Anacotilla Springs is 52-hectares situated 80km south of Adelaide near Second Valley. Straddling the Anacotilla River, the property is dominated by the steep river gorge and rolling hills. Formerly part of an extensive grazing property, Anacotilla Station, we have excluded livestock from the water courses for the first time in over 120 years, enabling natural regeneration from the ancient river red gums. Using other environmental strategies including planting understory species, we believe we are assisting the land to restore, recover and rejuvenate. In mid 2025 we entered into a Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement over this 25ha of river and gorge. This will now require a greater effort in extra plantings, maintenance and weed control.
As part of this we also run around a small herd of about 10 Murray Grey cattle for grazing and maintaining the current pasture areas using regenerative agriculture principles.
We believe Anacotilla Springs offers an opportunity for the rejuvenation of a unique river gorge environment and farming experience. We try to share this opportunity with others and believe being involved in WWOOF Australia will enable others to share the experience and the workload that needs to be undertaken to maintain the environment and the farm life.
Our initial need of assistance is to rebuild the toilet and shower facilities of our Hidden Valley shed accommodation, so experience in building or eagerness to learn and participate will be appreciated. This will enable us to provide a separate comfortable living area for future volunteers.
Organic/Biological methods we use
We say about our property that it is an ‘Ecological and Farming Rejuvenation Project’.
We feel farming and the ecology must work together, and it can. Of course different perspectives but we try. A ‘Project’ meaning nothing that matters is short term, we hope that if we start, others will continue.
We are not organic or permaculture. We have not used superphosphate on our pastures for over 7 yrs, but try to introduce organic biodiversity for the soil health, and try to follow the regenerative agriculture principals.
We have set aside over half our property for environmental rejuvenation and a place for people to immerse themselves and be part of.
Skills WWOOFers can learn here
Regenerative Agriculture practices & techniquesSoil conservationEnvironmental recovery/regeneration workAnimal careFencingHandymanOff Grid Living skillsSheep/goats/cattle care
