For over 40 years now, on 940 acres of diverse plateau-edge forest with spectacular gorge pools and waterfalls, we two zoologists have created an off-
grid, solar, gravity, wood and people powered – experiment in sustainable food gardening and land, fire and wildlife management
We always have lots of food gardening activities happening, like compost making, harvesting and preserving and also help out on other exciting community projects such as the Oxygen Farm Conservation Reserve (walking track maintenance); the Elands Company an old sawmill now used for community housing (and events) and our post-bushfire “recombobulation” project at the local community health centre which has involved receiving and managing grants for solar power, water tanks , an outdoor kitchen, bathroom/ laundry and camp ground. We also support the local school and Fire Brigade.
Volunteer hours are flexible, tasks varied, and diet mixed with fresh fruit, vegies, nuts and delicious olives and many other preserves from the large caged garden/orchard and landscaped swales.
Accommodation at the house is in 2 rooms, one with 3 single beds and one with a Queen bed but there is also a caravan or you can also choose to camp close by if you have that gear. Can pick you up from public transport at Wingham/Taree/Port Macquarie. Min stay 1 week unless you have own transport. Long stays are welcome as we love having visitors, sharing stories and showing them our beautiful river and plateau environment.
Well, it was a long time ago now, back in 1989! and I have just bought a new WWOOF guest book this year! I guess I started because we had young kids back then and the combined opportunity of cultural diversity for them and practical help for us in the sustainable development of our place was an adventure not to be missed!! The results now speak for themselves and the eldest son has recently moved back to the village with his young family, who love meeting international visitors and sharing good times together.
Living “off-grid”, growing and raising our own food for 10 years at that time; it was such a great life style that I wanted to share it with others and “show them the ropes”. It totally transformed our lives, but for more details we need to be face to face. All else I can say is that all of us, especially the children, gained hugely from interacting with so many visitors from all over the world and all are now happy adults, for which I give thanks to everyone who came here to our remote paradise and helped us.
Organic/Biological methods we use
We collect cow manure and slashed grass from all around the plateau to make a wonderful wormy compost for feeding the extensive edible annual and perenial garden plantings.
We are currently harvesting summer vegie crops ,thornless blackberries, passionfruit, capsicums, salad greens, beans many herbs (to dry for tea) and the enthusiastic, native, delicious warrigal greens.
Good Tucker is high on our priorities!!
Skills WWOOFers can learn here
Organic practices & techniquesGardeningCompostingPropagatingMulchingPruningEnvironmental recovery/regeneration workWild Food ForagingWorm farmingUsing & caring for toolsBuildingNatural Building techniquesFermenting foodsPreserving & processing foodOff Grid Living skills
Farm type
Small/Non-commercial farm
Farming methods
Organic
The Stay
4 WWOOFers
1-2 weeksLonger stays by negotiation
In Our HomeCaravanBYO Accommodation
Smoking allowedNo Smoking InsideChildren allowed by arrangementNo Pets please
The Stay
Eat togetherShare most mealsShare cooking
Mixed mealssome meatsome vegetarianBYO Special diet foods please
