Como Cottages, Olinda review: Enchanted evening

Patricia Maunder gets lost in the vintage feel of this quaint and secluded cottage.

It's one of those perfect autumn days in the Dandenongs when we arrive at Como Cottage: sunny, pleasantly cool, the air ripe with mist and the smell of damp leaves. The quaint shops and undemanding bush rambles in the area do nothing to dispel my childhood daydreams of pixies and talking marsupials, so discovering that the cottage is like something out of a storybook seems appropriate.

In a space about the size of a decent hotel room, this wee building packs in a kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom.

While two people trying to use the kitchen simultaneously takes some co-ordination, everything's remarkably comfortable, and anything you would expect in a self-contained B&B is tucked away somewhere.

It's not just the diminutive size of this early-20th-century cottage that's charming. Original features such as some coloured and etched glass have evidently been augmented by various salvaged bits and most of the furniture is vintage. Interesting bric-a-brac dotted around the semi-wild garden, such as old tricycles and garage signs, can also be seen through the windows.

However, it's not all about the past: there's a two-person spa bath, microwave, television, DVD player and stereo though only the latter gets an outing during my stay, as I'm drawn to the old-fashioned magic of an open fireplace. A big pile of wood, plus newspaper, kindling and fire starters are on hand so, as the sun sets and the air grows chilly, we sit back and watch the flames while sipping tea and listening to the cockatoos.

In the morning, all manner of birds get in on the act. It's a lovely way to wake up in the queen-size bed, so comfortable with its quality sheets and just-right pillows. Adding to the morning's welcome are the generous breakfast provisions (including a substantial selection of good tea) and huge, old-fashioned shower head, which gushes out decadent amounts of hot water (between it and the spa, guilt could be a problem).

Como Cottage is one of several nestled on the property (including one backing onto Como's little veranda), which is right on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and a short walk from the Olinda shops. Nevertheless, the whole experience feels secluded.

Contact with management is limited to pleasant, fleeting chats on arrival and departure. The traffic noise is minimal and we only hear our cottage neighbours briefly when they come home around midnight.