Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
23 Sep 2023
Feedback
1
Email verified
Details
Description
I've got a newish empty block of land (45 Ha) a few hours north of Sydney, that I'm turning into an off-grid small farm.
I've got lots of bush and paddocks.
I"m about 30 minutes from the beaches, and 30 minutes to towns with everything you need.
I've built a shed, a carport and I'm currently working on my small house. I currently live in the shed.
I have a dog, cattle, horses, ducks, geese and a large food forest which is very young.
I need energetic people to help with everything. If you're excited by the prospect of starting from scratch, and want to learn gardening, building, fencing, machinery, tools and everything in-between, then I want you.
I'm 40, male, and live alone with my dog :)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I can teach many things even besides what tasks we will do.
My family an I are Aussie born and bred, with British backgrounds, but we have all travelled extensively and lived in cities and rurally.
I have couch surfed and hosted a lot in the past too, so I am familiar with the needs and requirements of travellers.
I love learning about other cultures and place and I really enjoy teaching too!
Between me, my sister/partner (who live next door) and parents (nearby) we have a few decades of experience in Horticulture, agriculture, landscaping, native plant identification and bush regeneration, home renovation, building, IT and technology skills; numerous degrees and high levels of knowledge and skill.
My sister and I especially are interested in Regenerative Agriculture and follow people like Richard Perkins, with hopes to do a lot of what the leaders in the field are doing. We do a lot of fermentation and making sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, water kefir, and similar things :)
I also have bees, and dabble in many areas.
You can assist me with errands in town, help around my parents place if you have anything to offer.
Basically, we have 3 properties that could all use some help. The list of help available is endless.
Mostly you can learn about Australia, the bush, building, cattle/Australian small-scale animal farming, coastal farming from the tasks we will do.
I have "Workaway'd" in Denmark on an organic pig farm a few times and other places and I feel like I know how to be a good host.
I'm happy to help you explore any part of Australian culture you want.
Just nearby my farm you can see typical traditional Aussie farmers doing their thing.
By going into town for supply runs you'll see how a typical coastal Aussie "Service town" works. You'll meet lots of proper Aussies, hear lots of broad (hard to understand) accents.
Interest that me and my family have include:
landscaping, agriculture, fermentation, farming, fencing, ecology and sustainability, horticulture, botany, physics (and all sciences), trees, plants, birds (we have counted around 120 species), animals (wallabies among many others), animal husbandry, English language, machinery, building, carpentry, metal help, weed identification, driving a 4WD and tractor, tool and equipment usage (like chainsaws), how to split logs with an axe, all about Australian timbers, different types of forests. My land has dry and wet sclerophyll forests (bush), sub-tropical rainforest and other varieties of tree groupings (we really like plants!).
I am a jack of all trades, have done a LOT of outdoor adventuring, canyoning, caving, climbing, camping and multi-day hiking and I'm even a former SCUBA instructor.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
In 2020 i put in a couple of dams, driveway, carport, fencing and infrastructre and started a food forest.
In 2021, I built a shed, did more fencing and planting and have gotten a good start on my house.
In 2022 I waited... and got power and water on :)
IN 2023, the house is going to be finished!!!
The house will be innovative, fully off-grid with solar power, rain water, efficient design, but very modern looking, more at home in scandinavia than Australia!
There will be tasks to do such as collect/cut firewood, feed animals and general farm/rural help. I have some cattle and horses (although they come and go).
i have 12 Geese and 2 ducks currerntly. All very friendly.
The property was abandoned for over 5 years before I got it, and the former owner did not take care of it either so it deteriorated a fair bit.
This kind of help would ideally suit people really keen to get down and dirty who don't mind doing things alone, or lots of random things. I'd love people who are good at taking initiative. Experts are always welcome, but anyone willing to learn and enthusiastic is fine by me.
How meals and food will happen
- It will be provided, or discussed and worked out amicably. We are very flexible and have multiple areas to cook. If you camp on the farm I'll get ingredients.
- There is very little to the farm area, but if taking a bus/train/plane to a nearby town or city, I can very likely pick you up or help you get here. The nearest major town is Taree, NSW (about 30 minutes away). It has a train station and bus stops, and is between Sydney and Brisbane.
You won't be bored.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
I like all languages and learning about them.
Accommodation
I live in my shed very comfortably, and especially during summer the dam is incredibly good for swimming.
You could share the shed, the empty house, or camp, or whatever you want! I'm very flexible. I have basic cooking facilities and washing up area. Think of it a bit like glamping, but with less glamour ;)
The only thing I really lack is a shower but if you're desperate there are options nearby. I swim in the dam most days.
What else ...
There is much walking to do around, but regular trips to town will happen with various family members. Some beach time can also happen. You will need a car to get anywhere but we have 5 between the family so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is decent mobile reception for those true self sufficient digital nomads if camping on my land.
Space for parking camper vans
Any size vehicle can be accommodated. In fact, vehicles are preferable.
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs are fine, provided they're socialised. Anything else.... well, they're welcome but they'll be outside so up to you... I have an intact male young dog.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
