Tag: holiday

Meet Jan and Lin: Bells by the Beach Holiday House

Meet Jan and Lin, owners of Bells By the Beach Holiday House located in Ocean Grove, Victoria!

Jan and Lin Bell – business owners

With retirement on the horizon and after working in the fire service and retail/admin sectors, the pair were in search of somewhere to live permanently or open a holiday rental business.

The pair first visited the Bellarine Peninsular in search of somewhere to live permanently or a place that felt right to open a holiday rental business. Jan and Lin found a two bedroom unit in Ocean Grove; their first holiday rental business. It was later on when they found it a right time to buy a larger home around the corner on Roditis Drive, the start of Bells By The Beach Holiday House. The couple moved permanently to another location in Ocean Grove to be close to the investment and serve guests 24/7, which they still do.

Bells By The Beach Holiday House is now a welcoming holiday home for families to spend a short or extended time, with or without their dogs.

During the past 15 years or so, Jan and Lin have welcomed more than 400 different dogs, with pet-parents from regional Victoria, suburban Melbourne and interstate to holiday in their home. Guests return time and time again to the welcoming home as they love the property facilities, the squeaky clean house and the neat and tidy dog-friendly coastal garden…not to mention the beach is just a short doggy stroll (500 metres) to the sand dunes and over onto the beach.

We love being holiday accommodation owners, it gives us much satisfaction to know we are helping families plan and budget for holidays well in advance

Dog-lovers are delighted to find that the house truly is dog and family friendly, where dogs are welcome to sleep indoors with their family and be safe and secure in the fully fenced property.

About the area

Ocean Grove is growing into the largest township on the Bellarine Peninsula. The area is surrounded by renowned wineries, walking trails, pristine beaches, fishing spots and golf courses. Bring your dogs down to run along the beach, crash through the waves, or just enjoy a swim. Head further away and explore the many local attractions across the region. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Ocean Grove.

With the property in easy reach of shopping, activities and the glorious beach, it is no wonder that the property is thriving with guests in Spring, Summer and Autumn.

We look forward to meeting new guests and welcoming back others who consider our house as a home away from home. We sometimes wish we had another house to ‘spread the beach love’ to everyone who wants to stay and who are disappointed to find we are booked out.   

Interested in staying at Jan and Lin’s Pet and Family Friendly accommodation? Book NOW >> https://aabode.com/australia/ocean-grove/pet-and-family-friendly

8 essentials for your winter snow trip

Winter is coming! Instead of hovering over the heater all night, pack your bags and head out on a frosty adventure! Going on a snow trip is definitely different than going on your average vacation, so we’ve complied the top 10 things you must pack when you head on a snow trip!

Inner thermal clothes

You don’t need to spend a fortune when preparing for a snow vacation, but good quality inner thermal layers will make an extreme difference. Often inner thermal layers are extremely thin and go under all other layers of clothing. Look for clothing with heat tech technology as they’ll keep you warm but you won’t feel like you’re suffocating under layers and layers of clothing

Waterproof ski clothes

Make sure you’re bringing along thick outer layers to protect you from the cold and snow! Although most people remember to bring thick outer layers of clothing, not all of them are waterproof! This could be a big issue because you’ll be surrounded by snow the whole time. If you’re not careful, any dampness in your clothing in extremely cold weather can lead to some major sicknesses. Be sure to double check your outer layers are waterproof!

Headwear

You got to make sure you’re covered from head to toe in order to stay warm. Keep your noggin toasty by bringing along headwear on your snow trip. If you’re just playing around in the snow, a thick beanie should be sufficient. However, if you’re planning on doing any fast paced activity, be sure to bring along a helmet or rent one.

Sunglasses/goggles

Just because its super cold, doesn’t mean it won’t be super bright! The snow is beautiful but sometimes it can be blinding! If you’re driving there or just hanging around, be sure to pack a pair of sunglasses to help protect your eyes. If you’re speeding down and doing activities with lots of movement, be sure to grab some goggles with sun protection.

Warming accessories

Once you’ve packed your basics, you can pack some other accessories to make sure you stay extra warm on your trip. We recommend bringing an extra thick pair of socks, a scarf and gloves for keeping your body extra toasty. If you’re extra sensitive to the cold, consider getting some heat packs to place in your pockets or on your body!

Small toiletries including sun protection

Along with your normal toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, you should bring some little extras to ensure your skin doesn’t get extremely dry. Be sure your skin is SPF ready with lip balm, sunscreen and moisturizer.

Snacks and non perishable foods

When you’re embarking on your snow trip, you’ll likely be in an area where there are not many places to purchase food or snacks. With food establishments and supermarket selections being quite limited, it’d be a wise idea to bring some snacks along. Whether it’s some small granola bars for the ride or some instant noodle packets for your midnight snack, you won’t regret it.

Extra chargers

The only place you’ll be likely to charge your devices is back at your accommodation. Ski resorts or other ski parks will rarely have outlets so it’s a good idea to bring a battery pack that will last for the day! Although reception is sparse in the area, batteries are much needed for listening to music or keeping kids entertained!

Haven’t booked your accommodation yet? Head to Aabode.com now to check out our properties!

Your ultimate skiing destinations in the land down under!

The land down under is usually associated with beautiful beaches and long summer days, but it also offers a decent ski season with plenty of snow covered ski fields to choose from across its southern states.

Typically running from July to October, snowfall makes for ideal conditions for skiing, snowboarding and a variety of fun snow play activities. So hit the snow while you can this ski season and live a truly unique snowy experience.

Thredbo, New South Wales

If you’re a ski expert and need that adrenaline rush, get yourself to Thredbo now! You’ll find the longest run in Australia over here with the 5 km long Crackenback super-trail, as well as the country’s highest lifted point, at 2037 m. To add to your excitement, there are the super-steep Balls to the Wall pitch. Beginners are catered for, too, thanks to the friendly Friday Flats, where many an Aussie has conquered his/her first snow plough. All in all, more than 50 runs weave their way across the resort.

In between skiing and snowboarding,  you can grab some bites at Australia’s highest restaurant or après-skiing in Thredbo Village, where you can sip champagne while stargazing in the Alpine Hotel’s outdoor Jacuzzi.

Thredbo is about 490 km or five-and-a-half hours’ drive southwest of Sydney and about 530 km or six-and-a-half hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne.

Perisher, New South Wales

Perisher is most definitely the ski destination in the Southern hemisphere. It became so in 1995 when the four resorts within it, Perisher, Smiggins, Blue Cow and Guthega joined forces. You get 1245 hectares, 47 lifts, seven mountains and five terrain parks to carve up on. One of the trickiest runs is Olympic, on Back Perisher Mountain, while, for newbies, Smiggins Holes makes falling over not-too-scary.

If you’re keen to take a break from downhill skiing, there are 100 kilometers of marked cross-country tracks to try. On-snow sleepovers are everywhere, but Perisher also allows the affordability of a stay in Jindabyne. From there, drive to Bullocks Flat and catch the Ski Tube.

Perisher is about 490 km or six hours’ drive southwest of Sydney and about 600 km or seven hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne.

Falls Creek, Victoria

Falls Creek might be a third of the size of Perisher, but it’s still the largest ski resort in Victoria. 450 hectares gives you 15 lifts and more than 90 runs. The terrain is less dramatic than at other spots, which means that it will be ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers. And, in between downhill escapades, you can investigate 65 kilometers of cross-country trails. If you’re around at the end of August, check out the Kangaroo Hoppet, a marathon 42-kilometer-long ski race which happens to be the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest snow sport event.

Falls Creek is about 670 km or seven hours’ drive southwest of Sydney and about 380 km or four-and-a-half hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne.

Mount Buller, Victoria

Mount Buller is conveniently located 3 hours from Melbourne. It’s got 22 lifts, which is the most out of all the Victorian ski resorts and runs over a total of 300 hectares. Pro skiers should head to the south side of the mountain, where you’ll find plenty of black (difficult and scary) runs, while intermediates will be happier on the northern side, scooting down blue runs. If you’ve never even so much looked at a pair of skis before, grab a Discovery Pass, which includes a lesson and access to eight beginner’s lifts.

On the days when you and your skis need a break from each other, you can take five in Australia’s highest day spa, go rock climbing and hop between 30 bars and restaurants.

Mount Buller is about 800 km or eight hours’ drive southwest of Sydney and about 230 km or three-and-a-half hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne.

Visit Aabode.com right now and check out some gorgeous accommodations that are available at Mount Buller right now!

How travel can improve your mental health

Our daily lives sometimes gets the best of us and make us feel mentally drained. Looking after your mental health should always be a priority and travel is one way you can fuel your mind up again. We’ve just compiled some of the ways travel can beneficially contribute to positive mental health!

Stress reliever

Work deadlines, personal commitments and external pressure can really get the best of us in our lives. Taking yourself out of that environment and placing yourself in a new foreign destination is one of the best ways to clear your head and de-stress. Travelling allows you to explore and do things at your own pace with no expectations! It’s a great way to compose all of your thoughts and alleviate all of the pressures that you have.

It gives you time to reflect

During your travels, you’ll have time to evaluate your priorities and thoughts while learning valuable lessons along the way. By travelling, you’ll give yourself the time and attention you need to deeply reflect your principles, values and purpose. In a way, going to a new place can sometimes represent a fresh start! Often, a change of scenery is all we need to reignite the flame in our lives. Being stuck in the same routine every day is straining both physically and mentally, so a pause for travel might be the reflection time to need to continue your life with a bang!

It expands your perspective

When you immerse yourself in a new environment, you allow yourself to be pushed outside of your comfort zone. Whether you’re exploring new communities, meeting new people or trying out a new dish, you broaden your own perspective and allow yourself to learn new things! The experiences that you will go through are priceless as you embrace new cultures, sights and languages. After your journey, you’ll come back with a broader perspective of how other communities around the world function!

It builds resilience

Although travelling might be relaxing and exciting, it’s also intimidating and challenging. Travelling, particularly by yourself in a foreign environment, presents a lot of lingual, physical and metal barriers, By travelling and understanding how different communities function, you learn to adapt to an environment that is out of your comfort zone. By learning to deal with these pressures, as an individual, you’ll be able to become more flexible, patient and calm when dealing with complication in your everyday life!

It gives you time to be independent

In our daily lives, people often always require things from us and we always have a set routine. We know the tasks we have to undertake everyday to satisfy our own needs and the needs of others. Whether you’ve never moved out of home or if you’ve never travelled on your own, travelling can be the first step you take to promote your independence. Some experiences in a different place can seem daunting but accomplishing goals, solving problems and meeting new people will all be worth it.

Regardless of what you do and where you are, mental health is always a priority. If you need a helping hand to get started with your travels and accommodation, head to Aabode.com!

5 Must-Visit Destinations in Queensland

Queensland, without a doubt is Australia’s hottest travel destination. Every traveler that visits the country will not leave without stepping a foot in Queensland, so here are some of the must visit places for you in this state:

Palm Cove

A cute little beach paradise that is tucked away between Cairns and Port Douglas- Palm Cove is the perfect place for catching some chill vibes. There is a huge jetty for fishing for those who just want to kick back and enjoy some lazy afternoons and have good conversations. This beach suburb is also lined with lots of cafes, bars and restaurants and has the ideal atmosphere of relaxation.

Cairns

This place is just something you need to see. Heaps of tours to the Great Barrier Reef and islands are available. The foreshore near the CBD is awesome and generally where you will find every backpacker in North Queensland. The Sky rail and Kuranda scenic will be a major highlight of your trip!

Daintree Forest

The perfect example of an Australian landscape, the beautiful Daintree forest has a diverse species of flora and fauna. Like the Great Barrier Reef, this place is a part of the UNESCO world heritage site.  A perfect place for nature-lovers!

Lamington National Park

Another UNESCO world heritage site, Lamington National Park is filled with unique flora and fauna. The park is particularly known for its bird life, wildflowers, and waterfalls, and it’s easily accessible: you’ll find some of Australia’s best bush-walking trails here, with over 160 km of walking tracks. It’s also a great place to do some adventure sports like abseiling, archery and a flying fox.

Gold Coast’s four theme parks

Warner Brothers’ Movie World, Dream World and Wet’n’Wild – are must-dos for anyone who loves theme parks and roller-coaster’s. Movie World is full of cheesy Warner Brothers’ fun. Take a photo with all your favorite characters, and enjoy top-quality rides such as the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster. Dream World is the biggest theme park on the Gold Coast, with many attractions and rides. Wet’n’Wild is an aquatic theme park with some of Australia’s greatest water-slide fun, including some extreme water-slides such as the Kamikaze which gives you the sensation of zero-gravity as you plunge down!

Visit Aabode.com for accommodations near these must-visit destinations and make your trip a memorable one!