YOUR WELCOME GUIDE

Your journey to the stars begins here!Best to read carefully before you leave home

BUBBLE TENT AUSTRALIA

In life or death EMERGENCY call 000

TOP TIPS FOR THE BEST STAY

We’ll be ready to have you by 3pm,checkout is 10am.

ENTERING TUNNEL- Just pretend you’re on Mars and this is the decompression chamber! Bear in mind, tunnel is an airlock and must be unzipped carefully one door at a time. A video to help make the tent airtight https://youtu.be/L_alGy1huvc

SUNSHIELD - Unhook the front straps at the eye hook and keep the blue straps in tact at the back as it’ll make it easier to put on in the morning when the sun comes out to say hi. A video to help https://youtu.be/ETP8spXFJUQ

Take a moment to acquaint yourself with where everything is, no really...everything is there! It’s a small place but we make it work! (Hint: pots and pans are in the outside drawers and you’re probably standing on the fridge...) To find the fridge in Leo and Virgo https://youtu.be/yBoJlMJLXoA

PARK- in your designated parking spot to help us keep the surrounding vegetation in tact. Even if you have a 4WD.

POSSIBLE WET WEATHER - If it is suspected to rain you will most likely find a daybed cover protecting the daybed and the chairs. It’s a really good idea to secure them on when retiring for the night to ensure you have somewhere dry the next morning to sit since weather can change quickly up here in paradise! Each tent has dry firewood in the kitchennete area as well as a dry station under the bed for some basic provisions.

Please take your shoes off when you go inside, of course don’t take muddy shoes inside the tent, it’ll make our cleaning staff feel really unappreciated :-( (cleaning fees will apply for muddy shoes inside the tent not contained to entrance of the tunnel), there are comfy slippers in the tunnel for you to use inside the tent and on the decking. If you need to step off the decking you will find suitable outdoor footware provided. Pretend you’re in Japan...

LIGHT- Note we are a low-light environment. We do provide two rechargable headlamps, a powerful emergency torch, rechargable lantern along with solar lights, the environment is still quiet dark (and romantic!). All designed to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark for a better stargazzing experience, but do take care moving about.

PHONE - Please do have your phone with you (and on) so that we can communicate with you (and vice versa) throughout your stay to make sure you have the best experience!

LEAVING :-( - Now that you’ve experienced Mars, Japan and a bubbletent paradise... we just ask you to put the sunshield on to help keep the tent cooler for the cleaners and our electronics, don’t worry about making the bed and doing the dishes　　 　 at the end of your stay, we can do that! It’s your Glamping experience afterall!!

WHERE WE ARE

1. Bubbletent Australia is located some 200km/3hrs outside of Sydney CBD, smack bang between the townships of Lithgow and Mudgee. The physical address is 394 Vulcan Rd, Running Stream, NSW, 2850 However DON’T TRUST ANY SAT NAVS!

2. Please leave enough time to get to us before dark as the drive through the farm is on unsealed roads and can be tricky for the first time at night! (remember we chose the spot for the quality of the dark skies!) Besides you don’t want to miss the majestic golden hour sunset. Remember the SPEED LIMIT IS 30km/h on gravel .

3. Your GPS should be able to find the Farm View Cafe on Castlereagh Hwy ( 167 Castlereagh Hwy, Running Stream NSW 2850)

4. At the cafe, turn right onto Mount Vincent Road from Castlereagh Hwy.

5. After 4.5km on Mount Vincent Road, Turn right onto Vulcan Road .

6. Drive until the end of Vulcan Road (2.5km) until you see gate ‘394’.

7. After entering the gate, follow the road for 2km and enter the property signed as ‘Eagle View Farm’.

8. At the bubble tent sign, turn slightly right to drive up the hill and you will further be guided by signs to your designated tent.

9. Park at the designated spot and get ready to have an awesome experience!

VIRGO (with AC and wood-fired bathtub)

Majestic Virgo with it’s splendid views takes luxury to the next level with an Air Con, putting you in charge of the weather! (Well inside the tent anyway..) and a wood-fired bathtub cited by some as ‘the best spot for a bathtub in the world!!’

Virgo is the closest to the caretakers cottage, It is however nestled into a gentle cavern and will provide ample privacy when you’re at the tent (or bath) where you are completely out of sight.The road which leads to your tent does also lead to the caretakers cottage, however during your stay it isn’t used by anyone but Virgo guests. It might only be used in the rare case of emergency or if alternate routes become inaccesible for other guests, We will endevour to notify you if we have to use it for whatever reason.

AIR CON-Temperatures have a pre-set range that you’re welcome to toggle between and adjust as you see fit but it might fluctuate vastly and turn off when it reaches your set temperature so we find a setting closest to 18C seems to work best.-During sunny days you will still need to put the sunshield on to act as.. well, a shield! Without it you won’t get the benefit you might expect from any of the AC settings during the heat of the day. -Please turn off the AC if you are leaving for an extended period of time as your tent will warm/cool within 5min of your return when switched on. A little video to help with the AC https://youtu.be/k9kYShxGSII

WOOD FIRED BATH TUBYou will also find a fully-run tub of rainwater for the duration of your stay, It takes the bath between 60min-150min to heat up to body temperature depending on the conditions and season. We will worry about emptying it, cleaning and replenishment, you just enjoy it and work on your fire-making and fire-maintenance skills ;-) Video tips to help with bathub https://youtu.be/JVMLh3k9q3c

Written tips for bath tub.- In order to control the intensity of the fire you can open the lid to let additional air in as well as physically blow into the chamber, However don’t keep the lid off totally since the flames will fan over the chamber and can damage the surrounding woodwork of the bath but not give you any additional heat benefit.-Same with the tub getting too hot, you control it by limiting the oxygen into the chamber via the lid. Closing it fully will starve the fire of oxygen and the water will cool rapidly.-Please don’t use your own bubblebaths, soaps, salts, shampoos or scrubs. We are providing you with an eco-friendly and biodegradable soap-free lavender oil which will delight your senses and relax your muscles but still allow us to use the water for the thirsty surrounding vegetation. -That’s it! Enjoy! However it probably might be your first time using a wood-fired bath, if you find it a bit too intimidating and just can’t seem to get the fire going have a look at the video first but if you’re still struggling don’t be shy, do give us a call and we can help! We’re here to make your stay the best it can be afterall! :-)

CANCER

LEO (wood-fired bathtub)

Cancer is located some 50m away from the edge of the escarpments which make the site the wonder that it is, however it isn’t fenced off and great care needs to be taken at night or in low visibility if you decide to explore the location off the decking and in particular using the floating bed. We do have some low-impact solar lights illuminating the edges of the cliffs which act as a guide but won’t impact your stargazing experience. We really want you to make the most of your experience - and it truly is a treasured spot, but please be safe around the cliffs.

Leo is our first born..

There are two hammock spots. One about 30m up the hill offering you the best view of the valley and the other sharing the tree that provides shade at the parking spot!!

Where is the bath? Follow the stone pavers to it!*Please refer to tips for Bath tub in VIRGO section.

WHAT TO BRING (AND WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME)

Backpack or overnight bag with clothing – extra during winter which means at least a beanie, gloves, cosy layers such as jumpers and jackets and thermals, We are in the country afterall! (The property is located at an altitude of 1100m so its possible to experience four seasons in the one day. However, we are rewarded with better stargazing as a result of the elevation and consequently more stable temperatures.)

Bring food and drinks for your stay - you’ll wish for an antipasto plater during the sunset(Remember, extra drinking water in summer!)

Your favourite tipples (or use the second day to get some in Rylstone or Mudgee)

Things that you like to do when not doing much, painting, reading, hiking, writing, singing...you get the picture!

Camera – how else will you get the picture?

WE PROVIDE:

• Towels and linens (duck down winter

duvet in cooler months)

• Binoculars

• Telescope (Manual in drawer)

• Headlamps (with red function)

• Emergency torch

• Powered Dometic Fridge (40L)

• LP gas double burner

• Bhutane camp stove (backup)

• USB Station

• Insect repellant

• Basic First Aid Kit

• Two 100% Wool Blankets

• Slippers

• Raincoats

If you’re coming from Lithgow or Mudgee there are numerous places to stock up for the things that you’ll enjoy.

• Hot water bottles

• Low-volt Electric Blanket

• Hiking Map

• A kettle, pot and pan

• Waiters friend

• Salt and Pepper

• Sugar and Olive oil

• Drinking glasses

• Cheese board

• Cutlery, Plates and Bowls

• Handsoap and toilet paper

• Firewood and starters

• Rechargable lantern

• UE wireless speaker and iPad

• Dyson fan in Cancer and LeoAND MORE!

POWER, WATER, FIRE AND PHONE

Bubble tent is completely off-grid which means we rely on our own tank rain water and solar power. Please note that there are no power sockets provided, our solar kit is carefully designed to power the devices it currently supports and we are unable to accomodate any of your external electronics. A tablet charger is provided and will support lower voltage devices such as newer iOS devices, Android and samsung devices.

Phone reception should work at the site of the tent for most of the bigger carriers.

Low-voltage electric blankets that are safe, efficient and high-tech. They work with our solar kit but please turn them off when not in use as they are taxing on the batteries.

You are provided with 50L of water. One 20L jerrycan in vanity unit, two 10L containers in the kitchenette area for washing up etc and an additional 10L jerry can in the ottoman. Tank water isn’t recommended for drinking. However, we have provided 1L p/p of boiled and filtered drinkable water for those easing themselves into the country way of life which you can find in the fridge if you are caught a bit short with your own supply!

You will find a hot water thermos waiting for you which keeps pipping hot for 18hours, but there is a gas double burner outside (plus a backup butane camp stove) which you can use away from the tent walls on rainy days. Or boil some in the fireplace if the conditions are suitable for it!

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY RE FIRES-Fire; as synonymous with camping as marshmellows! While it is a majestic beauty, as we all know in Australia, it can be a ferocious enemy if not treated with respect, please make sure that you abide by Fire bans which may be in place and even without them, abide by the conditions at hand, i.e. don’t light if the winds are strong. Extinguish the fire with the watering can before you retire for the night and fires are to be used for cooking or boiling water. Need some help lighting a fire? https://youtu.be/Ptr3TNhAgAM

-Never empty the charcoal/ash in the surrounds (even if you deem the content wet/cold), if you’re staying the second night charcoal from the previous night will actually help with getting the fire going. We have a proper way of disposing of all charcoal and if you absolutely still need to get rid of it, call us.

-Please note we are strictly a smoking-free campsite since a wayward cigarette butt can cause extensive damage in the dry outback and to our facilities (even in winter!). Any evidence of smoking or innapropriate use of fire will be treated with utmost seriousness and might even warrant involving the authorities.Severe penalties apply in Australia for not abiding by conditions and can even result in imprisonment and lawsuits.

COMPOST TOILET and RINSING STATION

LOCAL THINGS TO DO WITHIN AN HOURS DRIVE

You will be greeted with a compost toilet when you arrive, if you

haven’t experienced it before it is no different to a regular toilet except

instead of flushing, you scoop a generous amount of sawdust to bury

your business with. Sawdust is located in the back compartment of the

unit. If you’re worried about odours or notice them, it just means you

haven’t used enough sawdust.

Rinsing station outside, powered by the sun! Perfect after you get back

from a walk and need a refresher! You simply tilt the can down and

Voila, wetness! If you want a warmer shower, feel free to boil the kettle

and add it to the can! If you need additional water for your stay, let us

know and we will bring it for you but please understand that in the dry

area that we inhabit, it is a precious resource and the water provided

has been provided for a comfortable two night stay.

• Wine tasting in Mudgee at over 40 cellar doors, with organised tours available.• Numerous trekking, hiking, canyoning spots and tours available.• Eco tours in Capertee and Wolgan Valley• Australia’s largest amateur astronomical society gathering in Illford• Fishing spots in Turon Gates, Windamer Dam and Lake Lyell• Water activities in Lake Lyell• Helicopter tours over the valley• Heritage tours in Glen Davis• Birdwatching tours• Rylstone Wineries, cellar door.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE ‘DOING NOTHING’

Watch the sun set, no two sunsets in the Capertee Valley are alike.

Snuggle on the daybed and enjoy the fire.

Stargaze…of course!

Do you know where your constellation is?

Check Luminous app on the iPad. You can also see what the earth

looks like from Saturn’s POV!

Take a photo of the moon crater with the telescope.

Immerse yourself in the different playlists provided as you lay back

on the bed.

Can you spot an Eagle?

Float above the valley at Cancer’s floating daybed.

Find your favourite hammock spot in Leo!

Enjoy the views above the Valley at Virgo’s love seat!

Treks on the property.

It’s OK to do the real nothing too

WORKING FARM AND THE ROAD

Eagle View Farm is a 1000 acre property with numerous walking treks, exotic wildlife and breath taking views, it’s big enough to ensure you don’t see any other human for days (unless you want to!) However it still is a working farm, please make sure to leave any gate exactly how you’ve found it, if closed, leave it closed and vice versa.

You might occasionally see John our landlord passing on his truck, he’s a very nice man and he’ll leave you be unless you wish to say hi, he’ll share some fascinating stories of his families involvement with the local area over the generations.

The bubbletent paddock is largely enclosed but you may find you need to share it with some furry lawn mowers. If you find you’ve been left a big pile of welcome by some of the larger animals along the road somewhere - well it just adds to the country charm - try to avoid it. If you do find one of our furry friends not looking well please do let us know.

If you have access to a 4WD it is always the best (and most fun) option given the length of the off-road part but a two-wheel drive Ford Fiesta can get to any tent and back up the road without any problems however if you’re arriving with anything lower lying you might struggle. Get in touch if in doubt.

Really early in the morning if there is frost or fog, take care driving up the track as it might be slippery, We do have some tips on how to get out of slippery situations so call us if in doubt but the trick is consistent speed and no sudden accelarating or breaking.

Please　　 remember that the speed limit on gravel is 30 km/h for the benefit of the wildlife and stock

ABOUT BUBBLE PEOPLE

Our Bubbletent journey began on a fateful trip to Lake Tekapo in New Zealand, which fulfilled Mayu’s childhood dream of visiting the area. The area, as it turns is in the top three spots around the world for stargazing. Visiting Mt John observatory in a new moon phase which coincided with a meteorite shower on a zero cloud night changed our lives, literally! After our eyes adjusted fully to the dark we were just flabbergasted at the wonder of the cosmos and the profound beauty of what lay overhead. The tour finished - with a kink in our neck - we were sent back to our roofed-accommodation, the cosmos part was over for the night but our quest to replicate that wonderment began and remained ever since….

So here we are a few years later where after battering our little city Fiesta in search of a spot thatprovides that wonderment not just by night but by day too, we finally found this slice of splendour overlooking Capertee Valley, the widest canyon in the world and a mecca for birdwatchers.

This booklet is designed to ensure you get the most out of your stay here. While our priority is toensure outmost comfort, convenience and connection to your significant other and share theexhilarating experience we felt when we first embarked on this journey we are endeavouring toensure that we leave a minimal foot-print on the environment, minimize light pollution and preserve the excitement of a camping trip.

We take great joy and pride in sharing this experience with you and if there are questions, inspirations, problems or in case of an unlikely emergency, contact us at any time!

Email: info@bubbletentaustralia.comPhone: 0412 133 052

Sonny & Mayu

Have an amazing time!

Sonny 0418 374 530

USEFUL CONTACT NO. Mayu 0466 283 887

Caretakers Nu. 0400 679 951