Connect with nature in the rainforest near Kalang, NSW, Australia

Details

• 

  Description

  Hello, we are a family of four on a farm property, in the Kalang Valley, near Bellingen. Breon (43) Sarah (41) and two primary school aged kids.
  
  Set on 90 acres, the property is a mix of rainforest, regrowth areas and paddocks. There is a beautiful river for swimming (with some shallow areas and deep swimming holes) and a creek that runs past the house.
  
  We are about 20 - 25 minutes from Bellingen (a fun small town with a lot going on). There are some great restaurants and live music. 40 minutes to Urunga and an hour to Coffs Harbour.
  
  We have native bees (stingless) and are establishing a Davidson Plum orchard.
  
  You won't be asked to help with the farm business.
  
  We spend a lot of time doing bush regeneration e.g. planting lamandra, weeding invasive weeds, paddock grasses etc. As well as fixing up the house you would be staying in.
  
  We have chickens, an old horse (Cassie), a dog (scruffles) and will be getting some goats and sheep in the not to distant future.
  
  As well as managing the property, we work and study a few days a week.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house
• 

  Interests

  

  Farming

  

  Charity work

  

  Music

  

  Plant care

  

  Carpentry

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Gardening

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Beach

  

  Outdoor activities
• 

  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  What's this?
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We will get to know each other. We can have morning/afternoon tea together. You will find out all the good places to go and visit in the area, and can use our farm as a base for your holiday. Families are welcome. It can be an adjustment not having screen time.
  When it's warm swimming is excellent. There are rope swings for the adventurous (kid size).
  
  This would suit a couple or family, who are looking to spend time together and have a nice holiday in the shire.
  
  You would be staying in a seperate house (about 5 minutes walk away, a 2 minute drive).

• 

  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

• 

  Help

  There are a lot of different projects going on, so depending on what we are doing at the time you visit, it could be something of interest or meditative type work i.e. weeding.
  
  - weeding along river bank and edges of paddocks, removing privit from fenceline
  - cutting grass seed heads off and digging out problem grasses
  - cleaning house; washing walls, clearing fire place, windows etc (the space you are staying in, not the family home)
  - collecting fire wood
  - clearing fire trails
  - weeding vegetable garden, planting vegetable garden
  
  Depending on the day, we would work together, or if we are working/school you could self direct. I imagine it would be a combination of both once you are confident in weed identification and we have good communication.
  
  To start it would be simple jobs, like cutting out paramatta grass from the paddocks.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  German: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  English
• 

  Accommodation

  The house you would have use of is an architectually designed red cedar round house. It was built about 40 years ago and is magic. It has a queen bed in a mudbrick bedroom off a verandah attached to the main house, a king bed in a bedroom (currently being decorated i.e. preparing for painting). There is a pool table, yoga space, basic kitchen (gass bottle with stove top burners and an outside oven), and a barbeque. There is an open fire place. We also have a king single bed and another double bed that could be moved over if necessary.
  The bathroom is a stone shower that you step into.
  The toilet is a drop toilet, away from the house and up the hill slightly.
  There is electricity and hot water, but no mobile reception. We can keep a UHF radio on at the house and at our house. If you want to use the internet or make a call you would come over to our house. You need WIFI-Calling to make phone calls over the internet.
  
  It's a large space and is incredibly beautiful. It is nothing like a suburban house. It's not pristine and new. While I wouldn't call it rustic, it's a rainforest farm house. So expect that. It's a house that needs proactive inhabitants i.e you need to put effort in to be comfortable.
  
  If you do 2 hours a day for 5 days and have 2 days off, we would like you to provide food and cook for yourself.

• 

  What else ...

  Give me a call and ask all your questions. I would love this to work for you and for you to enjoy your holiday, and to use our space as your base. It's a difficult house to describe as it's so unusual, and it's important you have a good understanding of the environment before you come out.
  
  There is a shallow river crossing coming. Having a car to get around is ideal. If it's a small car you could park accross the road and we can come and collect you with your things. It's a nice walk to the house 10minutes when you come in and out (walking).
  
  If you don't have a car, it isn't a deal breaker, we could collect you, However we don't go to town very often unless it is for work or study and there isn't public transport out here.
  
  We could take you to Aldi or a supermarket to get things before you come out.
  
  If you need something specific we are pretty easy going and happy to accommodate where we can.
  
  My husband and I have done a few WOOFING and house sitting stays in Europe, and really enjoyed the experience.
  
  If you love nature you will love kalang. It's my most favourite place in the world. If you are not too fussed about the rainforest and different types of moss don't interest you, it's not really the right fit.
  
  If you are friendly, open, and take care of yourself e.g do your dishes after cooking a meal/(keep a clean house), respect the space and let us know if you need anything, we will get on well.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  If you have a van that is 4wd and can manage a shallow river crossing and steep(ish) step out of the river, your welcome. There are quite a few nice spots to camp.

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  My animals / pets

  Chickens

  4 laying hens, two pullets and 3 chicks. As at Jan 2026.

  Cassie

  Cassie is about 30. Not a riding horse.

  

  Scruffles

  Cute little fellow. Mix breed; jack russel, toy poodle, maltese and shitsu. Loves a run and being around people. Barks when anyone arrive but settles quickly. Loves a nice cuddle and a couch sit.

Website Safety

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

Feedback (1)