#ShackLife
As Mallee Drift was originally built in the 1960s, we’ve tried to preserve some of the charm and character of the original shack. That said, it’s still very much a work in progress. The property hadn’t received much love for quite some time before we found it, and we’re gradually bringing it back to life. There are still a few improvements on our to-do list (including adding a second toilet), so we appreciate your patience while we continue giving Mallee Drift the care it deserves.
Because of its age, the shack also has a few little quirks that are all part of its character. With changes in the weather, you may even hear Mallee Drift “talking” to you with the occasional creak or groan.
A few things to note during your stay:
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Kitchen light – The switch is in the middle of the kitchen wall, just behind the microwave.
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Bedroom lights – These can be a little fickle. If the light doesn’t come on straight away, simply switch it off and on again and it will work.
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Mice – Being close to scrubland means the occasional mouse might make an appearance. We do our best with pest control, but if you notice one please let us know and we’ll take care of it.
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Microbats – If you’re sitting out the back in the evening, you may see a couple of small bats flying around. They’re native to the area, completely harmless, and they help by eating mosquitoes and moths. They are shy so you may not see them, especially if the lights are on. Please look after them, they are good custodians of the home when no one is around.
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The local wave – Around here, locals enjoy a friendly wave. If you’re out the front, don’t be surprised to see a nod or a lifted finger off the steering wheel as people pass by.
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Peculiar air vent door near BBQ – If you find you are getting overwhelmed by smoke, feel free to open the air vent door, or turn on the extractor fan (switch in the power socket near combustion heater).
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Stink Sink – In many shacks you will find an outside sink for washing any of your 'catch of the day' hauls. Ours is in the back deck area. Please use it, remembering to be water conscious.
We hope you enjoy the character and charm of Mallee Drift just as much as we do.
Our Shack is Your Shack
The place is yours!
If it is in the fridge or cupboard, it is there for you to use. If something is running low or needs replacing, please let us know via the contact form.
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Coffee – we have a plunger and there is some coffee in the cupboard. There is longlife milk in the fridge.
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BBQ – The bbq igniter doesn’t seem to work on the plate side, so you will need to use the lighter provided.
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Deep fryer – If you are going to use this, can you please use it out in the back area.
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Mosquitos and flies – We have plenty of fly repellent, mosquito coils and candles in the cupboard in the back area.
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First Aid Kit – Located in the kitchen cupboard and there is a small medicine container with some basic pain meds.
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Second fridge – Just outside the kitchen is an extra fridge if you need it. We don't keep it on so it may take a little while to get nice and cold.
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Games, DVDs, books – The collection is growing as we continue to bring more down from Adelaide but there are plenty of games for all ages - from poker, Risk, Ticket to Ride, Cards and Uno. We inherited the book collection so if you haven’t finished the book you were reading, take it home with you and bring it back on your next visit.
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TV and Streaming Services – All of the streaming services are accessible but please make sure you sign out before you leave.
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Crabbing – Raking for crabs is an art but there are plenty out there and you can spot where they are quite easily when the tide is out.
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Best Time – Low tide is ideal for walking out, particularly when water is calm and clear for better visibility.
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Gear – A crab rake, a floating bucket or tub (for storing catch), and sturdy, closed-toe footwear to protect against sharp shells and nippers. Rakes and float are near the shed.
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Technique – Look for slight mounds or disturbed sand, then drag the rake across the area. When a crab grabs the rake, flip it over and quickly move it to your bucket.
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Regulations – Ensure you have a valid measuring tool and follow South Australian size/bag limits, returning undersized or female crabs with eggs immediately.
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Giant fan – If there is no breeze in the back deck area, feel free to use the industrial fan. Even on the lowest level you are sure to be blown away by its efficiency (yep, we said that).
Enviro-Shack Life
Water is life.
Mallee Drift relies entirely on rainwater for its water supply, so we ask all guests to be mindful of how much water they use during their stay. Like the rest of James Well, we depend on the rain to fill our tanks, which means everyone here is very conscious of collecting and conserving water. It’s one of the biggest adjustments we’ve had to make ourselves after moving from city living to shack life.
To help us make our water last, we kindly ask that showers be kept to around three minutes where possible.
To make this a bit more fun (and to help keep track of time), we’ve created a “Shower Songs” playlist. All the songs are between 2:45 and 3:00 minutes long, so they’re the perfect timer.
Before you hop in the shower:
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Scan the QR code in the bathroom.
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Choose your favourite song.
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See if you can finish washing up before the song ends!
It’s a light-hearted way to help conserve water - and a good reminder that we probably don’t need to solve the world’s problems while we’re in the shower.
Thanks for helping us look after our rainwater supply so everyone can enjoy Mallee Drift.
GOOD NEWS! We had the water tested and it is safe to drink, so no need for boxes of water or extra plastic bottles.
Recycling
During your stay, we ask that you collect any 10c recycling items in the dark green wheelie bin. The community collects the refunded money and uses it for a variety of community projects. Please place any wine bottles in the yellow recycling bin.
