We are Matt and Sophie.

We left Sydney 20yrs ago to live the small-town country life, build our house and enjoy the view.

We live two doors down the road, so we can be on hand if needed. We can give you a heads-up about what to expect with the weather, maybe tell you what bird that is or point you towards some good local walks, like the beautiful waterfall down the road where the lyrebirds and wallabies skip around, especially dramatic after heavy rain.

Or if you want more scenery and some bushranger haunts, head down the old mountain back road and see the beautiful Araluen valley below from Clarke's Lookout. We can give you as much help or as little as you need, but forgive us if we get excited about pointing at the things that make our village worth a visit. Don't start me about the Cemetery! Look out across the Rec ground and admire the other (still functioning) church across the way. Anzac Day in the village is a special event thats for sure.

 

Majors Creek is Majors Creek. A small satellite village of Braidwood with a population of around 300. Gold mining and farming have been formative in its identity. It has lots of unsealed roads, no shops now except the pub but plenty of quiet history, its own rhythm and habits, lively sense of community and belonging. Our Mary Mary church belongs to the whole village as much as it does to us, and this opportunity to share it with visitors is a real treat. Just bring some closed shoes and a jumper.

If you think this looks like your kind of place, give us a bell or contact us by email. We are real live people who want to talk to you, make sure you have come to the right place for a special weekend, or even a longer holiday.

We'd like you to enjoy your stay, but it's fair to warn you that the building is old, built 90 years ago without too much fuss. It has its own opinions. No ghosts so far, but it might be cold and creaky, it might rattle in the wind or send you searching for oddly placed light switches. There could be wombats and kangaroos in the yard, or possums scritching on the roof, or it might be so calm and quiet your city ears freak out.

We dont have a minimum 2 night stay at the moment because we know some people are only passing through and may just want to stay for a single night, but as you would expect, a single night stay includes the $80 cleaning fee so in order to entice you to stay longer and breathe the country air and really relax our rates discount the more days you stay with us.

The cost we quote you is the cost, meaning normal cleaning fees are included. Shiraz on the couch, broken windows/furniture things or sauce on the ceiling may trigger some extra discussions but everything within reason.

Call us party poopers but at this point we are no pets, no kids sort of place. It won't suit everyone but the church has seen enough wear n tear in its life. We need to go easy on it from here on in, to preserve it for the years ahead.

We are also a no smoking place so NO Smoking inside or around entries please. If you must, out in the garden but please dont send those butts into our local waterways.

This might seem a bit much but we ask guests to go easy on the heavy perfumes and scents, not only for the sake of the next possibly allergic visitors but for the very absorbent fabric of the building. If the smell of the wood fire and clean country air isn't diverting enough there will be some flowers out in the garden for natural pretty smells.

What to expect at Mary Mary

Have a look at our pictures in the gallery, but this is what to expect in the place:

·      Living/dining/kitchen: large combined comfortable space for everything, eating, cooking, lounging, singing.

·      One queen bedroom: seasonal bedding including electric blanket.

·      Quiet reading room for relaxing and ignoring this used to be the ***

·      Combined bathroom/shower, one toilet (we have an on-site septic system and all water used is from our tanks, very drinkable rainwater…ask us to explain all this to you when you arrive, its’ all pretty straight forward but needs some special care)

·      North facing covered deck with outdoor table and seating

·      South side cool concrete summer arvo zone for sunsettin

·      Wood heater (Cheminees Philippe) slow combustion stove, of course with wood supplied, we can light it for you or set the fire up to make it easier

·      Reverse cycle air conditioning.

·      Wifi

·      TV

·      Stereo hi-fi turntable and good time vinyl

·      Transistor radio

·      Kitchen has a domestic gas stove, fridge/freezer, normal things you would expect for home cooking, kettle, toaster, tea and coffee (Nespresso Vertuo)

·      Microwave

·      Sandwich press

Pantry staples: you will find a decent supply of basic dry goods, fresh eggs from our chickens, and bread, wine, milk can be organised for you arrival too. Talk to us about pre-prepared frozen meals, we can stock up the freezer with a range of options like Pastabilities ravioli, curries from kitchen curries and other local food makers so you don't have to lug groceries.

There is always the Majors Creek Pub within walking distance if you want to eat here in the village. You'll also find info about local shops and cafes in the booklet on the bench, or ask us about specific recommendations.