Rod Barrett, The Gem Fields, Qld
Rod & Family are living on over 16,000 acres in the Gem Fields of Queensland. Located only 80kms west of Emerald (the nearest airport) in Central Queensland and 16kms from the nearest town. While the property may seem isolated, being in Gem Stone country means that as well as a great Pub you will find a lot of businesses cutting, polishing and making jewellery from sapphires. You can take the opportunity to visit and fossick in the underground sapphire mines.
Keep your eyes out for Sapphires as they can be found even in the creek beds on the farm!
Rod has beef cattle (Brahman/ Charolais cross) bred for local and international markets. WWOOFers can help with fencing, in the organic vegetable garden, preparing paddocks for cultivating and general farm work.
The absolute best time to visit Rod is Autumn through to Spring – make sure you bring a Hat, and long pants and shirts. The weather generally ranges from 30˚C in Autumn and Spring and around mid 20˚C in Winter
WWOOFers stay in the family home. Rods wife and children are at the farm on school holidays only as they attend school in Rockhampton. Staying with Rod will show you the unique Australian Station life, a lifestyle Rod loves to share with travellers.