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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
3 Sep 2025
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Details
Description
Our home sits on a high ridge behind Mullumbimby and takes in majestic views of hills and valleys to the ocean beyond. The property offers privacy and tranquillity in a beautiful, forest setting surrounded by 44 acres of native bush. There is a creek close by for swimming, trails for bush walking and spaces for sitting to soaking up the magic.
We (Glenda and John) want to leave this land in better shape than we found it. Our mission is to regenerate native rain forest in areas that are overgrown with weeds and reestablish habitat for native wildlife. However, sustainable living … growing food, establishing and maintaining systems for harnessing natural resources and keeping our established gardens, roads and buildings in good condition; is the main focus of weekly tasks.
As an older couple we greatly value the support and input of our Workaway helpers, not only for sharing the physical load but also for injecting their individual skills and positive energy into this wonderful property. Over the years we have observed that the most enjoyable Workaway exchanges (for everyone) usually developed when our guests had certain characteristics, some of which are listed below:
🦉 A mature (25+) couple or ‘skilled’ independent solo traveler with their own vehicle and an appreciation for the peaceful solitude of rural living.
🐜 Had the motivation and ability to work independently but also enjoyed collaborative tasks. Happy and able to help John with the more physically demanding tasks.
🐝 Sustainability was a genuine interest and they had experience in gardening, property maintenance or a hands-on practical skill.
😇 They could cook, clean or were happy to help and learn.
🐬 A sense of humour and curiosity plus a respect for clear communication.
If these qualities resonate … we would love to have a chat about you coming to stay and helping out 😊
We are still recovering from cyclone Alfred’s devastating winds (March 2025) and subsequent storms that brought down trees and blocked our fire escape trail plus damaged a work shed. Hence we have a building project and tree clearing work on the agenda for the coming months before the summer heat arrives.
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
Interests
Sustainability
Self development
Plant care
Music
Fitness
Yoga / Wellness
Dancing
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We see the Workaway exchange process as an opportunity to honour the experience of leaving one’s home/land… that which is familiar and known … to embark on an adventure into the unfamiliar and new. Where people and places connect in a spirit of sharing and caring. Helping to build strong bonds within our human family and creating a deeper more compassionate relationship with our environment and the greater world around us.
Glenda is a somatic movement therapist and John likes to make music. Glenda’s eye for detail and organisational skills are nicely balanced by John’s sense of humour and easy-going personality … together they make a great team to work with and learn from.
Sydney was our family home for over 25 years, where we raised our 3 children and ran our business in the fashion industry.
After a period of nomadic adventures where we spent a year backpacking around the world, we 'sold up' in Sydney to buy an off-road caravan and travel around Australia for 3 years. We found our dream home (and next adventure) - here, in the Byron Bay Hinterland and have learnt many new skills in regards to deepening our connection to the land, growing food, living sustainably and maintaining a rural property.
As elders in our community we have journeyed far and wide, and are happy to share our stories and the wisdom of our many varied life experiences.
Help
There are always many projects on the go including, bush regeneration and weeding, propagating and planting, seasonal pruning, fertilising and mulching fruit trees and native gardens plus maintaining the veggie patch. We have also recently signed up with a local indigenous company for a new land management programme which will include cultural burning for weed management. This is a new and exciting project for us.
General household chores and maintenance provide variation to outside work, especially during rainy weather. Special projects could be considered if our helpers had specific skills they were able to contribute. We greatly value input from our Workaway guests who have specialised skills and experience.
We anticipate you would help for about 20-25 hours per week (communal meal prep included). Either 4-5 hours per day with 2 days off or any variation there of … we can be flexible and are happy to discuss the work/time/skill/meal exchange arrangements.
Although we are both in our senior years, we are energetic, hard working and enjoy a broad range of community based interests and commitments. We also cherish our private time for self care and personal practices. So please note that while we may often be working alongside you, it is important that you are willing and able to work independently.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a clean and spacious room above our double garage, with large windows offering expansive views over the gardens and distant valley. It has a comfortable queen sized bed and a single bed. The room has a built in wardrobe plus a table and chairs. Your own shower and toilet is located downstairs, as is a basic camp kitchenette.
For 25 hours of ‘helping’ each week we would provide food for you to make your own breakfast and lunch. Evening dinners would usually be ‘communal’ and include help with cooking, sharing recipes and of course travel stories!
We mostly eat a whole food diet, including animal products and are happy to accommodate vegetarians as long as you can help with the preparation of your meals and don’t mind if meat was also served at the table.
What else ...
We are located about 15 minutes drive from Mullumbimby and 30 minutes from Byron Bay, there is no public transport nearby so you would need to have your own vehicle to explore the surrounding areas. While Byron Bay is famous for its chilled out beach culture, there are many gems to be found in the hinterland … old growth forests, waterfalls and iconic villages are all within 30 to 60mins drive away.
For helpers without their own transport, we are happy to get you to and from Mullumbimby, where there is a bus service for the local area and connections to the highway (north and south).
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
Campervans are ok but we don’t have a clear level space for caravans or buses.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (6)
We learned so much about gardening, native plants, and bush regeneration — John and Glenda are both passionate and knowledgeable, and always happy to share what they know.
Daily life… read more
From a task perspective, Romane and Léo approached every job with… read more
Both are conscientious and hardworking, making an immediate, positive impact on some of the storm-damaged and weed infested areas of our veggie garden and orchid. We are grateful for their… read more
Notwithstanding the variable weather at the time, Kirstie and Campbell were flexible and productive during whatever… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
We learned so much about gardening, native plants, and bush regeneration — John and Glenda are both passionate and knowledgeable, and always happy to share what they know.
Daily life… read more
From a task perspective, Romane and Léo approached every job with… read more
Both are conscientious and hardworking, making an immediate, positive impact on some of the storm-damaged and weed infested areas of our veggie garden and orchid. We are grateful for their… read more
Notwithstanding the variable weather at the time, Kirstie and Campbell were flexible and productive during whatever… read more
Our circumstances were a little unusual when Jade applied for a placement …Glenda was recovering from a back injury and we were midway through developing a renovation project. We knew there would… read more
They are very kind, fun and GENEROUS. They helped us with so many things. We did different tasks and had a lot of fun moments more specifically during games night !
We can’t never forget them and the amazing landscape from the house. We… read more
After only three days in Australia arriving from France, they settled in here pulling out weeds, tending the veggie garden, helping cook evening meals and doing many chores and projects around the property. By the end of their first week, they felt like part of our family.
Pauline and… read more
We found Sam to have a genuine interest in our approach to caring for the land and he was eager to learn the names of the different species of plants,… read more
