A movie and a few nights away is the total amount of 'couple time' my husband and I have spent together since the birth of our first child, in 2005. So we decide a holiday at Milton, on NSW's south coast, will be great for family time... and, more importantly, for some dinner dates.

Shakya and I are heading into our seventh year as parents and time together is rare; we miss the easy communication and generosity of spirit that time bestows. Thankfully, Carol at Milton Country Cottages proves herself an expert at putting this right. Before we arrive she has arranged a babysitter, so we've booked two dinners at local restaurants. We pull up at the cottages - down a country road amid four hectares of native bush - after a three-hour drive from Sydney. Once we've settled in, Carol swiftly gets the measure of our children by offering them binoculars with which to spot the rosellas and lyrebirds. She then slips us some handmade chocolates and whispers, "These are for the adults".

We light the fire - not because it's cold but because we want to cram every lovely thing into our break - and our babysitter shows up. Before we know it, we are at The Tipsy Fig, glasses of wine in hand. Delicious twice-cooked pork belly, a dish of pappardelle, a shared Belgian chocolate mousse for dessert and a catch up make for a lovely evening.

The next day we all stroll to Lake Conjola, then arrive back to find a hamper from What's2Eat Gourmet Deli on our doorstep. We spread a rug out on the lawn and hoe into dates, fruit salad, salmon quiche, salads, artisan bread, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Next up, we take turns at minding the kids while each of us has a massage in the cottage. It's bliss and when we're all smoothed out and almost dopey from the indulgence, we put our swimmers on and jump into the spa bath next to the cottage.

That night we head out to The Vineyard Kitchen at Cupitt's Winery but have to pull in at Milton service station to ask for directions. The elderly attendant draws up a map and writes the name of each street in shaky capital letters then comes out to wave us on our way. I'm smitten.

Dinner is another round of local produce, topped by a 2010 Alphonse sauvignon blanc. We know it's our last date for a while so we draw it out with entrees, dinner, dessert, cheese and port.

After a good night's sleep, it's back to reality. As we drive up the country road and head back to the city, I take stock of us and see a family refreshed - and a couple revitalised.

Sweet stays

Milton Country Cottages costs $185-$250 per couple per night and includes a breakfast hamper.

Boutique alley

For a romantic weekend at Milton consider:
Heather's Healing Hands Talented Heather Sands runs a mobile massage service.
The Tipsy Fig Honest food and generous helpings; (02) 4455 2042.
What's2Eat Gourmet Deli Outstanding food from a mother-and-daughter deli team.
The Vineyard Kitchen at Cupitt's Winery is gorgeous.
Milton For homewares try Basque Country and Home at Last. For vintage, go to Nikki B's, while Afterglow has great contemporary jewellery. All are on Wason Street.

Vanessa stayed courtesy of Milton Country Cottages.