It's lucky Hunny Tor cottage has a long driveway. The little yellow cottage is situated off a busy main road at Burradoo,on the outskirts of Bowral,which triggered doubts as we drove through the two-hectare garden up to the front door. These doubts were dispelled as we unlocked the door to see a box of chocolates and a massive fireplace,and heard the kids'and dogs'excited voices as they disappeared outside. There was enough room for our daughters to roam with the dogs and make forts out of sticks and collect pinecones and roll down the hills,without going near the road. We picnicked under the pines as the stars came out,and shone our torches at screeching possums in the branches above us,before building a massive fire inside and reading on the couches. The 1940s'cottage is prettily decorated with multiple bunches of faux flowers,flower paintings,flower-decorated clocks,flowered doonas and flower-patterned crockery. The cottage garden,with azaleas and climbers snuggled close to the house,also contains a dam with swans and ducks,tucked into a back corner.

THE KIT

The cottage sleeps six,with a queen and two single beds in two bedrooms and a sofa bed in a small sunroom. Its kitchen is well equipped and includes a dishwasher and microwave. The laundry contains a washer and dryer. A table with barbecue on a small back deck is great for dinner,although there is also a six-seat table inside. Despite the open fireplace,there is also reverse cycle air conditioning for heating and various heaters,perhaps just in case you run out of wood. We could not find an axe,although there were plenty of large logs outside. Scrabble,magazines,novels and DVDs for children and adults fill a small bookcase near the television and DVD player.

COMFORT FACTOR

The cottage is warm and comfortable,with soft couches by the fire and a separate sunroom that catches the rays in the afternoons. There is no bath,but the shower is excellent - more like a waterfall. At night,peace descends as the traffic finishes.