Details
Description
Hi, we’re Shari and Ross.
We’re both recently retired (pharmacist and nurse) , in our 60s, having met while travelling in Tibet nearly 40 years ago.
Shari is from New Zealand and Ross is from Australia. Our interest in travel continues, with our focus on Asia and the Pacific, and we have many “traveller “ friends who drop by to stay. Our main interest though is in caring for our land.
We live on a beautiful 52 hectare property near Lansdowne on the Mid North Coast, New South Wales.
Our land is dedicated to Australian flora and fauna protection , and as such we decided to have the property listed with the NSW BioDiversity Conservation Trust so that its environmental/ecological values are protected in perpetuity. (Think “private national park” and that’s not far off the mark).
We also have a large productive vegetable garden and extensive orchard , mainly citrus (many varieties ), macadamias, mangoes and sapotes. There’s a large deep, clean dam for swimming in the warmer months.
Having built everything on the property ourselves, there is a constant need for maintenance and repair. Also the BioDiversity Management Plan requires us to protect and improve this unique area, so there’s plenty of opportunity for weeding, fencing, bush regeneration and DIY jobs like carpentry, fencing, renovations, firewood collection and processing, gardening. Opportunities to get your hands dirty are always available.
A maximum expectation of fours hours work per day, up to five days per week.
As we have decided to focus on protecting local flora and fauna, we no longer keep farm animals or pets. We love our property and enjoy sharing it with friends : those we have met, and those we haven’t met yet 🙂
We are about 25 minutes drive to the service town of Taree and about the same to the coast : Harrington, Crowdy Head and Crowdy Bay National Park.
We raised our two sons here and they are now pursuing careers in other areas . We have built two homes on the property, one of which is now vacant for use by friends, visitors, passing travellers and……….. Workawayers!
We’re relaxed, open -minded, rational, with no particular “life philosophy” other than living a healthy active life. We look forward to meeting you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Interests
Technology
Sustainability
Self development
Movies & TV
Politics / Social justice
Events & social
Culture
Photography
Plant care
Music
Gardening
History
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Art & design
Books
Yoga / Wellness
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Sailing / Boating
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Cycling
Fitness
Camping
Beach
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our place is a beautiful property, mostly forested , nestled under the Lansdowne Escarpment (our “back fence” , adjoining Coorabakh NP) at the end of a gravel road.
The property has areas of warm temperate rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, with examples of some critically endangered plants and animals adjoining Coorabakh National Park.
Our project helps form an important “wildlife corridor” between the coast and the Comboyne Plateau. There is a resident mob of Red-necked Wallabies, numerous bird species, reptiles and other native fauna.The wildlife here is protected
There are opportunities to observe and be informed about Australian birds and animals as well as learning about Australian plant species.
Help
There are always jobs like gardening, assisting with small building projects and renovations, painting, removal of exotic plants/weeding, replanting native plants, bush care, fencing (and removal of old unnecessary fences!), track and road maintenance, bushfire prevention and mitigation work
We have a lovely kitchen with stunning views: if you like to cook, Shari will be pleased to share recipes in her kitchen
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: BeginnerThis 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
We have a small second house on the property available for Workawayers.
Two queen bed bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, bathroom. Basic linen provided. There is limited phone coverage at the second house but unlimited internet and wifi and a signal booster at our home. Good views across the scenic dam and rainforest project.Double carport. This house is approximately 200 metres from our house but is private, and neither house is visible to the other. We will supply basic breakfast items. Lunch and dinner can be had with us, or otherwise as negotiated.
What else ...
W e are close to several good National Parks, beaches, waterfalls and nature reserves. Having your own vehicle would be an advantage to explore the local area, but we are always looking for an excuse to go for a walk or a swim so would be able to assist with transport at times..There is plenty of walking to be had on our property but experience in rough bushwalking would be advised.
There is a train station in Taree (25 minutes drive) as well as bus stops for the long haul bus lines.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a strong internet and mobile phone coverage at the main house on the property. The “guest house”, where Workawayers can stay has patchy internet and phone coverage, usually best outside. Workawayers are welcome to walk the short distance up to the main house to access stronger signal. As our property is gazetted, under legislation, for protection of Australian flora and fauna via a BioDiversity Management Plan, we do not keep domestic animals or pets, nor do we allow domestic pets to come onto the property with guests. We are not smokers and prefer non smokers as guests, but if you are a smoker, please smoke in open areas, not in the accommodation or or verandahs. Families can stay, by negotiation. For those travelling in campervans, who prefer their vehicle to the house that is available, the van can be sited near the dam, by negotiation.
Space for parking camper vans
Our property is manly steep and somewhat difficult to drive around, so campervan access is limited to a large area of lawn, near the large dam and “Summer House”. As you drive onto the property.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Photos
