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Description
we are embarking on our project - creating a refuge for both people and nature in the cool uplands of NSW’s mid-north coast, near the beautiful little town of Dorrigo. In March 2025 we became custodians of a 140 beautiful acres, including remnant old-growth rainforest with spring-fed streams, waterfalls and walking trails, a working permaculture farm with orchards, a food forest and vegetable gardens.
Our dream is to create is a place where mindfulness, meditation, deep ecology, and forest restoration come together. We’re protecting and reconnecting rainforest habitat while creating space for meditation retreats, nature connection programs, and regenerative agriculture. Our land is also home to endangered species including Koalas and Giant Barred Frogs.
I’m a Buddhist monk ordained in the Sakya Tibetan tradition with training and experience in the Plum Village and Burmese Forest Traditions. My background before that was a research scientist in the field of ecology and climate change impacts. I have a life-long interest in martial arts and embodied movement including yoga. I facilitate wilderness silent walking and meditation retreats, yoga and qi-gong practice, and lead our online eco-dharma sangha, as well as developing our farm and rainforest nursery. My mother Bev is co-founder, a keen organic gardener, farmer and bush regenerator, and now a shepherdess also, since we have ten beautiful Leicester x Romney sheep that help us keep the pastures nicely cropped, and produce beautiful soft brown craft wool for spinning and weaving.
The name of our place in Tibetan is "Tan ma Ling" - which as well as being a translation of "Place of the Earth Goddess", means "Island of stability". We’re a small, developing Buddhist community - we're passionate about creating a refuge in these times of climate crisis and social upheaval. We would love to welcome practitioners from Theravada, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, as well as anyone genuinely interested in meditation, yoga, mindfulness, deep ecology or nature connection. To find out more you can search for our website - ask us for the link :)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Self development
Farming
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Writing
Carpentry
Books
DIY & crafts
Plant care
Photography
Languages
Animals
Cycling
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Camping
Fitness
Nature
Yoga / Wellness
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have an evening sitting meditation as part of the rhythm of our community life. there may be yoga and qi gong practice instruction available for those interested. We also have weekly Buddhist teachings and dharma talks. You can learn about rainforest ecology, especially bird and plant identification, plant propagation, deep ecology and nature connection. There is plenty of opportunity for bushwalking in spectacular Gondwanan rainforest. We are only 15 minutes from Dorrigo with a beautiful local market, cafes, shops, film nights and other social and cultural activities, and only 40 minutes from Bellingen, with lots more of the above. Coffs Harbour and Armidale are only about 90 minutes away. You can reach us via public transport (buses and trains) to Urunga or Armidale station, and then a local shuttle to Dorrigo, or we can meet you at the station :)
Help
We need help with:
building projects: Natural timber and earth building, carpentry, joinery etc.
Farm work: Permaculture garden and orchard maintenance, planting, pruning, harvesting, sheep and chicken etc.
General property maintenance: weeding, lawn mowing etc.
Domestic/home tasks: cooking, cleaning etc.
Forest restoration: Trail maintenance, weed management, native plant propagation etc.
We’re looking for people who are:
Respectful of Buddhist practice and comfortable living in a Buddhist community
Happy with quiet, contemplative environments and regular meditation practice
Comfortable working outdoors in warm temperate rainforest conditions
Independent and able to work without constant supervision
Genuinely interested in nature connection and ecological restoration
Comfortable with simple living
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Chinese (Mandarin): BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Tenzin and Bev speak English. Tenzin also speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese fluently, and is happy to have the practice. He is also wishing to learn Chinese, and would love to have opportunity to learn more!
Accommodation
Accommodation: We can offer simple but comfortable accommodation in a caravan or camping trailer (your private space)
Toilets and laundry facilities are in our shared space, as is the kitchen and meditation space, but you can make tea and prepare snacks in the caravan.
Food: You can expect simple, wholesome and tasty vegetarian meals, shared cooking and eating (communal meals are important part of community life): Breakfast is self service in the shared kitchen, lunch is a shared communal meal, and dinner is self service, we usually observe the Yogic/Buddhist practice of just a light evening meal.
What else ...
We are only 15 minutes from Dorrigo township (cafes, shops) Internet is available in the dwellings. We have hours of rainforest trails on our land, and are also close to Dorrigo, New England, Guy Fawkes, Cathedral rock and Nymboi-binderai National Park with lots to do and see. We have swimming holes and waterfalls, and the possibility to see wallabies, koalas, many species of rainforest birds, reptiles and frogs, and possums and gliders at night.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have decent wifi access, and mobile reception at our place. we don't yet have a dedicated co-working space, but wifi is available in the shared space.
Space for parking camper vans
We currently have flat parking for a small to medium sized campervan, very large campers, buses or caravans would be trickier.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
