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Come and help us in the garden and enjoy the wildlife on lovely Raymond Island, Australia

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We live on Raymond Island in the middle of Australia's beautiful Gippsland Lakes. Our home has a large garden (1.2 hectares) with food crops and Australian native plants. Our garden is home to many animals (including kangaroos and koalas) and birds.

    We're an easy-going couple who moved from the city to rural Victoria for a sea/tree change. Jane's background is education (university and technical) and Tom's background is international marketing. We've decided to be Workaway hosts after enjoying an unexpected visit in 2015 from two German exchange students.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We can help you to improve your English, no matter what skill level you already have. You'll learn more about Australian culture - not just the Crocodile Dundee image that you see at the movies. You'll have the opportunity to participate in Island life and meet other Islanders. We can teach new cooking and other practical skills if you're interested. Our aim is to provide a fun and rewarding cultural stay.

    Raymond Island is located 4 hours east of Melbourne on Australia's largest lakes system in internationally recognised RAMSAR wetlands. It is 8km x 2km and home to arond 500 people. Apart from discovering the challenges of organic coastal gardening, there's lots of local wildlife to see in a natural habitat. We're happy to spend time with our travellers exploring the local region on the mainland (mountains to ocean beaches), especially at the weekends.

  • Help

    Help

    We enjoy sharing our lovely garden and ask for general help around the property and especially in the garden in return. Help could be anything from painting to planting trees, cooking dinner, spring cleaning or puppy-sitting. There's no fixed schedule and work is active but doesn't require great physical strength.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Our house is large and comfortable and you can share our home with your own bedroom/s. We have good Internet access to contact home but avoid downloading movies (there's a largish DVD collection instead). We have two friendly dogs who love attention and walks.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    In summer the water's great for swimming and in winter curl up with movies or books in front of the fire. We have a strong local music culture and you're likely to have at least one opportunity to see a live performance.

    We cook a wide range of foods and can accommodate special dietary requirements, for example if you are a vegetarian.

    We are a no-smoking house.

    There are no shops on the Island but have a short ferry ride to the mainland shops at Paynesville. We have bicycles to explore the Island. Public transport is limited and we are happy to help with transport from the country trains at Bairnsdale (our nearest town).

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    They could work from their own bedroom/sitting room.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We live on over a hectare so plenty of room.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Friendly dogs yes. We have two Labradoodles.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

Host ref number: 564382269413

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Photos

The image depicts a koala bear resting in a tree, surrounded by branches and leaves, with a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The image depicts a serene scene of a marina, featuring boats and yachts docked in the water, with a clear sky and calm atmosphere, evoking a sense of peacefulness and tranquility.
The image depicts a serene lake scene at sunset, with a vibrant orange sky and dark clouds reflected on the calm water\'s surface.
The image depicts a white bird with a long neck and legs, standing on the ground, surrounded by greenery, with a body of water visible in the background. The bird is likely a heron.
The image depicts a serene marina scene, featuring a collection of boats docked at wooden piers, set against a clear blue sky and calm water.
The image depicts a koala perched in a tree, surrounded by leaves and branches, with a blue sky visible in the background.
The image depicts a serene garden scene, featuring a metal arched gate, raised beds, and lush greenery, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.
The image depicts a man and woman standing on a porch, with the man descending the stairs and the woman leaning on the railing.

Feedback

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