Guest Guide

Essential Points: Living in Harmony with the Land

Before you settle in, please hold these core practices at the heart of your stay:

Our Site Rhythms

• A Gentle Footprint: Please remove shoes before entering any building.

• Solar Mindfulness: Charge electronics during the day; avoid high-wattage items (kettles, toasters, hair dryers) entirely. Always turn off lights when not in use.

• Close the Wild Out: Keep all doors and screens closed at all times to keep our curious wildlife neighbours outdoors.

• Sacred Space: Honour our drug and alcohol-free policy to support those on a journey of habit transformation.

• Village Care: Clean up immediately after use and return items to their proper homes.

Vital Safety & Information

• Stay Within the Retreat: Please do not wander off into the bush or explore the property beyond the main retreat area without permission.

• Emergency Reach: A radio is located in the kitchen to reach the site manager 24/7.

• Assembly Point: In an emergency (indicated by a constant ringing Gong), meet on the grassy area in front of the dam.

• Orientation: Familiarise yourself with the evacuation plan and site map displayed in your room.

A Sanctuary for Growth

• Acknowledgement of Country: We acknowledge that we live and work on the country of the Guli-bul people of the Bundjalung Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and are committed to listening and learning how to care for Country.

• Sacred Space & Safe Container: To honour the history of this land and our predecessors, Arcoora is a drug and alcohol-free sanctuary. We strive to create a space where those working on transforming their habits can feel safe and supported in their journey. All buildings are smoke-free. If you choose to smoke, please move at least 20 meters away and use a personal container to take your butts with you for off-site disposal.

• Presence & Care: Please leave your shoes at the door to keep our indoor spaces clean. We also ask that you turn off lights and power outlets when not in use, and keep screen doors closed at all times to welcome the breeze while keeping our wilder neighbours outside.

• Village-Mindedness: Arcoora is a community-run space. We invite you to practice "village-mindedness". if you see a small task that needs doing or a way to support the group, we welcome your hands and heart in this sacred service.

• Children: Families are a wonderful part of our community. We ask that children remain under a parent's supervision at all times. There is a safe play area with toys available in the main dining hall.

Sustaining Our Resources

• Powered by the Sun: Our electricity is precious and sun-powered. To keep our system healthy, please charge personal items like phone and laptops during the day whenever possible. We ask that you completely avoid high-wattage items such as electric kettles, toasters, hairdryers, or curling irons.

• Water is Life: Our drinking water is a gift from a local spring; you can fill your drink bottles at the filtered taps in the kitchen and dining hall.

• The Guest House: Water in the Guest House is untreated rainwater and is not potable. It is perfect for washing, but please keep showers brief. As these are shared spaces, we ask for quiet after 10 PM; if you are a light sleeper, you may wish to use earplugs.

• Eco-Friendly Care: To protect our delicate ecosystem, please use only 100% biodegradable and environmentally safe soaps and shampoos. If you head out for a dip in a local swimming hole, please ensure you are free of sunscreens or insect repellents.

The Heart of the Home: The Kitchen

• Nourishment: Our indoor kitchen is a dedicated vegetarian space. For those preparing meat, we provide a gas cooker and sink on the outdoor kitchen deck.

• Collective Care: To keep the kitchen beautiful and free of critters, please wash and dry your dishes promptly using the outside sink.

• Organisation: Please use sealed containers for all food and clearly label your personal items with your name and the date.

Connecting with Nature

• Wildlife Sanctuary: Arcoora is a haven for animals; as such, we have a no-pets policy. Registered service animals are an exception - please ensure they are registered with management, kept in good health, and remain on a leash or tether while on site.

• Our Wild Neighbours: You may meet wallabies, bush turkeys, or resident huntsman spiders. Most spiders here are harmless; if you see one indoors that looks concerning, please let a team member know so it can be relocated outside.

• Natural Awareness: While guests often go through their entire stay without seeing them, it’s good to be aware of ticks and leeches. If you feel an itchy spot or a small lump, ask another guest or team member to check the area. We have removal tools and tea tree oil in our first aid kits and are happy to assist.

Safety & Collective Well-being

• Forest Adventures: We have some stunning trails to explore! However, please stay within the main retreat area unless you have permission from your hosts. The property is over 800 acres of wild terrain; it is easy to get lost, and hazards like steep drop-offs and Stinging Trees (Gympie Gympie) are present. For your safety, notify a team member before heading out, wear long pants and closed-in shoes, and always carry some water, a raincoat and and take a radio. Don’t wander off the main track. If you aren't sure how to identify a stinging tree, please ask a team member for a demonstration.

• Self-Responsibility: While living closely together, it is easy for illness to pass around. If you feel unwell, please be self-responsible by self-isolating in your cabin and notifying your coordinator so we can arrange for meals to be brought to you while you rest.

• Incident Reports: In line with professional safety procedures, any serious incidents must be reported to a member of the Arcoora team immediately.

Emergency Procedures

• First Aid & Communication: Kits are located in the main kitchen, Gonpa kitchen, Guest House, and site vehicle. A radio in the kitchen reaches the site manager 24/7. In a life-threatening emergency, call 000.

• Fire Safety: Extinguishers and hoses are situated near every building. In the kitchen, the extinguisher and fire blanket are above the first aid kit. For oil fires: use the blanket first; never use water. If an extinguisher is used, please notify the site manager immediately.

• Emergency Assembly: If you hear the Gong at the kitchen or temple ringing constantly, this is the emergency alarm. Drop everything—do not collect belongings—and head to the assembly point on the grassy area at the bottom of the Gonpa driveway in front of the dam.