Help with taking care of my land and rainforest in Dundurrabin, Australia

Details

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  Description

  I'm an artist (painting, chainsaw sculpture) living in a bus on 98 acres of rainforest at an elevation of 800m. Located in the mountains on the Dorrigo plateau, the temperate climate here is neither too hot nor too cold. There's an amazing swimming hole 5km away, and I've got two small creeks on my land. I am currently building a mud-brick house, which is consuming all of my time and energy. I've begun making trails through the rainforest and need help maintaining and expanding these paths. I'm also regularly planting rainforest trees and reducing invasive species.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals
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  Interests

  

  Van life

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Writing

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  Hitchhiking

  

  History

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Carpentry

  

  Books

  

  Astronomy

  

  Art & design

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Camping
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I was born in the US, lived in Japan on and off for 20 years (fluent in Japanese), and have been in Australia for 20 years. I taught English for a while and enjoy learning languages. I have travelled the world and I'm extremely interested in global cuisine, music, and art.
  I host get-togethers at my place, including the Dundurrabin Chainsaw Sculpture Festival every December.

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  Help

  I need help maintaining the groomed 2 acres around the house (mowing, trimming, weeding, orchard) as well as wilder activities like making paths through the rainforest, cutting noxious vines, and trailblazing.
  I'll be working on building my mud-brick house, so if you have an interest in learning about building there's plenty of work I'll need help with there too.
  I'm happy to work alongside someone, sharing skills and knowledge. Or if you prefer to work alone at your own pace, that's fine as well.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Japanese: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  I'm a confident Japanese speaker, somewhere between intermediate and fluent. 英語しゃべらない人もうようこそ
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  Accommodation

  1970 Bedford bus, recently fitted with new floors and a double bed
  
  1970 12-foot caravan with two double beds
  
  Shared shower and wheelie bin toilet, outdoor (covered) kitchen. Outdoor woodfired bath.
  
  I love to cook, and regularly make big meals/bbqs for friends who drop in. I'm an omnivore with a diverse range of dishes I regularly serve up. Fish truck comes to Dorrigo on Wednesday and I regularly hit it up.
  
  I keep a well-stocked fridge. Yogurt, muesli, and fruit for brekkie most mornings, or DIY hot brekkie. Lots of sambos for lunch, and beautiful hot meals for dinner. Always plenty of leftovers on hand because I always cook extra...

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  What else ...

  Many national parks in the area, great for exploring. Dorrigo (30min away) has shopping and an open-mic we go to every month. Bellingen is 1hr away and has lots of nightlife.
  I live pretty remotely and try to go to town only once per week. My place would suit someone/people who are happy to be in the bush for a week or so at a time and make sporadic trips away.

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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

  Optus has great reception at my place.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Excellent driveway with great access. You will not get bogged.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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