Experience Australian wildlife up close while helping with gardening, animals and bush regeneration

Details

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  Description

  Our 20 acre property is at the beginning of the Hunter Valley just 15 minutes from the Sydney-Newcastle railway. We will pick up and drop off at the station.
  
  We moved here from Sydney 9 years ago for a "tree change" and absolutely love it. We have pasture and a beautiful rainforest gully which we are regenerating (it was full of weeds), two horses, a miniature pony, chickens and a dog. We are husband Phil and wife José. Our adult son James visits as we all work in the family business. Daughter Helen lives in Newcastle and visits regularly to ride. Horse riding is our passion and we regularly go to competitions.
  
  We have inherited permaculture features, plants and trees and dream of doing more (swales, food forest etc) . We grow vegetables and have fruit and nut trees. The vegetable gardens always need weeding. We are learning about regenerative farming to improve the pasture and capture water. We have dabbled in making biochar. The property backs onto a native conservation area/forest with many delightful, well marked bushwalks. There is an abundance of birds and wildlife; kangaroos and wallabies, frogs and insects. There are wombats too but we have only ever seen them via a wildlife camera. We do see bandicoots. Be warned there are also leeches after rain, spiders and snakes.
  
  We run an equestrian mapping software business from home. For overseas visitors, we would love to practise our languages and perhaps give you a break from speaking English all the time which can be tiring. We have a spare, very comfortable double room in an annexe to our country house. There is room to park a van, caravan or car. Phil loves cooking all different styles including vegetarian, family meals and is keen to learn new recipes from all over the world. Past workawayers all rave about Phil’s cooking.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Experience the Australian bush and its beautiful animals, plants, birds and insects first hand. Learn about bush regeneration, gardening and regenerative farming. Enjoy home cooking (meat eaters and vegetarians welcome). Visit the wine region of the Hunter Valley, beach and cultural centre of Newcastle. Learn how to look after horses and chickens (and collect the eggs!). One of our horses is suitable for beginners or more experienced riders to occasionally ride on trails. (They are in training for competitions and we do not have riding facilities on the property). We would love to have the chance to practise our languages and give you a break from speaking English all the time.

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  Help

  Mainly gardening and weeding of paddocks and bush area. Preparing garden beds for planting. Sweeping up the endless gum leaves and bark. No prior experience necessary but be aware it is *physical, hard work* . Fixing things (mechanical, building, carpentry). Digging. Picking fruit and nuts. The dog is always keen for a walk! During rain or very hot days there is work inside, cleaning the house. We appreciate you pitching in with washing and tidying up.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate
  Dutch: Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner
  Korean: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I studied German and French at university but am very rusty. We lived in the Netherlands for 5 years.
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  Accommodation

  A very comfortable double room in an annexe to a simple country house sharing a bathroom with one other. Meals provided - meat or vegetarian. We are keen and adventurous cooks. You are very welcome to cook too.

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  What else ...

  In your time off you can visit the vineyards, Newcastle which is New South Wales' second city and has beautiful Beaches. There are lots of bush walks right next to the property. We are 15 minutes from the Sydney to Newcastle railway and happy to drop off/pick up.

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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

  We run a software business from home. The internet has been recently improved with an external antenna but is not "city speed". You can zoom etc. We have good Telstra mobile reception but OTHER TELCOS HAVE NO COVERAGE

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  Space for parking camper vans

  No problem parking a vehicle large or small.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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