Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
31 Jan 2024
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
11
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Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We live in a 100yr old heritage guesthouse located in the pretty village of Blackheath in the scenic Blue Mountains.
Margaret & Rowan purchased this place in 2014 after being inspired while cycling the Camino trail in Spain. It is now run as accommodation for groups only. The house has 15 bedrooms and can sleep 30 guests. Plus 2 friendly cats!
Originally from South Africa, we traded in our professional jobs in Sydney for a new life in the mountains to be closer to nature. We both love cycling, camping, and meeting people from around the world. We eat vegetarian and love eating foods from around the world.
We are happy to offer a room and food in exchange for volunteer help around our private residence on the property, 20-25hrs per week. In our private garden we need help with building veggie beds, updating our compost bins, mulching, setting up a seed raising area, potting up seedlings etc. In our private flat we need help with painting, building/installing shelving and some sewing projects.
We have good wi-fi so you are able to easily connect to your friends and family.
In return we provide a friendly environment, we are encouraging, supportive, generous and kind hearted. Staying with us is an enriching experience.
We ask for a minimum of 2 weeks stay.
Margaret and Rowan
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers get to live with us, practice English, learn about the Australian culture and also experience life in hospitality. We offer use of a bicycle to explore the area, as well as our local knowledge to walk in our beautiful Blue Mountains, right on our doorstep.
Help
There are many projects that we need help with around our private residence. Gardening, painting, sewing, bit of carpentry. We will allocate projects depending on the travellers interest. Prior experience is not necessary, but a positive can-do attitude is essential.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We offer a comfortably furnished room with a shared bathroom down the hall. Free wi-fi and laundry is provided. Our house has a giant commercial kitchen so if you love cooking, this is the place for you!
What else ...
This place is located 5min walk from the Blackheath train station, about a 2hr train trip from Sydney central. Blackheath is the perfect base to explore the blue mountains. If you're a rock climber or bushwalker, this is the perfect place to stay a while.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Plenty of space to work digitally. Good wi-fi.
Space for parking camper vans
Parking space for a van or motorhome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
20hrs per week
Feedback (8)
They fitted right into our routine and were happy to help out with whatever needed doing. They cooked and baked – delicious food, Dave had his own café for many years. They housesat our 2 cats and looked after our property while we went… read more
We fell so blessed to have met this wonderful couple -friendly, generous, kind, sincere & relaxed. We learned many interesting facts about life in Australia, & South Africa from them & had really great chats on all manner of subjects over delicious shared meals.
Margaret &… read more
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:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
They fitted right into our routine and were happy to help out with whatever needed doing. They cooked and baked – delicious food, Dave had his own café for many years. They housesat our 2 cats and looked after our property while we went… read more
We fell so blessed to have met this wonderful couple -friendly, generous, kind, sincere & relaxed. We learned many interesting facts about life in Australia, & South Africa from them & had really great chats on all manner of subjects over delicious shared meals.
Margaret &… read more
The Guesthouse is very close to the Blackheath Trainstation so it was super easy to get to. I had my own cozy room and I almost felt like home. The tasks were never too much… read more
Margaret, Rowan and the other team members of the guest house are awesome people who always generously share with you everything they have: tasty foods, fresh herbs from the garden, great advices, a cozy room to stay, and wonderful time to remember. I love the family moments when… read more
