Shoalwater House

Click on the Photo Gallery link (above) to see numerous photos of the house and the locality. Click on the Map link (above) to see exactly where it is.

SHOALWATER HOUSE is situated at 4 Arcadia Place Shoalwater - just west of Rockingham. The Big Friendly Beach House is the perfect Western Australian holiday house - it is fully self contained and sleeps up to 10. By car it is just 48 km and 40-45 minutes south of the Perth CBD, 30 minutes from Fremantle and 20 minutes from Mandurah.

The suburb of Shoalwater is squeezed snuggly between Rockingham and the Indian Ocean. On its western border Shoalwater forms the two beautifully curved smaller bays that are the tranquil shores of the Shoalwater Bay Marine Park. This Marine Park includes Penguin Island, Seal Island, Point Peron and a large variety of marine life including Sea Lions, Dolphins, Penguins and Pelicans.

This is a house with irrisistable charm. Enjoy absolute comfort while you take pleasure in the pure natural magic of Shoalwater Bay.

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What you need to know about Shoalwater House

You will feel the personality of this house as soon as you enter the front door. Look for house No.4 with 'SHOALWATER HOUSE' in large print on the front wall.

The house is a truly amazing viewing platform - something that you will remember forever (see the aerial photo provided to gain some appreciation of this beautiful location). The scenery will literally take your breath away! Dont forget to bring your camera!

The Shoalwater Shopping Centre is just 800 meters away on Safety Bay Road. With an IGA Supermarket, a Bakery, a Hairdresser, a Newsagency, a Gift Shop, a Butcher, a Bank, a Pharmacy a Tavern, and more.... most of your shopping needs are close at hand.

The house easily accommodates 8 people for the standard rate and up to 10 people for a small extra charge of $15 per person per night for the extra people ($10 for children).


** HOUSE DESIGN ** See photos of all rooms

+ Five bedrooms - all upstairs (main with ensuite)
+ Kitchen & dining area - AIR CONDITIONED - with fantastic ocean views
+ Lounge room: BIG! AIR CONDITIONED, more ocean views
+ Entertainment room: BIG! AIR CONDITIONED (this is a 6m x 6m family entertainment room)
+ A bathroom downstairs, a bathroom upstairs plus main ensuite
+ Laundry
+ Triple enclosed garage - used as a games room - see the details under Special Features''
+ Upstairs balcony with the best of the amazing ocean views. The perfect breakfast location!
+ Big covered back patio and grassy lawn

Note: The house has 3 separate inverter style reverse cycle air conditioners (for both cooling & heating)


** STANDARD FEATURES **

BEDROOMS
+ New carpets throughout the house
+ Fans or heating for all bedrooms (depending on season)
+ Bedside cupboard, clock, bedside light, long mirror and lots of wardrobe space in all bedrooms
+ Beds for up to 12 people: brm 1 (Queen), brms 2 & 3 (bunks & single), brm4 (double), brm 5 (single and cot)
+ Safe stylish cot in bedroom 5 (brm 5 can be converted to two singles if preferred)
+ All mattresses are inner spring with protectors
+ Doonas, blankets, pillows, bed and pillow protectors for all beds

NOTE: Linen is extra and can be provided at $12 per person. This includes pillow slip, 2 sheets and 2 towels per person

KITCHEN/DINING
+ Large appliances: huge fridge, dishwasher, electric fan forced oven, electric stove top, microwave
+ Small appliances: toaster, hot water jug, coffee maker, radio
+ Complete sets of cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils
+ Large table seats up to ten

LIVING AREAS
+ Comfortable lounge suites, settee, coffee tables, reading lights, air conditioning for heat & cool
+ Six TVs, a DVD player, a VCR, a CD stereo system (5 CD stacker), extra CD system, CDs and movie DVDs

LAUNDRY
+ New front loader washing machine, new clothes dryer, iron, ironing board

OUTSIDE ENTERTAINING
+ Covered back patio area. Huge!
+ Plenty of outdoor tables and chairs - jarrah settings
+ Four burner BBQ (gas supplied)

LITTLE EXTRAS
+ Tea towels, bath mats, hand towels, bin liners, paper towels, toilet paper, detergent, washing powder

OTHER
+ Pram/stroller (two of them)
+ High chair
+ Park bench on the front verandah
+ Shopping Centre and large supermarket within 800 meters (a nice walk).
+ Telephone service IN. The number will be given to you when you book.


** SPECIAL FEATURES **

THINGS THAT WILL SIMPLY MAKE YOU SMILE & FEEL GOOD :-)
+ Awesome ocean views of the entire Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. And YES, it is just 50 meters to the ocean!
+ Aluminium dinghy, oars and life-jackets are available and you can walk the boat to the water
+ Over 120 paintings & pictures scattered throughout to brighten up the interior (Australiana and Seaside themes)
+ Lovely native garden front and back
+ Green house retreat for that quiet reading time (see photo)
+ Solar garden lights to add ambience to your nocturnal experience

ENTERTAINMENT ROOM (see photo)
+ Selection of movie DVDs, movie Video tapes and audio CDs
+ Two TVs, with one set up specifically for kids
+ Lounge chairs and bed sized setee
+ Extra dining table and chairs
+ Library of over 300 books - novels, general interest and kids storybooks
+ Wide selection of board games
+ Toys - lots of them!

GAMES ROOM (triple garage - see photo)
+ Pool table, card table, soccer table
+ Bicycles - 5 adult and 2 child bikes - helmets, security locks and power compressor pump
+ Gym equipment - Nautilaus machine, weights, exercise ball, abs machine
+ An additional old but serviceable fridge

FOR KIDS OUTSIDE
+ Enclosed kids sandpit with soft white river washed sand (see photo)
+ Lots of lovely grass for playing

FOR DOGS
+ Dog compatible backyard, for a friendly canine. Dog house and 2 bowls. Please ask the owner for approval.


** BOOKING RATES **

Rates shown below are for up to 8 people!!!!!! Up to two extra people can be added for $15 per night ($10 for children). Only bookings of one week or more are taken in December and January.

CHRISTMAS PREMIUM - Dec 14 to Jan 7: $1350 per week or $220 per night

HIGH SEASON - Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar: $1200 per week or $200 per night

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - $1200 per week or $200 per night
(Except Christmas/New Year when Christmas premium rates apply)

MEDIUM SEASON - Apr, May, Aug, Sept, Oct: $1050 per week or $175 per night
(Except School holiday weeks)

WINTER SEASON - June & July: $900 per week or $150 per night
(Except School holiday weeks)

LINEN RATES
Linen is not normally supplied. However, sheets, towels (2 towels per person), pillow slips and face cloths can be provided - at $12 per person. One towel is beach towel size! Just tell the owner if you need linen.

MORE THAN 8 PEOPLE
$15 per adult and $10 per child per night. Limit of two extra people per night! Maximum of 10 people!

SHORT STAY PREMIUM
For short stays of one or two days a premium of $30 applies to cover the management and cleaning overheads.

LONG BOOKING DISCOUNT
If you book for 2 weeks a 10% discount applies. If you book for 3 weeks or more, a 15% discount applies. If you would like a l-o-n-g-e-r booking, please talk to the owner.

JUST IN TIME BOOKINGS
If the house is still available within 7 days of the arrival date that you want, a reduced rate applies. Bookings within 7 days of arrival receive a 15% rate reduction! Ask when you enquire.

PLEASE COME AGAIN BOOKINGS
We love good tenants, so if you come again you can claim a 5% reduction on the standard rates. Just remind the owner that you have been before and that you loved the house. :-)


** BOOKING CONDITIONS**

DEPOSIT
A 20% deposit (approx) is required to confirm the booking. This can be paid by cash, cheque or online or bank direct deposit - contact the owner for account number details. Please do this ASAP to avoid disappointment.

BALANCE OF PAYMENT
The balance is required no later than 7 days before arrival date.

REFUNDABLE BOND of $100
A refundable key/cleaning bond of $100 is also required.

CANCELLATION
A cancellation after the deposit has been paid but more than one month before the scheduled arrival date will incur a minimal booking charge of $50. A Cancellation within the month prior to scheduled arrival date will incur a penalty of deposit forfeit. A cancellation within one week of arrival will result in forfeit of 50% of all money paid. Failure to arrive at all will forfeit all money paid.

NO SCHOOL LEAVERS TO APPLY PLEASE!!!! (Sorry kids!! My neighbours just hate noise and I need to keep my neighbours happy.)


** ACCESSING AND USING THE HOUSE **

EASY ACCESS TO THE HOUSE
The front door key will be left in a metal key safe next to the front door and you will be issued with the 4 digit access code before your arrival date. A spare key is also provided.

ARRIVAL TIME
Arrival time on your first day is normally 2 pm or later.

DEPARTURE TIME
Depature time on your final day is normally 10 am or sooner. This can be varied for a slight adjustment in fee. For example, late departure (up to 5pm) on your last day can be arranged for an additional $50.

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What can you do around Shoalwater and Rockingham?

The simple answer is "LOTS!!!!" Do any of the following interest you?

RETAIL THERAPY?
Rockingham has one of the state's biggest shopping centres and it's open 7 days a week.

AQUATIC ACTIVITIES?
Yep! Aquatic activities are a way of life here. Shoalwater is famous for swimming, snorkelling, boating, fishing, crabbing, wind surfing, kite surfing and walking across the sandbar to the protected bird sanctuaries of Penguin Island.

Whichever way the wind blows you can find a nearby sheltered beach for swimming, sun bathing or boating. Palm Beach (north), Waikiki and Safety Bay (south) or Shoalwater Beach (west) give you plenty of choices. This is a fantastic place to sunbathe and read that novel that you brought with you.

This must be one of the best places ever for boating and boat fishing! There is an excellent double boat ramp on Safety Bay beach just east of the Safety Bay Yacht Club and another one just west of Palm Beach. You can even take the house dinghy and carry it to the water for a trouble free launching - just make sure that you can row a boat before you venture too far and you do use the dinghy at your own risk.

OUTSTANDING SCENERY?
There is nowhere else within 250km of Perth that has such a versatile, interesting and attractive coastline. Indian Ocean sunsets are simply stunning at Shoalwater and the western morning view, with the sun in the east, is absolutely spectacular!!! SHOALWATER BEACH is literally on the doorstep just 50 meters away from the house and the water is calm because of the fringing reef out beyond the Marine Park.

INTERNET access?
The INTERNET is available at the Rockingham Visitor Centre in Parkin Street Rockingham during the day - 7 days a week.

PICNICS?
Rockingham's Churchill Park is a large grassed reserve adjacent to the old Rockingham beachfront area and this is an ideal place for a picnic.

WALKING and BIKE RIDING?
Throughout the Point Peron Reserve you will find a maze of trails that can be used for walking or bike riding. There are 6 bikes at the house for you to use.

RESTAURANTS AND CAFES?
There are numerous restaurants and cafes in and arround Rockingham - particularly near the old Rockingham Beachfront area.

GOLF?
Rockingham boasts a public access golf course and nearby driving range.

THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT?
The NARAGEBUP/LAKE RICHMOND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE is just 400 meters from the house. here you will find heaps of educational and fun activities for kids - both big and little. Run by a community group with sponsored support this 1.7 hectare (4 acre) tourist attraction is a fascinating venture well worth your visit.


** OTHER PLACES TO SEE AND VISIT **

PENGUIN ISLAND is an 800 meter walk along a sand bar from Mersey Point and is an easy adventure at or near low tide. Mersey Point is 2.5km from Shoalwater House. Penguin Island has some lovely walk trails and is home to a Shoalwater Marine Park Information Centre. Raised boardwalks make access easy for all ages. See the Fairy Penguins that hide in the beachside caves and under the boardwalks. Watch the magnificent Pelicans as they soar and glide across the Bay. There is a protected Pelican rookery on Penguin Island. These giant birds frequently cause 'flying shadows' to gracefully glide across the Shoalwater House property. Regular ferry rides leave from the Mersey Point pier (near Pengos cafe/restaurant) to Seal Island and Penguin Island. Penguin Island is open to the public except for the winter months when the Penguin breeding cycle is in full swing.

SEAL ISLAND, easily visible from the house, is only about 800 meters away. View it with the telescope and binoculars available on the balcony. You will always find sea lions lazing away their days on the Seal Island beach and dolphins can often be seen swimming in the Bay. It is not unusual to find yourself within 30 meters of dolphins. Watch for them as you walk to Penguin Island or row the dinghy on the Bay.

POINT PERON is on the northern tip of Shoalwater Bay (see the aerial photo) and has some rugged limestone cliffs, a spectacular ocean outlook, a pretty beach and a network of easy walking trails.

PALM BEACH has a lovely sheltered beach and a popular fishing jetty with views to Garden Island. This is the perfect quiet family swimming beach and a boating paradise.

GARDEN ISLAND is due north of Point Peron and is home to Australia's largest operational Royal Australian Navy Base - including a home for submarines. The southern section of Garden Island is not accessible to the general public but with boat access you can land on the northern section of this pretty island.

SAFETY BAY and WAKIKI are neighbouring suburbs and both have long stretches of white sandy beach (see the aerial photo in the Gallery).

MANDURAH is a pretty tourist town just 25km south of Shoalwater. This thriving beachside town is arguably the fastest growing town in Australia. This is the retirement capital of Western Australia!! Mandurah deserves a day visit. Between Shoalwater and Mandurah are: Port Kennedy, Golden Bay, Port Bouvard, Sectret Harbour and a professional class golf course.

FREMANTLE is less than 30 km north of Shoalwater and offers all the attractions of a busy cosmopolitan port city. This is one of the major entertainment districts close to Perth and caters for all ages. Fremantle has an exciting club and pub scene for the more adventurous.

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