HelpX / Wwoof

HelpX and WWOOF are wonderful exchange programs whereby travellers can swap labour for room and board. The website is located at www.helpx.net  or www.wwoof.org.au

It is a true working holiday where about 7 hours work a day offers the traveller free meals and accommodation (and qualifies for 2nd year visa) - but more importantly - an experience of a culture, a business, a landscape and a family in numerous countries around the world.

If you're hard-working yet light of heart and you're a member of HelpX, we might be the Australian family farm you're looking for. Please contact us through the HelpX website, our ID is: 7686 to see if we have a vacancy for the dates you'd like.

Many thanks to our original backpacker Robin Rainer from Canada who we enjoyed having stay so much (and who designed our logo during her farmstay) that we signed up for Helpx! This has led to many wonderful experiences meeting fabulous people from all over the world. Thank you to all the Helpx's and wwoofers who have stayed with us so far, your help on our farm and your contribution to our lives and laughs have been invaluable.

Here are just a couple of the testimonials HelpXers have left for us on the Helpx site:

Helpers: Jo & Lisa: Dec 21, 2012
From: UK
We stayed for a month at Honeycomb Valley, and we couldn't have hoped for a better experience.
Anna, Andrew and the kids were welcoming from the minute we arrived.
The work asked of us was varied and interesting, it was great to get a list of the jobs that needed doing that day and being trusted to get on with them.
We've learnt so much by staying at the farm, from Anna's amazing knowledge about bee keeping to Andrew's expertise with all the animals. We were glad to be able to look after the farm whilst the family went on holiday!
They are both extremely generous people and we are so grateful for everything they did for us whilst we were there.
Spending time with their kids was brilliant too, they all have such fantastic personalities and are very fun to be around.
We feel we have been very lucky to spend time with them all, and already miss them.
Don't hesitate to come here, it will be the highlight of your trip! 
 
Helpers; Danny & Laura: May 29 2012
From: UK
We had a wonderful stay with the Campbell family. We originally planned on staying for 3 weeks but enjoyed ourselves so much we extended that to 4 weeks. The work is exactly as it says on the helpx page, with lots of varied things to do. We learnt a lot during our time here including bee keeping, making soaps, gardening, animal handling and I helped put a paling fence up among other things.

The accommodation was really nice. It was great that we had our own living space, but we went to the house to eat and socialise with the family, all of whom are very polite and welcoming.

We were very inspired by the Campbells' work ethic and attitude toward sustainable living. They are very knowledgeable in what they are doing and were keen to share that experience with us.

To summarise we had an amazing helpx experience. We couldn't have asked for more and hope to see them again in the near future. 
 
Helper: Adrienne: April 2012
From: USA
I just left here after one week and I am already missing it. I had an absolute blast getting to know the Campbell crew and their farm. I learned so much from Anna, Andrew, and the kids from soapmaking to honey spinning to garden mulching! I even helped create "Wormtropolis," which will surely become the 8th world wonder (of Nabiac).

In short, this has been one of my favorite help exchanges. Time flies here, so plan to stay at least a couple of weeks and enjoy living with this wonderful, welcoming family.

Thank you for this brilliant experience.      
 
Helper: Lynn, Donghao and Xinyun: Dec 18, 2010
From: Singapore/China
We've been missing you and the animals on the farm. You have heart of gold and we can not say too much thanks for what you did for us. Thank you for your kind encouragement for whatever job we did. And it was such a pleasant experience to talk to you who really knows how to listen and talk. We do learn a lot from you.
 
Helper: Tom & Steph Date: Dec 5, 2010
From: UK
 
We planned to stay for 2 weeks but stayed for a month, and would have stayed for much much longer if we didn't have to leave to see family! Honeycomb Valley is an amazing place, with Anna and Andrew working hard to provide their family with a sustainable life for their future. They are truly wonderful people who are kind, caring, very interesting and happy to share knowledge, it was a pleasure helping them on the farm and spending time with them in the evenings. The children are awesome...They also have the most beautiful collection of animals (goats, chooks, cows, sheep, alpacas, rabbits, birds, horses) each with their own personality!
The work is very interesting and varied ranging from feeding the cutest animals (our favourite job was feeding the baby goats) to helping with various building projects or their tourism business - we learned so many skills and cannot thank them enough for this. If you are lucky enough to spend some time here i would recommend speaking to them about a sustainable way of living, as they have great ideas and lot's of experience ... it really opened up our eyes during our stay.
We definitely recommend a stay, and we will definitely be back to see them in the near future! These are seriously some of the nicest people we have ever met and consider them an extension of our own family. Thank you to the family for an amazing stay, we wish you all the best for your futures .... You have made our trip!
 
Helper: Maria & Josef Date: Nov 15, 2010
From: Canada
Anna and Andrew were the personification of AWESOMENESS! :) Everything that we read on their profile, was exactly how it turned out to be and far far more. We enjoyed working with and taking care of all the animals: the chooks, goats, Gigi, Gwendylynn, Ivy, sheep, horse, ponies, Miniatures Galloways, rabbits, alpacas, bees, cockatiels, and Drop Bears! We spent some time setting up electric fence, mowing, weeding, planting. Once a week, we get the opportunity to cook Dinner for everyone. It was an enjoyable time. Honeycomb Valley operates Australia's largest Sun Oven, in which we assisted in baking cookies, cooking lamb, and quiche...We had lots to do, but were never overworked. They gave us plenty of opportunity to enjoy ourselves: playing in the pool, touring the neighbouring towns/cities (Forster, Taree, Nabiac),  We became part of the family and our 'younger siblings' - were a lot of fun! We spent hours playing and learning together.
We came as two backpackers from Canada, and left as part of the family. We will always remember Honeycomb Valley and want to visit again soon!
 
Helper: Cara Grant   Date: Nov 13, 2010
From: Canada
Stay was amazzzinggg. I instantly felt at home, everyone in the family was so welcoming. I learned so many new things that I will carry with me the rest of my life and even things that will help me with school and my career. Food was unreal, accomodations were perfect. I enjoyed eating fresh oranges off of the tree every morning! I stayed for about 2 weeks and would have loved to stay longer, I'm hoping to make one last visit before I head home to Canada:). All in all a place everyone should experience because when you're working with such friendly/beautiful animals it doesn't feel like work at all. Will always remember such an amazing family! Xo
 
Helper: Yip hang and Tan Yee  Date: November 1, 2010 
From: Hong Kong
We LOVEEEE this place and the familly!!!
Staying here with Mrs Incredible(Anna)’s delicious homemade food and surrounded by Mr Incredible(Andrew)’s goatssss made everyday like staying in Wonderland.
We felt welcomed by the family every moment. Kids are adorable, Mr Incredible and Mrs Incredible are very friendly and warm-hearted. They always make sure that we have everything we need and are happy during our stay. Everyone in the family did their best to make us feel like at home. Thank you so much! Although we only stayed in Honeycomb valley for one week (we really wish we can stay longer!), by doing different kind of farm works to making different kinds of natural homemade food, we experienced the beautiful of the natural and sustainable living. It really opens the mind of the people who came from city like us. Though the working hours may be seems a bit long to some people, yet, the works are always full of fun and never too harsh. We milked goat, picked mulberry, did some fencing work, drove motorbike to take the sheep back home, used the sun-oven to make lovely cookies. And we are also lucky enough to have chance to ride Hollywood the horse (he is really very good horse!), learned how to do homemade butter and simple goat cheese and lots and lots of mulberry food and dessert. We recommend you not only staying in Honeycomb Valley, but do reserve a longer time to stay here! There are hips of things that you can learn from Mr and Mrs Incredible! The longer time you spend here, the more things you can learn! Thank you very much, the Honeycomb Valley and the Incredible family!
 
Helper: Mari Ek  Date: October 21, 2010 
From: Finland  
If you are looking for a lovely host family and a work in beautiful views, This is a right place to be! Anna, Andrew and the kids are all so welcoming, caring and easy-going people with great sense of humour. They really do their best to make you feel comfortable. I was spoiled with tasty food, nice accommodation and free-time activities (for example day-trip to Forster).
Every day is different as the jobs varies from goat milking to office work. It's motivating to work in a sustainable organic farm where the well-loved animals are taken care of.
Thank you again for everything, I learned so much and enjoyed my stay in your beautiful farm!
 
Helper: Constance and Manon  Date: October 21, 2010 
From: France
We stayed 10 days at Anna & Andrew's farm.
It was amazing, we learned so much : milking goats, feed animals every morning, beekeeping, make honey, jam, cook yummy cookies.
We spend a day at Forster, a small adorable town.
The food is so good and this family gorgeous.
Darcy, Zac and Josie are three cute, funny and smart children.
We loved our stay here, and we really hope to come back again !
Thanks for all, Constance & Manon from Paris

Helper: Sophie & Basile Date: August 24, 2010 
From: France
"Thanks Andrew and Anna for this amazing experience in your farm. We really enjoyed those two weeks, it was too short! We learned so many things: milking a goat, making soap and balms, beekeeping, mowing, painting a chicken caravan,… All the jobs was interesting and always different. Your kids are so nice and funny. We really hope to come back again. The cabin is so comfortable and we could live here for all our life. THANKS again for your generosity. If you want to enjoy a good farm, discover a lot of things, working with the animals, Honeycomb Valley is the best place ever!"

Helper: Stefania Date: October 18, 2010 
From: Italy
"My 3 weeks experience with Anna and Andrew's family was awesome: they all made me feel like at home and they taught me so many things that i've never tried before, from milking goats to the lamb and baby goats feeding, or how to cook delicious biscuits(and get some kg with all their testing products!).My time there is unforgettable because i've tasted the warm and funny atmosphere that every member of the family communicates...and don't worry: if sometimes you feel not self confident about a task, Andrew will help you, he was so calm and patient with me, expecially with chickens and the rooster...i've never felt alone,never... THANKS!!!!!!!"

Helper: Rowena Date: October 10, 2010 
From: UK
"I had my first HelpX experience here, I stayed for just over 3 weeks. I loved it from day 1! I could not have asked for anything more. Honeycomb Valley is a little patch of paradise! Anna and Andrew are so enthusiastic about everything they do, and they are so keen to share their knowledge and passion. Their interests include beekeeping, gardening, animal husbandry... To name a few. Their 3 children are lovely and easily make you feel like you're part of the family. If you can teach them a card game or 2 you will be very popular...I highly recommend a visit! I only hope that this review can do the farm justice!"

Helper: Adele Date: August 27, 2010 
From: Hong Kong

"I spent more or less 4 weeks here, and it was awesome. Anna & Andrew treated me as part of their family and the kids are just adorable!...Highly recommended if you are after lovely animals, nice food, and of course nice family!"

Helper: Jade  Date: August 10, 2010 
From: UK
"I had a brilliant week on the farm at Honeycomb Valley! As soon as I arrived, I felt completely welcomed and part of the family. The kids are absolutely amazing and full of life, and Anna and Andrew are so kind and generous. The work which I did on the farm was so varied, everyday I did something new and different...I had a really fun time working on the farm, and was certainly never bored! I also learnt a lot about sustainability and natural living, and had a great time doing it! Thanks so much to Anna, Andrew and the kids, and to anyone thinking of coming to Honeycomb Valley - do it, I guarantee you will have a brilliant time!" Jade (UK)

Helper: Shaun McCowen  Date: July 31, 2010 
From: United States  
Andrew, Anna, and kids are amazing people and welcomed me with open arms as soon as I arrived. The work was great! I was able to learn new and exciting things from Andrew who is a fix it all kind of guy and he is great at helping you understand what needs to be done. The farm is nice size and gives you time to see and work with all the animals. Family dinners were my favorite time and I got a chance to get to know the family on a personal level which made the visit feel like home. I wish I could of stayed longer and plan to return sometime during my travels 
 
 
Helper: Jenny  Date: June 10, 2010 
From: United Kingdom
I had an amazing stay here! The whole family couldn't have been more welcoming, they made me feel like part of the family right away.
The work around the farm was interesting and different every day, from making lip balms and baking with Anna's delicious recipes, to cuddling alpacas and catching chickens who are surprisingly friendly!
All the animals are well loved and it shows in their affectionate natures.
One of the best farmstay's I've ever been to, couldn't recommend it highly enough!
Thank you Anna, Andrew, Darcy, Zac and Josie :) 
 
Helper: Adam and Lorna  Date: June 4, 2010 
From: United Kingdom  
Brilliant place to go! Lovely family who are working hard to produce a natural and sustainable living for the future. Anna makes all her amazing natural soaps and lip balms with bee's honey and wax, as well as goats milk. They are amazing on your skin and contain no unnatural elements.
Andrew is working hard to look after the animals and develop the farm. We did lots of things with him which we had never done before.
All the animals from the chickens to the alpacas are so friendly, even some of the sheep run up to you to be stroked and cuddled.
Would recommend this to anyone who is willing to put in a days work for staying in a beautiful little cottage and some amazing food vegi and non vegi.