Turn directly onto the driveway from the main road. Choose the driveway on the left and find the cottage immediately on the left. As a high-set, Oak Ridge Cottage allows guests to park directly under the dwelling with stairs that lead up to the main entrance. Being the only dwelling, there is no mistaking where to go once you have parked your vehicle.

Oak Ridge Cottage is on tank water and a has a waste water treatment system. Not being on town water and sewerage means that guests are asked to be mindful regarding water usage and to consider what goes down the drains. Dishwashing liquid, laundry detergents, and shower gel is provided for this reason.

No pesticides are used on this premises.

The cottage is synthetic fragrance free, with a few premium quality dōTERRA Oils available for use.

Your hosts are friendly and encourage you to call if you need help or would like local advice on Maleny and surrounds.

You need a car to make a 7 minute drive to Maleny. Once in Maleny the main street offers a variety of eating venues, shops and even markets on certain days. Within a 10 minute radius of Maleny there are a number of lookouts, streams, dams, and things to do.

The cottage is accessed directly off Maleny-Kenilworth Road, seven minutes drive from Maleny. If you look out for them as you approach, you will see a yellow post- this is your signal to slow down, as you need to turn off the road at the second yellow post soon after. Once you pull off the road, you will be immediately presented with two open gates. Please take the left gate to the cottage (as the other will take you to the main residence). Note that it has a yellow letterbox. The driveway immediately descends a short way with the cottage presenting on the left. Feel welcome to park under the cottage.

Welcome to Oak Ridge Cottage!  We hope your stay is comfortable and peaceful.  You will find that there is complimentary milk, tea, coffee and sugar available, as well as a fruit bowl, to cover some basics while you settle in.  You should also find basic cooking needs such as olive oil, salt and pepper.  If any of these are missing please let us know immediately so we can remedy.  We are just next door, so if you need help or advice on local facilities please feel welcome to call.  We will do our best to accommodate.

A couple of things to note:

• Please remove your shoes before walking on the carpet.
• The weather is often temperate in Maleny, making use of the air conditioning mostly unwarranted.  If you prefer the fresh air, we strongly suggest that you keep the screens completely closed at all times so that unwanted guests do not enter the cottage.
• Please do not smoke inside.  If you wish to smoke, please smoke downwind of all entrances to the cottage.  Under the cottage is another good option.  Smoking on the deck is not ideal.
• If you use the washing machine or dryer located under the cottage, please be sure to close them after use so that no little friends find their way inside! Also, be sure to turn on the power at the wall as well as the water (turn anti-clockwise to open pipes).

Tank & waste water treatment system:

The cottage is on tank water and has a waste water treatment system that feeds out into a neighbouring garden.  The treatment system is sensitive. It houses a delicate balance of bacteria and natural chemicals that filters waste and ultimately produces grey water safe enough to recycle in the garden.  We need to maintain and encourage the right bacterial balance by avoiding fats and chemicals entering the system.  

Our most recent report said we need to try better to minimise any harsh chemicals, including shaving cream. Please feel welcome try the organic shaving soap provided during your stay.  If you prefer a bar, Tomislav can recommend Badger Shave Soap, available at the  local Co-op on Maple Street.  Palmolive Rapid Shave is also acceptable, available at most supermarkets.

For your convenience, please use the dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent and body wash provided.  If you would like to bring your own please ensure they are “septic safe” or “grey water safe.”

It is important to:

• Avoid putting food down the sink or toilet.
• Use the paper towels provided to wipe out fats from pots and pans to dispose of in the bin prior to washing.
• If you have a lot of liquid oil to dispose of, look under the sink to find a glass jar you can pour it in prior to putting in the bin.
• Avoid tipping any oils or fats down the drain.
• Avoid the use of harsh chemicals that will eventually go down the drain.
• If in doubt, tip it into the garden.

For your convenience, please use the dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent and body wash provided.  If you would like to bring your own please ensure they are “septic safe” or “grey water safe.” The system has a small amount of tolerance.  This tolerance is reserved for if you have used chemicals in your hair or on your skin.  So makeup removers, cleansers and the like are acceptable as long as the above is observed to the best of your ability.

If you need to clean the loo:

Under the laundry sink in the carport you will find a kit that includes disinfectant, bi-carb of soda, and Kin Kin dishwashing liquid.  Use the disinfectant to clean the seat and then throw the toilet paper in the bin.  Do not put any toilet paper with disinfectant in the toilet as the disinfectant will kill the good bacteria in the system.  To clean the bowl, dispense the dishwashing liquid as you would with Toilet Duck.  Then sprinkle 1 tablespoon of bi-carb soda also around the bowl.  The liquid and bi-carb with soap up nicely if you use a wet brush and they will actually assist in maintaining the septic system, as well as clean the loo!
Please do not interchange the dishwashing liquid in the kitchen with the one designated for the toilet – they must be kept separate!

Please do not put any Iscocol in the loo.  This is the number one reason for the killing off of good bacteria in the waste water treatment system.

Prior to leaving it would be appreciated if you would kindly:

• Leave the kitchen as you found it - clean and dry with everything put away
• Empty out the fridge of any food that you brought.
• Empty the bathroom and kitchen bins into the wheely bin under the house (if you want to separate out the recycling feel welcome).  By the way, bins need to be put out on Tuesday for a Wednesday collection.  Please excuse any intrusion of your privacy as we attend to this task.
• Place any used towels in the laundry basket in the bathroom.
• Don’t worry yourself with making the bed as we only have to undo it anyway!
• Close all the windows except for the kitchen window.
• Place the key back in the white shelf and text a photo to Evie on 0412 005 357.  This text will let us know that you have remembered to leave the key, and also what time you left.

What’s going on in the garden?