Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
6 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
46
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hi ! I’m Chris, a retired Sydney Firefighter who has studied Sculpture and photography at the National art school in Sydney and continue to practice Art and freely pass on my knowledge to others .I’m building an off grid home on my property in the Megalong Valley NSW utilising recycled materials as much as possible. It is a remote bush location approximately 1 hours drive from the township of blackheath. I have been a vegetarian and regular meditator for the past 25 years with an interest in buddhism and Yoga..I spend several months of the year traveling overseas most recently Japan and Europe! I love connecting with people from all cultures and happy to welcome you to my part of the world.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I can offer guidance in art,meditation and building skills which i would be happy to share. Also some vegetarian campfire cooking lessons!I take Workaway guests to visit local nature areas and Buddhist temple in the blue mountains and Sydney.
Help
I am building an off grid bush dwelling and art studio in a remote bush property. Some creative skills or experience with building or gardening are preferable. I also need help with gardening and bush regeneration. I’m utilising recycled building materials wherever possible and need help organising material and cleaning and preparing building site. I have also been restoring my liveaboard yacht in Sydney. Please contact me only if you seriously intend on coming. Thanks!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Indonesian: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
Interested in learning Japanese.
Accommodation
Basic Bush camping accommodation in tents.only battery power and rainwater available. Vegetarian and vegan food will be provided.
What else ...
Swimming, bushwaking and visits to local historic villages nearby and meditation centre.Pickup available from Katoomba,blue mountains.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 3-4 hours a day, 5 days a week
Host ref number: 234986622753
Feedback (22)
19 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Adélie & Camille)
Having Adelie come and help out on my project was a great experience. She is a very helpful and caring person and was always happy to help with any of the tasks that needed doing at my property. I enjoyed her company and was sorry she couldn't stay longer! I would recommend Adelie to any future hosts!
(Excellent
)
19 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Adélie & Camille) for host
Thanks to Chris for this Mégalong adventure! Chris shares his life with the people he welcomes and is generous. He is concerned that we can enjoy our free time. He is a man with a very interesting life and with whom we can share many conversations. It is a peaceful and simple life that he shares with us and a rejuvenating moment for everyone. The… read more
22 Jan 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Jessica & Lauren)
It was an absolute pleasure hosting Jess and Lauren! They were both respectful and willing to help out with any tasks that I had even in sometimes challenging conditions. Together we achieved quite a bit of progress on building my bush kitchen which involved fixing an iron roof on some extremely hot days. For a first time living in the bush… read more
(Excellent
)
14 Jan 2024
Left by Workawayer (Jessica & Lauren) for host
Chris has a beautiful way of life and is a very kind and generous man- generous with his time, knowledge and resources. Chris made sure we had everything we needed and that we had a great balance of working with him and having down time/ our own time to go off and explore. This project was well outside our comfort zone, staying somewhere so remote… read more
29 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (Megan) for host
short stay but really glad to have met chris. he is a very easy and peaceful presence to be around. if you keep your mind open, you'll learn from him all that one can do with scraps. he is the ultimate recycler/reuser and on the spiritual path. it was lovely to meditate together at the cutest local temple. we met the monks and even drove them… read more
24 Jan 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Megan)
Megan was a pleasure to host and had a bright and positive energy about her. Her visit was way too short but we managed to get plenty of work done and enjoyed some time meditating and visiting the monks from the local Buddhist temple.Megan cheerfully helped with any task and was particularly skilled with keeping a campfire going! Would have loved… read more
(Excellent
)
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.6)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
19 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Adélie & Camille)
Having Adelie come and help out on my project was a great experience. She is a very helpful and caring person and was always happy to help with any of the tasks that needed doing at my property. I enjoyed her company and was sorry she couldn't stay longer! I would recommend Adelie to any future hosts!
(Excellent
)
19 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Adélie & Camille) for host
Thanks to Chris for this Mégalong adventure! Chris shares his life with the people he welcomes and is generous. He is concerned that we can enjoy our free time. He is a man with a very interesting life and with whom we can share many conversations. It is a peaceful and simple life that he shares with us and a rejuvenating moment for everyone. The… read more
22 Jan 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Jessica & Lauren)
It was an absolute pleasure hosting Jess and Lauren! They were both respectful and willing to help out with any tasks that I had even in sometimes challenging conditions. Together we achieved quite a bit of progress on building my bush kitchen which involved fixing an iron roof on some extremely hot days. For a first time living in the bush… read more
(Excellent
)
14 Jan 2024
Left by Workawayer (Jessica & Lauren) for host
Chris has a beautiful way of life and is a very kind and generous man- generous with his time, knowledge and resources. Chris made sure we had everything we needed and that we had a great balance of working with him and having down time/ our own time to go off and explore. This project was well outside our comfort zone, staying somewhere so remote… read more
29 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (Megan) for host
short stay but really glad to have met chris. he is a very easy and peaceful presence to be around. if you keep your mind open, you'll learn from him all that one can do with scraps. he is the ultimate recycler/reuser and on the spiritual path. it was lovely to meditate together at the cutest local temple. we met the monks and even drove them… read more
24 Jan 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Megan)
Megan was a pleasure to host and had a bright and positive energy about her. Her visit was way too short but we managed to get plenty of work done and enjoyed some time meditating and visiting the monks from the local Buddhist temple.Megan cheerfully helped with any task and was particularly skilled with keeping a campfire going! Would have loved… read more
(Excellent
)
24 Jan 2021
Left by Workawayer (Louise) for host
It’s been a wonderful week staying and volunteering with Chris. Chris is a warm and gentle-natured human who has a beautiful outlook on life. It was amazing to spend time with him, hear his incredible life stories and what he’s been through to get where he is today.
I’ve learned so many new things in a week, from how to mix cement (the old… read more
I’ve learned so many new things in a week, from how to mix cement (the old… read more
22 Jan 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Louise)
It was a pleasure to have Lou helping me for a week at my property. She fitted into my bush lifestyle very easily and was quick to learn new skills she was unfamiliar with. It was great having interesting and intelligent talks during her stay. Lou was a great help cleaning and organising my place and building some cement foundations for my shed.… read more
(Excellent
)
20 Apr 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Puck)
Puck stayed with me for several weeks and was an absolutely amazing positive young woman who made my daily chores a pleasure with her enthusiasm and competence.Never complaining she happily put her heart into all she did. Puck felt like family from the start of her stay. One of the best workaway experiences I have had for the past two years and I… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Apr 2020
Left by Workawayer (Juliane) for host
It was a interesting experience with chris. He had a lots of stuff on the to do-list, when I was there. And many things didn't went like they should :D, but we managed it. In the sparetime we went to the temple to the wounderful Monks, helped them also a little bit, and meditate together, that was a real pleasure, I met one of Chris friends… read more
6 Apr 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Juliane)
It was a pleasure having Jule helping me out! She has a very positive attitude and is happy to try any task without complaint. Jule was a great help and has a wonderful energy about her. I would recommend her for any future hosts!
(Excellent
)
22 Jan 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Raphael)
It was great having Raphael stay with me the past week helping me out at my bush retreat! Raphael is a really bright and thoughtful young man who was enthusiastic about learning new skills and was willing to help me with any tasks like painting and digging foundations. We had many great conversations during his stay. Raphael would be an… read more
(Excellent
)
22 Jan 2020
Left by Workawayer (Raphael) for host
I had such a great time on this amazing caravan park!
I got to learn about life in the bush, share lots of travel stories with Chris and get some hard work done.
There was an echidna, platypus in a beautiful spiritual river running through the property, a scorpion, kangaroos and of course the pet possum.
I would recommend this experience to… read more
I got to learn about life in the bush, share lots of travel stories with Chris and get some hard work done.
There was an echidna, platypus in a beautiful spiritual river running through the property, a scorpion, kangaroos and of course the pet possum.
I would recommend this experience to… read more
3 Dec 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Mascha)
Mascha is a beautiful gentle young woman who fitted in perfectly with everyone and was a great help bringing her calmness into every task she undertook. It was lovely to have her creative company for the two weeks she stayed and I enjoyed many intelligent conversations with her! You will be welcome back anytime!
(Excellent
)
2 Dec 2019
Left by Workawayer (Mascha) for host
This workaway was so much more than I expected! Serenity Farm feels like home to me now, and Chris feels like family! The location is absolutely beautiful and there are so many cool things to do! I enjoyed our mornings the most, starting with mediation by the river, yoga and then breakfast. Chris is such a warm and kind person and it was really… read more
30 Nov 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Esther)
Esther was a pleasure to have on board for the week- an enthusiastic and bubbly young woman with lots of positive energy! She was happy to pitch in and help with all the tasks I had to do around my place even if at times it was a little difficult with the extreme summer heat . A great team worker and thoroughly recommended! I wish you well on your… read more
(Excellent
)
28 Nov 2019
Left by Workawayer (Esther) for host
Chris was an absolute delight to do workaway with. He came to pick me up after I had finished a meditation course in the Blue Mountains and gave me a huge welcoming hug. He was so easy going from day 1 and I am really pleased I was able to share some days with him in the Bush. His place is fantastic: a little haven of secret treasures. A resident… read more
17 Jan 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Sal)
It was a pleasure having Sally’s happy smiling company for the week at my place! She was a great help with any work we had to do and did some beautiful artwork on my bus! Sally is a very interesting and talented woman and we had lots of laughs and great conversations during her stay! Would love to have her come again!
(Excellent
)
16 Jan 2019
Left by Workawayer (Sal) for host
What a beautiful week! Chris has such a harmonious way about him: he is caring and generous and happy to share skills, stories and knowledge. Spending time at his property was a joyous break from the ‘cult of busy’ that can dominate the day to day.
Highlights included delicious campfire meals (with super conversation), watching for the local… read more
Highlights included delicious campfire meals (with super conversation), watching for the local… read more
16 Jan 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Kit)
It was fantastic having Kit stay at my place and bring her bright cheerfulness into every day! The atmosphere during her stay was full of fun as her and Sally were constantly joking! She was great company and we had many interesting conversations! Happy to help with any job big or small she left me with another beautiful painting on my bus . Kit… read more
(Excellent
)
15 Jan 2019
Left by Workawayer (Kit) for host
Chris brings his positive and patient energy to all that he does. Knowledgeable and good humoured, my most loved times were sat around the fire listening (and often laughing with!) Chris’ stories about his life. This was my first workaway experience and has been the highlight of my time here in Australia. The work was completely manageable -… read more
3 Jan 2019
Left by Workawayer (Yulia) for host
Chris is an amazing artist and just open minded man. I was happy to spend these 3 weeks with him in his art farm and in camping (that was my new experience). He showed me very beautiful places in blue Mountains and in the city. I appreciated that much. Thank you Chris for being such a good man and a friend of mine.
31 Dec 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Yulia)
Juli spent several weeks helping me on my projects and was a pleasure to have around! She is a very talented artist and left me with some great paintings on my old caravans! We had some wild stormy weather whilst staying at my farm and the conditions were challenging for someone not used to living in the wild but Juli endured everything without… read more
(Excellent
)
27 Dec 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (STEPHANIA)
Steph is a great person to have helped me! She’s got a wonderful caring energy and was always happy to help with everything during her various stays with me on my boat and helping on the farm. Always putting care into her work -whatever it was ,she did it with a smile! Would love to have her visit again!
(Excellent
)
22 Dec 2018
Left by Workawayer (STEPHANIA) for host
Chris is awesome, We met in Bali and when he told me about this place it sounded magical. I visited earlier this year for about three days and it was just as magical as I thought it would be, the property is incredible. It's super rural and in nature, the sky lights up with stars at night, there's a platypus in the river nearby and the caravans… read more
9 Dec 2018
Left by Workawayer (Cynthia) for host
For more then a week, I have been sharing Chris life in katoomba and at his "farm", close to Mudgee.
I contacted him via workaway few months ago and came back to him once in Australia. Chris is an artist and a free soul, addicted to simple life, he lives in the bush, creating his spiritual and artistic retreat in a natural place lost in the bush.… read more
I contacted him via workaway few months ago and came back to him once in Australia. Chris is an artist and a free soul, addicted to simple life, he lives in the bush, creating his spiritual and artistic retreat in a natural place lost in the bush.… read more
29 Nov 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Cynthia)
Cia is a talented and interesting woman and it was a pleasure to have her helping me a few weeks! She was very helpful with anything that needed doing and shared her artistic talents with a beautiful mandala painting on my old bus! Would be happy to have her stay again!
(Excellent
)
23 Nov 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Lucy)
Lucy spent a week with me helping on my bush retreat . She is a really beautiful person and was easy going and happy to help out with all the painting and building work on my property. Lucy was great company and we had many interesting conversations during her stay. She was also interested to join in morning meditation which was a great to start… read more
(Excellent
)
5 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Kaylah & Max) for host
Meeting Chris for the first time was more like re-uniting with an old friend. He is one of the nicest, most interesting and generous people we've ever met. It was truly authentic and humbling to live and work on his perfect little slice of Australia. We cooked on the open fire, built walls and floors for his quirky little studio and sat in the… read more
9 Sep 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Kaylah & Max)
Kaylah and Max were fantastic! Really beautiful couple who were like family from the start of their 2 week stay with me. Enthusiastic, talented and interesting company who happily participated in all tasks around my property. Max and Kaylah were responsible and capable of carrying out tasks thoroughly without supervision. Really trustworthy and… read more
(Excellent
)
5 Oct 2018
Left by Workawayer (Tony) for host
I enjoyed my 4 day adventure on Chris' rustic but charming property. We cooked on an open fire under the stars, and worked a few hours during the day looking out for the birdlife + platypus on the creek below. A wonderful taste of the aussie bush.
24 Sep 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Tony)
Tony was great to host! A very easygoing person who was happy to lend a hand on all the building tasks I had during his stay at my property. A very considerate man and interesting company. A very trustworthy and reliable helper for any workaway project!
(Excellent
)
5 Jun 2018
Left by Workawayer (Lily-Eileen & Sara) for host
This was my first work away experience, and it was so beautiful! I stayed with Chris two weeks and spend time in the three locations he owns. We worked together building the recicled retreat, painted the caravans, Walked around the stunning mountains, cooked on a camp fires under the moon and meditated every morning when the sun started rissing. I… read more
31 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Lily-Eileen & Sara)
Lily was a little ray of sunshine who spent nearly 2 weeks helping out with my art retreat and other projects. An enthusiastic and talented young woman who was willing to try her hand at any job that needed doing. A real pleasure to have assisting me and would have loved her to stay longer! Thoroughly recommend Lily for any project if you need an… read more
(Excellent
)
1 Jun 2018
Left by Workawayer (Mariama) for host
I stayed with Chris for nearly two weeks. He is a kind, generous, funny and talented guy. My stay was very interesting and wouldn't want to miss this experience in nature. Such an adventure! Helping out in the Blue mountains and in the valley of peace. I also loved drawing together, the daily meditation and the opportunity to help a monk… read more
31 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Mariama)
Mariama helped me for almost 2 weeks and was a happy and positive person to have around! Mariama is very thorough and conciencious. She is a very interesting and talented woman and cheerfully participated in cleaning,gardening, building and helping at the local buddhist temple. Would have loved her to stay longer and would thoroughly recommend her… read more
(Excellent
)
11 Apr 2018
Left by Workawayer (Esther ) for host
I stayed two weeks with Chris and had a wonderful and very interisting time! He was very kind, helpful and supportive. I enjoyed helping in the garden, do some Bush recreation at the Buddist Centre in Katoomba and most important ! experiencing his lovely outback properties in Megalong Valley and Mudgee. Those places were really amazing and unique!… read more
25 Feb 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Esther )
Esther was fantastic! Really lovely girl and always happy to help with everything! Esther stayed with me for a week and helped me tremendously in my garden at katoomba getting it looking nice and manicured! Esther was enthusiastic and loved to join in with any activities happily helping out at the local Buddhist meditation centre with some bush… read more
(Excellent
)
28 Mar 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Frida)
Asgar and Frida were a great couple who helped me out for a few days at my property. They had a great positive attitude and were keen to help out with everything! Willing to try and lend a hand with tasks unfamiliar to them. I really enjoyed their friendly open nature and would recommend them for any workaway projects!
(Excellent
)
28 Mar 2018
Left by Workawayer (Frida) for host
Chris is a funny and kind guy, which we enjoyed staying with!
We only stayed at Chris place in Mudgee for 4 days, but we would have liked to help out for a bit longer. We enjoyed helping with tidying the place up, building the frame for his art studio (even though sawing turned out to be a bit of a struggle) and riding one of his many old Vespa’s.… read more
We only stayed at Chris place in Mudgee for 4 days, but we would have liked to help out for a bit longer. We enjoyed helping with tidying the place up, building the frame for his art studio (even though sawing turned out to be a bit of a struggle) and riding one of his many old Vespa’s.… read more
18 Feb 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Marie)
Marie was great to have helping me on my workaway project! Always cheerful and happy to help out with any task! She is very talented and quick to pick up new skills. Marie dealt very well with life in the bush even though we had some extreme hot temperatures during her stay. I’m sure she would adapt happily to any situation and always be a great… read more
(Excellent
)
17 Feb 2018
Left by Workawayer (Marie) for host
I had an amazing time with Chris, i stayed with him nearly 2 weeks beetween his place in the bush and his place in the blue montains. The job wasnt hard, i love the drawing and painting class with him (I had my first autoportrait drawing class). He is a talented artist with a good sense of humour!
I wish him the best with his project for the… read more
I wish him the best with his project for the… read more
11 Feb 2018
Left by Workawayer (Anna & Freja) for host
We had a wonderful time staying at Chris’ house, both in the Blue Mountains and on his Bush property! He showed us a bunch of nice and beautiful spots, that we will never have found ourselves. Chris was very welcoming and friendly, and he didn’t hesitate with sharing his experiences and hobbies with us! We would definitely recommend staying with… read more
7 Feb 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Anna & Freja)
Anna and Freja spent a week with me helping me with gardening and cleaning around my property. They were always happy and cheerful to help with any tasks i had for them . It was a pleasure having them stay. They were always polite and respectful and interested to learn new things. They were great company and i was sorry to see them leave on their… read more
(Excellent
)
15 Jan 2018
Left by Workawayer (Sofia) for host
I spent with Chris about two weeks,
and I had a really good time there, he's a really generous man, always glad to share his skills and teach you new things,
Its a quite unique experience in its genre, since you dont happen very often to live in the bush, but its worthy absolutely.
and I had a really good time there, he's a really generous man, always glad to share his skills and teach you new things,
Its a quite unique experience in its genre, since you dont happen very often to live in the bush, but its worthy absolutely.
13 Jan 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Sofia)
Sofia spent over 2 weeks helping me on my property in the bush. It was a delight to have her around. She is an intelligent ,happy and polite young woman who was willing to try to help with many tasks that were unfamiliar to her.Living in the bush environment without the usual modern facilities is challenging and Sofia adapted very well without… read more
(Excellent
)
