Profile information
Host rating
50 %
Last replied
4 Dec 2023
Feedback
33
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We have a new location, in Apollo bay about 15 minutes by car from the town centre, the farm consists of 110 acres with a river system running through the edge of the property we are operating a sheep farm, free-range chickens, we are setting up a large organic vegetable garden, and also doing accommodation for Airbnb.
The project is too set a sustainable organic farm, supplying local business with quality foods.
The farm is run by the farmer only with some guest workers, the jobs with include gardening, cleaning, weeding and some cooking as well, and general help around the farm.
The working day consists of 5 hours a day, in return for accommodation, and all meals.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn how a small organic farm works.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Please contact us and we can send you more information about the present jobs we have and what we expect from our Workawayers. We are delighted that you have chosen to visit us, and we greatly look forward to working together with you. We provide meals and accommodation in return for 5 hours of help per day.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation may be enjoyed in carpeted and cosy bedroom with queen beds
What else ...
getting too apollo bay by bus, its a busy tourist area,so it's easy to get too and we will pick u up from town
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day
Host ref number: 13988424134b
Feedback (22)
21 Mar 2017
Left by Workawayer (Maddy) for host
I had a fantastic time at the Ecofarm. I will never forget! I thank Marc for being who he is and sharing his huge knowledge in a wide ranche of topics. His love for mother NATURE in the beautiful nature surroundings of French Ilands.
12 Feb 2017
Left by Workawayer (PhilippSimon) for host
Thanks for everything, i had a great stay.
2 Jan 2017
Left by Workawayer (Phillip) for host
Dear Mark and Melinda,
Thank you so so so so so much for allowing me to spend a magnificent month on your phenomenal farm. Thank you for teaching me to make bread and for sharing your life and wisdom so generously with me. Words really cannot express my gratitude. I absolutely loved spending time and playing with Mother Nature whose voice speaks… read more
Thank you so so so so so much for allowing me to spend a magnificent month on your phenomenal farm. Thank you for teaching me to make bread and for sharing your life and wisdom so generously with me. Words really cannot express my gratitude. I absolutely loved spending time and playing with Mother Nature whose voice speaks… read more
Feedback
21 Mar 2017
Left by Workawayer (Maddy) for host
I had a fantastic time at the Ecofarm. I will never forget! I thank Marc for being who he is and sharing his huge knowledge in a wide ranche of topics. His love for mother NATURE in the beautiful nature surroundings of French Ilands.
12 Feb 2017
Left by Workawayer (PhilippSimon) for host
Thanks for everything, i had a great stay.
2 Jan 2017
Left by Workawayer (Phillip) for host
Dear Mark and Melinda,
Thank you so so so so so much for allowing me to spend a magnificent month on your phenomenal farm. Thank you for teaching me to make bread and for sharing your life and wisdom so generously with me. Words really cannot express my gratitude. I absolutely loved spending time and playing with Mother Nature whose voice speaks… read more
Thank you so so so so so much for allowing me to spend a magnificent month on your phenomenal farm. Thank you for teaching me to make bread and for sharing your life and wisdom so generously with me. Words really cannot express my gratitude. I absolutely loved spending time and playing with Mother Nature whose voice speaks… read more
19 Dec 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Thomas)
its was fun having u thanks for all your good work and conversations ,u are welcome anytime back at the farm
(Excellent
)
18 Dec 2016
Left by Workawayer (Thomas) for host
Hi Mark & Melinda
Thank you for letting me stay at your wonderful prison farm. It is a true rough diamond that offers wonderful simplicity and tranquility, and a great intro to alternative lifestyles. I enjoyed the gardening, and appreciated the flexible work hours. You're a genuine and caring host, I enjoyed our conversations and I truly hope… read more
Thank you for letting me stay at your wonderful prison farm. It is a true rough diamond that offers wonderful simplicity and tranquility, and a great intro to alternative lifestyles. I enjoyed the gardening, and appreciated the flexible work hours. You're a genuine and caring host, I enjoyed our conversations and I truly hope… read more
26 Jul 2016
Left by Workawayer (Felix & Charlottte) for host
Info notice: Exchange was cancelled at last minute
2 Jan 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (vervaetlieve)
thanks for your help,
(Very good
)
31 Dec 2015
Left by Workawayer (vervaetlieve) for host
I was staying about 10 days here. It was nice but definitely long enough. If you like being in a quiet and remote place, you don't mind being without water or power once in a while, then this is the place to be. Work is not very hard and divers. Food is provided but most of the time you have to cook for yourself or the other volunteers.
Thanks,… read more
Thanks,… read more
4 May 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Susan)
it was so wonderful have you at farm your certainly rare person happy fantastic motivated worker with great management and marketing skills and helped our business no end...it was sad see her go,truly a delight to meet and have around thanks again...
(Excellent
)
25 Feb 2015
Left by Workawayer (Susan) for host
I honestly feel that I’ve left a part of my heart on French Island and although I only left 3 days ago I’m longing to return. It was a wonderful two weeks with Mark and Melinda, the kindest and most welcoming of hosts. The farm itself is stunning and has the most beautiful energy, made even more impressive by the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. … read more
13 Mar 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Susan)
you are an excellent worker, low maintenance,happy and friendly great to have a round...thanks for your time, you are welcome any time
(Excellent
)
18 Feb 2015
Left by Workawayer (Susan) for host
It was a very nice time there. amazing place with lovlely engergy, yummie organic food and friendly people. and the work was very okay, a fair deal for bed and food. a wonderful experience...and for me the best start for my australia trip. I wish Melinda and Mark all the best.
9 Mar 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Felicitas)
thanks for all your wonderful help a bit of alone time is good for the soul..thanks again
(Very good
)
9 Mar 2015
Left by Workawayer (Felicitas) for host
My week with Mark & Melinda was very interesting and it is very special to sleep in a cell :)
The food was fantastic and both can cook very delicious meals! The working time is not much from 8:15 till 13:00 and you have a lot of free time. Sometimes I felt a bit lonely. So if you want to work a bit alone and to have time for your own its perfect!… read more
The food was fantastic and both can cook very delicious meals! The working time is not much from 8:15 till 13:00 and you have a lot of free time. Sometimes I felt a bit lonely. So if you want to work a bit alone and to have time for your own its perfect!… read more
28 Jan 2015
Left by Workawayer (Megan & Sam) for host
15 Dec 2014
Left by Workawayer (chinatony) for host
There are some places we'd like to re-visit in the future,but I have to say
this eco farm is a must for me and my family.Wonderful food,private beach,cute koala,real retreat,thank you, M & M.
this eco farm is a must for me and my family.Wonderful food,private beach,cute koala,real retreat,thank you, M & M.
14 Sep 2014
Left by Workawayer (Lucia) for host
During my stay in their farm, I've learnt so much from mother nature and Mark. He's a wonderful and creative cook, hard-worker, open-minded father, spiritual mentor, and a funny aussie. You won't feel bored talking to him and listening him to talk. The national park is good to take a walk. Food is very healthy as the vegetables are from own farm.… read more
3 Feb 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Kadri & Sabrina)
you guys are the beautiful people..loved so haveing you stay and are welcome back any time
(Excellent
)
16 Nov 2013
Left by Workawayer (Kadri & Sabrina) for host
We really enjoyed our stay with Mark and Melinda. They are amazing and they make you feel at home from the first day. We fell in love with this place and it's people. We saw many koalas and enjoyed beautiful walks near the beach. We learned a lot about biodynamic farming. The work was very interesting and every day different. This place left us… read more
12 Sep 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Novella)
(Negative
)
10 Jan 2013
Left by Workawayer (Novella) for host
29 Mar 2013
Left by Workawayer (Heidi) for host
Thank you Mark&Melinda for the great experience on your farm and on French Island! :) I really enjoyed my time on the beautiful, peaceful, loving island.
Love, Inkeri
Love, Inkeri
23 Aug 2012
Left by host for Workawayer (Imke)
so happy for you, we had an incredbile time really great to see that angel shine through, you so have it ,look forward see your smiling face again soon lots of love mark and melinda
(Excellent
)
23 Aug 2012
Left by Workawayer (Imke) for host
Just a few words about the last 2weeks I spend at your place:
It was fabulous from the beginning til the end. I'm eternally grateful!
Best wishes for the future&see you again!
It was fabulous from the beginning til the end. I'm eternally grateful!
Best wishes for the future&see you again!
26 May 2012
Left by host for Workawayer (Lena)
we also a wonderful time with you, you are very special....thanks again for all your great help....love to see you again soon...lots of love..to you...love that smile
(Excellent
)
26 May 2012
Left by Workawayer (Lena) for host
We have been one month on french island and it was an amazing time!Mark and Rendy thank you sooooo much for this experience!we are so happy that we met us! it was not just a good time...we've learned so much for our lifes and found a new family!!!:)
for sure we will come back to this magic loving island!
lots of love to you!!!!!!!!!
for sure we will come back to this magic loving island!
lots of love to you!!!!!!!!!
24 Mar 2012
Left by host for Workawayer (stefca)
we love you too...loving twins....we also had great fun and time with you both and really look forward to seeing again after studing
have great life with lots of love
have great life with lots of love
(Excellent
)
24 Mar 2012
Left by Workawayer (stefca) for host
We spent two weeks at this lovely farm on french island. It has been an awesome time and a really special and unique experience. The accomodation is great, you get your own cell and a own kitchen together with the other workawayers. Marc, Melinda and Rendy are super welcoming and make you feel at home staight away. Once you felt the loving spirit… read more
26 Jul 2011
Left by Workawayer (Claire) for host
Sorry for taking so long to put this on here! We stayed at the farm in January and had a great time along with the other workers, Mark and Melinda are very welcoming people. And I did get to see koalas even though it took a few days which i think is quite unusual! food was great! I can no longer look at a piece of garlic in the same way :)
29 Jan 2011
Left by Workawayer (Roussel & Herfaut) for host
We meet here very friendly and lovely people. Melinda and Marc are so nice. We appreciate to share time with them and the other volunteers. I was great to stay on French Island, discover the life at the farm. We enjoyed the calm, the nature, the good food... and the koalas. A experience we'll never forget !
28 Jan 2011
Left by host for Workawayer (Jonas)
jonas is a great man......and a great worker,..we had so much fun with jonas..really helpful..and friendly look luck mate with the rest of your travels...
(Excellent
)
28 Jan 2011
Left by Workawayer (Jonas) for host
I really enjoyed my stay at the Island and the Farm. Melinda and Marc are very friendly and fun. Work was what I expected and I am a micro-weeding professional now :) They appreciate your help and you can learn about running a farm. We were a bunch of volunteers and had a good time together. If you like nature, there will be enough to do and to… read more
1 Jan 2011
Left by Workawayer (SammyLou) for host
I've just returned from four days with the farm and overall it has been a good experience. Mark and Melinda are very welcoming, they are the type of people who are genuine and want to do good and make you feel at home. They appreciate your help, and the farm is a very interesting place to hang out. The food is excellent and an absolute bonus.… read more
