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Min stay requested: at least a week
Details
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Description
Welcome to Moonshine Valley!
We're Annie and Rohan, and we've been welcoming travellers to our family farm for over 30 years. Since 1993 we've hosted more than 500 people from all over the world, and many have become lifelong friends. Every person leaves a little piece of themselves here, and that's one of our favourite things about hosting.
Our homestead sits on 110 acres of rolling farmland just 35 minutes from Wellington. We love this little corner of New Zealand because it feels wonderfully rural while still being close enough to explore everything the capital has to offer.
When you're not helping on the farm, there's plenty to discover. Wellington is famous for its cafés, craft breweries, markets, museums, live music and creative culture. Beautiful beaches, native bush walks, mountain biking trails and the rugged Kāpiti Coast are all within easy reach. Whether you love hiking, photography, wildlife, coffee, or simply slowing down, there's something nearby to enjoy.
Life here is busy, relaxed and wonderfully real. Three generations of our family share the property, so there is always something happening. We have cows, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, pheasants and peacocks, along with ever-changing gardens, orchards and creative projects. We don’t run the farm as a business just a lifestyle property.
We enjoy hosting people who are kind, curious and happy to muck in. You don't need to know everything, we're happy to teach you, but we do appreciate people who notice what needs doing, enjoy working outdoors and take pride in a job well done.
Hosting isn't just about exchanging help for accommodation. We genuinely enjoy meeting people from different cultures, sharing meals and conversations, and learning from one another. Some evenings we'll gather around the dinner table or soak in the spa under the stars, while other times everyone enjoys their own space. We try to strike a balance between community and independence, and we think that's one of the reasons people feel so at home here.
If you're looking for an authentic New Zealand farm experience, surrounded by beautiful countryside, good food, interesting conversations and plenty of laughter, we'd love to welcome you to Moonshine Valley. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
Light maintenance
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Interests
Politics / Social justice
Events & social
Culture
Self development
Movies & TV
Charity work
Plant care
Music
Art & design
Gardening
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Architecture
Nature
Fitness -
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Hosting is about much more than exchanging work for accommodation. We love sharing meals, stories and everyday life with people from around the world, and we've made many lifelong friends over the years. If English isn't your first language, you'll have plenty of opportunities to practise in a relaxed, supportive environment. In return, we're always happy to share practical gardening and DIY skills, life on a New Zealand family farm, and our favourite local places to explore. We believe the best part of hosting is that everyone learns something from one another.
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Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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Help
We usually host between two and four Workawayers at a time and don't generally host solo travellers. We've found the experience is more enjoyable when guests have company to work with, explore with, and share the adventure
We ask for 24 hours of productive help each week.
No two weeks are quite the same here. Depending on the season and what's happening around the property, you might find yourself planting trees or flowers, pruning, mulching, weeding, splitting and stacking firewood, feeding the chipper, helping in the orchard, caring for gardens, fencing, painting, or tackling the occasional creative project.
Some tasks we'll do alongside you, while others you'll work on independently once we've shown you what to do. We enjoy teaching people new skills, so you don't need to arrive with heaps of experience. A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and taking pride in your work are far more important to us than knowing how to do everything already.
Our aim is to keep the tasks varied, practical and satisfying. At the end of the day, you'll be able to look around and say, "I helped create that." -
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent -
Accommodation
You'll stay in our spacious, newly renovated loft above the shed, with beautiful views across the farm. The loft has its own kitchen, lounge and sleeping areas, giving you plenty of independence while still being part of family life. The bathroom is a short walk away in the main house, and you're welcome to enjoy the spa pool after a day's work.
We provide breakfast and lunch for you to enjoy in your loft, along with four shared dinners each week - usually two with Annie and Rohan and two with the grandparents, although the days may vary. On the remaining three evenings, you'll cook for yourself in your own kitchen. We provide plenty of pantry staples (such as rice, pasta, lentils, canned tomatoes, herbs, spices and cooking oil), so you'll just need to buy any fresh ingredients you'd like to cover those three meals. -
What else ...
Because we're in a rural area, having your own car is the best way to make the most of your stay. There's plenty to explore nearby, including Wellington city, the beaches of Plimmerton and the Kāpiti Coast, the cafés and waterfront at Petone, Brewtown in Upper Hutt, the vineyards of the Wairarapa, and beautiful native bush walks. You can also visit Kaitoke Regional Park, home to the Lord of the Rings Rivendell filming location, or borrow our bikes and explore the scenic Hutt River Trail.
If you'd rather stay close to home, there's plenty to enjoy here too. Help yourself to the spa pool, pool table, table tennis, basketball hoop, volleyball and badminton, trampoline, board games, a library of books, and a huge DVD collection in the loft. Whether you're looking for adventure or simply a peaceful place to recharge, there's something for everyone at Moonshine Valley. -
A little more information
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Internet access
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Limited internet access
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We have pets
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We are smokers
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Can host families
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Can host digital nomads
We're happy to host digital nomads, provided you're able to balance your online work with your agreed Workaway hours. We have Wi-Fi and a desk in the loft and are flexible about when you complete your work hours
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Space for parking camper vans
If you're travelling by campervan or motorhome, there's plenty of space to park on the property during your stay
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
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