Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
17 Feb 2025
Reply rate
60.9 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
18
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are an Australian American family who love and work in arts and music, with an Aussie Mum, an American Dad and an Aussie American son. After two decades in New York City (right in the middle of Manhattan) the pandemic led to us coming to be with family in Australia during lockdown. We thought we would be here for a few weeks, but it has become a full on move. We are relatively newly in our home near Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia - right next to the Great Barrier Reef. Nature here is spectacular. Our son is in high school, and we are active in the arts community in this tourist town, and in addition to our own work, contributing to its growth by founding a songwriting festival and delivering a writer's festival.
After years of apartment living we are now in a house with a garden and a pool. Being with us would suit someone who may love native tropical gardening, organizing, making things beautiful, and vegetarian / vegan cuisine. We do not eat animal products.
We are a 15 minute walk down to Cannonvale Beach (longer walk back up the hill!) and this region is rich in beautiful vistas, opportunities for snorkeling, sailing and hiking, 74 mostly uninhabited islands just offshore and an international traveler community.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are well traveled international thinkers. Both in the music business, we have lived and worked overseas frequently, and we are on a mission to make a positive impact in the world.
With a love of the piano, we have a goal to have pianos in every room of our home, and so far we have 4 including the grand piano in our living room. A musician who is traveling may love to be in our home, or someone enthusiastic about life and the world. Someone who is vegan or vegetarian or interested in experiencing eating this way would be a great fit.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
ORGANIZING We have been in our new home a short time and we would love assistance with finishing unpacking, organizing, sorting items that will be donated or sold.
GARDENING This is our first time with a native tropical garden and pool and we would love assistance with weeding, tidying, planting some new plants and maintaining the garden.
HELPING AROUND THE HOUSE Tidying, cleaning, taking everything to the next level - we want to have everything looking beautiful!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a fabulous lower level of our large house. The bedroom with a queen bed, closet, and bathroom next to it opens out to the swimming pool and native gardens. Depending on the timing you may be sharing this bathroom. There is a small fridge and coffee and tea making facilities with microwave (kitchenette). The laundry is a shared space with us. We are open to discussing the food arrangements. We eat vegan vegetarian and enjoy planning and cooking delicious recipes together and exploring vegan versions of your cultural dishes too. Eating flavorful dinners is a high priority for our quality of life!
What else ...
There are many day trips as the Great Barrier Reef is one of the eight wonders of the world. We are in a tourism area. For no or low cost options there are stunning walks along the coastline or in the hinterland. We are in one of the most picturesque regions in the world. Walking downhill from our place for 12 minutes takes you to the nearest bus stop to go into town (Airlie Beach) or to the shopping centre (Cannonvale). There is a strong international traveler presence and a great nightlife in the town of Airlie Beach. There is a rural town a 30 minute bus ride away and sugar cane grows everywhere. We are in a tropical area with very hot weather in the summer, which leads to swimming almost daily.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (10)
Cooking together was such a fun and creative experience – the food was fantastic, and it was great to be encouraged to get creative in the kitchen.
Karen was incredibly… read more
Thank you so much🔆💗
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Cooking together was such a fun and creative experience – the food was fantastic, and it was great to be encouraged to get creative in the kitchen.
Karen was incredibly… read more
Thank you so much🔆💗
I helped Karen especially with organizing the cabinets which was really a lot of fun. I also had enough… read more
They created such a special place and it really felt like paradise.
I helped Karen organize the kitchen/pantry and her closet and all tasks were easy and she explained very well what to do or we decided it together.
We did an amazing job - I'm very proud of us and I had a lot of… read more
In the short time we spent with them we managed to create a wonderful connection, have some amazing dinners together, and we left feeling like we wanted to stay more.
Our accommodation was a separate flat within the house, which guaranteed privacy and convenience.
Our… read more
On one of the nights they cooked for us the vegan version of a traditional English baked dinner which was a highlight. We also loved our cards nights and laughed so much together.
Wishing them fabulous… read more
The profile for Karen and Tom is very accurate, they live in an amazing location with stunning views… read more
For Karen: A special thank you from Meristella for sharing morning yoga practice together. It was enjoyable… read more
