Summer at Milton Country Cottages

Summer News 2012

We still have some vacancies for the summer holidays. Check out the availability calendar on our website and subscriber specials below.

Subscriber Summer Specials

Summer Wine Special*
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Chill out in one of our one bedroom cottages with a bottle of wine from Cupitts local winery. Book 4 nights or more in the Kookaburra or Lyrebird cottages in December or January and you will receive a bottle of wine or a box of hand made chocolates.

Summer Holiday Discount*
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For a stay in a one bedroom cottage from the 14th January to the end of January we have special offer. A 10% discount on a stay of 4 nights or more. Wine or chocolate offer included for 4 nights or more.

Special Anniversary Gift*
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When you make a booking just tell us if it is your birthday or anniversary and that you are a subscriber to our newsletter. Then we'll give you a gift from our gallery made by Kees.

*Applies only to bookings directly with us and you must tell us when you book you are a email newsletter subscriber.

Last Minute Gift Idea

Looking for a last minute gift for someone who needs a break? A Milton Country Cottages Gift Voucher can be purchased for any amount. For example, you can purchase one night with wine and chocolates, 2 nights with a pottery lesson – there are many options. We send out the voucher with our brochures so there is a nice package to give the recipient.

Two more awards!

Since our last newsletter we have won two awards, Highly Commended for Hosted Accommodation in the South Coast Tourism Awards and best accommodation in the Milton Ulladulla business awards.

Annual Subscriber Prize

Congratulations to Caitlin, the winner of our 2 free nights prize. As we missed out on a winter newsletter we'll draw another winner early next year.

Waterfront House to let for xmas/new year



A friend of ours has a 2 bedroom lake frontage house at Lake Conjola to let for the holidays. They would prefer no children but don't mind well behaved pets. Minimum of one week at $2,000 per week with a 50% deposit. This house is in a perfect location, absolute lake frontage, peaceful, but a short stroll to the general store and to the bowling club. There are photos on the Milton Country Cottages Facebook page. Contact us for details.

Our Facebook page

We encourage you to like us on Facebook – we regularly post information about Milton Country Cottages and what’s happening in this area.

New Website

Thanks to our webmaster son Karl our website has just been up-graded to be smart phone and tablet friendly. It is also more user friendly to book and has more specific detail about our cottage options. We will soon be adding some new photos taken by our friend and local wedding photographer Bob Milo from Insight Fotographics.

Grey-headed Flying foxes

Grey-headed flying foxes breed in the Yatte Yattah nature reserve and fly up to 50 kilometres at night to find food. Thousands can be seen flying over Milton Country Cottages every night at dusk. With a wingspan up to a metre some of them appear quite close. Four years ago there was estimated to be 80,000 of them and they seem to be back in big numbers again this year.

Enjoy Great Food and Wine

So many fabulous restaurants to choose from in Milton:

The award winning Cupitts Winery and Vineyard Kitchen is well worth a visit – stunning rural views, excellent food and superb wines. Enjoy lunch or dinner with a bottle of wine and buy a bottle of wine or two to enjoy later. Or visit the Cellar door for wine tasting and perhaps a cheese platter.

Cellar door open Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 pm to 5.00 or by appointment. Restaurant - lunch Wed-Sun 12.00 -2.30 and dinner Friday and Saturday 6.00 – 10.00 pm. Call 44557888 to book.

St Isadore in Croobyar Road overlooks a beautiful rural landscape. It is fully licensed and open Thursday to Sunday. The Tipsy Fig and Coastal Indulgence continue to provide top quality food and excellent service. The Tipsy Fig and Coastal Indulgence are now licensed.

If you venture a little further from Milton Town there is Rick Stein's restaurant at Bannisters. Bannisters Pool Bar is open 7 days from 6.00pm. This is a great place to enjoy a gourmet pizza, fresh salad, burger or seafood from the poolside sun lounge at the pizza and cocktail bar. They have live music on the first, third and fifth Fridays of the month and alternate Sundays.

What's to Eat gourmet deli is full of delights, from local and imported cheeses to cold meats, antipasto and Jasper Peel rustic breads. Why not order a special picnic lunch from them? We will collect it for you and put it into one of our picnic hampers. We have a 4 person carry bag hamper and a 2 person picnic backpack available for your use at no extra charge.

For something different in December and January visit the Clyde River Berry Farm and pick your own berries. Blueberries are a speciality.

Or dine in you cottage with delicious take away food from The Kitchen in Milton. Gourmet food prepared with local ingredients where possible. Open 6 days, until 6.00 pm Monday to Friday and 4.00 pm Saturdays. If you can't get there during these hours let us know and we'll collect your order for you.

What else to do in the Southern Shoalhaven?

Ghost Walk of Milton - Join Charlotte, mistress of the Star Hotel in the 1880's on a lantern-lit walking tour to experience historic Milton. Conducted by historian Cathy Dunn. Bookings essential on 44554780.




Bendalong - Take a trip to the wonderful beaches at Bendalong and feed the sting rays.

Explore the Budawangs - Take a walk or drive to many interesting places like Granite Falls

Fishing - Fish in Lake Conjola or take a trip with a local charter operators and try your hand at deep sea fishing.

Boating - Hire a canoe or boat at Lake Conjola.

Coastal Paddle Surf - Learn to paddle surf at Lake Conjola Information and bookings 04496 72645

Learn to Surf - Mollymook beach surf school www.mollymookbeachsurfschool.com or Pam Burridge (world champion surfer) surf schools at Mollymook and Bendalong. 4456 4938 or 0409 767 176

Take in a performance at the Milton theatre - Information about performances at www.miltontheatre.com.au

Visit www,ulladulla.info or contact the local visitors centre on 02 44551269 for more information about what's on in the Souther Shoalhaven.

Cheese Platter and Cupitts Wine Offer

Cosy Winter Escape to Milton Country Cottages

Winter Stays

It's June and thoughts turn to cosy times by the fire at Milton Country Cottages.

Book directly* with us and and treat yourself to cosy nights in front of the fire with our weekend winter package. This includes a generous breakfast hamper, complimentary port, bathrobes, bath products and slippers. $440 per couple for 2 nights or $585 for 3 nights in a one bedroom cottage with double spa bath. An additional $20 per night for 2 people for the two bedroom cottage with garden spa bath.

This package is also available as a mid-week package at lower rates including stay 4 nights and pay for 3. Please contact us for details.

*Either by direct email, phone or directly through our own website booking system.

Extra for Our Newsletter Subscribers

For subscribers to our newsletter we have a terrific winter wine and cheese package:

We are now offering an extra to our winter package exclusively for our Newsletter subscribers at no extra cost - a delicious cheese platter and bottle of local wine for all direct bookings of 2 nights or more until the end of August.

The wine is from Cupitts Winery at Milton and you can choose the 2009 Trumby Syrah,a medium bodied Shiraz with a deep red colour, bright blackcurrant fruit flavours and soft oak tannins. Or you can choose the 2011 Mues Amigos Verdelho.

And the best news is these offers include school holidays! Please mention that you are a subscriber when you book. *You must book directly with us for this offer.

Cupitts Winery Special Offer for our guests

Cupitts winery award-winning Vineyard Kitchen restaurant are offering a winter special of 2 course lunches Wed-Fri for $32

In addition, they are offering Milton Country Cottages guests a complimentary glass of sparkling, red or white wine or house beer on arrival when dining in their restaurant.

Winery open Wed-Sun 10.00 am-4.00 pm.
Lunch Wed-Sun & dinner Fri-Sat. 02 4455 7888

The lunch menu changes but this week it was: Warm potato pancake, cured Kingfish and Lemon Cream or Orecchiette, Flaked Beef Cheek, Olives and capers with Baked Cheesecake with red wine poached tamarillos, or French meringue with Chantilly, Lemon Curd and Rhubarb

Milton Country Cottages introduces Free Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is now available to all the cottages – just ask us for the current code when you are here.

Like us on Facebook

You can now like us on Facebook and there is a link on our website to do this. Click here to 'Like' us and tell us when you stay for a pottery gift.

Delicious Eat-in Menu

Enjoy dinner in your cottage in front of the fire on cold winter nights without having to cook. Order delicious gourmet home made meals from The Kitchen in Milton. Quality food prepared on the premises daily using the best local and seasonal produce.

There is the convenience of having the food there when you arrive, but more than that - the food is great! Just ask and we'll send you the menu and order form. As long as you give us 3 days notice - no fee for this service for our subscribers.

If you wish to go to the kitchen yourself opening hours are: Mon-Fri 9am -6pm and Sat 9am-4pm.

Restaurants and Winter Specials

Not only do we have some great local restaurants there are many advertising great Winter specials.

Try the excellent St Isadore at Milton – open for lunch Fri-Sun and dinner Wed-Sat. Great for lunch to enjoy the rural outlook.

Rick Stein at Bannisters are open for dinner Mon-Sat and lunch Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. They have a Wednesday lunch special until the end of August, a 3 course meal and a glass of wine for $60 per person. For reservations phone 44553044

Bannisters also have a Pool bar looking over the ocean, open from 5.00 pm. Mon-Thurs special – a pizza and a glass of beer or wine for $18.

After being closed for 6 years the Pigeon House tea rooms have been re-furbished to open this week. It is planned to have a marquee there for weddings in the future. We'll try out the tea rooms soon.

How about a walk? A picnic?

There are many great walks around the Milton area and winter is the perfect time to enjoy the spectacular rural, coastal and ocean views. Its whale season so you might even spot one on a calm day from Warden Head. We can lend you a picnic basket and rug at nocost and we can give you some ideas and maps. What's2eat deli in Milton has great platters and picnic lunches.

Movie Library

In the cooler weather with the longer nights our movie library is always popular, and, of course comes at no extra charge. We continue to add to our collection.

Milton Theatre 

Did you know that Milton has its own 200 seat historic theatre? It was used for movies until about 12 years ago and has been refurbished. It is now used for live theatre, community performances and as a recording studio.

Coming events include:

Milton Follies presents Arabian Nights on the weekends of the 16th and 23rd June. With drama, excitement and humour, it will appeal to adults and families.

John Waters in “Looking through a glass onion” is sold out for the 4th of August but tickets still available for Sunday 5th August 4 pm and 8 pm.

Christine Anu presents REWIND-THE ARETHA FRANKLIN SONGBOOK. 8 pm on Saturday 25th August.

More information and a gig guide available at www.miltontheatre.com.au. Please ask us if you would like tickets as we can arrange this for you.

Want to bring the children?

Stay in our 2 bedroom Kookaburra cottage and we can arrange a baby sitter for you from the Daisy Care Nanny Agency.

Free Nights Winner Announced Next Newsletter

The winner of our annual 2 free nights prize will be announced in our next newsletter.

Autumn Already?

Autumn News

It seems early to be thinking about Autumn already but the weather certainly feels like it! The first sign at Milton Country Cottages is usually the flowering of of the “naked ladies” in late February and their pink flowers are just appearing. Then the leaves on the River Tamarind turn yellow.

Autumn Offers

Once again we have some great special deals for subscribers to our e-newsletter:

Summer Discount Continued - We have extended the 5% summer discount until the end of March. Just enter the code MCCSP when you book on our website for this discount to apply.

Autumn Mid-week Free Night Special - In addition to the 5% we offer a free night for mid-week longer stays. Pay for 3 or 4 nights between Sunday and Thursday inclusive and you will get an additional night free. You will need to contact us by email to take advantage of this offer because our booking system won't cope!

For example, a 4 night stay in a one bedroom cottage will cost $470 and a 5 night stay $613.

Valentine Special - For the month of February we offer you a bottle of good wine and a gift from our gallery.

House & Garden Article Features Milton Country Cottages

Milton Country cottages is featured in House and Garden magazine as place to stay for a relaxing and romantic weekend. We are in the last story in this article so click here to download the article and scroll through to see us!

Just the Spot to Spin a Pot

This is the title of an article in the Sunday paper travel page in December. Those of you who have met Kees will realise that this writer has him to a T! Click here to download a copy of the article

Many of our guests are enjoying the experience of learning to throw a pot on the wheel. Cost is $40 per hour for one person and $60 per hour for 2 people. Please let us know when you book if you are interested and we’ll arrange a suitable time. This is a fun experience but if you do make something you would like to keep we can have it galzed, fired and sent to you for an additional fee.

As seen on TV

Don't forget that Kees will be on the Sydney Weekend show on Channel 7 on the 18th February

Kees is teaching presenter Leah how to throw a pot on the wheel.

Enjoy a Walk?

Autumn is a great time for walking and this area has limitless options, from the difficult but spectacular Pigeon House to the easier Mount Bushwalker. There are also magnificent coastal walks and what better time for a beach walk and picnic.

We are right in the middle of most of the best bushwalks in the Central Shoalhaven area. Pointer Gap Road just across the highway from here leads to spectacular walks in the Morton National Park, including Florance Head, Rusden Head and Mount Bushwalker. These are all easier walks than Pigeon House but just as spectacular.

Mount Bushwalker is an easy flat and undulating walk. It is only only 7 kms return and has sublime views of the Budawag Ranges including The Castle and The Shrouded Gods. It has been described as one of the most picturesque natural experiences in NSW.



See many interesting birds there, including various honeyeaters, silvereyes, little wattlebirds and occasional threatened species such as Eastern ground parrots and striated field wrens.

If you prefer the coast there are several beautiful coastal walks accessed via Lake Conjola Entrance Road. There is more information about local walks on www.ulladullaonline.com/bushwalks

How About a Picnic Lunch?

What's2eat deli is also featured in the House and Garden Magazine article. This is a great little deli full of gourmet delights, local and imported cheeses, cold meats and antipasto. Fresh platters are made to order so if you let us know what you would like we can order it for you, collect it, and present it to you in either a carry picnic back or a picnic backpack for two. We even provide a picnic rug. All you pay for is the food. If you prefer to buy the food yourself we lend you the bag or backpack, the rug and a thermos at no charge.

What else to do in and around Milton?

(apart from going to the beach)

• See a performance at the Milton Theatre
  
  
• Hire a canoe on Lake Conjola
  
  
• Enjoy lunches and dinners at great cafes and restaurants
  
  
• Check out the Milton Show on the first weekend of March (Friday and Saturday)
  
  
• See a movie at the Ulladulla twin cinema
  
  
• Go fishing
  
  
• Shop for exquisite clothing, interesting gifts and antiques/old wares

We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Carol and Kees
Milton Country Cottages