Profile information
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
6 Sep 2026
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Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
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Feedback
23
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Min stay requested: at least a week
Details
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Description
Just over a year ago I moved to a coastal scrub covered block in Esperance, Western Australia. Esperance has the most beautiful white beaches with aqua blue water and is a high tourist and traveller destination but lacks accommodation in most of the year, especially summer and Autumn.
The weather changes quickly from calm and warm to windy and cloudy, sometimes some rain especially in winter. In summer the wind is often onshore and strong. Coming off the ocean the wind cools whereas when it is more from the north it can be quite hot. Its most beautiful at the beach early in the morning.
My work on the property is flexible based on the weather. I work by the solar clock, not tick- tock. Tasks seem to be never ending as I continue to observe nature in response to my actions. (Wind burn on fruit trees, sand blowing off future house pad etc).
My large shed has been finished and is my temporary home as well as the Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) (official home).
Guest accommodation
That now leaves the old Albion Viking bus home available for guests. It has a cubicle for a shower but the water is not connected inside. There is a hot water shower outside in a converted IBC (thank you Sam).
There is a Joolca compost toilet in the bus. Additionally the bathroom in the THOW can be used.
Water - underground bore water (same water that supplies the town and is good quality),
- rain water to drink. I have a good quality carbon filter in the shed.
Meals - flexible meal sharing eg make your own breakfast and lunch from food I can provide and share in cooking main meals if desired.
Engel fridge for keeping fruit and your own treats, drinks etc cool for easy access (so you don’t need to access fridge in shed)..
Cooking - mixture of gas, electric and wood fire oven (no open fires allowed during Spring/summer/ Autumn ).
Power- rechargeable lights, plus reading lamp if required (uses more power).
Solar power station and solar panels power THOW (fridge, lights and limited air conditioning) plus for guests recharging batteries, Engel fridge etc. Plus a full off grid setup in the shed.
At this stage air conditioning is not connected inside the bus.
I have internet access (Starlink) but coverage is limited to near the shed reaching to outside the bus but is unreliable in the bus.
Tiny dogs
I have a 4&1/2 year old male Chihuahua who fathered 5 pups and I kept a boy and girl. (Born January 2026). Their mother is a Jack Russell x Chihuahua. I am using The Trust Technique to teach them to be peaceful, sociable beings and learning from what they are mirroring back to me.
I would like to include guests in using this mindfulness based approach with them.
I have 10 hens who used to free range but are currently in a large penned area. Feeding, cleaning the pen and occasional health care (trim claws) might be something that can be included and is essential if the stay is a house sit.
History and where to
The setting has been basic but development over the year is obvious. I purchased an 8 metre Tiny Home on Wheels, mainly for my mother, and had my old bus/ home as above transported from SA, bought a couple of sea containers and I have a small caravan that needs major repair. Lots of delays and difficulties getting trades people but finally the shed was was built.
I have Council approval to build the air crete dome home and I plan to start making aircrete bricks in Spring 2026.
Tasks and things I would like help with
The help I need will change over time but the theme of alternative living - building with alternative products, off grid for power and water, permaculture garden etc will continue.
-Creating and maintaining syntropic and permaculture gardens including ponds
-Landscaping and stabilising earth work exposed land (reducing wind damage)
-Reticulation (currently hand watering ).
-Building air Crete brick home. Starting with building formwork to make the bricks, then refining the creation of the bricks and building a prototype before the major build.
Hours will be flexible, largely based on the weather, which is variable and may include overcast and windy conditions, rain or clear skies and hot to very hot days.
House sit
I am looking at going for 5 to 7 day road trips so if you are interested in caring for the chooks and plants please contact me with this in mind. My dates are flexible but I’m currently looking for sitters for late September. Accommodation for this will be in the Tiny Home and bus if two sleeping areas are needed.
Essential understandings - house rules
The property is a water protected zone meaning there are restrictions on what waste is exposed to the ground, therefore I use compost toilets and recycle grey water.
Care must be taken, so no chemicals are permitted to be used for cleaning. Only biodegradable and low /no perfumed shower products are to be used.Minimal toilet paper to be deposited into toilet as it takes a long time to break down and blocks air flow inhibiting the beneficial bacteria to break down the human waste. If you are used to a bidet or use a lot of paper please discuss this with me. Wood shavings are provided. The camp toilet in the bus is to be emptied into designated sites by you however if the main toilet in the Tiny home is used only your assistance will be required if it is full which is only every 3 months depending on use.
I expect the accommodation to be cleaned on departure and will provide the products.
I have a washing machine you can use but no dryer. Please plan essential washing on days when the sun provides more power and allows clothes to be dried outside.
Bedding and bath towels are provided and will be washed by myself on your departure. Please bundle them on the bed. Place all rubbish and recycling into correct bins.
If you can abide by the rules above and can think before you act (if you don’t understand something ask me) and this sounds engaging please send me a message.
Thank you -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
Light maintenance
House & pet sitting
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Permaculture - Join me as I experiment with all things Permaculture in an off grid environment.
Aircrete Dome house building
Surf culture - I surf on a stand up paddle and love the beach. -
Help
Any or all of the list will be required over a few months.
August to November
Major tasks
Fire safety readiness-slashing , water tanks with pumps
Improve solar power, rain water, waste water etc
January to April
Reducing harsh weather effects
-Mulching and improving soil
- watering, reticulation
-Wind diversion/protection
- creating micro climates
- building
Ongoing
Garden - permaculture principles preferred but not essential.
Food forest -syntropic practices.
Aquaponics and ponds for micro climates
Creating compost piles, raising seedlings, weeding, nurturing plants, watering plants, feeding chooks, cleaning chook pen - manure to compost heap, worm farm, rubbish maintenance. Garden art. -
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
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Accommodation
The bus has a double bed, sitting area, desk, cubicle for compost toilet and kitchen area has a hand pump for washing hands.
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What else ...
It is walking distance to the beach but the cliffs are high and access point is a narrow path. Official access points to most beaches on the west side include stairs.
There is no public transport except in the main part of town but taxis and a uber like service is available. Nearby scooters can be hired to get from point to point on their range.
There are many tours available but your own transport will be a bonus if you wish to explore the National Parks etc.
I find enough variety in the beaches within 10 kms amply sufficient for surfing, swimming, walking and meditation. -
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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Space for parking camper vans
If you have your own van there is plenty of space on a flat limestone 'carpark' area where the other vans and my old bus will be.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
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My animals / pets
Marco, Shakti & Krishna
Male Chihuahua born February 2022
Female Jack Chi born January 2026
Male Jack Chi born January 2026
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (10)
Even during busier moments, Merrilee always checked in with me and made sure I felt comfortable and supported, which is why I felt truly welcome and well taken care of from the beginning.
I slept in the bus, which was very … read more
Due to timing I was very busy (and a bit stressed) with visiting tradesmen (solar panels now wired and operational, earthworks for dispersal beds, moving garden sheds etc) so had to leave Isabelle doing most of it on her own. She did a beautiful … read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
Even during busier moments, Merrilee always checked in with me and made sure I felt comfortable and supported, which is why I felt truly welcome and well taken care of from the beginning.
I slept in the bus, which was very … read more
Due to timing I was very busy (and a bit stressed) with visiting tradesmen (solar panels now wired and operational, earthworks for dispersal beds, moving garden sheds etc) so had to leave Isabelle doing most of it on her own. She did a beautiful … read more
The jobs were diverse and fun, learning new things everyday. She was a very good host, trying to make sure I was confortable and all. She also had the kindness to take my friend in as well when she surprised me in Esperance. She also helped me to plan the next step in my trip and gave some food to take … read more
He did a meticulous (artistic hand helped I think) job of silicone/gap filling the base of the shed where the vermin barrier was letting insects in. My pump stopped working on a Saturday so we went and bought a new one and I now finally have … read more
Merrilee welcomed me with open arms, and we worked together to gather some supplies/construct a make-shift site for my brief stay … read more
Megan has been a joy to host showing she was more than competent in caring for my 94 year old mother whilst I had nearly a weeks respite. (The angel I needed). Not only did she keep my mother entertained, fed and happy, the house was clean, chooks fed and happy and even the goldfish seemed unaware of my absence. Megan swept … read more
Merrilee couldn’t have done enough for me, I loved my time here and definitely loved seeing the chooks everyday! Such characters!
I enjoyed the work looking after the house so … read more
We improved our manual skills and capacity to anticipate by helping to set up the reticultation network. We learned how to make compost and also had to build a bamboo fence. We worked mostly during the morning before it becomes too hot … read more
