Live and help with puppies on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia

Details

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  Description

  About Us
  🌿 88-Day Visa Work Available
  
  We're currently looking for friendly, reliable Workawayers to join us from late July / early August. We welcome couples, friends travelling together, or suitable independent travellers.
  
  Our postcode (2571) qualifies for 88-day specified work for eligible Working Holiday Visa holders undertaking natural disaster recovery work, and we're able to provide the required sign off.
  
  Welcome to Our Home
  We're a couple living in the beautiful Picton region of New South Wales, approximately 60–90 minutes from Sydney. We share our lives with lots of wonderful dogs and puppies across two rural hobby farm properties.
  
  Our main property is 40 acres of peaceful Australian bushland, complete with open paddocks, fruit trees and regular visits from kangaroos and native birdlife. Our second property, just six acres and closer to town, is where our dogs and puppies live.
  
  Life here is relaxed, peaceful and surrounded by nature. If you enjoy fresh country air, animals, practical outdoor projects and escaping busy cities, you'll probably love it here.
  
  Our Lifestyle
  We enjoy a quiet rural lifestyle and believe everyone should have their own space and independence. We don't expect Workawayers to join us for family dinners or organised activities every evening. Instead, we provide a comfortable home where people can relax, enjoy their free time and make themselves at home.
  
  We usually host two couples at a time, and occasionally a solo traveller, so there's often a great mix of people from different countries. Many of our Workawayers become good friends, cook together, head off exploring on their days off, or simply enjoy spending time with the dogs.
  
  Because we divide our time between our two properties, there will be times when you're working independently after receiving a full induction. We're always available if you need help, but this opportunity is best suited to people who are responsible, self-motivated and happy to work without constant supervision.
  
  Who This Suits
  Our Workaway is ideal for people who:
  - Love dogs and other animals
  - Enjoy gardening and practical outdoor work
  - Appreciate peace, nature and rural living
  - Are reliable and happy to work independently
  - Enjoy meeting travellers from around the world
  
  In Exchange
  We ask for: 5 hours of help per day, 5 days each week
  A minimum stay of one month
  
  In return, we provide:
  - A private bedroom in our comfortable home
  - All groceries supplied
  - Fast, unlimited Wi-Fi
  - A genuine Australian country living experience
  - The opportunity to care for dogs and puppies while meeting people from around the world
  - 88-day visa sign-off for Working Holiday Visa holders
  
  You can contact Troy on WhatsApp - ask us for contact details

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Animals

  

  Camping

  

  Nature

  

  Outdoor activities
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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

  We love meeting people from different countries and backgrounds, and one of the best parts of hosting is hearing about the places you've lived, your traditions, favourite foods, and the different ways of life around the world. Every Workawayer brings something unique, and we genuinely enjoy learning from each other.
  
  During your stay you'll experience everyday life on a rural Australian property. You'll learn about caring for dogs and puppies, animal behaviour, raising chickens, basic property maintenance, gardening, and what it's like to live on acreage in the Australian bush. You'll see kangaroos on the property every day, enjoy peaceful country living, and experience a side of Australia that most tourists never see.
  
  If you're interested in dogs, you'll gain hands on experience caring for puppies of different ages, understanding their development, health, enrichment, socialisation and daily routines. We're always happy to answer questions and share what we've learnt over many years.
  
  Although everyone has their own independence and privacy, we usually have several Workawayers staying at the same time, so there's plenty of opportunity to meet travellers from around the world, share meals, exchange stories, and explore the local area together.
  
  We hope you'll leave not only with new skills and wonderful memories, but also with friendships and a genuine experience of Australian country life.

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  Help

  The Help We Need
  We're looking for reliable, practical and positive people who enjoy being outdoors, love animals, and are happy to pitch in wherever needed. Every day is a little different, so the work is varied and there's always something interesting to do.
  
  For couples, we generally divide the roles so that one person primarily assists with our dogs and puppies, while the other helps with gardening, maintenance and property projects. However, we're always happy to allocate tasks according to each person's experience, interests and confidence.
  
  Animal Care
  If you enjoy animals, you'll spend your time helping care for our friendly dogs and puppies. Typical tasks include:
  - Feeding dogs and puppies
  - Walking dogs
  - Refilling water bowls
  - Cleaning dog yards and living areas
  - Picking up after the dogs
  - Collecting fresh eggs from our chickens
  - Feeding and watering the chickens
  - Cleaning the chicken coop
  
  There are two animal care shifts each day:
  Morning: 7:00 am – 12:00 pm
  Afternoon: 2:30 pm – 7:30 pm
  
  Different Workawayers complete each shift, so everyone has plenty of free time each day.
  
  Property & Outdoor Projects
  If you enjoy working outdoors and keeping active, there are always projects around the property, including:
  - Gardening
  - Weeding and mulching
  - Hedge trimming and light tree pruning
  - Clearing fallen branches and bushfire debris
  - General property maintenance
  - Fencing repairs
  - Small DIY and improvement projects
  
  These jobs are ideal for people who enjoy practical, hands on work. Experience with gardening, landscaping, farming, fencing, using tools or general DIY is a bonus, but it's certainly not essential, we're happy to show you what to do.
  
  The timing of outdoor projects is flexible and is usually planned with Troy around the weather and what needs doing.
  
  Working Hours
  We ask for approximately 5 hours per day, 5 days per week, leaving you with plenty of free time to relax, explore the local area, or spend time with the other Workawayers.
  
  We provide a thorough induction when you arrive, so you'll know exactly what's involved and can feel confident in your role. We're always available if you have questions, and we want everyone to enjoy their time here while making a meaningful contribution.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Accomodation
  You'll have your own private bedroom with a comfortable queen size bed in our spacious six bedroom home. The room is large and bright, with a beautiful rural outlook, built-in wardrobe, bedside tables and plenty of space to unpack and make yourself at home.
  
  The Workawayer bedrooms are located in one wing of the house, while we occupy another, giving everyone plenty of privacy. We generally host two couples at a time, and occasionally one additional solo traveller, creating a friendly atmosphere where people often become good friends and explore the local area together.
  
  All bedding, linen and towels are provided.
  
  Bathroom
  The bathroom is shared with the other Workawayers and is located adjacent to your bedroom.
  
  Our property relies entirely on rainwater collected in tanks, so we simply ask everyone to be mindful of water usage and keep showers to a reasonable length.
  
  Kitchen
  You'll have full access to our large, modern kitchen, which is fully equipped with everything you need to prepare your own meals, including cookware, utensils, appliances and plenty of pantry space.
  
  Food Provided
  We provide a generous selection of groceries throughout your stay. You are welcome to help yourself and prepare meals whenever it suits you.
  
  Breakfast: A variety of breakfast cereals, Pancake mix, Fresh free-range eggs from our chickens, Sliced bread, Honey, Jam, Vegemite, Peanut butter
  
  Lunch: Soups, stews, wraps, sliced bread, Instant noodles, Fresh eggs
  
  Dinner: A wide variety of pasta, Pasta sauces, Frozen beef lasagna, Garlic bread, Frozen pizzas, Frozen hot chips, Instant noodles, Taco and burrito kits, vegetables, Meat pies, Tofu, Fresh eggs, Chickpeas, Lentils, Assorted beans, rice, A variety of frozen ready meals
  
  Snacks: Seasonal fresh fruit, Biscuits, Rice crackers, Yoghurt, Cake and muffin mixes (feel free to bake!)
  
  Drinks, Dairy Milk, Soy milk, Almond milk, Tea, Coffee, White and Red Wine, Hot chocolate, Milo
  
  We always have an abundance of fresh eggs from our chickens, a well-stocked pantry and freezer, and fresh herbs growing in the garden. Depending on the season, you're also welcome to enjoy fruit picked straight from our trees.
  
  You're welcome to use the kitchen at any time and eat whenever it suits your own schedule—we don't have set meal times.
  
  Dietary Requirements
  We don't routinely purchase fresh meat or seafood. Some convenience foods (such as frozen pizzas, ravioli, lasagne and pies) do contain meat, but the majority of pantry items are vegetarian friendly.
  
  For vegetarians we provide plenty of eggs, tofu, lentils, chickpeas and beans, while soy and almond milk are always available for vegans.
  
  If there are any particular foods you'd like during your stay, you're very welcome to purchase them yourself. Coles, Woolworths and Aldi are all within approximately a 15-minute drive, and supermarket delivery is available directly to the property.
  
  Laundry
  A large washing machine and laundry detergent are provided free of charge.
  We don't have a clothes dryer, but Australia's sunshine usually makes the clothesline the fastest option!
  
  Internet
  We have fast, reliable, unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the property, making it ideal for keeping in touch with family, streaming movies, studying or working remotely.

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  What else ...

  There's plenty to enjoy during your time off, whether you'd like to relax, explore nature, or head into the city.
  
  Our property is surrounded by beautiful Australian bushland, making it perfect for bushwalks, spotting kangaroos and native birdlife, enjoying spectacular sunsets, or simply unwinding in a peaceful rural setting. On warm days, the nearby Buxton Swimming Hole (Google- Buxton Aqua Pool) is a favourite local spot for a swim.
  
  We're ideally located for exploring some of New South Wales' most beautiful regions. Historic Picton is only a short drive away, while Bowral and Mittagong offer cafés, wineries, boutique shopping, markets and beautiful gardens. Wollongong and its beaches are around 50 minutes away, and Sydney can easily be visited for the day by train from Picton Station.
  
  Many of our Workawayers enjoy spending their days off exploring together. We usually host several travellers at the same time, so there's often someone keen to head to the beach, visit the Southern Highlands, explore Sydney, or simply enjoy a barbecue and a relaxed evening at home. We can assist with dropping you at the local train station, and picking you up.
  
  If you enjoy animals, you'll have plenty of opportunities to spend time with our friendly dogs and puppies outside of your working hours too!
  
  Transport
  We can collect you from Picton Train Station when you arrive. Having your own vehicle is helpful for exploring the area on your days off, but it's not essential. Picton Station is on the Sydney train network, making it easy to visit Sydney for the day, and Bowral, Mittagong and Wollongong are all within an easy drive.

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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

  Am happy for your volunteer hours to be flexibly timed to fit in with your Digital Nomad schedule We have fast, reliable wifi internet which is unlimited. You'll have a private and quiet environment to work in. You're welcome to use our study which has a desk etc set up for office work.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have plenty of space for campers and motorhomes, and can run power out if needed.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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