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Description
Hello, we are a family run small lifestyle farm, in the Kalang Valley, near Bellingen. We have a beautiful river for swimming (with some shallow areas and deep swimming holes) and a creek that runs past the house you would stay in. The property is rainforest and there are some really lovely native forested areas and nearby beaches to explore.
It's about 20 - 25 minutes from Bellingen (a fun small town with a lot going on). There are some great restaurants and live music. 45 minutes to Urunga, where the closest beach is.
You will love swimming in the river, sitting on the mossy lawns and watching the birds. It's incredibly relaxing.
Our farm is relavtively new and we are working on native bees (stingless) and Davidson Plums.
You won't be asked to help with the farm business. We are not yet selling produce.
We spend a lot of time focusing on bush regeneration e.g. planting lamandra, weeding invasive weeds, paddock grasses etc. We've been at the property for a couple of years, but are still undertaking and planning infrastructure i.e. fencing, water infrastructure. And repairing the existing farm buildings.
The property was relatively clear about 50 years ago, after the timber getters came through the valley and farmers established farms. So the re growth has a lot of camphour and privet that we are clearing, as well as native re growth that we are giving room to grow.
We have native bees, chickens, an old horse, a dog (scruffles) and will be getting some goats and sheep in the not to distant future. I'm in the process of building a movable goat house.
We work and study a few days a week, and help on the farm other days.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
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
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are an Australian family of four. Breon (43) and myself, Sarah (40) and two primary school aged kids; 10 year old boy and 8 year old girl.
Working together for 2 hours a day (if you stay a week with 2 days off), 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, especially if you have kids at similar ages. Whilst it's warm the kids love swimming and can go multiple times a day. 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. Rather than a single person. As we are also very busy on the farm, working and studying, so most likley wouldn't be available to spend too much time relaxing together.
You would be staying in a seperate house (about 5 minutes walk away, a 2 minute drive). The house is pretty incredible and built by an artist, but does need a fair amount of work. It is more of a hippy house, and has a drop toilet.
Horticulture, native bees and bus regeneration are things that we are into.
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 we would be able to discuss what your intetrests and skills are and pick something that suits us both. Depending on when you came, we may be working on any of the below examples or many more;
- Bush regeneration, weeding along river bank and edges of paddocks, removing privit from fenceline
- cutting grass seed heads off and digging out problem grasses
- checking on and feeding/watering animals.
- repairing house, maintenance e.g. oiling wood
- 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
- Building a portable (on a trailer) goat house.
- Helping to move mobile chicken tractor
- Making Jam
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.
The house also needs a fair amount of cutting back and pruning.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
English
Accommodation
The house you would have sole use of has a double 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 (it would not suit someone with mobility issues).
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 need to urgently use the internet or make a call you would need to come over to our house. Newish phones have WIFI-Calling, which you would need in order to make phone calls over the internet.
It's a large space and is incredibly beautiful. It is nothing like a suburban house.
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. There will be all the basics provided e.g salt, pepper, oil etc. If I make a cake or something, I'll bring some over for you. Whatever is growing in the garden will be shared with you as well. While the garden isn't huge yet, what we have will be shared.
We are potentially open to less than a week.
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. You will need a car to get around. 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. If you don't have a car you may feel isolated. There isn't internet or mobile phone reception at the house you would be staying in.
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.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
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.
