Help grow food for community donation on our off-grid eco property in Mt Jukes

Details

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  Description

  Welcome to our off-grid eco property beneath the lush slopes of Mt Jukes in tropical North Queensland.
  We are a small, heart-led sanctuary focused on sustainable living, community care, and growing food to support local people in need.
  
  Our 7-acre property runs completely off-grid — powered by solar and supplied by 400,000 litres of harvested rainwater. A crystal-clear spring flows year-round through volcanic rock, offering fresh, mineral-rich water and a beautiful place to cool off after a day’s work.
  
  We live simply and intentionally, surrounded by more than 350 fruit trees, vibrant organic gardens, native wildlife, a worm farm, bees, and over 350 newly planted bamboo trees. The land here is alive with birdsong and quiet natural beauty.
  
  We welcome mature volunteers aged 23 and over, ideally people who have travelled independently before, are comfortable living simply, and enjoy practical outdoor work. Volunteers who appreciate meaningful contribution, responsibility, and a grounded lifestyle tend to thrive here. No Australians. We are offering a cultural experience.
  
  Although we host weekend and day retreats, this volunteer position is not a retreat stay. You will be helping with the gardens and land care that support both our eco-property and our community food donations. On your days off, you are free to explore the creek, nearby beaches, waterfalls, bushwalks, and the relaxed pace of regional Queensland.
  
  If you value nature, kindness, simple living, and purposeful work, we would be very happy to welcome you.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening
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  Interests

  

  Gardening

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Pets

  

  Sustainability

  

  Charity work

  

  Farming

  

  Music

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Cycling

  

  Camping

  

  Movies & TV
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Cultural Exchange and Learning Opportunities
  Staying with us offers more than just a place to help — it’s a chance to experience a different rhythm of life on an off-grid, eco-focused property. You’ll learn about simple living, working with the seasons, and caring for the land with intention.
  
  We enjoy sharing knowledge about sustainable gardening, food growing for community donation, and off-grid living. There are many opportunities for meaningful conversations, shared dinners, and exchanging skills and perspectives.
  
  Although we host wellness retreats, the volunteer role is not a retreat stay. If a retreat happens to fall during your stay, you are welcome to participate as part of the retreat. This depends entirely on the retreat schedule and your volunteer dates.
  
  In your free time, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the region — from rainforest walks along our spring-fed creek to wildlife, local markets, beaches, and the relaxed culture of tropical North Queensland.
  
  If you value nature, simplicity, and contributing to something that genuinely supports others, you’ll find this a meaningful place to be.

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  Help

  As a Workawayer, you’ll take part in the daily rhythm of caring for our gardens and land. Tasks may include:
  
  planting seedlings and fruit trees
  
  harvesting produce
  
  weeding and mulching
  
  watering and general garden upkeep
  
  assisting with permaculture projects
  
  caring for bamboo plantings
  
  basic land care and outdoor maintenance
  
  Most of the work is hands-on, outdoors, and physical, so this role suits volunteers who genuinely enjoy being active in nature.
  
  No two days are exactly the same, and we appreciate a steady, reliable, and mindful approach to work. We will show you what to do, and once you’re confident, you can carry out tasks independently.
  
  Much of your time will directly support our community food donation program — meaningful work that reaches far beyond the garden fence.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Estonian: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  Dave speaks English only, and Aune speaks English and Estonian
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation
  You’ll stay in a simple, clean private room that is part of our Chai House — a peaceful space surrounded by gardens and birdsong. The room has a king single bed, a fan, lighting, and a bedside lamp for evening reading. A second bed can be added if needed.
  
  The shared hot shower and toilet facilities are located just 5 metres away and provide everything you need for a comfortable stay.
  
  We live simply here, and volunteers are expected to keep their room and shared areas tidy out of respect for the space and each other.
  
  Around the property, there are many places to enjoy your free time — shady garden nooks, hammocks, the spring-fed creek, the fire pit, and the Chai House verandah. These peaceful spots are available for relaxing after the day’s work.

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  What else ...

  We host one or two volunteers at a time, so your experience will be personal, supportive, and part of the daily rhythm of our eco property. We work 4.5 hours a day, 5 days a week, usually in the mornings.
  
  Food
  We provide ingredients for three simple vegetarian meals a day. Our main shared meal is dinner, Monday to Friday — wholesome, mostly gluten-free, and often made with produce from the garden.
  Volunteers prepare their own breakfast and lunch using the food supplied (fruit, vegetables, cereals, oats, bread, rice, lentils, beans, etc.).
  
  Weekends:
  Volunteers self-cater all meals unless a retreat is running.
  If a retreat happens during your stay, you are welcome to participate and share the retreat meals for those specific days.
  
  This setup suits volunteers who enjoy simple, healthy food and independence in the kitchen.
  
  Accommodation
  The volunteer room is new, clean, and modern, and may be shared when two volunteers are staying with us. It has comfortable king single beds, a fan, lighting, and space for your belongings.
  Shared hot shower and toilet facilities are just 5 metres away.
  
  Volunteers are expected to keep their room and shared areas tidy and to be respectful of each other’s space, especially when the room is shared.
  
  Free Time
  During your time off, you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings — swim in our spring-fed creek, relax in a hammock, read on the verandah, or watch the sunset over Mt Jukes.
  Nearby you’ll find:
  
  Cape Hillsborough National Park (kangaroos on the beach)
  
  Seaforth Beach (9 km)
  
  Mt Blackwood & The Leap (hikes and views)
  
  A local natural & organic store with great coffee (11 km)
  
  For stays of two weeks or more, we may be able to pick you up or drop you off in Mackay (between 9:00am–7:30 pm).
  
  ⭐ Our Lifestyle & House Guidelines
  
  We live simply and intentionally — guided by respect for nature, ourselves, and each other. As an off-grid property, we ask volunteers to be mindful of:
  
  solar power
  
  water usage
  
  cleanliness in shared areas
  
  keeping noise low
  
  contributing a fair day’s work with a positive attitude
  
  This is a calm eco environment.
  We do not allow loud music, parties, or recreational drugs.
  
  We welcome mature, grounded individuals (23+) who enjoy meaningful work, value their surroundings, and can share space respectfully.
  
  Warmly,
  Dave & Aune

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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

  The WIFI in your room has a good connection

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  Space for parking camper vans

  The size of your vehicle will determine if we can house you. Standard campers and motor homes should be fine. We will have power and water available for you to connect to.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Chicky

  

  Roko (7 years)

  Roko is our resident dog. He has been on the property since Dave purchased the land.

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