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98
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Description
Host of the Month! - Read the article in the Workaway BLOG
Ahoy!! :)
Are you looking for something different, off the grid, detached from the system, does life on the water interest you? Do you want to contribute your skills and learn new ones? Can you be a part of a team, work hard and play hard? If this sounds good to you.. then please read on
I’m Sam. This is my life and my dream. I’m also an artist, I build theatrical props, mostly for my own shows and others and I’m currently building a robot for a film. I also have large scale projects like this one you’re reading about now.
This is my floating off-grid Barge and Workshop. This is an incredibly beautiful place on earth. A hidden paradise with lots of secrets to share. To good to keep to myself, so much fun to share with travellers from all over the world.
I’ve been running a workaway programme here for the last 10 years or more and it’s been a huge success. Ive made such amazing friends and worked together on something that everyone who visits gets to share and enjoy.
Let me tell you more about these floating vessels. I own two huge barges, made of concrete, they weigh more than the average home, 100 tonne of concrete, each barge/boat!. They were built as ammunition barges back in the war. They are very stable and spacious and not like any other vessel you will have ever seen. Im transforming them into creative space's for myself and others to enjoy, whilst restoring and taking care of these 100 year old vessels that would otherwise deteriorate and be left to ruin.
The barges have power, toilets, hot shower, huge kitchen, we turn the sea water into pure fresh drinking water (best water you’ll ever taste). It’s a good set up and I pride myself on making every visitor super comfortable and happy, I believe that if I give my best, from the heart then I’ll get back the best, from the heart. Treat people the same way you’d like to be treated yourself.
I’m passionate about my project and my life and this workaway opportunity because as human beings we are flawed behaving and living in a monetary system that is corrupted and doomed to fail. This project opens the hearts for us to share in a non monetary way, where we exchange through sharing (heart) and not through demands and expectations (ego). Yes, we live in a monetary world but I believe we can transform the system where money is not the driving force, opening ourselves to much more potential and tapping into a higher intelligence if given ourselves the right environment to thrive and to live in harmony with all living things.
Located, north of Sydney by train or car, in one of the most beautiful places on the river, close to islands, beaches, cliffs etc. I am looking for people who can help in various ways, who are hard working, pro-active and team players. Some of the duties range from general assistance to painting, building, cleaning etc, in addition there are also domestic chores..
Although there is a lot to do, i really try to create a balance between working and playing.. I want you to leave making new friends, learning new skills and being part of something that you will remember as a very special time of your life...
if you're in any way excited about life off the grid, away from the stench of big city life, If you're prepared to work hard, be part of a team, to give your best and be your best, then come here, get involved, eat healthy, watch the sun rise, sit around the fire at night, meet interesting people, make friends, help restore and save these precious boats, turning them into a sacred place that has already transformed many lives in the past and will continue to do so.
The amount of people at any one time varies, it can be a big crew or just a few people or just yourself, it’s constantly changing.
The Barge calls you, if you feel it’s call, then send me a message, I will give you a link to our website with full details including a video and instagram.
See you soon!!
SamTypes of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn about life off the grid, open the mind and heart to a life outside of the matrix. you will leave forever changed.
Help
Building, painting, cleaning, washing of boats, Boat repairs, gardening, general maintenance, cooking, shopping, running errons..
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
There are 7 double beds, plus there is one indoor hammock too.. The kitchen is awesome and designed for those who enjoy cooking in a creative, functional space.
What else ...
This area is one of the most beautiful places in New South Wales, and on the best location of the river. If you're an outdoors lover and want to experience being "off the grid" then this place is for you!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
You can access internet through your own phones data allowance
Space for parking camper vans
Large car park available
Can possibly accept pets
please just ask.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (48)
I am so happy I have met you.🌸
You as a person and all that surrounds You. The barge, the river, the trees and all the animals within it.
You said: "Nature creates all as how it supposed to be"🌄. I agree, everything was meant to be this way...
Your place is a place of freedom. Chefs Sasha & Manou really got better at makeing delicious… read more
Feedback
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Communication:
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I am so happy I have met you.🌸
You as a person and all that surrounds You. The barge, the river, the trees and all the animals within it.
You said: "Nature creates all as how it supposed to be"🌄. I agree, everything was meant to be this way...
Your place is a place of freedom. Chefs Sasha & Manou really got better at makeing delicious… read more
It was lovely.
Too many words make the soup too salty.
And I am not a person of many words.
Thanks again, Sam 🌸🐋🐬
Tschikiliki 🐙
Life on the barge was as unexpected as it was unforgettable! These 10 days were interesting, funny and full of kindness. The barge is a place full of wonders and working with Sam was new and very cool!
Also, living with people from all over the world… read more
Sam is an energetic and outgoing person who likes to get stuff done. We worked for 5h a day and… read more
We highly reccomend staying with him, and we will come back for sure!
These girls are the dynamic duo! ;) I really enjoyed both of the girls warming energy and enthusiasm to keep things in order and help me out with all the tasks at hand. I felt like i made new friends that i certainly hope return someday! Thanks Aisha, Thanks Cat, i wish you the very best! Much Love x
If you get the chance to enjoy this mans energy then do it, you’ll be making a great friend, just like I have, I’m sure!
Sam is an excellent host and a caring person with a great sense of humor who… read more
The work was super varied with clear instructions. Sam is great at communicating and creating projects for people… read more
Her heart is made of gold and to be in her presence is incredibly… read more
It is rare these days to find people so certain of their… read more
This guy, I tell ya, we spent months together and we not only achieved a lot but we shared in a very beautiful way. Vito really is a unique and wonderful human, and destined for very big things. His energy is passionate about life. We would go on many adventures into the thick bush… read more
Use in the… read more
I was very lucky though I spend my first week (of 4) alone with Sam and I had the opportunity to get to now him more than I probably would if it was 7 other people there at the same time, but hey, they were rolling in after the second week and it was amazing to explore how the social… read more
Such a wonderful experience off grid in the beautiful Hawkesbury river. Sam and his beautiful crew, I am so sorry I couldn't stay longer than my designated week. We went fishing, exploring, had a late night boat trip to catch the phosperesence, shared stories round a fire and laughed a LOT. Thank you for this lush… read more
First of all, make sure you get his fruit bread recipe! Amazing. Harald, could not have done more to help, he was so enthusiastic and I really appreciated his efforts. I highly recommend him. Harald thanks buddy for your contribution to the team and I wish you the best adventures ahead!
The atmosphere on the barges is very friendly and open minded. You will get a lot of freedom in the same time as you feel that you are a part of a team… read more
I just needed to get that said, Wow!! So obviously very useful, but she loves lifting things! And I had lots for her to lift!! :) but enough about that, Maggie is a delight! She worked hard and was great energy to have on the Barge! We wished she could have stayed longer.. Thanks Maggie, you are a super human and I wish you… read more
I couldn’t ask for better guests! Not only are they both fun and great energy, but they couldn’t do enough to help. They are both welcome anytime and I wish them both all the very best!!
Thank you for letting us be part of that great project! we hope to see you soon!
It was really great to see the place in person in its beautiful location. Sam and Sara have worked to make it truly homey and welcoming, down to the curtains around the comfy beds. On the very first night I arrived we enjoyed fresh fish that Stefan and Sarah caught in the… read more
This girl is such a genuine loving human! i really must thank you so much for everything you contributed to the place! you did the best paint job with sandra! you girls together made such a great energy! please come back someday Maya! I'm currently in the UK so maybe we will see you sometime if you're about! anyway back to the… read more
She's such a warm honest down to earth person who became a friend very quickly. She really worked hard and made a real effort to contribute in every way! she's just such an awesome human being! love you Nat!!! xx THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you! It was a privilege to have someone that has such great energy and enthusiasm. You have an amazing voice and listening to you play your guitar, you created the soundtrack to the dream we all shared together here on the barge.
You were apart of the dream team. You were a big part in making so much happen in such a short amount… read more
This man, came to the Barge and stayed almost 5 weeks too short! Everyday, I'm thinking of a way i could lure him back from New Zealand. Peter made himself a home here and it really felt like he belonged here too. My friends and i that knew him, feel the same and we all miss him. Peter would help so hard in such an… read more
Thank you for your efforts and the special things you did for me and… read more
I'm not sure what I can say that hasn't already been said!
This was one of the best experiences, not just of my time in Australia, but of my life!
I had the most wonderful time on the barge, made some amazing friends, learnt some carpentry skills and… read more
This was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only could I be a part of one of the greatest projects I have ever seen, I could also help together with the loveliest crew ever and make some great friends.
Sam, words cannot even describe how good my time at your… read more
You are missed! This couple came into my home with such respect, gratitude and love! They made delicious meals, shared stories, helped on projects! Nothing was ever too hard or too much. They were so eager to please! It was a privilege to have them on board. I wish them happy travels and a very big thank you!!
What an incredible human being!! Thank you so much for coming and spending time with me and the other volunteers! You will simply fall in love with this girl! - I did! ;) She has the most contagious, fun loving energy, i think that I've ever experienced! Nothing is a problem for Roxy, she will try anything with total enthusiasm! She… read more
His boat is amaising, it looks like its in wilderness in the middle of the ocean...
Climbing to do in the area, fishing, swimming, camping on the beach, hiking...and having a good time around the fire,… read more
The barge itself is a magical floating home with so much character that i fell in love straight away and now i find myself sometimes lying in the hostel beds and thinking back to my super comfy bed on the slowly… read more
Thank you so much for your brief visit!.. I really enjoyed your company and thank you for your hard work!SYou are always welcome back and i hope i will see you sometime soon! since your visit, we have done quite a lot and i now have a second Barge! ;P
For anyone considering staying with Sam, I have the following advice: do it. He's a wonderful host who's generous with taking care of guests, always has interesting projects to work on and strikes a perfect balance between spending time together and having… read more
It was a pleasure to have you on board the barge, thanks for the chats, the hard work and for making my place even better to enjoy with you and your company! I wish you all the best for the future!
Anyway it was a special experience to see what extra effort it is to live on the water. Respect you have to deal with that every day! It was really nice to be away from all the rush and just surrounded from the stars and this magical water! You… read more
She's fun, hard working, considerate to others. The girl has the ability to be cheeky but incredibly respectful, all at the same time.. i don't know anyone quite like her! haha... ;) Savannah, even though she is young became the first that i would… read more
We had a lot of work to do when i was there like cooking, cleaning, painting,... But totally worth it. Sam is a really nice person, he really enjoy life and he is an amazing artist.
Thank you for everything i really enjoyed my… read more
Enthusiastic person who jumped on board to help out the moment he arrived! He was a great addition to the team and is already missed. He was very polite, respectful and fun! He's always welcome here and I highly recommended him!!
Sam is an enthusiastic and active person. He s got loads of different projects he s carrying on and therefore there is a lot of work to do... But trust me, it is 100% worth it. I will… read more
This floating house is big and Sam has many projects for it!
Me and a french couple were helping out to get a water-taxi back on the water.
Sam was always ready to… read more