Scribbly Gum Cottage, Leura review: Mountain hideout

Jacqui Taffel finds a child- and pet-friendly holiday cottage.

Never work with children and animals, is the old showbiz warning. But what about going on holiday with them? Success or failure depends on finding the right accommodation and, after a weekend at Scribbly Gum Cottage in Leura, we have at least one place to recommend.

We don't have a dog but if we did it would have a good time, judging by the comments in the visitors' book, the large garden and the dog bowls stashed in the kitchen. Cats are also welcome but we don't have one of those either.

We do have a child. Since getting the hang of crawling, our nine-month-old boy is raring to explore all new horizons. We, on the other hand, are slightly nervous taking him to an unfamiliar house that might contain traps for young players.

Owner Lori Wong has assured us there's a decent cot, so no need to lug in the portacot. I've heard this before, only to discover a cot so old and rickety it might just support a docile newborn but not a vigorous cot-kicker like Oscar.

As promised, Scribbly Gum's cot is fine and the house is comfortable and generally child-proof for our needs. It's cold and rainy all weekend and BC (before child) we'd have lit the wood fire. We stick to the oil heaters, instead, far less interesting for our baby boy scout.

We have come to the mountains to visit friends and family. Scribbly Gum is so pleasant, they come to visit us. We have dinner sitting at the lovely wooden dining table that easily fits eight people; the house sleeps six plus the cot. The next morning my aunt and uncle arrive bearing coffee and homemade muffins and we sit on the living room couches chatting while Oscar shows off, pulling himself upright on the solid coffee table.

Leura's main street is an easy five-minute stroll from the house. The most upmarket of the mountain villages, it's full of tasteful gift shops and designer homeware. At the Bakehouse on Wentworth, also a popular cafe, we stop to buy a loaf for lunch with another friend. The walnut bread we choose is delicious.

Most of our time is spent back at the cottage, which isn't really a cottage but a homey three-bedroom house, well appointed but not flashy. We read the paper reclining on one couch each, soak in the deep clawfoot bath in the spacious bathroom, drink tea (bags supplied) and chat at the dining room table.