Whiptail Cottage Hirstglen, QLD

Whiptail Cottage, a working cattle property on the eastern side of the Darling Downs, invites couples, friends, and families to unwind on a beautiful rural hideaway. Relish the breath taking views and seclusion offered by this unique location, set high at the end of the valley surrounded only by mother nature. The space Whiptail Cottage was transported and settled carefully into position in 2016, with views of the valley a priority. Restoration ensured the charm of the 1930s cottage remained, which is evident from the moment you open the front door. Our cottage is warm and inviting and feels just the way a country cottage should. Taking time away from the demands and pressures of daily life, Whiptail Cottage reminds you to breathe deeply and allow yourself to be soaked in nature. Being wrapped in the warmth of country hospitality is something both Tim and Julia know only too well. Raised in the country, where fresh air filled our lungs and grandparents and parents generously fed us homegrown goodness, we appreciate the importance of taking time to step away. Our simple wish is that when you walk through the front door, you simply enjoy the change of pace, the peace, and the beauty of our cottage and surroundings. Guest access During your stay at Whiptail Cottage, you will have access to the cottage, house yard and are free to walk the tracks around the house paddock. Tim and Julia will have to access items from the shed which is approximately 80m from the house. We will be quiet and will respect your privacy. Upon your arrival Driving up to the cottage you will notice a large gate to the right of the entrance arbor. Guests are invited to drive through the gates and park on the right-hand side of the cottage. The front path leads up to a set of stairs, allowing access to the front of the property, however, should you prefer to unload at the rear of the cottage, while unpaved, does require less leg work. There is additional parking available at the front gate, and plenty of room to park your car away from the trees. We do request that cars are not parked on the lawn in front of the house. We regret to acknowledge that Whiptail Cottage does not offer wheelchair access and access to the house is via the steps at the front of the property or a single step at the rear. The ground is uneven and can get muddy after the rain. A reminder that supplies for your stay must be bought with you. We do supply the cottage with tea, freshly ground coffee beans for the espresso machine or Italian press, hot chocolate, olive oil, flour, seasonings, cleaning supplies, and food wrap. Wifi at the cottage is via Starlink and is very good. Telstra service works well at the cottage. Whiptail Cottage sleeps up to 8 people and as previously mentioned, is very cold in winter. While the two bedrooms are quite close to the lounge room where the fire provides adequate warmth, the sunroom containing two double beds, can be very cold in winter. Warm blankets, doonas, and hot water bottles are all available and we encourage those sleeping in this area to consider warmth when packing! There are no air-conditioning units at Whiptail Cottage as we are fully off-grid. Fans, along with the design of the house, provide adequate cooling during the warmer months. The fire pit is strictly forbidden during fire bans and times of dry weather but can be used when conditions are safe to do so. During times of strong winds and dry conditions, the fire pit cannot be used. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside Whiptail Cottage, and all butts must be disposed of safely and thoughtfully. Emergency Plans are outlined onsite. Telsa drivers are very welcome, however as we are off-grid, our power system isn't strong enough to fully charge the car and the house. Topping up the car for an hour during the day when there is sunshine is all we can offer. There are charging stations in Gatton, Toowoomba and Warwick. Farm life Whiptail is a working cattle property. Depending on the season, the paddocks are home to our small herds of Angus and Ultra Black cattle and calves. There will be times when you see us at the shed, but please note that we will respect your privacy by going quietly about our business unless you want to stop us for a chat! The most important rule on our farm is simple. If you open a gate, you close it directly behind you. Gates accidentally left open create enormous stress on our operation and time, not to mention the potential harm to our livestock. Guests are welcome to watch cattle graze but we ask that they are not spooked or disturbed. Guests who choose to bring their furry friend must always have them on lead, when moving outside the house yard. There are three dams on Whiptail and more on surrounding properties. These are all watering holes for stock and wildlife. Guests with children must always be responsible for their whereabouts. We use electric fences on our property, depending on the presence or absence of livestock. Please be very careful around these fences. It is advised not to climb through any fences. Other things to note You might choose to stay at Whiptail Cottage while exploring the greater Darling Downs, Main Range National Park, Lockyer Valley, and Toowoomba. All are nearby and offer much to see and do, depending on your level of adventure. However, should you choose to hide your car keys upon arrival, there is plenty to do to while away your Whiptail hours, if you require more than soaking up the breathtaking views. Enjoy the varieties of birds and wildlife including our namesake, the Whiptail Wallaby. Occasionally diver ducks can be seen on the dams and each season brings an abundance of colourful wildflowers. There is something quite spectacular about the flush of yellow that is brought on by the wattle in winter. Pack the picnic basket and enjoy magnificent views atop the Great Diving Range, overlooking the Lockyer Valley and Black Duck Valley (it is also an incredible position for watching the sun come up, or to enjoy a glass of something delicious at dusk). The walk to this location is approximately 800m from the cottage. Winter is very cold at Whiptail. It's time to light the fire, open a book and snuggle up. There is a TV should you choose to catch up on the local news, and board games and interesting books are available. Nights at Whiptail are incredibly spectacular. Take time to sit on the front verandah and soak up the enormity of our big skies and Milky Way. Watching the full moon come over the eastern ridge is also an astounding sight. Whiptail doesn’t have all the conveniences of a typical tourist spot. The closest coffee shop is 22 minutes away if you prefer not to make yourself one, and provisions must be collected before your arrival. The smaller towns you may pass on your way offer supplies, if not bringing these from home. The kitchen at Whiptail offers sufficient equipment to allow you to prepare nourishing meals. About the Cottage Whiptail Cottage is run completely off-grid. Rainwater is collected into the two tanks on the property and is used for consumption, hygiene, and washing. If you do not like the taste of rainwater, please remember to bring some with you. Rainwater is extremely precious to us all. We ask our guests to consider this when visiting Whiptail and to appreciate that during dry seasons, our supplies are limited. Electricity to the Cottage is generated by the sun. On cloudy days, or when the demand for power at the house has been greater, the generator (located at the shed 80m away) will provide backup power. You might hear a gentle hum as it starts up, and normally only runs for 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the weather and time of year. This a gentle reminder to keep the TV, lights, and fans off when not in use. Should the power go out during times of excess usage, there are LED lamps, fresh water and instructions on what to do until we can restore it. Effluent is treated onsite via the Biocycle unit. Guests are reminded not to flush foreign objects or sanitary items down the toilet. Please use the bins provided. The treated water from the biocycle is unsafe for human consumption. There are two rubbish bins located behind the house. Guests are encouraged to recycle where possible and ensure all other rubbish is bagged and disposed of, in the bins provided. All rubbish must be taken to the bins before departure. The herb garden snuggled behind the house is tended to regularly and you are invited to take what you need during your stay while allowing future guests the chance to also enjoy the bountiful offerings. During the cooler months we supply ample timber for the indoor fire box, and sufficient timber for you to enjoy a camp fire at the fire pit. Guests are not permitted to light a fire anywhere else on the property.