Off-grid home in Tasmania, 50 mins Sth of Hobart

Politicians and corporations alike are using the buzz word ‘Carbon Neutral’. Michael and Paul, WWOOF Hosts since 1999 have taken it a few steps further and are 3800 tonnes per year Carbon Positive at the Mt Misery Habitat Reserve.

Located 12km from Huonville, south of Hobart, the Reserve is a loose collection of over 50 private titles and contiguous public lands. The reserve had its beginning at their tranquil rainforest property featuring a pole frame off grid home with dry compost toilets. The private habitat reserve is under a protection of multiple conservation covenants and is 14 square kilometers of both private (around 40 title holders) and public land protected by all stakeholders. Michael and Paul proudly hold the Conservation Covenant #1 in Tasmania, protecting the land in perpetuity – a permanent habitat reserve for the wildlife and plants and grasses.

In 1999 when they first joined WWOOF Australia as Hosts they were setting up and running an eco-tourism business (Huon Bush Retreat) at the south side of the reserve for 20years. Building trails and regenerating the land among other valuable tasks.

In recent years they moved their focus to their ‘retirement property’ which is smaller and easier to maintain, located on the north  side of the Reserve. The WWOOFing tasks involve gardening, path building, collecting firewood, landscaping, bushfire protection, habitat restoration and maintenance as well as working on any of the self-sufficiency aspects that support their off-grid lifestyle. Paul and Michael spend time getting to know the strengths and interest of their WWOOFers before deciding on the projects to be completed. Occasionally you may hear a car driving by on the road, this tranquil property can feel remote to some.

Michael and Paul have a combined wealth of knowledge – from pole construction and building to gardening, wildlife care and sustainable technology. Paul is also well-travelled and has a lot of experience travelling in countries where English is not common making them an understanding and compassionate Host for WWOOFers who are new to English language. Paul was an active environmentalist protecting the Franklin River in the 1980’s, saving a precious wilderness area from being dammed.

Currently there is only availability for 1 WWOOFer to stay at a time as WWOOFers live in their home with them. It is recommended that WWOOFers be physically fit and have some endurance as some of the tasks on the property are heavier.

Paul and Michael generally host WWOOFers for about 1 week but at different times during the pandemic they had 2  WWOOFers (from Belgium and from Denmark) stay up to a year on-and-off.

Some recent reviews from WWOOFers

 Declan Fleming
03.02.2025

Thank you so much Paul and Michael for having me! I really enjoyed the week spent at your place! Paul was amazing for showing me the workings of their comfortable off grid house, offering a variety of work tasks (trail building being my favourite), and some truly remarkable travel stories and intriguing conversations. While I did not spend a lot of time with Michael, he is an incredibly kind soul and even arranged for the neighbor boy to come back for a visit on my last night. Both are very knowledgeable on native wildlife/fauna and preserving Tasmanian wilderness, which this property is a prime example of. I only have the best things to say about this place!

 Roy Clement
05.06.2024

I had great time at Paul & Michael’s home. I reckon this is a place that will only suit people not into being close to urban areas, feasting, and spirituality. It is in fact remote in the forest, with possums, birds and wallabies visiting on a daily basis. They are quiet people, enjoying tranquility nonetheless funny, mostly talking in a practical way. This being said, the house is wonderful, they build it themselves, and intriguing if you have a curious mind. I mostly worked with Paul, who has tremendous experience, is very patient and good teacher. Michael is a fine cook. The former basically takes care of DIY and Michael does the gardening. They know their stuff so there is no point coming with revolutionizing ideas, you will certainly learn instead. Some people come around, friends and children, all respectful and nice. Overall, the work is interesting, they are flexible, and enjoy a lifestyle worth the discovering. I am 100% happy with my stay and wish you the same.

 Francisco Rodriguez
31.10.2023

I had the best time staying with Paul and Michael. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the truly Australian lifestyle and learn more about construction and many other topics. From day one I was amazed by the place Paul and Michael are creating, a beautiful home seamlessly fused with nature in the most environmentally friendly way. There you can enjoy being surrounded by the forest, enjoy the silence and from time to time see a wallaby or an opossum. I worked every day with Paul, whom I thank for his patience in teaching me everything necessary to perform each task as well as sharing with me his stories about his interesting life. Not only did he teach me about construction, off-grid skills and tool handling, but he always invented a way to make me think beyond the problem in a fun and interactive way. I have nothing but admiration for them for all the work they have done protecting the environment in Tasmania.