Stay in a hub for sustainable technologies and permaculture-based gardens in north west Tasmania, Australia

Details

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  Description

  I live on my own on a small farm in the beautiful valley of Lorinna in north west Tasmania. The valley is heavily forested with native Australian trees and sits on the edge of a lake, the result of a river that was dammed for hydro electricity. Despite this the area has no mains electricity so everyone living here generates their own power from either solar or micro hydro systems, or both. The local community itself is small but vibrant, consisting of several families engaged in home schooling their kids, and a variety of other people seeking a quiet life in a beautiful setting. My farm is a mix of native bush, and cleared areas, with beautiful forests of tall timber and rain forest.
  At this stage I have a small flock of sheep, some chooks and abundant local wildlife including wallabies, possums and many varieties of birds. I have a few bee hives which I interact with from time to time. There is a vegetable garden which is always in need of attention, numerous fruit trees and each year I grow a small crop of potatoes which are sold locally. Most of the work here involves building and maintaining fences, clearing weeds in paddocks, cutting, splitting and stacking firewood, gardening, working with fruit trees, building, and caring for the animals.
  The new house, built using alternative construction techniques involving earthen walls and floors and a variety of locally sourced materials is now complete. The property will be of interest to anyone who values the principles of sustainable living. As I mentioned the farm is off - grid and is powered by a mix of renewable energies, solar and hydro power, generated on the property. Alternative technologies and permaculture principles underpin my approach to running the property.
  There is a small self contained cabin for visitors which is a very comfortable space made of earth and timber. It has a small kitchen and bathroom and is very comfortable. Nearly all my cooking is done on a slow combustion wood stove and is entirely based on whole foods. Evening meals and lunch are usually shared but visitors can have breakfast in their own cabin ... I'm not much of a morning person. But evening meals are usually a time for sharing cooking and conversation.
  There are lots of beautiful walks in the immediate area and good bush rides on horseback or mountain bike. Unfortunately I no longer have a horse so I can't offer horse riding as an activity. As a lot of other people in the valley have workaway visitors or woofers there is an opportunity to socialise with them when you are not required for activities here on the farm.
  
  *I can offer internet access but it is not unlimited. Checking email and catching up on news is fine but downloading or streaming movies etc is not.
  I have a dog who enjoys visitors and is very friendly.*

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  People coming to stay here always comment on how wonderful it is to stay in a community like this. Lorinna is a hub for a range of sustainable technologies and building methods and there are excellent examples of permaculture-based approaches to gardens and general design principles. The dwellings on my farm are both earthen constructions, made using very local and recycled materials, with an emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. Anyone who values these principles will find coming here very interesting and instructive. All this in a farm setting within an area of stunning natural beauty.

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  Help

  There is always a broad range of chores to be done so it's not hard to find something that you would enjoy doing. Now summer is here the priority tasks are weeding and planting in the veggie garden, fencing maintenance, care and maintenance of fruit trees and screening trees, restocking the firewood supply, and of course ongoing building projects. There is always a lot of brush cutting to be done to keep fences clear. For people with mechanical skills, I always welcome help with machinery repairs as I have very poor skills as a mechanic. Given this is an area of high bushfire risk, fire prevention activities are also important at this time of year.
  
  Couples and older Workawayers are very welcome.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Tibetan: Beginner
  French: Beginner

  This 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.
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  Accommodation

  Workaway helpers will stay in a small cabin that sleeps two people, or three if you are two adults and a child. The cabin is self contained with its own bathroom and kitchen, including a slow combustion stove that provides warmth, hot water and a cook top. It's an earthen construction and everyone who stays in it says it's very cosy and comfortable.

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  What else ...

  When not working, helpers can go walking in the local area through the forests, or go swimming or kayaking at the lake. I don't have a kayak but I can usually borrow one. On Saturdays afternoons there is a local food co-op which serves as a meeting place where you can meet and chat with locals and other woofers and helpers over a coffee or tea.

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  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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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Friendly dogs are fine but I don't take cats.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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