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100 %
Last replied
3 Apr 2024
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Description
Welcome to our 3rd WorkAway on 3rd different continent!
We had a great time hosting people in New Zealand the Philippines, now, we've relocated back to Australia and setting up our "dugout" (cave home) in the remote outback town of Coober Pedy.
We'd love to welcome travelers who are chill and fairly self-sufficient. In New Zealand, we offered a free place to stay and didn't expect any help in return, as long as you took care of your own food. In the Philippines, we provided food and accomodation in exchange for help developing some rural tropical land.
In Coober Pedy, Australia, we're not sure how much we'll need help with yet, but will be happy to offer some space to park your van/car/tent on our land and enjoy the beautiful sunsets and clear, starry night skies on your stop in Coober Pedy (on the route between Adelaide -> Alice Springs -> Darwin).
There are opportunities to volunteer in town and if you have certain trade skills, like auto mechanics, wood/stone/metalworking, I'm sure we'll have some oddjobs we can do an exchange for!
We'll be there fulltime from June, 2023 and partially there before that.
Please message us with any questions about the area or travel in Australia in general. We've both traveled a bit of the world and love to help those with wanderlust!
Cheers,
Leon & Grace
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
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
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Coober Pedy is a very unique town in that it has only ~2,000 inhabitants, but those consist of over 30 different nationalities!
You'll get to meet some locals and get a taste of the Aussie outback style, but also the culture unique Coober Pedy!
A few hundred meters walk away, there is the underground Serbian orthodox church, with its famous sandstone carvings and stained-glass windows. In town, we have things like cave tours and opal mining experiences. There is a kangaroo/wildlife sanctuary, which also includes an aboriginal art gallery (the owners of that are also on Workaway, if you'd like to apply to stay with them and take care of cute kangaroos!).
Your hosts, Leon and Grace, have also lived and traveled abroad quite a bit. Leon spent about 10 years in Japan and several years living in China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia and New Zealand. And, along with Grace, who's originally from the Philippines, they've also visited numerous other countries. If you want to learn some languages, we may be able to help with some or have some friendly competition on DuoLingo ;)
Help
As we setup our new cave home ("dugout") in Coober Pedy, there'll be various activities, such as:
- excavating more rooms in the sandstone cave
- refining surface finish & sealing sandstone walls
- general constuction using stone, wood, metal and other materials
- 12v electrical systems design, improvement and maintenance (including solar)
- water transfer system design and maintenance, using pumps & pipes
- manual tasks in filling and transporting water containers; refueling and inspecting petrol generator
- vehicle inspection and maintenance
- gardening (more like terraforming!), creating pathways/trails
- materials processing (recycling/disassembling things)
- photography/videography
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
Tagalog: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Hebrew: Beginner
Chinese (Mandarin): BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
We speak, read and write a few languages between us and have dabbled in learning various languages over the years. We'd be happy to teach you what we know and learn more of your native language and culture!
Accommodation
We aim to setup (with Workawayer help!) multiple options for people who want to stay, ie your own cave/dugout, shaded caravan and tent options. In the summer season, the heat is brutal outside - over 40c/104F! Luckily, temperatures inside the dugouts keep an even 23/24C (73/75F), so that would be the recommended spot.
It is a dry heat, so not as uncomfortable as humid climates!
In winter, the nights get cool, but you have amazing starry skies without the light pollution of a big town. Tent or caravan may be preferred in that season.
We aim to have multiple shading structures for vehicles to park under, greatly reducing the heat, so if you're bringing your own campervan, caravan or car, we'll keep it sheltered!
What else ...
If you have a valid driver's license for Australia, we may be able to lend you a car or motorbike to explore the area. It's mostly desert, with the closest major town about 5 hours drive away. About 8 hrs drive gets you to Adelaide, which is the beautiful state capital, with great nature, arts and architecture. Anything you need, you can find there and there is a bus service from Coober Pedy (also, an expensive scenic rail is an option). There are sporting clubs in town, such as badminton.
Coober Pedy is in the middle of Adelaide and Alice Springs, on the same route as Adelaide to Darwin. This makes it a great place to stop mid-journey. It's also where the majority of the world's opals are mined, usually by small scale miners. Have a browse around YouTube for some videos about Coober Pedy and ask us any specific questions you may have!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We've both been digital nomads for over 10 years, so always have some tips and tricks and a supply of internet :) Out in Coober Pedy, we have 4G, fast enough for any of my programming/tech consulting work, watching movies, etc. There's free WiFi in town and we may expand to a Starlink/competing low earth orbiting satellite in future.
Space for parking camper vans
Our property is 6,000 sqm, plenty of space for caravans. We can help you to rig up some extra shade to cover the van in the hotter months, which makes a big difference to comfort levels. There are dump points in the town, few minutes drive away.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Expect 4 hours of contribution, 5 days a week
Feedback (19)
There isn't much I can say that hadn't been said by other workawayers.
I enjoyed my experience there since day one and was really sad to leave.
I admire your passion and the effort you are making to improve things there.
Hopefully our paths will cross again!
The kids loved you, as did all the adults! We wish we could have kept you longer, but it's time for more journeys for you and for us, possibly a shift overseas to do some fundraising so we can continue to host.
For other prospective hosts, Diego is awesome to have around. A veritable… read more
Thanks so much for your time here. It was a ball having you guys around, helping out with the building, playing with the kids, teaching us about Wales and just being part of the good vibe here.
Time has just been whizzing by since you left. Milja just left today. Next week will be the last week of hosting a couple of girls… read more
After 1 week at their place (in fact we were sleeping in our tent on the eco resort, but was agreed before and we loved it), we had a really nice experience there!
Work weekdays mornings and then freetime to… read more
Sorry for the late update on the feedback, time has been flying here.
You'll be happy to know that the stairs you built with all the sweat have been used many times - they make life so much easier!
We hope you're having a great continued journey and we'll update you with more photos once the website is a bit… read more
Feedback
There isn't much I can say that hadn't been said by other workawayers.
I enjoyed my experience there since day one and was really sad to leave.
I admire your passion and the effort you are making to improve things there.
Hopefully our paths will cross again!
The kids loved you, as did all the adults! We wish we could have kept you longer, but it's time for more journeys for you and for us, possibly a shift overseas to do some fundraising so we can continue to host.
For other prospective hosts, Diego is awesome to have around. A veritable… read more
Thanks so much for your time here. It was a ball having you guys around, helping out with the building, playing with the kids, teaching us about Wales and just being part of the good vibe here.
Time has just been whizzing by since you left. Milja just left today. Next week will be the last week of hosting a couple of girls… read more
After 1 week at their place (in fact we were sleeping in our tent on the eco resort, but was agreed before and we loved it), we had a really nice experience there!
Work weekdays mornings and then freetime to… read more
Sorry for the late update on the feedback, time has been flying here.
You'll be happy to know that the stairs you built with all the sweat have been used many times - they make life so much easier!
We hope you're having a great continued journey and we'll update you with more photos once the website is a bit… read more
It must be a while since you continued your journey on from us, but time has been flying here. Your materials recycling area is now in use - covered in bottles and this week, we'll be doing some construction with them :)
So much help while you were here - not to mention the awesome dental work, removing Grace's braces,… read more
We miss you guys!
The kids miss you guys!
Hope you're having a ball up in Palawan.
Wow, what an awesome Workaway couple you were. You saw our whole Workaway experience here over several months, from the early quiet, through to the busy chaos and gradual improvements.
Your compost toilet is complete and really makes… read more
Sorry to miss dropping you to the bus this morning, was still caffeinating up - I found your note :D
It was our pleasure to host you for these 2 weeks, they went so quickly! Your efforts with the recycling area and kitchen roofing will not go to waste, we're so eager now to put them both to use next week.
We learned so much about… read more
We had an awesome time and enjoyed our first workaway experience max level.
Meanwhile we support Angel´s Burger in other location, so no worries.
We are shocked that the reception girl was pregnant, we never ever expected her to be. So congratulation!
Words cannot describe how happy we are that we… read more
Thanks so much for giving you time and energy to our projects. I think of you every time I walk past the vegie patch! Still no seedlings in it, but it's weed-free and I'm sure we'll have it blooming soon. We hope you guys come back before leaving the Philippines. Angel's Burgers cannot financially sustain… read more
Though you're continuing on your own journey now, we hope that it leads you back to us again!… read more
Thank you so much.
We had such a great time developing the Eco Retreat land, cooking, eating and going to the beach together. We hope you are continuing to have fun and explore the Philippines and beyond.
Thanks especially for bringing Tomke into our group - having an extra kid around really lifts everyone's… read more
It was sad to see another member of our extended family leave, but the journey must continue!
You'll be happy to know that campsite #3 works well, keeping a French couple waterproof this week :)
Your bright personality, strong work ethic and positive attitude were a great contribution. We wish you the best of luck in the… read more
It was such a pleasure to have you come and stay with us, even for a short period.
You'll be please to know that the Materials Recovery Area work has been continued by your countrymen from Brasil! Today, I bought some drill bits - also from Brasil, haha!
Your positive energies were very endearing, thanks for being… read more
Even if you'd been completely unable to do any of the project work, we'd still have been super chuffed to have your positive energy here. As it turned out, you excelled at everything you took on AND kept your positive… read more
The cooking, the building and the companionship were well appreciated.
Thanks for being patient whilst you were the 3rd Workawayer with us in the Philippines - helping beta test our way of doing things!
We wish you good luck on your future travels and life… read more
It was a pleasure having you guys stay. I really hope you can drop in on your way back through North Island if you're still in NZ. Grace is here and we've watched almost all of Mads Mikkleson movies, to absorb your culture :P
Cheers,
Leon
Thanks for everything, Leon, the movie nightstarts and the road trips and dinners! Hope to see you when we come to the north island again
I was glad to learn something about Poland and always nice to have healthy, smart and positive people staying.
I wish you happy continued travel adventures!
Cheers,
Leon
Plus he has has lots of interesting books in his house.
I would definitely recommend him for any travelers in that area.
It was great to stay at Leon's place, he's amazingly hospitable and friendly and it was very inspiring to see him living by his ideals, off-grid and with lots of veggies, right in the middle of town. Great soup, too.
Hope to meet you another time!
All the best,
Tuk
PS: There's a big article about a guy… read more
It was a pleasure having Tuk and Joseph staying with us. The effort they put into the garden will be a visible reminder of the good times shared.
Tuk is a wealth of information, especially regarding self-sufficient living and construction techniques. He will be a blessing for any Workaway host looking to get things done. He's also a bit… read more
It was my first workaway experience and I was able to have a nice time. Living without electricity was quite easy than I imagined and it was really nice to eat veges from your garden :-)
I was also impressed by your stories, especially your experience in Japan was so funny.
Thank you again, and hope to… read more
Ryoko was with us for about a week and we had a great time with her. She is very easy going and was able to adapt to our lifestyle quite easily. A good help and pleasure to have around the home.
We'll remember the super meaty BBQ and weird Youtube videos ;)
Cheers,
Leon
It was a great time, chilling together, cooking, watching movies and playing cards.
I also enjoyed all the good conversations.
I hope your continued adventures in NZ are full of fun!
Cheers,
Leon
I've just finished the delicious NZ's chocolaté thinking of you and Émilie on the bush.
Great and quiet expérience!!
Thank you for… read more
It was my pleasure to host you and to learn about your interesting home of Belgium.
I hope the rest of your NZ adventures are going well and that you always have delicious chocolate when you are midway through your hikes ;)
Cheers,
Leon
I hope she continues to have fun adventures in NZ!
Cheers,
Leon
Leon is a really easy-going, friendly, honest and supporting person that is always trying to make your stay as enjoyable as possible and help out whenever he can.… read more
Filippo is another example of what I consider the hopeful sign of the "youth of today" - healthy, smart and full of positive energy. I'm sure anyone who hosts him will feel positive about the experience.
Enjoy your future travels and adventures, Filippo - stay in touch.
Cheers,
Leon
It was a great time we spent together and we still keep in touch regularly. I'm eager to meet up with them again in some corner of the globe, some day (hopefully Latvia!).
Super hard working, great cooks and uber-friendly, these guys are a joy to have around.
Cheers,
Leon
He is very welcoming, with a great sense of humour and he has heaps of interesting stories to tell. You won't get bored!
House is lovely and cosy, we liked working outside, especially creating veggie garden. We got… read more
Though the time was short, I enjoyed our chats and hope we meet again.
I'm eager to hear how your future cooking adventures go in NZ!
Cheers,
Leon
I had a pretty nice time with leon and the other workawayers. I wish i could stay longer!
Thank you very much and maybe we'll see again;)
Katherine stayed with us for several weeks and helped inspire me to be more energetic and explore parts of NZ I wouldn't have gotten to otherwise.
She was proactive around the house and garden and the "Katherine and Gregor" named vegetable patch (shown in photos) will be a lasting… read more
We enjoyed having Emily stay with us and were able to share a few great experiences together, ie doing the Tongariro Crossing! See some of her awesome photos, which I've uploaded to my Workaway profile.
Enjoy your future travels, Emilie - à bientôt!
Cheers,
Leon
These two young guys from Germany came to my house with a great attitude and lots of positive energy. They were very helpful around the house and in the garden.
The real pleasure for me and the other guests, was in the activities we shared, such as fishing off the beach in Flat Point, cooking schnitzels… read more
It was great to discover their special life style ! They have a simple life and it was a such experience for us.
Leon is pretty cool, he always teach us things about the country or to… read more
They brought happiness and culture into our family home and were very helpful in the kitchen and garden, along with other errands.
I'm envious of the fun road ahead of them, travelling around the world and meeting cool people… read more
