Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
24 Apr 2025
Reply rate
96.7 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
18
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
We are in the process of building an organic aquaponics system in a 400 sq m greenhouse. We live on 55Ha (126 acre) property in the beautiful Margaret River region. The farm is jointly owned by 4 couples in our family who want to leave a legacy for our future generations. We are trying to be as " off grid" and sustainable as possible. However we do have good internet!
The farm is surrounded by vineyards, has heaps of forest, dams, a creek, netted orchard, lots of nut trees and some pasture. Less than 15 minute drive to pristine awesome beaches.
Our house was reconstructed from a railway goods shed. The spare room is basic but has a king sized bed. We share the house with dogs, a cat and birds.
Natalie works casually as a Veterinarian. John has finished a course on aquaponics farm design and is now putting it into practice. Some Couchsurfers helped build the pilot phase but now would love some more formalised help.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We will welcome you into our home and family. We are just a down to earth Aussie couple. We love meeting travellers and sharing stories. You will get to interact with some Aussie wildlife and explore areas that tourists rarely get to.
Help
We mostly want help with aquaponic construction in the greenhouse. You don't need to already be skilled with tools. John is a great, patient teacher. However if you have no carpentry or plumbing experience it would be better if you planned a longer stay so that you get to hone your skills and warrant the training time.
There are other projects such as building animal enclosures, chainsawing, collecting firewood, burning bonfires, pruning, building worm farms etc that you may help with too.
We are no chefs so help with food preparation is also appreciated.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
You will sleep in our spare room in our 2 bedroom house. It's very basic with no window but does have a sky light. It has a king sized bed. You will have your own bathroom.
If you have your license but no vehicle we may have one you can use to go sightseeing.
We will share most evening meals but sometimes feed yourself. You will be welcome to help youself to the fridge and kitchen whenever you like. We tend to be very casual with eating.
What else ...
John has recently got interested in photography. He plays inline and ice hockey. We have an energetic 1 year old Golden Retriever .
The area has heaps of caves, cellar doors, art galleries, bush walks, beaches to explore.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have fixed wireless NBN. It is reliable, 50 Mbit, limitless.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets considered.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (9)
He did some earthworks for us, helped out in the greenhouse and helped bring back to life an old slapaphone (musical instrument made from plumbing pipes). Plus his cooking is masterchef quality!
Olie has had a really interesting life and has many stories and insights to… read more
Pia has a natural affinity with plants and all living… read more
Even though I basically grew up… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
He did some earthworks for us, helped out in the greenhouse and helped bring back to life an old slapaphone (musical instrument made from plumbing pipes). Plus his cooking is masterchef quality!
Olie has had a really interesting life and has many stories and insights to… read more
Pia has a natural affinity with plants and all living… read more
Even though I basically grew up… read more
They helped doing all sorts of things - growing veggies and selling at the market, building a camp bathroom and kitchen, cooking and painting very cool pictures.
We did some… read more
The work has been nice, between plants, farmer market and building a dunny in the forest for their new little house boat.
Live with them for a month has been a big pleasure and an experience will bring forever.
Please, don’t miss… read more
I found Olena really interesting and she was also a… read more
They are amazing person and hosts always ready to share good time and good conversations.
During my short stay at their place I grew up a little myself.
I would definitely go back if… read more
We stayed with them 5 weeks and we learned a lot of new skills. John taught us how to use chainsaw, circular saw, angle grinder and other different tools. We learned what’s an aquaponic farm and how does it work. We helped… read more
Together they make a very good team. The big job they did for me was to construct a large 2.4m x 17m grow bed from timber plus a smaller 4.8 x 1.2m bed for my… read more
Apparently, we were their first workaway guest but if there was a skill level for workaway hosts, they would have level 100!
We where warmheartedly welcomed to their farm and both had the time of our lives.
I (Sybren) had daily technical conversations and jobs which I learned a lot… read more
