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Hey there, we're Jake and Chloe!
Join us on our farm as we embark on an exciting journey of recovery and renewal! COVID hit us hard, and our kennel was tragically lost in the 2019/2020 East Gippsland Bush Fires. But guess what? We’ve got big dreams and a lot of plans in the works, and we’d love for you to be a part of it!
We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers ready to dive in for at least 3 weeks. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will involve lots of doggie love, farm fresh makeovers, and keeping the whole show running smoothly. Together, we’ll turn our big plans into reality!
Our farm is home to about 70 Huskies, 6 Cattle Dogs (our charming ‘Australian Huskies’), a duck named "Duck"—yes, it’s as original as it gets! — many lizards, a cocky and a very affectionate and loving pony named Toby. (The numbers might shift a bit with rescues and new puppies joining the crew!)
Speaking of puppies, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re planning for some adorable new arrivals in the next year! It’s going to be a puppy party, and we’re excited to see our pack grow even more.
We’re also in the midst of a fantastic makeover for our dog yards, and they’re looking amazing! If you have experience with building or construction, we’d love for you to jump in and help with this exciting project. No worries if you’re new to this or have no experience at all —there’s plenty of daily farm and dog care tasks to dive into, and you’re welcome to learn about the building process as you go.
Our pack is a lively bunch who adore making new friends and getting into playful mischief. With around 80% of our dogs coming to us as rescues, they’ve found their forever home, and oh, what a home it is!
When you volunteer with us, you’ll dive headfirst into the wonderful world of dog life, and it won’t be long before they've won you over. With such a big team, we always need extra hands to make sure each dog gets the care and attention they deserve.
Join us, and let’s create some magic together!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
What you can learn depends on how proactive and motivated you are!
As well as learning how to take care of so many huskies, you might also get the chance to see how we train and prepare them for winter, manage their coats in summer, and why we feed the dogs the way we do. You’ll also get insights into the equipment we use and what keeps our Huskies happy and healthy.
But that’s not all! You can pick up practical skills in building, landscaping, and general maintenance—there are endless opportunities to learn and grow.
Depending on when you join us, you’ll be working with a group of people from around the world, giving you the chance to swap stories and learn about different cultures.
And of course, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the beauty of Australia, learn about this incredible country, and just have a great time!
Help
Ready for an adventure? Join us on our farm and dive into a dynamic role where the dogs are the stars of the show! Our top priority is their care, so rain or shine, you’ll be hands-on with feeding, grooming, walking, cleaning their pens, bowls, ensuring fresh water, rotating them in and out of the play yard, and dealing with their love for digging (they’re expert hole-makers!).
Once the basics are covered, the tasks will shift with the seasons, but there’s always something meaningful to tackle.
Spring and Summer: Get ready for dog baths and brushings as they shed their winter coats, engage with new people, and stay on top of farm maintenance—things like fixing fences, gardening, and keeping the grounds looking their best, to ensure the best living environment for our dogs.
Autumn: This is the time to dive into dog training, maintain equipment, and help prep for the colder months ahead where they do what they love the most...being sled dogs!!
Got practical or building skills? Fantastic! They won't go to waste, there’s always something to fix or improve, and your talents will be put to good use.
Expect mostly outdoor work that’s hands-on, physical, and can get a bit dirty with our muddy pups, so bring your energy and a good fitness level. You’ll also be required to handle raw meat for the dogs when feeding.
No prior experience with animals? No problem! We’ll teach you everything you need to know while you’re here.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
The accommodation at the farm is basic but has everything you need. You’ll be sharing a room that can be warmed up with a log fire—perfect for those chilly nights!
We provide the food, and you’re welcome to cook for yourself or team up with fellow volunteers for group meals. It’s your call!
We run everything on a generator, and yes, the water is hot and ready for you. It’s a fantastic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The absence of light pollution means you’ll enjoy some of the best sunrises, sunsets, and starry nights you’ve ever seen! Alongside our lovable dogs, you’ll be surrounded by kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, deer, emus, and plenty of possums.
We’re about a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne, nestled in a remote area. The nearest town is just a 20-minute drive away and offers a small shop, a bar, a bakery, and a cafe—true country living at its finest!
For more shopping and dining options, Bairnsdale is about an hour and a half away, and Lakes Entrance, not too far from us, is a great spot for beach visits (you might even catch a glimpse of seals or dolphins!).
Our setup is a bit unique compared to typical Workaway experiences. You’ll be part of a community of volunteers and travelers rather than a family setup. Although we all live on the same property and gather for social/BBQ nights, there may be times when we’re on the road for other work commitments and you won’t see us for a few days.
Having your own transport would be a bonus, giving you the freedom to explore the area on your days off, but it’s not a must!
Come enjoy a slice of rural life with us and make some great memories!
What else ...
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time with us:
Gear Up: Bring along old, warm clothes and sturdy work boots. Our dogs don’t quite get the concept of pricey clothing, so expect to get muddy, wet, sandy, and covered in dog hair. We do have some spare clothes from past volunteers that you might be able to borrow, but sizes and availability can be hit or miss, especially when we're busy with workers. So, packing your own gear is the best bet.
Stay Cozy: It can get quite chilly in the evenings, so don’t forget to pack an Oodie or warm jumper or two!
Dress Code: For safety, you’ll need to wear steel-toe cap boots while working. During the summer, you can keep it casual, but remember, you’re working with dogs, so choose clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty. We’ll provide more detailed information on dress code in your welcome pack once you accept the volunteering position as this varies depending on the season.
Handling Raw Meat: Our work involves handling raw meat for feeding the dogs, so if you're vegetarian, please make sure you're comfortable with this.
Off-Duty Fun: While we’d all love to spend every moment with the dogs, there are other important tasks to tackle. But don’t worry—once your workday is done, you’re more than welcome to hang out with the dogs. We promise they’ll be thrilled to have the extra attention!
Enjoy your time here and make the most of the unique experiences and beautiful surroundings!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day - 5 days a week
Feedback (27)
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
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Unfortunately she came at a very busy time so I was not able to spend a lot of time with her, but she never seemed stressed and looked after all our animals here better than I could have expected, she has been a pleasure to have around and I would open my doors to her to come again.
Thank you Genesis for all your help!
It maked giants fun to works with the dogs. The dogs are very lovely - everyone with his own character. Especially i will never forget buddy and thor and the very cute puppies of course.
The employee… read more
Well, first of all, by the time Nono left to pursue her new adventures, she had very much become part of our big family. She is extremely reliable, a hard worker, fast learner, efficient, and super tidy and consistent.
Secondly, we consider ourselves lucky to have had her with us for so long. We were able to… read more
I stayed there for a month and a half ( was initially planning to stay just three weeks but this place got me!)
It was a first time for me to work with animals and rescued dogs in particular, and I have to say that I couldn't have dream of a better place for an introduction into this… read more
The foster puppies have all been adopted except for one ;) you know where to find us if you want to say hi… read more
Everyday was always interesting, because each dog had their own personality. Tatonka would be loud during feeding… read more
Rory and Charlotte came right when we needed independant, quick learners and took everything in their stride without a single complaint.
They were great with all the animals and very attentive to the specific needs some of them have. They went above and beyond and made a special project of… read more
The dogs are lovely and all have their own personalities, we loved working with them all and especially making friends with the more nervous ones. We enjoyed spending time with the dogs after work and we… read more
Our hearts were completely stolen by the huskies, the cattle dogs, and Toby the pony... we truly miss them, and shall never forget them. It shall be a tough workaway to beat.
The best thing about the placement were - of course! - the gorgeous dogs who each had a… read more
Thank you both!
From the Howling Husky team!
Thank you both!
From the Howling Husky team!
Jake are a great host. We didn’t get the joy to see him that much,… read more
Both are hard working and willing to give anything a go, they are very tidy and honest.
Thank you both it was great having you stay here and I'm sure the dogs will miss you!
Thank you Poppy!
I did my workaway together… read more
nothing was to much for them and they were always happy to help
They were both great with the animals
Thank you both for all your help!
All the best.
They have been a massive help and cannot thank them enough!
Jimmy stayed with us for...not long enough! Jake and I can both can say we haven't ment many people in our lives as kind,interesting, honest and hardworking as Jimmy! He is an absolute gem of a human being! We both feel as if our lives have been enriched by his precence! You are welcome back anytime!
Jimmy did so… read more
I was lucky to stay here and catch the tail end of their busy tour seasons. August to early October. Would have loved to have stayed longer, only I was limited to 3 months on my Australian visa.
When I arrived there were 4 others and Jake… read more
Thank you Jake for… read more
I really enjoyed staying at your place and the three weeks definitely felt really short.
Thanks so much for the awesome time I had! :)
for people who think about applying:
As long as you think you can cope with with pretty basic conditions and don't mind doing messy work sometimes, go for it, because you get so much… read more
Our home for a short 3 weeks. We would have loved to keep her longer as she was so easy going helpful and caring. We are expecting our first baby and she made a teddy for our baby! Incredibly sweet girl! Wishing her the best of luck! Thanks Anna from all your new furry friends!
