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Description
Our family run farm is located 20Km North of Goroke in Victoria. You will not be working as a farmhand or performing tasks for our business.
The farm borders the Little Desert National Park. We're a short 20-minute drive from the world-famous rock-climbing mountain, Arapiles. You will be centrally located along "Australia's largest outdoor gallery." Have the perfect base for a day trip to the Pink Salt Lakes, the Grampians or the beach. Whether you'd love to spend your free time taking a rock-climbing lesson from a local, having a BBQ in a beautiful location or hiking and bush walking the Wimmera has plenty to offer.
We're a family of avid travelers who love immersing ourselves into different cultures and making lifelong connections. Darren who manages the cropping side of our operation hitchhiked through Europe and America while working on farms. Fiona traveled Asia, South America and the UK between working as a nurse. After retiring Fiona has been operating her Dohne Merino sheep Studs. Our daughter Lily has just returned from Europe where she loved using Workaway as a volunteer while hiking and exploring.
We're new to hosting through Workaway but have employed many Backpackers on our farm. These backpackers have become lifelong friends. Many of them returning to visit us. We've also been lucky enough to visit them in their home countries. The farm requires us to stay close by. We're hoping Workaway will help us meet others who love sharing their culture and travel stories.
You will not be working as a farmhand or performing tasks for our business.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will not be working as a farmhand or performing tasks for our business. But you will get a true Aussie farm experience! Our schedule changes with the seasons.
In Winter lambs will be born, the crops will be tended to and we will be attending Agricultural shows in Bendigo, Hamilton and Broken Hill. These field days, similar to farmers markets, are a great place to catch up with friends, try local produce and learn about Agriculture. The annual Casterton Kelpie muster is also in June. The weekend hosts an auction and showcases the best working dogs and animal husbandry in the country.
Spring is a very exciting time. We hold two ram auctions. One at our property in Victoria and another in the Adelaide hills of South Australia. Our clients travel from all over the county. You'll meet some very interesting people. Our small-town show is also held in October. The community comes together to put on a great county event.
In the summer we are busy harvesting wheat, barley, canola and honey from our bee hives. The lush green paddocks dry off and we start trail feeding the livestock. We make good use of our pool during this time as temperatures can reach into the 40s.
During Autumn we're busy sowing the crops but we always make time to play in our local Australia rules football and Netball teams each Saturday. The Goroke Rodeo is also held in March. It's always a hit with people from all over Victoria. At this time of year we preserve the fruit from our fruit trees and veggie patch.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Feeding the cat, dogs, chickens, guinea fowl and quail
Walking the dogs - We have 5 Australian Kelpies and 1 Maremma
Mowing the lawns with our ride on mower
Maintaining the garden, veggie patch and orchard
Chopping wood with our electric splitter
Light housework
Cooking meals
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
You would be living in our Shearers quarters 100 meters from the main house. This is a cottage with 1 bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom.
What else ...
Lakes
We love to pack up our BBQ, kayak and picnic to spend the day swimming and relaxing by the water. There is yabbies. We'd love to teach you how to catch and cook this Aussie delicacy!
The Little Desert National Park
The reserve is alive with native wildlife and beautiful flora and fauna. You'll see Kangaroos, Wallabies, Emus, Goannas and Eagles in their natural habitat patrolling the Wimmera planes.
Mt Arapiles
Roughly a 20min drive away this world-famous rock-climbing mountain has over 2000 rock climbing routs and many hiking trails. Mt Arapiles is the perfect place for BBQs and Picnics.
The Grampians
A culturally significant place for Aboriginal people and one of the most popular places in the state for bush walking, camping and hiking.
"Australia's largest outdoor gallery"
This trail is a recent but very popular addition to our area. Murals have been painted on 8 former grain silos. A must see on a weekend drive.
Pink Lake
During the wet season one of the salt lakes just outside Dimboola turns a beautiful pink colour.
Australian Football and Netball
If you're joining us during the winter Saturday football and Netball games are a great place to meet locals and have a kick of the footy
Goroke and Natimuk pubs
The perfect place to meet locals and enjoy a meal. We highly recommend the "Arapiles chicken" at the Natimuk pub and a "chicken parma" at the Goroke Pub.
Even if you don't visit us feel free to use this list to plan your trip through Victoria. As you can see we love where we live!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We're able to accommodate campervans of all sizes
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
