Pet and house sitting in Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Details

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  Description

  We need someone to house-pet sitting through October 2026 in Adelaide Hills, SA. The hills are a beautiful wild environment but also close to the city and public transport, and within walking distance all facilities (shops, cafes, library, doctor, national park and reserves, etc.) We live within 10 minutes walk of a large National Park.
  
  We are an older couple (65+) travelling to Argentina to help our once work-away daughter build her house there. Our (very affectionate) dog needs company and our house needs a resident or two.
  The work-awayer is welcome to arrive in September to to get to know us and our place and stay on through November to help in our garden (and help us prepare for our hot and dry summer).
  
  We are trying to learn Spanish, and are both good at teaching English. Also, our son lives in Adelaide if assistance is required. We need someone primarily to mind our house and care for Bob, our dog from 1 October–2 November. But if you wanted to stay on for a few weeks we'd love your help in the garden and as a handy person when we return, and also to learn about you, your travels and your home country.
  
  This is a very beautiful area. It has massive trees, the people are friendly, there are many wild birds and animals, but it's also close to the city of Adelaide. Our home is small, not fancy but very comfortable. It’s no-fuss, cosy not crisp. We are generally quiet, but love company young and old. Professionally, Angela is a gardener, horticulture teacher and writer/editor). John is a doctor. We have three grown, often travelling children, who now live and study out in the world. Our family is committed to making our contribution to a better world through people and nature.
  
  Our dog Bob is gorgeous! A clever responsive working dog who engages easily with strangers and friends alike . He’s energetic and fun. We exercise him freely in the local parks and on-lead around the streets and national park. The streets are bushland with houses, rather than closely urban; the area has a very wild-rural feel to it, so even walking around streets can be beautiful. It’s quite special and we'd love to share this quiet corner of the world with you.
  
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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Elderly Companionship

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Movies & TV

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Culture

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Charity work

  

  Plant care

  

  History

  

  Books

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Beach

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Languages

  

  Photography

  

  Writing

  

  Carpentry

  

  Animals

  

  Outdoor activities
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  While we are at home we can offer information and experience (walking, visiting parks and ocean, etc.) about our natural environment; as well, we can talk about our history, literature and politics, and learn from you about your country. We can offer a basic introduction to our Indigenous culture and colonial history— but although we have both worked with First Nations people and culture we are both European heritage. Angela works in conservation and horticulture, especially towards a changing environment, and is happy to share that with our visitors. We both have a broad interest and knowledge of Australia and are happy to share it if you are interested. The city has diverse multicultural events all year, and of course museums, galleries, restaurants. Australia does not have a national dish. We welcome all food from everywhere, and our restaurants reflect this. We are happy to show visitors around.
  We are learning Spanish, so speakers (any age) welcome. We are both trained teachers and can help with English.
  
  Finally, we have family and friends' connections in SA, southwest WA, Victoria and Tasmania, for future contacts.

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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

  House and pet sitting while we travel for October 2026. We need someone to care for our 5 year old energetic kelpie (working) dog. Exercising him in local reserves and keeping him company, especially at night. He’s a rescue dog and gets anxious when left alone too long. He loves company! Otherwise, use here as a base, be a presence in our home and enjoy the local environment, for October while we are away. We also welcome you to arrive in September. We can show you around, and you could help prepare the garden and learn about how we do things to make it easier without us.) You're welcome to stay on after October for a few weeks, and could assist us generally, especially helping us prepare for summer—we have hot dry summers, and prepare for bushfires, but we also might need help setting up our vegetable garden, and of course taking Bob out. John works full time, and I work out of home 2 days (and from home the rest of the week).

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are learning Spanish, and can help workers learn English.
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  Accommodation

  We have a smallish house in the Adelaide Hills about 20 minutes from the CBD. A separate bedroom with double bed is available for either a couple or single person; and another option is a king-single in a cubicle/passageway, made private with curtains—clearly not ideal but so far this funny little room has been much used and appreciated. Ideally we can house one or two workaways. Our room through October would also be spare, or could be used to store some of your stuff (but we'd need it once we're back).Visitors have a separate toilet but the house has only one bathroom. Priority goes to whoever has to leave the house earliest.
  
  Strictly NO SMOKING OR VAPING.
  
  The house has a large kitchen (gas-electric) and living area, and good sized mostly native-habitat garden. We are currently building new raised vegetable garden beds. We have a front and back porch so plenty of room to be away from populated rooms or your bedroom without tripping over each other.
  
  All bedding, towels, etc. are provided. We have a good washing machine, dishwasher, aircon, and by September the bulk of drying can happen on our clothesline. We make use of solar power by using most appliances while sunny. We have a wood-fire, but it is unlikely to be cool enough in October to need it.
  
  There’s not usually a lot of rain by September, and diminishing to halting altogether by end of November through to April/May.
  
  For a complete nearby getaway, consider the local national park (800ha); it offers cabins and camping. The closest beach is about 20 minutes drive and there are beautiful beaches further afield, most with camping grounds.
  
  Security: We can add a lock to the bedroom (otherwise it has a door but no lock) and the house is secure. Keys will be cut for visitors, as need.
  
  FOOD
  We are a vegetarian household, and prefer no meat to be cooked (including fish and chicken) or for it to be cooked outside, or minimally inside, with cleaning up of meat-cooking done by whoever consumes it. Outside facilities can be organised, fire restrictions permitting. We ask for respect in this regard.
  
  While we are here, an evening meal will be provided at about 7.00 pm. Lunch and breakfast is help yourself from our supplies—milk, yogurt, eggs, toast, fruit, cereal, etc. and a small fridge is available for visitors’ own provisions, plus share the larger fridge. Snacks and fruit are available through the day, as are coffee and tea. With the exception of with evening dinner alcohol is not provided, but visitors can certainly byo. There's a pub about 200m away. Please advise us of any dietary requirements, especially allergies. We often use nuts and eggs.
  Obviously, while we are away through October our visitor/s organise their own food and cooking arrangement, taking into consideration the use of utensils and cooking with meat.

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  What else ...

  We live very near a train and buses, so easy transport to and from the local area and to the city. We have a couple of bikes.
  
  Emergency care (hospital): 15 minutes direct drive to a major hospital, with medical clinics nearby in our town.
  
  We have a pub across the road, and a large community/library hub within walking distance.
  There are a number of conservation reserves and a large national park within walking distance, and offer excellent day-hiking.
  
  Two rooms of the house are out of bounds— for work and confidentiality reasons, but this will be made clear to any visitors.
  
  Clothes storage will be made available although storage is minimal in our small house. We can work this out.
  
  Sporting events, musical venues, beach, etc. are generally easily accessible and we’ll do our best to help out, but we live a quiet life ourselves. Visitors can come and go any time of day and night once mutual obligations are met, but please respect our sleep and noise levels.
  
  I think that covers everything but ask if more information is needed.

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  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

  Digital nomads can use our home for their digital work while we travel. Before we leave and when we come back they can continue this work provided they also fulfil assistance as needed and outlined in hours of workaway arrangement. Our house is small (2.5 bedrooms) and would suit a family of slightly older children (10+). But the environment (and our dog) are created for kids, and we love the idea of a family having a wonderful time here. Of course, any digital work must comply with laws and regulations of this country.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Bob (5 years)

  Bob is a 5 year old kelpie (an Australian working dog). He's intelligent, fast, energetic, sleepy and LOVES people. He thinks he's a hero and a pup. He's a lovely dog, and very much enjoys long walks, the beach, the water, the cliffs, forests --- yes, he does chase kangaroos but he is not allowed. No, he does not like supermarkets, but he's settling down. He loves food.

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