Learn about community living in Crescent Head, NSW, Australia

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are Alicia and James, and our 4 year old daughter Lily. We love the slow life and are dedicated to treading lightly on the earth. We live in a straw bale home in an off-grid permaculture and arts community, Goolawah. We live on the edge of a national park so we are surrounded by beautiful forest and native animals. We are close to the stunning surfing beaches of Crescent Head.

    Alicia is a professional photographer. James is a natural builder and upcyclist, and teaches courses in How To Build Tiny Houses with Recycled Materials.

    We love travelling, yoga, surfing, healthy living, hiking and enjoying the great outdoors.

    We have travelled and volunteered all over the world. We love hosting people and sharing our culture while learning about yours. We are vegetarian and gluten free. We are happy cater for vegans.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We live in a pretty unique situation in a beautiful part of Australia where you will get to learn about Australia, community living and life off grid. There are plenty of interesting people who you'll be able to meet in our neighbourhood and gathering.

    You will have the opportunity to enjoy the Australian bush and wildlife, as well as experience living in an off-grid community. We will share meals (you are also welcome to cook your own), enjoy evenings by the fire, join in our community yoga gatherings and meet many of our wonderful, friendly neighbours on the community who all have interesting stories. You might even make new friends who might host you too, if you'd like to stay longer. You are welcome to join us on trips to the beach for a surf, swim, hike or picnic.

  • Help

    Help

    All levels of experience and skills are welcome, but some experience with building or gardening is preferred.

    We always need help in our permaculture garden - planting, harvesting, weeding, mulching and preparing the beds and caring for our chickens.

    We would love help with our building projects - carpentry, preparing recycled materials, construction, natural building. Get in touch for more details about what we'll be working on during your stay. You will get to see examples of strawbale, light earth and adobe construction.

    If you love hanging out with kids, there will be opportunities for babysitting our daughter. She loves friendly travellers and all kinds of play. Let us know.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    You will have access to a camp fire, outdoor shower, composting toilet and dams to swim in. We can provide a tent and bedding or you are welcome to bring your own campervan, tent, etc. We will provide breakfast food and snacks for you to eat whenever you need, and we will share meals for lunch and dinner. We would love for you to cook too. If you need downtime you are welcome to cook for yourself and chill in your own space. We will discuss with you the kinds of food you like before your arrival.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    In your free time you are welcome to explore the community - 1200 acres of forest, trails and hamlets. We have bikes that you can borrow and depending on the weather, it is possible to ride to the beach through the national park.
    If you have a car, it is 15 minutes to the beach and village of Crescent Head. Otherwise you are welcome to join us when we go.
    It is very peaceful here so you might like to bring a book, or borrow from our library.
    Many volunteers who stay with us make friends with our neighbours and hang out with them in their downtime.
    There is no public transport nearby, but you may also be able to catch a lift with our neighbours from the community.

    We've had over 50 volunteers stay with us over the past 10 years, We love meeting new people and showing them the beautiful place where we are blessed to live. Please note that internet connection isn't strong here, we just hotspot off our phone on the Optus network. It's a good place to disconnect for a while :)

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Camping or we have plenty of space for your van or campervan. We can also provide you with a tent and bedding.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 593245546711

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