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16 Feb 2025
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Description
Hello lovely Workawayers,
(Next availability is from Feb 21)
My name is Mark and I am an Australian / Dutch Citizen who has spent many decades travelling the world. My dream has always been to find a beautiful and serene environment with a good view. I believe I've found it!
My home is on 106 acres with magnificent views. It’s 90 minutes drive north of the centre of Sydney. There are many projects across acres of gardens, inside and outside of the house.
The vision is to create an eco-retreat in the coming years, where people can enjoy the peace and serenity of the great outdoors in an extraordinarily beautiful natural setting.
What I need your help for is the day to day upkeep of the home and some specific projects. Anyone with actual masonry or landscaping skills, and/or actual construction experience (from renovating a bathroom to replacing a door) would be most welcome! I also am looking for someone to help around the house with general day-to-day things like cooking, cleaning, and organising.
Ideally, if you’re interested in a cultural exchange, then we would get the chance to talk over WhatsApp and discuss what you’re looking for, your expectations and the skills you can contribute to the vision.
So, if you like what you've read so far keep reading and drop me a line, I'd love to meet you!Types of help and learning opportunities
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
This sanctuary is half a kilometre from a nearest neighbour, in the middle of pristine Australian bush. That means you’ll encounter every kind of Australian wildlife, including wallabies, wombats, every kind of bird, goanna’s, snakes etc. Don’t be concerned or put off by snakes. They are far more scared of us than we are of them. Sensible precautions mean that we can all coexist.
This is by no means City Living … Which can be a culture shock for some people.
The backyard runs from the top of the mountain down to the valley, and takes 90 minutes to 2 hours to walk through temperate rainforest.
The name of the suburb ‘Kulnura’ is an indigenous name that means 'up in the clouds with a view of the sea'. Surrounded by nature, provides an uncommon experience, especially for those who have been living in cities, all their lives.
I am also a keen meditator and practice yoga and Pilates. There are a number of opportunities to engage in Yoga locally. There is also a possibility to enjoy the sunrise each morning from the front terrace and watching the world of nature wake up. It’s unique.
As a dual national who understands a European sensibility, born in Australia, (English and Dutch spoken), I can offer the ability to translate what seems like quite a foreign environment, into one which is more approachable safe and ultimately beautiful.
There is also the chance to enjoy music, making and listening. If you have an instrument, please bring it. There are plenty of guitars, amps and a piano in house. Some nights it’s good to sit around a fire indoors or outdoors depending on the mood.Help
The kinds of projects involve cutting firewood, clearing brush, planting, weeding, clearing bush paths through the forest. In the house, there are a variety of different projects to modernise the interior and exterior. Ideally, you will be willing to use a brush-cutter. Having skills to work around the house is what I am looking for.
Your participation in preparation and clearing up of each meal is expected. This is not suitable for people who wish to sleep all day. There is a 'TODO list for helpers' to act as a memory jogger, so you know what’s expected throughout the day.
The idea is to create a mutually acceptable environment for coexistence within the same house. I work remotely from home during the day most days, but I’m available to discuss projects and tasks as required.
Any disturbance to the peace and tranquility of the home would be a reason to terminate the arrangement.Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: FluentAccommodation
You will have your own bedroom and bathroom. There’s a queen size bed and a separate bathroom you can call your own. There are three bedrooms in the house, and one study. Two bathrooms and the kitchen. As you can see from the photos, the house is solid, warm and comfortable. There is plenty of space inside and outside for you to have privacy.
We live off grid, which means we are sparing with our reserves of rainwater and electricity that comes from PV panels and the battery. Home cooked meals will be provided.
Rocco is an important mascot in the house. He loves to play, and walk in the garden and in the bush behind the house. He’s a very friendly, easy-going dog who enjoys attention. Just like every dog you’ve ever known! He has only ever lived on this block and knows it like the back of his hand. He is also a guard dog for the foxes and other animals such as feral dogs that can sometimes visit. His job is to protect the chickens from unwanted attention.What else ...
The house is approximately 25 minutes from the railway station in Wyong.
You would be expected to do a minimum five hours of work five days a week to cover your room and food.
We will NOT be making special trips to town. Key expectations include:
- Maintaining a clean and tidy room and actively contributing to the running of the household.
- Engaging with the activities of the household (cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc).
- No drugs or excessive alcohol consumption.
- Open and honest communication with no surprises.
- You must be fully insured.
- Drivers licence preferred. Its for safety and moving around the property with a trailer
- Should be able to support those with vegetarian requirements.
- Vegans may find it challenging, unless you are cooking everything yourself and do not mind meat and other dishes being prepared in the kitchen at the same time.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There is sufficient space for a camper van
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (8)
He has been the best host I've had over the past 10 years.
He is clear in his communication, has the best food in store, offers you a comfortable bed and a magnificent view of the sea.
Most importantly, he is amicable, welcoming and has a great sense of humour.
Give him a call, and enjoy your… read more
As two travelers far away from home, volunteering at Mark's place gave us a peaceful moment to connect with the Australian lifestyle and experience the beauty of wild nature.
Mark is a super kind/hilarious person—we always felt welcome and at ease.… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
He has been the best host I've had over the past 10 years.
He is clear in his communication, has the best food in store, offers you a comfortable bed and a magnificent view of the sea.
Most importantly, he is amicable, welcoming and has a great sense of humour.
Give him a call, and enjoy your… read more
As two travelers far away from home, volunteering at Mark's place gave us a peaceful moment to connect with the Australian lifestyle and experience the beauty of wild nature.
Mark is a super kind/hilarious person—we always felt welcome and at ease.… read more
We did some cooking, baking, cleaning, gardening and dogsitting.
Mark is a lovely and inspiring guy, we really enjoyed the conversations we had with him. He also took us to some activities.
It was a lot of fun staying with him,… read more
We had a lot of really good and deep conversations, always super delicious food we could enjoy with each other, I've had such a grounding experience in and surrounded by this beautiful nature around hes… read more
This was our introduction to Australia and we couldn't think of a better way to climatise. Mark took time out of his busy working… read more
Rich in initiative, hard-working, engaged and willing to take on any tasks in and around the house. They are funny, quirky with a wicked sense of humour. My dog, Rocco misses them already! (And I’m sure they miss him)
Both are great… read more
Mark's place is a little paradise, very quiet, full of piece and serenity and the view is just amazing.
Mark is very generous, patient and kind, he… read more
The location is awesome, quiet with a lot of bird.
This expérience is absolutely what I needed, I really felt very good with Mark and in this place.
I wish you all the best and hope i can come back again.