Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
18 Jul 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
21
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Darrall is a designer and PhD (education) academic working part time at a Sydney University. Philippa uses permaculture/organic principles and started a Community Garden in our small village. We also have 1 acre of our own land and gardens for growing fruit and veggies… many eaten by birds and wallabies... but that's ok.
We always have diverse landscaping projects suitable for all levels of skills - opportunities to learn and share in a safe environment... Philippa is particularly interested in composting.
We designed our own home with pentagon-shaped rooms overlooking the inland sea of Port Stephens, a protected marine park known as ‘dolphin city’ that we sometimes explore on our boat (in warmer months).
Behind the house is 1000 acres of walkable bushland full of trees and native birds. There’s a 20 minute drive to shops, white sand / blue water beaches and sand dunes (see Tea Gardens / Hawks Nest on Google search)
The closest town 10kms away is KARUAH, (on the bus route from Sydney to Queensland) and our house is only 5kms from the M1 highway. Healthy meals. No children. Accommodation is varied depending on availability (non-smoking, no drugs). Length of stay is usually a week or less (negotiable).
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
English language through conversation. Permaculture principles through application in the garden. Sometimes there are fishing, kayaking and boating opportunities and we have a vast range of bird life with wallabies that are often visiting. Understandings of natural geometry built into the design of the house and studio.
Help
We like visitors to feel that they can help on a project in the garden and as we are only just beginning to organise vegetable and fruit growing, garden beds and pathways there is a lot of scope and variety. Depending on weather indoor help could involve cooking and general maintenance.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
There is a studio apartment separate from the main house that has two single sofa beds, cooking and aircon. Lawn for camping (short stay) and a basic caravan with one or two stretcher beds but cooking and toilet in the main house.
What else ...
There is no public transport in the village but sometimes we can give lifts to the beach, restaurants and shops at the nearby town of Tea Gardens where there is a ferry boat to the Holiday resort town of Nelson Bay. There are Whale Watch, Dolphin / Fishing Cruises, Skuba Diving courses and snorkelling trips. We can also give a lift to buses into Newcastle (second biggest city in New South Wales) which is about a one hour journey with access from there to the Hunter Valley wine region.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Standard size campervan is ok. Single car space near to our studio apartment’s accommodation.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Feedback (10)
They are warm people and they have a lot of knowledges to share. We were very happy to help them in their garden as much as we could.
They were here for four days and incredibly helpful in our own project(s).
They will be so well informed by the time they return to France we have asked to keep in touch with the project they do there.… read more
Her work ethic is strong, which together with her skills makes for a valuable work experience.
Nicole has been here for 9 days and she transformed our large gardens from weedy to neat and tidy as well as completing some specific… read more
Photos
Feedback
They are warm people and they have a lot of knowledges to share. We were very happy to help them in their garden as much as we could.
They were here for four days and incredibly helpful in our own project(s).
They will be so well informed by the time they return to France we have asked to keep in touch with the project they do there.… read more
Her work ethic is strong, which together with her skills makes for a valuable work experience.
Nicole has been here for 9 days and she transformed our large gardens from weedy to neat and tidy as well as completing some specific… read more
Ff
The work was mainly in the garden, whereby I helped them weed and water the garden, and also learned how to build a rock wall. It's always satisfying to see the changes you made… read more
All the best for your world travels,
Darrall & Philippa
He was constantly helpful and a quick learner...
Nathan' practical skills are broad and growing.
Kirsty's people and communication skills are excellent
All the very best
Philippa and Darrall
We wish them well on their travels
Philippa and Darrall
He is determined to live life to the full and he does this with grace and warmth...
He has an open mind and loves to communicate - his English improves daily.
Carl's work ethic is excellent and he is quick to learn
We wish all the best for his journey,
Philippa and Darrall
Thanks for all your treats. You are very very nice.Too much I got from there . I will cherish all the memories and experiences from there. I have written down my appreciation on "woofer book". Only a week, u become my unforgettable memory. Great place! Great view! Great host! Maybe hard work but it's worthy.
See ya next… read more
