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Kangaroo Ridge Retreat Logo
In the bottom left corner a sole a mud brick cabin is perched a long a bush range. A plume of smoke is coming out of its chimney evoking wintery vibes overlook the farms in the below valley.

Accessibilty & Inclusivity

Inclusivity is at the heart of our service with the guest experience the centre of everything we do. We recognise that not all disabilities and personal needs are visible. Creating a culture of inclusion where all guests feel respected and welcomed is essential.

We are dedicated to crafting a holistic guest experience that embodies our core value of capturing “That Travel Feeling.” Our inclusive practices ensure that every guest, regardless of background or ability, enjoys a seamless and memorable stay filled with adventure, discovery, and relaxation.

We acknowledge that our retreats, built in the early 2000s, were not designed with accessibility in mind. Therefore, we strive to provide ample information so you can confidently decide whether to book with us, contact us for further details, or know that we may not be suitable at this time.

Beyond physical accessibility, our dedicated team is trained to offer personalised service tailored to the unique needs of each guest. We are always ready to assist with any special requirements or requests to make your stay as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Below, we have included details about our accommodation, understanding that needs vary for everyone. We encourage you to reach out if you have any specific questions regarding your stay.

Facilities at a Glance

Contemporary 45 sqm private retreats with an east facing balconies, mountain views in all rooms, retro vibes and rustic features enhanced with natural finishes of mud-brick and timber.

Retreat features

  • East facing balcony with stunning views
  • Dining table
  • Lounge and occasional chair
  • Queen sized bed with an inner spring mattress
  • Fireplace with winter firewood supplies
  • Coffee & tea facilities
  • Wine bar and retreat larder
  • Kitchenette
  • Individually controlled air-conditioning
  • Standing fan in summer
  • Black out curtains
  • Books and board games
  • Iron & ironing board
  • Filtered rainwater

Bathroom

  • Bathroom with shower and toilet
  • Separate spa bath
  • Kangaroo Ridge Retreat signature bath amenities
  • Bath robes, PJs, slippers and hairdryer

Technology

  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Flat screen smart television
  • Vinyl player and vinyls
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Netflix and Stan streaming on demand
  • USB charging points
  • Smart phone charging bedside lamps
  • Smart locks

Inclusive Practices

We are passionate about creating an retreat that can be enjoyed by all regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, cultural beliefs, religion, ethnicity, age and level of mobility and physical ability.  Some things we have done to improve our inclusive practices include:

LGBTQI+ Friendly

Inclusivity is our priority. We offer private check-in for discretion and comfort, reflect diversity in our marketing, and proudly advertise in LGBTQI+ wedding magazines like Same Same Wedding Magazine. As proud members of GALTA, we are committed to creating a welcoming travel experience for everyone.

Dietary Requirements

We cater to a wide range of dietary needs, offering full keto, Low FODMAP, vegan, and gluten-free options upon request. Guests’ dietary preferences are noted during booking to ensure a personalised experience for all.

Website & Digital Presence

Our website is designed to be user-friendly, featuring ample white space, responsive font sizes, subtitles, alt text for images, and optimised content. These enhancements provide an easy and efficient navigation experience for all users planning their restful retreat. While a work in progress, we are actively making our web content according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1)

No Alcohol & Wine Bar Removal

We cater to guests who do not drink alcohol by offering an assortment of adult non-alcoholic spirits and beverages in addition to soft drinks and sugar free sparkling waters.

Upon request, we will remove the wine bar from the cabin, ensuring a tailored experience that aligns with your preferences.

Respite Care

Our private, serene environment offers the perfect setting for guests in need of special care, providing compassionate support and a relaxing stay.

We are not a palliative facility; however we have been a location for holidays for carers and also for people still healthy to travel with a carer with dietary or additional needs. Contact us directly for further information about your needs.

Hearing Impaired Guests

Visual alarms are provided to accommodate guests with hearing impairments, ensuring a secure and informed stay.

Sensory Friendly

Our retreat is designed with sensitivity in mind, using low-perfume products and offering a secluded location to minimise sensory stimuli. This makes it an ideal environment for guests with sensory sensitivities or social anxiety, offering a peaceful escape from daily stress.

We also work with NDIS service providers.

Digital Literacy Support

Our on-call manager is available to assist guests with digital queries, and we offer an analogue key option for convenience. This ensures that all guests, including those less familiar with digital systems, can enjoy a smooth experience.

Non-English-Speaking Guests

We offer communication through SMS and email for ease of understanding, with German language services available, ensuring an inclusive experience for international guests.

Physical Accessibility & Mobility Needs

Accessibility was not a primary consideration during the design phase of the construction of the cabins in the early 2000s, however we want to provide transparent information about our facilities.

Cabin Driveway

The cabin driveway is made of gravel, approximately 800 metres long, accessible for all cars (although despite having the odd Porsche & McLaren up here we recommend opting for your front wheel drive car or SUV to get here and leaving the Porsche at home), including up to 11-seater vans. It has some steep and narrow sections, and while all cars can turn around at the cabins. We recommend avoiding reversing along the driveway. After storms, the gravel can become rough in places.

Click on the images to zoom in and to see more.

Parking

There is a dedicated park spot at each cabin for one car. There is ample turning room at each cabin to be able to turn your car around and drive forward down the driveway.At cabin 1 there is a slight slope on the left hand side of the cabin parking area.

We strong advise all guests to not reverse out of either car parking area on our driveway.

Click on the images to zoom in and to see more.

Cabin 1 Entrance

The entrance to the cabin is gravel with pavers surrounding the door.

There are two steps at the entrance—one leading to the door and the second – the threshold into the retreat. The screen door opens outward, while the main door opens inward and is 85cm wide.

The thresholds is 16cm in height and the steps is 19cm from the pebbles.

Click on the images to zoom in and to see more photos.

Cabin 2 Entrance

The entrance to the cabin is gravel with pavers surrounding the door.

There are two steps at the entrance—one leading to the door and the second – the threshold into the retreat. The screen door opens outward, while the main door opens inward and is 85cm wide.

The thresholds is 13cm in height and the steps is 8cm from the pebbles.

Click on the images to zoom in and to see more photos.

Cabin 1 Bathroom

The bathroom door opens inward and is 58cm wide, with the toilet bowl slightly obstructing the entrance. All our spa baths are raised and have a small ledge to sit on. The showers have a glass door open outward, and the shower basin 13cm lip at its entrance. An anti-slip mat is available on request.

The spa bath edge is 59cm high and has no handrails. The shower door opens outwards from the left and is 58cm wide.

Click on the images to zoom in and to see more photos.

Cabin 2 Bathroom

The bathroom door opens inward and is 58cm wide, with the toilet bowl slightly obstructing the entrance. All our spa baths are raised and have a small ledge to sit on. The spa bath edge is 63cm high and has no handrails. The shower door opens outwards from the right and is 58cm wide. The shower basin 13cm lip at its entrance. An anti-slip mat is available on request.

Click on the images to zoom in and to see more photos.

Bed & Sleep Area

Each cabin has a queen-sized innerspring mattress and are approximately 61cm high. The space between the bed and the east door is 91cm wide. There are sheep skin mats on each side of the bed. Only two adults can stay in the cabin and the bed does not split in to. The couch does not fold out into a seperate bed.

Click on the images to zoom in and to see more photos.

Lounge & Kitchenette

Each cabin is open planned with the lounge placed in front of the fireplace on a cowhide rug. The kitchenette benches are 92cm high and have a small bar fridge with food and drinks already in it, and a wine fridge. Our cabins do not have microwaves. There are two balcony doors which open wider than 1.5meters with a 5cm threshold lip out onto the balcony.

Click on the images to zoom in and to see more photos.

The Future

At Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, inclusivity is central to our mission. We are continually improving our facilities and services to ensure everyone can enjoy the beauty and serenity of our retreat.

Alternative Accessible Accommodation

For guests requiring wheelchair-accessible accommodation, we recommend Yering Gorge Cottages which offer a specific accessible cabin also in a scenic location on a golf course.

Contact Us for Assistance

This guide is a work in progress – a living document if you will. We are committed to staying informed and learning more to create a welcoming and accessible environment for all. We welcome feedback to help us improve our accessibility and inclusion guide.

It makes us happy to make you happy and assist you in making your stay as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions, require assistance with accessing our website, or need more information about our accessibility features or local accessible alternatives, please feel free to contact us.

Please reach out to us with the details below:

Contact: Rebecca

Phone: 0431 558 247

Email: enquiry@kangarooridge.com.au

Healesville
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Healesville VIC, Australia