The Old School

Welcome guide

Romantic 1858 old school, one bed apartment for one couple.

In the Adelaide Hills close to wineries & Hahndorf.

2 West Terrace, Balhannah SA 5242

To call or text Charlie and Mon between the hours of 7am and 9pm: +61473622505

We request that you contact for emergencies only after hours (9pm to 7am)

Charlie and Mon hope you enjoy your stay at The Old School, we continuously aim to make the space as comfortable for our guests as possible.

Please read our house rules and let us know as soon as possible if there is anything you would like us to address, or still need to know so we can assist during your stay.

House Rules

The ring doorbell and perimeter cameras are for your safety and ours and are declared on our listings. If you do not wish to stay because of the security cameras, please let us know immediately.

Check in is flexible – generally after 2pm. Please let us know your ETA.

Check out is 11am.

This is a couple’s accommodation only. Two adults and one bed is provided in this accommodation. No children, no pets at any time.

No parties or gatherings as our insurance does not cover us for events of any description (and as per Airbnb / Stayz [VRBO] rules).

For this property -While you may welcome up to 4 guests, overnight guests are not allowed. If you do have visitors, please note no children or pets are to enter the home at any time. Please ensure any non- registered guests leave by 1030pm.

No smoking in the house or on the balcony.

Please close windows in the event of rain or before you go out.

Please do not leave air-conditioning running when you are not here.

The porcelain sink and induction cooktop need to be used with care to avoid damage. Please do not remove the silicone sink protection and use the washing bowl/basin provided.

Please do not move furniture. Charges will apply to repair damage and/or cost to move furniture back.

Please do not use any products that may stain or damage linen, carpet or bathroom grout/tiles (such as oils, fake tan, acne products, or hair dye).

Wood fire use is from April to October. A reasonable amount of kindling and firewood is made available to you per night. Please do not access firewood from any other place on the property. Kloses supermarket and Mitre 10 sell kindling and firwood should you wish to use more than the amount provided.

If there are any breakages or damage during your stay, please let us know so we can arrange replacement or repair.

About the schoolhouse

The school and attached schoolmasters’ residence was built in 1858. It functioned as a school until 1938. It has been a home for many years and was SA State heritage listed in 1989. It has recently undergone an extensive restoration.

The Hills area does occasionally have power outages. Usually these are brief. There is an emergency battery operated light in the bedside table. Please let us know if you lose power.

You will notice there are lots of original features in the house. Here is some extra information about the modern bits:

We have mod cons but you will have noticed in our listing we intentionally have

network “Airbnb”. Password can be found on the fridge.

is reverse cycle (both the ducted system and the floor unit in the bedroom). The control panel is on the wall between the fire and the school door. The remote/guide is in the bedside table upstairs and a guide is also included in this manual.

The ceiling fan remote on the wall next to the aircon control panel. Main power switch is the bottom switch outside the bedroom door (labelled). This switch must remain on at all times. Remote- To turn on press power (top left) Summer mode is default mode and press reverse (top right) for winter mode. Press fan speed 1 to 4.

1. To open the lever must be in the “up” position prior to using the winder to open the window. Please put the lever in the “down” position once you close the window. 2. There is one key in the kitchen if you wish to key lock the windows. 3. The velux in the bedroom has a remote operated blind. Remote in the bedside table.

Induction cooktop guide included in this manual.

Under floor heating (is programmed to warm the floor morning and evening from April to October)

Coffee pod machine guide included in this manual. Please ensure the lever is left in the up/open position.

Bluetooth speaker is charged up and ready for use – it will come up as Blueant.

Extra towels are in the cupboard in the bathroom.

If you need – please let us know.

There is a in the bedside table in case one of you wants to sleep and the other read!

Picnic Basket

There is a picnic basket in the gothic sideboard cupboards.

Feel free to use it during your stay, ensuring all the parts are washed and returned.

It contains:

2 acrylic wine glasses
2 acrylic tumblers
3 piece cheese utensil set
1 chopping/serving board
1 zip up picnic set with:

4 plates
4 knives
4 forks

* If you’d like to use a picnic blanket – please let us know and we can leave it in the entry for you to borrow.

Barbecue and firepit area

Please let us know if you would like to use the BBQ and firepit area, so we can clean it up or in case we already have plans to use the area.

Online: Guidebook

Checking out

Please ensure you are ready to leave prior to 11am check out time. This is to assist when cleaners are booked, and new guests are expected on the day of your departure.

Please turn off aircon, and lights before departure.

Please load dishwasher and turn on “normal” cycle, or wash dishes.

Return keys to Charlie and Mon. Please note a locksmith and replacement charges ($200) apply if key(s) not returned.

Please if you could find the time to write a review on the platform you booked on, or google platform if a direct booking. Our business relies on good reviews. Please see Airbnb guidelines over the page explaining their star system. We also have a guest book on my old school desk in the entry where you’ll see a place to write a comment and see some fun we had while filming Restoration Australia on the ABC (due for airing in June 2025).

Please ensure you have all your personal items. We would be happy to post items for cost of registered postage, once the mailing fee payment has been made.

Please report any breakages, so we can ensure the place is comfortable for our next guests.

It really helps our on-line presence – both on the platforms and the google business site if you review us publicly.