Dougie's Place

06/07/2026

After months of being full and having to turn people away, Dougie's Place now has a few vacancies!! 🥳🤪💖

Only an hour's drive from Melbourne in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, it makes a lovely place to get away for a couple of days - or even longer!
We have a list of plant farms etc that you can contact directly to ask about work opportunities, some of which can count towards your 2nd or 3rd year WHVs.

Contact us for more info...remember to bring your Winter woolies though; it's getting chilly up here!!

Edit: Dougie’s Place is a backpacker hostel. We currently have accommodation/beds available. 🥳We’re not hiring, but have a list of places that often have work for backpackers. 🤗

18/06/2026

Saw this on a local page. Please contact the bloke mentioned (Luke) directly 🌴🌳😃 - but if you need accommodation, Dougie’s Place currently has beds available. 😉

23/03/2026

After months of a full house, we finally have VACANCIES!!!
Be quick though, these beds will fill up fast!
Message (+61) 0490 902 806 if you're interested.

See you soon!

05/03/2026

If you’re staying at Dougie’s Place whilst doing your 88 Days & looking for something rewarding to do on a Saturday maybe… (note - as a volunteer)🥰

UPDATE: thank you to everyone who has responded to our request for volunteers... we are gradually working our way through all your responses! Please bear with us while we get back to all of you!

Gembrook Wildlife Shelter is looking for more volunteers! We need regular, reliable volunteers to assist with feeding, cleaning and general care of native wildlife in the mornings on Mondays, Tuesdays & Saturdays. Please DM with your experience, details and for further information or text 0409414527. Thank you!

22/01/2026

Just saw this on a local page. For any information, please contact “Henry” directly. 😊

20/11/2025

As we will be venturing to nearby beaches as the weather gets nice (hopefully!!), this is a great reminder that pretty much “everything in Australia can kill you!” 🤪😋😉
The very cute, rather pretty blue-ringed octopus is no exception!!! 🐙🪼
Stay safe out there!!

⚠️ Beach Safety Alert – Cape Woolamai ⚠️

Beachgoers are being urged to stay alert this summer after a visitor spotted a blue-ringed octopus washed up on the dog beach at Cape Woolamai over the weekend.

Found in the temperate waters of eastern Victoria, the reclusive creatures make a home in the crevices of reef flats and tidal pools.

These small creatures may look striking, but they are among the most venomous species in the ocean, with enough venom in a single bite to kill up to 26 adults.

A bite is often painless at first, but symptoms can quickly develop, including numbness and difficulty breathing.

If you think you or someone else has been bitten, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Stay safe and keep an eye out along the shoreline. 🐙

Reporter: Jack Colantuono
Photo: Laura Jane

28/10/2025

Today we celebrated Dougie’s Place 2.0’s 8th Birthday!! Traditional Aussie Sausage Sizzle, couple of bottles of Pink to wash it down & a brownie cake for good measure. 😄🍾🍹

A great group of travellers are staying at the moment & it’s so inspiring to realise they are all travelling for the same reasons we did “back in the day.” To meet people, experience new cultures, appreciate the good and bad and without realising it, create opportunities of understanding and peace.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🎂🍰
Here’s to many more!!

(Why 2.0?? Well, Dougie’s started in 1997, but had a hiatus after we were married and moved to America for a bit. Restarted in 2017…hence 2.0😉)