Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
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Details
Description
Our sanctuary provides refuge for farmed animals from backgrounds of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Set on 273 acres amidst stunning Australian bushland, we care for over 300 animals at any one time. We are reasonably new to workaway, we began hosting on site volunteers in 2023 and have had a wonderful time getting to know some truly beautiful souls who have taken the time in their travels to help the animals at our sanctuary.
The sanctuary is located 1 hour from Canberra, the South Coast, and Goulburn and around 2.5 hours from Sydney. We care for sheep, goats, pigs, horses, cows, alpacas, geese, turkeys, chickens, roosters, ducks, and quail at the sanctuary, and have several special needs and elderly animals.
We are a bush fire-impacted area and care for animals impacted by the 2019/2020 bush fires, we are eligible to host travelers on most types of visas, including 417 Working Holiday Visas/88 days and second year visas.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
House sitting
Interests
Hiking
Nature
Cooking & food
Self development
Movies & TV
Politics / Social justice
LGBTQ
Sustainability
Pets
Vegetarian or vegan
Charity work
Photography
Music
Animals
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As we are a sanctuary, you'll be caring for and getting to know animals who are safe for life. You'll learn about the animals, what's important to them and how to create a better world for them. We are between two great small towns, Bungendore and Braidwood, and only an hour from Australia's capital, Canberra, and the stunning south coast beaches.
Help
We are seeking live-in volunteers for between 6 weeks to 3 months to help with the day-to-day operation of the sanctuary.
Duties include: undertaking the twice-daily feed runs (morning and afternoon), daily cleaning of stable, poultry coops and yards, undertaking health checks, some maintenance work, monitoring flock movements and assisting with the care of ill, elderly, special needs and baby animals, Gardening/fence maintenance/other projects, Helping collect feed and veggies for the animals, Helping with market stalls and events. Additional tasks may be required when new rescues or vulnerable animals arrive at the sanctuary.
The daily feed runs are undertaken between 7:30 am-9:30 am and 3:30-4:30 pm in winter (7-9am and 5-6pm in Summer), with additional tasks undertaken between 10 am-1 pm as required. There will be downtime each day for you to hang out with the animals, go for a walk etc.
The role does include lifting some heavy items such as bags of feed, bales of hay and helping special needs animals into their wheelchairs, we will show you how to do these tasks safely however it is noted that a certain level of physical strength is required. We have only two-three on site volunteers at any one time and the positions are ones of responsibility. A level of attention to detail and dedication is required.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
English
Accommodation
Our newly completed Carer’s Cottage is compact but well-appointed. It features two bedrooms sleeping a maximum of three people (plus two extra roll-out single beds in the lounge room), a living space with a dining table, couch and television, a bathroom with shower and a kitchenette with fridge, convection microwave, toaster, kettle and sink.
For safety reasons, we aim to have at least two live-in volunteers working simultaneously, so the accommodation will usually be shared with at least one other person, but you will have separate bedrooms.
The cottage is powered entirely by off-grid solar electricity, and rainwater provides all water used for drinking, showering, toilets etc. Living 'off grid' can be a powerful way to feel connected with the environment in a way you might not in the city; but it requires being very considered regarding your water and power usage. We will provide advice and guidance regarding the best ways to conserve both water and power during your stay. The accommodation is constructed from insulated panels with double-glazed windows. Beds are fitted with electric blankets, and a reverse-cycle air conditioner keeps the building warm in winter and cool in summer.
It is worth noting that the sanctuary is located in a region that experiences cold winters (June to August have minimums of down to -8C and top daily temperatures around 13-15C) and very hot summers (December to February, tops of over 40C have been observed). We will let you know what weather to expect, but if you hate the cold, it's best to avoid staying here in winter, or if you don't like the heat, summer isn't the best time to visit us!
Volunteers can access a larger kitchen with a dishwasher in our Visitor's Centre.
Bedroom one features a triple bunk bed (double on the bottom single bed on top), and bedroom two has a single bed. A Digital TV device is provided enabling you to connect your Netflix, Stan or other subscriptions. Free WIFI (Starlink) is provided.
We have plenty of land for bushwalking and a creek with a great swimming spot for when it is hot.
What else ...
Helpers might like to visit local villages, Bungendore or Braidwood, or head down to the South Coast or into Canberra to check out the museums, art galleries, Questacon, sporting games or concerts, shopping and more. No public transport is available, but if you have a valid, current international (or Australian) driver's license, we have a car you can use for short trips into town by arrangement.
We only host 2-3 volunteers at a time so you'll be working and living alongside only a few people, although we have more volunteers join us during the day on weekends. It's important that you are thoughtful about sharing living spaces and are considerate of others, keeping the accommodation building clean and tidy.
The sanctuary is vegan, and we ask that helpers not bring animal products onto the sanctuary (no meat, milk or eggs). If veganism is new to you, we are happy to help you with easy meal ideas during your stay. We can recommend some great places to eat locally and in Canberra if you are vegan. We reimburse for groceries up to a certain value per person per week, noting again that only plant based/vegan products can be brought onto the sanctuary.
A bit about us: Kate worked as a professional photographer for many years, and James is a professional musician (Jazz) and teaches music. We are easygoing but passionate about our work to create a better world for animals.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have Starlink
Space for parking camper vans
We have space to accommodate workawayers travelling in campervans, and vans can be parked close to our bathroom and laundry facilities.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (8)
The "work" never felt like work because it… read more
Kate and James are incredibly passionate about helping and caring for the 300 animals. They will do anything for the animals, and they have created a loving and safe space for them. It was lovely to witness and be a part of.
During my stay, I undertook various tasks such as feed runs, cleaning, maintenance… 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:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
The "work" never felt like work because it… read more
Kate and James are incredibly passionate about helping and caring for the 300 animals. They will do anything for the animals, and they have created a loving and safe space for them. It was lovely to witness and be a part of.
During my stay, I undertook various tasks such as feed runs, cleaning, maintenance… read more
During these weeks they taught me a lot about the animals. We used to feed them twice a day (once in the morning and once in the afternoon). All the animals are really cute and have their own personality… my favorite is Molly 🥰
Other tasks we used to do consist in helping to build the stable,… read more
I had such a wonderful time. With the animals, getting to know them and their individual personality, with Dave (100% Good Boy ;) ) and with Kate and James! I was able to do new things I've never done before, with the animals also with building things. I will miss them all… read more
Thank you Kate and James to share your passion for the animals and a different mind of live
I will never forget you and the sanctuary,🐶🐮🐷🐑🐏🐐🦘🦌🐓🕊️
