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Description
Welcome to our small permaculture garden in the beautiful Austrian Alps above Zell am See.
Help a young family with a baby boy improving their little paradise on a sunny hillside with incredible mountain views. Our vision is to become as self-reliant with food as possible while working completely with nature and natural farming principles. If you love forests, mountains, hiking and simple outdoor living close to Lake Zell and getting your hands dirty in the garden this might be the perfect place for you.
For us, this garden is more than just food production. It is an evolving place for learning, experimenting and reconnecting with the land. We believe that today’s industrial food system often damages ecosystems and soils, so we are trying to explore a different path — one based on biodiversity, healthy soil and cooperation with natural processes.
Our garden is a diverse and experimental space where we try to grow as many different plants, fruits and mushrooms as possible. Alongside common vegetables and herbs, we also grow some unusual species for our alpine climate, such as figs, persimmons, silverberries and medlars. Every year we experiment with new varieties and ideas.
The land itself is on a hillside and has been shaped slowly by hand. Over time we have created trenches along the contour lines to retain water naturally, and several terraces have been dug into the slope — all by hand. This process is ongoing and the garden continues to evolve step by step.
In the long term we hope this place will become a small space for inspiration, learning and gathering for people who are interested in permaculture, nature and sustainable living.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Interests
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Self development
Pets
Movies & TV
Events & social
Farming
Plant care
Music
Languages
Hitchhiking
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Books
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Winter sports
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Camping
Beach
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
For us, hosting volunteers is not only about help in the garden — it is also about meeting people, sharing experiences and learning from each other.
Life around the garden is quite simple and relaxed, and we enjoy spending time together when it feels natural. Some evenings we like to cook and eat together, sit around a small campfire, share stories or simply relax after a day in the garden. In summer we often go for swims in Lake Zell, do small hikes in the mountains, or go mushroom or blueberry picking in the forests nearby. Sometimes we also visit the local “Mittwochsfest” in Zell am See, a small weekly summer festival in town where people meet, listen to music and have a drink.
We are always happy to share some of the things we know. This can include knowledge about ecological lifestyles, permaculture gardening, growing mushrooms, wild mushrooms, edible wild plants and cooking. Food is an important part of our life and we both enjoy cooking a lot. Our household is vegan, and volunteers will often experience simple plant-based meals, sometimes using ingredients from the garden or wild plants from the forest.
Travel and cultural exchange are also important to us. One of us has traveled to more than 60 countries, so there are always many travel stories and experiences to share. We also speak several languages — I am Austrian and speak four languages, and my partner is French and works as a French teacher, so there is also the possibility for language exchange if someone is interested.
At the same time we love learning from the people who come here. We are always curious about new ideas for the garden, new recipes, different cultures and ways of living. We are also particularly interested in learning more about ecological and sustainable building techniques, so volunteers with knowledge or interest in this area are especially welcome.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Help needed
We are happy to welcome volunteers who enjoy spending time outdoors and helping with practical projects in the garden. Most tasks are simple, hands-on and connected to the natural rhythm of the seasons.
Some of the things we may work on together include:
- digging and shaping terraces in the hillside
- helping and learning how to build a slope retention wall
- building simple structures with natural materials like wood
- planting, harvesting and caring for vegetables and herbs
- pruning trees and cutting back plants
- grafting fruit trees
- inoculating mushroom logs
- general garden maintenance and seasonal tasks
Because the garden is on a slope and much of the landscape has been shaped by hand, some work can be a bit physical, but we keep a relaxed pace and enjoy working together.
We usually ask for around 15–20 hours of help per week and try to stay very flexible depending on the weather, the projects and everyone’s energy. Sometimes we work together, sometimes volunteers prefer to work independently — both are totally fine.
In general, we appreciate people who are self-managed and motivated, but we also enjoy working side by side, sharing ideas, knowledge and skills along the way.
You don’t need special experience to help here — curiosity, a positive attitude and a love for nature are much more important.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
As we have a baby and only a two-room apartment, we cannot host volunteers inside our home. Accommodation will be camping at our permaculture garden, a peaceful hillside retreat about 20–30 minutes’ walk from our house. You can stay in a large tent provided by us or bring your own if you prefer.
Waking up here is a truly special experience: sunrise fills the mountains with light, birds sing all around, and as you step out of your tent, you are greeted by a breathtaking view of Lake Zell and the surrounding alpine panorama. It’s a place where every morning feels like a new adventure in nature.
The campsite is equipped for simple outdoor living: there’s a fire pit, a tripod grill, and an outdoor gas stove for cooking. Volunteers are welcome to share meals with us sometimes, help themselves to fresh produce from the garden, and staples are provided — all plant-based.
There is no electricity on the land, there are only solar-powered lights and torches for lighting at night and electronics can be charged at our house. Bringing a power bank is recommended.
For water, there is running potable spring water on the land and two outdoor bathtubs (ice cold water only). If you prefer a warm shower, you can use one at our home.
Camping here is more than just accommodation — it’s an immersive nature experience, a chance to live simply, breathe fresh mountain air, and wake up every day to stunning scenery and the rhythms of the natural world.
What else ...
There is plenty to do in your free time! For outdoor enthusiasts, the area offers thousands of hiking trails, mountain biking, via ferrata (Klettersteig), a high ropes course (Hochseilgarten), water skiing and swimming at Lake Zell. You can also explore the forests for mushrooms and blueberries, or simply relax and enjoy the breathtaking alpine scenery.
Transport options are convenient. Public transport is available via bus and train from Zell am See, and from Thumersbach (across the lake) buses run every 30 minutes to Zell. Bringing a bicycle is a great way to get around, but walking works perfectly too. From the garden it’s about 20–25 minutes on foot to the lake, our house, a small grocery shop, a café and a restaurant. A 15-minute walk uphill brings you to a mountain restaurant, and the nearest bus stop is also just 20–25 minutes away.
Our life is slow-paced, nature-connected, and family-oriented. We live simply, both following a vegan lifestyle, and we value respect, curiosity, and a positive attitude from our volunteers. We love sharing knowledge about gardening, nature and sustainable living, and we enjoy a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere in the garden.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Photos
