+ Booking & Payments

We are supporters of the "Book Direct" movement, which encourages guests to book directly with small, family-run accommodation businesses like ours. If you would like to book now but prefer not to pay in advance (plus a 10-15% commission) to a third party agent, or if you have a question and prefer to speak with (or email) a real person, please call us here on the numbers below, or email us directly, and we'll be happy to help!

Sandpiper Reception: (03) 6375 1122 John 0412 791 084 Annette 0412 791 082 sandpipercottages@bigpond.com

Using the "Book Now" buttons on our webpage will redirect you to a third party online booking site which requires you to make an immediate payment. If you prefer to delay payment to the time of check-in, we suggest you use the Book Now link to check availability, but then call or email us directly to make a booking. If you book with us directly, we require a valid credit card number to hold your booking (or make good any damage after check-out), but do not charge you until you arrive.

Our cancellation policy applies.

Direct bookings are not subject to any booking fees.

If you book your stay with us through other websites/third parties (third party booking agent), the terms applicable to your booking will be those of the third party booking agent you have used. Your stay will also be subject to our terms and conditions, but we cannot override or alter terms imposed by the agent you have used, as those terms are imposed by way of your agreement with them.

We have a minimum stay requirement of three nights between December 23 & January 7, though we sometimes make exceptions on application. The rest of the year generally has a two night minimum stay, but we can be flexible, so please call us if you require a single night stay. There is usually a $30 surcharge for a one night stay, due to the cleaning and bedding turnover fee.

A key loss will incur a $20 charge to cover the cost of replacement.

+ Cancellation Policy

‘Sandpiper Ocean Cottages’ is a small operation, where every guest is appreciated and special to us. Because we are small, last-minute changes or cancellations do affect our viability.

When you reserve a cottage, we agree to turn away all other requests for that cottage and you agree to pay the rate quoted for the number of days you have booked. A last-minute cancellation gives us little chance of re-booking a cottage, and for this reason we apply a cancellation policy [hyperlink]. Our policy is relatively generous, however, and we do appreciate that unforeseen circumstances can intervene. We are sympathetic to your circumstances and do our best to minimise applicable charges and be helpful as possible.

We charge a $20.00 administration fee for cancellations or excessive changes. In addition, the following sliding scale of cancellation fees applies:

• 50% cancellation fee- applies to cancellation with less than 21 but more than 14 days’ notice;
• 75% cancellation fee cancellation fee- applies to cancellation with less than 14 but more than 7 days’ notice;
• 100% cancellation fee- applies in the case of cancellation within 7 days of arrival.
• Notwithstanding the above, if we can re-sell your entire booking, no cancellation fees will be charged. You will only be charged a small $20 administrative fee. If we can re-sell part of your booking, we will not charge for those nights we can re-sell, but you will be charged for nights we were unable to re-sell on the sliding scale set out above.

Finally, guests will be charged for of all nights reserved regardless of their actual arrival or departure date.

We recommend that you purchase travel insurance to provide cover for any unforeseen circumstances.

+ Cleaning Charge

Our cleaning practices are in accordance with our COVID-19 and check-in/check-out policy, below.

Guests are requested to leave the property as it was found to avoid extra cleaning charges. This includes washing, drying and putting away dishes, placement of all rubbish and recycling in outside bins provided and cleaning of the BBQ. You are welcome to strip the beds, however our cleaners will strip the beds, clean the floors and surfaces, bathrooms and sanitise the cottage/house. Extra cleaning fees may apply if these instructions are not followed or if the cottage/house is left in a grubby state or the walls, floors, windows and or linen are excessively dirty.

+ COVID-19 Policy

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 prior to your arrival, please contact us to discuss a change of stay dates. We will not allow guests into any of our cottages or houses with a COVID-19 diagnosis or with COVID-19 symptoms (unless a negative test result has been confirmed). Please respect this rule.

You must otherwise check in using the QR code in reception.

If a stay must be cancelled or moved due to government imposed restrictions, we will charge no cancellation fee. We cannot control third party booking agents’ terms or actions regarding any such cancellation or changes.

+ Check-in/Check-out

Due to our enhanced cleaning and sanitising process, our check in and check out times are as follows:

Check in is available any time after 2pm Check out is STRICTLY by 10am on departure day

The above arrival and departure times are essential to enable our cleaning team the necessary cleaning time between guests.

We will always try to accommodate requests for early check-in/late check-out however they are subject to availability (i.e. other bookings in place, cleaners available to accommodate the request, maintenance schedule) and fees may apply.

+ Liability

The person making the booking is liable and responsible for payment, damage and for the conduct of all guests. The property is let to you in good faith and is strictly for the number of persons stated. You agree to indemnify us against any liability which may arise as a result of any damage, injury or loss suffered by any person during your stay.

+ Damage and Breakage

Please take care of our cottages, houses and contents. You are responsible and liable for any breakage or damage which you cause. Please report any breakage or damage as soon as they occur, especially if there is a spill – it is much easier to clean something if we know what was spilt and can act quickly (and this will minimise risk of permanent damage/cost).

We do not normally charge for small breakage, eg, a glass, but we reserve the right to charge for repair or making good if the damage is significant.

Should you discover a broken appliance or other damage on your arrival, please advise us straight away, so that we can fix the problem/replace the item (and you then can use one that works and will not be blamed for the damage).

+ Movement of Items Within/Between Properties

lease don’t move dishes or items of furniture (indoor or outdoor) between cottages/houses. Items often get damaged during such moves, or items are forgotten and not moved back and cannot be accounted for during cleaning—this may cause us to conclude an item is missing or may result in extra housekeeping time in locating and replacing items. If you do move things, please take all due care and put them back!

+ Borrowed Items

If you borrow items from the beach box or extra games from reception, etc, please care for them and return them.

+ No Smoking

For the comfort of all our guests, smoking is prohibited in all of our cottages/houses. Smoking is of course allowed outdoors, and all butts must be disposed of properly.

Any damages or excess cleaning caused by smoking on or inside any property will be charged to your credit card.

+ Rubbish, Recycling and Compost- and Chickens!

Guests are asked to put all rubbish, recycling and compost into the appropriate bins. Indoor bins are provided within each cottage/house, and council wheelie bins are situated outside. Please help us minimise landfill and waste- place items in the correct bins! Please feel free to feed the chickens- they will love you forever. Please chop stuff up for them and please do not give them citrus, onion, celery, mushrooms, avocado, uncooked rice/pasta/beans, very salty stuff, very sugary stuff, or fried foods. Strangely, they love protein, including chicken carcasses!

+ Personal and Lost Property

We are not responsible for your personal property. That said, we have a lost and found, and if you have left something behind, we will hold onto it for you—just contact us, and we will send it to you! We will ask you to reimburse us for significant postage.