amenities you would need.
The main lounge and living area is spacious with two rectangular dining tables that will comfortably seat 8 adults. The lounge area and separate TV room allows adults and kids plenty of space to find their own spot to relax. There is a curtain to divide these rooms a little. The 40 inch TV in the TV room has all standard digital TV channels and a DVD player. It will of course play movies off a laptop via HDMI (BYO cables). The TV on the mezzanine is a flat screen 32 inch that plays DVDs only. There is a stereo system on the buffet under the stairs that takes bluetooth and headphone input audio signals.
There is a full size tiled entry and boot area with loads of hangers for jackets, skis and outdoor gear. Please be careful of our walls and floor tiles. Full size drying room with two drying hanger racks and shelf for gloves and boot pegs: more than enough space for ski gear for 8 people. A euro laundry cupboard with 3 year old front loader washing machine and basic tumble dryer (laundry soap supplied). The separate toilet completes the ground floor.
The second level has a full size master bedroom with its own ensuite (shower, basin and toilet). A bunkroom that sleeps 4 leads to a good-sized queen size loft bedroom above. This second level also has a large central bathroom. Please note, there are ladder stairs to the loft bedroom (like a steep staircase with handrail and flat grippy treads). FIne for kids and adults but not ok for anyone with mobility issues. The loft is a mezzanine above the second bedroom on one side, wood panels give privacy but it is open above the handrail.
The lounge has a lovely stone open fireplace and there is a large woodshed outside.
The house heating is electric panel Noirot heaters: silent and effective. The hallway and drying room are also electric panel heated. PLEASE - no clothing or towels on top of heaters, they get reasonably hot and may damage your gear, and as they are electric panels they won't go well with wet gear. We have installed underfloor insulation, so its very cosy in the lounge/dining area. Also since 2015 we have had a Rinnai gas inline hot water system, so no water tank to run out but same as anywhere, be mindful of water usage.
The kitchen is small but very effective: 4 burner gas hob, electric oven (84cm wide). Compact microwave and full size Bosch dishwasher (powder supplied). There is a full range of cooking equipment, pans, pots, serving bowls, water jugs, cutlery and plain white plateware. Of course there is a kettle and toaster. We supply a nespresso machine and nespresso milk frother with a handful of capsules to get you started. BYO nespresso pods to keep you going. As you would expect, please leave it as you found it. There is 2-3 year old fridge freezer, 420litre I think. Like the kitchen, the pantry is compact but effective.
Towerhouse has a mirror image house (Towerhouse 2) as you will see in the photos. We share the wide front driveway which fits 4 cars across with some co-operation. Please note, there are 2 spaces available in front of each house, 4 in total. We also have another spare space on the grass to the right of the driveway for a third car depending on how snowy it gets on the front yard. There is NO PARKING on the street sides in DP anytime, anywhere, especially in winter - don't take on the snow clearing machinery. Any excess cars need to go to the overnight car park at the bottom of the DP ski run.
Also be aware that, in winter, the road is ONE WAY ONLY for a section in front of our house, from main roundabout to further down the hill. Do not drive the wrong way, it is very dangerous on busy icy roads for cars and pedestrians and you will get caught out at the main roundabout.
There's no fuel on the mountain. Make sure you fill up as you pass through Bright or Omeo. In the snowy months, consider diesel antifreeze fuel additive to prevent your diesel engine sludging up after very cold nights. Diamond pattern chains are required to be carried by all vehicles over these months too. You can hire them in Harrietville and Omeo.
The front door has a Lockwood electronic door lock. A passcode is required and will be sent to you prior to your stay. NOTE - place you whole hand over the dark keypad to light it up, then enter the code, then press the unlock key. Very easy. To lock the door, just close the door and place a hand over the keypad to lock - you will hear the lock close up.
The back and side of the house off the deck area open flat areas, plenty of space for kids to play and make a snowman. ALWAYS be mindful of overhanging roof edges and falling snow, this happens suddenly and can release very large, dangerous amounts of snow from any building in the alpine area. However, there is no fenced yard, in fact, no fences at all in DP to retain its unique open village character.
Finally, some rental etiquette rules...
1. We will need a copy of a drivers license which corresponds to your booking name.
2. You will need to pay a $500 bond with your final accommodation payment. This will be refunded promptly to you after the post-rental inspection by our caretakers.
3. No parties. If you want to organise a party with friends during your stay in Dinner Plain go to one of the pubs. They're great. Also, the house comfortably accommodates 8 occupants. We will need to know extact numbers of guests prior to your stay so that bedding can be organised. Tenants holding parties, or with occupants over the number pre-organised will be asked to leave immediately and will forfeit any remaining accommodation payment and bond. Our caretakers only live a few houses away so don't risk it.
4. Leave the house tidy with dishes cleaned and put away and rubbish bagged in the hut outside. Extra mess will result in cleaning costs deducted from the bond.
The Victorian Alps are superb anytime of the year, winter shows them at their best.