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Setting up an off grid block and permaculture garden in West Beach, Western Australia

Disponibilité

  2026 

 Séjour min. souhaité : Au moins une semaine

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Infos

  • Description

    Description

    Nearly two years ago I moved to a coastal scrub covered block in Esperance, Western Australia.
    I am grateful for the help I have received from Workaway guests in improving guest accommodation (outdoor IBC shower, landscaping) and gardening.
    I was caring for my elderly mother in the Tiny Home (on wheels-THOW) until she crossed the rainbow bridge at nearly 97 last July.
    I’ve decided longer term stays are preferred including people who may be working on a visa as well as able to swap a few hours for accommodation.
    Obviously the Workaway ethic remains -cultural exchange, with some shared meals and friendship.
    My work on the property is flexible based on the weather. I work by the solar clock, not tick- tock. Tasks seem to be never ending as I continue to observe nature in response to my actions. (Wind burn on fruit trees, sand blowing off future house pad etc).
    My large shed has been finished and is my temporary home however the Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) is my official home.

    Guest accommodation
    Off grid (power and water) The THOW has one small bedroom, kitchen/sitting area and bathroom with large north facing deck. I also have a large Albion Viking bus if an extra bedroom is needed.
    Water - underground bore water (same water that supplies the town and is good quality),
    - rain water to drink. You can use a carbon filter jug to remove any possible contaminants and or boil the water but it’s probably fine as it is.
    Meals - flexible meal sharing eg make your own breakfast and lunch from food I can provide and share in cooking main meals if desired.
    Small fridge
    Cooking - induction electric hot plate with pots and pans, small air fryer, toaster, kettle (no open fires allowed during Spring/summer/ Autumn ).
    Power-
    Solar power station and solar panels power THOW (fridge, lights and limited air conditioning) plus for guests recharging batteries etc. Plus a full off grid setup in the shed supports power on cloudy days.
    I have internet access (Starlink) but coverage is limited to near the shed reaching to outside the THOW but not inside.

    Tiny dogs
    I have a 4&1/2 year old male Chihuahua who fathered 5 pups and I kept a boy and girl. (Born January 2026). Their mother is a Jack Russell x Chihuahua. I am using The Trust Technique to teach them to be peaceful, sociable beings and learning from what they are mirroring back to me.
    I would like to include guests in using this mindfulness based approach with them.

    I have 10 hens who used to free range but are currently in a large penned area. Feeding, cleaning the pen and occasional health care (trim claws) might be something that can be included and is essential if the stay is a house sit.

    History and where to
    The setting has been basic but development over the year is obvious. I purchased an 8 metre Tiny Home on Wheels, mainly for my mother, and had my old bus/ home transported from SA, bought a couple of sea containers and I have a small caravan that needs major repair. Lots of delays and difficulties getting trades people but finally the shed was built.
    I have Council approval to build the air crete dome home and I plan to start making aircrete bricks in Summer 2026.

    Tasks and things I would like help with

    The help I need will change over time but the theme of alternative living - building with alternative products, off grid for power and water, permaculture garden etc will continue.

    -Creating and maintaining syntropic and permaculture gardens including ponds
    -Landscaping and stabilising earth work exposed land (reducing wind damage)
    -Reticulation (currently hand watering ).
    -Building air Crete brick home. Starting with building formwork to make the bricks, then refining the creation of the bricks and building a prototype before the major build.

    Hours will be flexible, largely based on the weather, which is variable and may include overcast and windy conditions, rain or clear skies and hot to very hot.

    Essential understandings - house rules

    The property is a water protected zone meaning there are restrictions on what waste is exposed to the ground, therefore I use compost toilets and recycle grey water.
    Care must be taken, so no chemicals are permitted to be used for cleaning. Only biodegradable and low /no perfumed shower products are to be used.Minimal toilet paper to be deposited into toilet as it takes a long time to break down and blocks air flow inhibiting the beneficial bacteria to break down the human waste. If you are used to a bidet or use a lot of paper please discuss this with me. Wood shavings are provided. The camp toilet in the bus is to be emptied into designated sites by you however if the main toilet in the Tiny home is used only your assistance will be required if it is full which is only every 3 months depending on use.
    I expect the accommodation to be cleaned on departure and will provide the products.
    I have a washing machine you can use but no dryer. Please plan essential washing on days when the sun provides more power and allows clothes to be dried outside.
    Bedding and bath towels are provided and will be washed by myself on your departure. Please bundle them on the bed. Place all rubbish and recycling into correct bins.

    If you can abide by the rules above and can think before you act (if you don’t understand something ask me) and this sounds engaging please send me a message.

    Thank you

  • Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

    Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

    Projets artistiques
    Aide avec des éco-projets
    Jardinage d'entretien
    Projets DIY créatifs
    S’occuper des animaux
    Aide à la maison
    Petits travaux d'entretien
    Garde de maison et d'animaux
  • Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

    Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

    Permaculture - Join me as I experiment with all things Permaculture in an off grid environment.

    Aircrete Dome house building

    Surf culture - I surf on a stand up paddle and love the beach.

  • Aide

    Aide

    Any or all of the list will be required over a few months.

    August to November
    Major tasks
    Fire safety readiness-slashing , water tanks with pumps
    Improve solar power, rain water, waste water etc
    January to April
    Reducing harsh weather effects
    -Mulching and improving soil
    - watering, reticulation
    -Wind diversion/protection
    - creating micro climates
    - building

    Ongoing
    Garden - permaculture principles preferred but not essential.
    Food forest -syntropic practices.
    Aquaponics and ponds for micro climates
    Creating compost piles, raising seedlings, weeding, nurturing plants, watering plants, feeding chooks, cleaning chook pen - manure to compost heap, worm farm, rubbish maintenance. Garden art.

  • Langues parlées

    Anglais: Courant

  • Hébergement

    Hébergement

    The bus has a double bed, sitting area, desk, cubicle for compost toilet and kitchen area has a hand pump for washing hands.

  • Autres infos...

    Autres infos...

    It is walking distance to the beach but the cliffs are high and access point is a narrow path. Official access points to most beaches on the west side include stairs.
    There is no public transport except in the main part of town but taxis and a uber like service is available. Nearby scooters can be hired to get from point to point on their range.
    There are many tours available but your own transport will be a bonus if you wish to explore the National Parks etc.
    I find enough variety in the beaches within 10 kms amply sufficient for surfing, swimming, walking and meditation.

  • Informations complémentaires

    Informations complémentaires

    • Accès Internet

    • Accès Internet limité

      Accès Internet limité

    • Nous avons des animaux

    • Nous sommes fumeurs

    • Familles bienvenues

  • Espace pour garer des vans

    Espace pour garer des vans

    If you have your own van there is plenty of space on a flat limestone 'carpark' area where the other vans and my old bus will be.

  • Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

    Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

    Deux

  • Mes animaux

    Mes animaux

    Marco, Shakti & Krishna

    Male Chihuahua born February 2022
    Female Jack Chi born January 2026
    Male Jack Chi born January 2026

N° de référence hôte : 622543317492

Sécurité du site

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Discutez avec des workawayers qui ont séjourné chez cet hôte

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Exactitude du profil:
(5.0)

Échange culturel:
(4.9)

Communication:
(4.9)
















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