Wilderness and art retreat in East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

  • Favourited 259 times
  • Last activity: 15 Feb 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hi, we're Tracey and Jamie, artist and IT professional respectively, and we live in a small cottage set high on a ridge top overlooking the Tambo River in East Gippsland, about 4 hours east of Melbourne. The property is a large wilderness block fronting onto the river and surrounded by State Forest, and at night the only lights come from the night sky. This is a real bush retreat for visitors seeking an Australian wilderness experience.

    We offer accommodation in either a vintage caravan or a comfortable bedroom inside a shed, which has a wood fire, a luxurious bathroom and is a short walk from the house. We share our meals together and make our guests feel at home in our house.

    We provide great food and campfire cooking - a genuine Australian bush experience - in exchange for 4-5 hours work a day, helping with building, bush regeneration and landscaping. We have been affected by the recent bushfires so there is a lot of regeneration work we need to do, and this work counts towards a second year visa.

    Tracey's art practice often involves local community art projects, and you are welcome to participate in these if you wish.

    To get here, catch the train to Bairnsdale (a 4 hour trip) and we can pick you up from the station, or there is also a local bus from the station to our place.

    Thanks to Jesper for use of his photos.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We love good conversations and are keen to hear about other cultures and places around the world - feel free to practice your English with us!

    Guests will have a genuine bush experience in a wild and beautiful setting. This is the real Australian bush, with lots of wildlife - wallabies, wombats, possums and more.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    At the moment we are completing some building, landscaping and re-vegetation projects so need people who have experience in building or landscaping, or are willing to undertake physical tasks. Much of the tasks will be outdoors, but not too heavy. We would appreciate if guests have appropriate work clothes, including work shoes.

    Tracey also has art projects which she needs help with occasionally.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is in a vintage caravan inside our shed. The shed has a fire to keep you warm in the evenings, luxurious bathroom and is a short walk from the house. We always share our meals together and make our guests feel at home in our house. We also like cooking on the campfire and love good food.

    Due to our location we do not have a telephone line or wired internet, but we have good mobile reception and use a satellite for connection to the web.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The property has walking tracks, river frontage, plenty of wildlife, and great views. We are halfway between the high country and the coast, about one hour each way. We have been hosting visitors for many years now, and really enjoy the cultural exchange.

    Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements as we are a long way from any shops and need to arrange ingredients and food supplies in advance. We are omnivorous (eat everything!) We can cater for vegetarians and vegans but would appreciate help in the kitchen if you have a particularly specific diet.

    To get here from Melbourne, catch the early train to Bairnsdale, and get the Omeo bus to our front gate. If that is not possible we can pick you up from Bairnsdale station, which is an hour's drive from our place.

  • 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

    We have very good mobile reception here and an excellent work space.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Yes, but the 2km driveway is steep in places.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Possibly, we have a dog who is generally friendly with other dogs. There is no fenced yard however.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 221768389146

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