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Description
Life on a beautiful natural island in the Pittwater area of Sydney gives you the experience of bush and beach, while also being close to the city. You'll wake up to the sound of cockatoos and kookaburras, the gentle clanking of halyards on yacht masts and a view of water and boathouses on the Pittwater. Mona Vale is 15 minutes by bus and the B-Line express bus connects to Sydney centre within an hour. There are very few cities where you can live in national parkland on the edge of town.
Peaceful and scenic, the island is home to many artists, writers, photographers, potters, architects and sailors. It has inspired books, poetry, art. World class sailors have grown up learning to sail in this protected waterway.
The island is a small and friendly community of about 650 people, young and old. There is a regular boot camp held in the park and weekly Yoga classes, plenty of bush and coastal hikes. This is a pedestrian island reached by a 4 minute ferry ride with cars left on the mainland. The ferry is a great place to catch up with news and meet people.
My home is quite large, on three floors and with three bedrooms. Just me and no pets living here at the moment. For Workaways there is a queen bedroom with use of separate lounge and kitchenette, an ensuite bathroom and a private deck. Water and bush views from every window. My house is on a slope facing west and catches the sun even in winter.
My project is landscaping and gardening. I have a 900sqm block on a hillside just above the beach. I need help with moving sandstone blocks and digging them into the earth to make a small decorative retaining border, mulching the garden beds, planting new stock, weeding, pruning trees and general garden maintenance.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Interests
Culture
Books
Cooking & food
Plant care
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Gardening
Water sports
Nature
Hiking
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am a social person, a mother and grandmother, a traveller. I enjoy gardening, interior design, DIY, cooking, art, sewing, hiking and kayaking.
I can teach basic garden and hard landscaping skills for Australian gardens.
You can share in community boot camp twice a week. There is live music at the ferry terminal restaurant on Sundays. Walking around the island always generates chats with island dog walkers. Jumping on the ferry will have you mixing with the locals.
The cafe at Church Point ferry wharf is a social hub for coffees and weekend cyclists. There is also a sailing school based there.
As a long time traveller with a career in market research and an education in cultural studies, I am and always have been, interested in getting to know people from other cultures and learning about their lives. I have been blessed with great travel adventures myself, experienced the kindness of strangers, and made friends across the world. This is a kind of giving back. I am happy to share my gorgeous home with visitors from other cultures, who are fulfilling their adventures around the world.
Help
I'll be working alongside you and sharing garden and basic hard landscaping skills but these days, with a couple of dodgy shoulders, I can't do heavy lifting, digging, or tree pruning like I used to.
So I need a strong helper(s) able to carry 20kg (a bag of cement weight), dig with a spade and reach above their shoulders, to prune tree branches. Familiarity with garden tools would be helpful.
The island is a protected Spotted Gum tree reserve so there is a lot of natural vegetation and with heavy clay soil, it is more physical gardening than I grew up with in England!
I'd like help who enjoys being out in the garden and is happy to work with their hands and get a bit muddy. I can supply sunblock and bug spray.
Languages
Languages spoken
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
My school girl French is very rusty but I would be happy to listen to the lovely language and get familiar again.
Accommodation
Private queen bedroom with en-suite shower bathroom. Access to the main house lounge, kitchen, dining and outdoor deck, as well as a private use lounge, kitchenette and deck if you wish. The kitchenette is fully equipped and has a fridge, microwave and washing machine for your use.
Bedding is provided. The rooms all have heaters and bedroom has a fan and aircon.
I plan to cook evening meal for us to share and will provide food in the kitchenette so you can help yourselves to breakfast and lunch independently or eat with me. Since all groceries must be brought onto the island by hand I will ask you to help me with the grocery shopping by coming in the car with me and helping to carry it back to the island.
What else ...
Plenty of bush and beach headland walking, ocean swimming, kayaking (I have kayaks you can borrow), surfing. Sailing courses available.
Ferry from Church Point to the island. The ferry does charge each way but you can buy a 13 trip multi trip. Buses from Church Point to Mona Vale, Avalon, Palm Beach, Manly, Sydney CBD. Keoride on demand service is available.
One thing that is important, the last ferry to the island is at 7.25pm weekdays and 6.30pm weekends, so nightlife has to be island based.
No smokers please.
This is a natural bush island so expect it to be a bit like glamping; the accommodation is luxurious but the environment is offshore island bush, without street lights, cars, cafes and with some of Australia's native wildlife.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I have a work desk and chair in the private lounge. I have good internet so you can use wifi or hot spot. Our work in the garden will normally be 8am -12 or 1pm This island will probably suit a couple who don't aim to be out every night as it is a quiet evening life. Singles also welcome though. I do need strong people willing to do physical work since muscle power is what I am a bit short on these days!
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Photos
