Willing Workers on Organic Farms
Imago Forest is establishing a biodynamic farm surrounded by forest and overlooking beautiful Lake St Clair. I'm in my mid-30's and looking for interested and motivated people to help in developing the farm and sustainable cabins.
Stay for a week and see the whole cycle from planting and biodynamic preparations to harvesting and selling. However long stayers are very welcome. (Imago Forest is able to sign the working holiday visa extension forms).
Facilities are basic and resources are limited, but you will be part of creating something from scratch.
Accommodation is in a large 10 person tent.
I can pickup from Singleton.
If you are interested in WWOOFing at Imago Forest, read the FAQ's below and then fill in the WWOOF request form.
Unfortunately Imago Forest is not currently taking wwoofers.
If you would still like to come and stay, have your own transport and can contribute your food costs, then please get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs the WWOOFing program?
WWOOF Australia does. You will need to be a current member to wwoof at Imago Forest. Please see theWWOOF website for more information and joining. You can also join when you get here.
Can I get my Working Holiday Visa Extension forms signed?
Yes, I meet all the criteria to be able to sign your forms. I am a commercial farm that offers seasonal work outside of the metro areas.
What will I be working on?
A typical day is between four and six hours (closer to four in winter and closer to six in summer). Regular work includes:
- looking after the chooks - feeding and collecting eggs
- planting vegetable beds and maintaining them
- helping on any building projects
- working on making the place more livable
- Cutting grass for straw
- Collecting firewood
What is the food like?
We eat food from the garden, from other certified organic farms and as little as possible from the supermarkets. We cook our own fresh, tasty meals at home as much as possible. It's fun when we all pitch in and end up with a small feast including dessert. Of course if you don't cook then you're always welcome to do the washing up! In winter we turn on the wood-fired oven and bake bread and cakes as well as make stews :)
What is the accommodation like?
WWOOFers are currently housed in a "luxury" 10-person tent. This is set up with a double bed, bed-side table, rugs and sofa . It is about 50m from the yurt and overlooks the forest.
The yurt is the main house or common space. It has the living room, deck area, fire-place, kitchen, library, office and guest room.
The tipi is next to the dam and is where i sleep.
In the near future we will be turning a large open shed near the top of the property into a cosy cottage which will also be available for WWOOFers to use. If you have building skills please get in touch and we'll get started on this project.
What are the washing facilities like?
The shower is a canvas camp shower and there is hot water for it right nearby. In summer you also have the option of jumping in the dam to cool off and clean up, however soap and shampoo is not suitable in the dam.
Imago Forest does not have a washing machine. Washing is either done by hand or at the laundramat in Singleton.
What is the toilet like?
The toilet is a composting toilet which has stunning views over the farm and valley. It is just like a normal toilet, only you don't flush. It generally doesn't have any odour at all. To keep the odour down, we encourage you to wee in the bushes.
Telephone and internet
There isn't a landline at Imago Forest, however mobile phones work here most of the time. Vodaphone works best, Telstra does not work very well. 3G phones on the Tesltra and Optus network get reception here.
You can use the internet here for quick emails, however if you would like to use it a lot you will be asked to contribute to the cost. Otherwise there is free internet at the public library in town.
What can I do after hours?
Imago Forest is set in the bush with great walks available. If it's been raining there's even a waterfall of sorts to go and explore. There's lots of bushcrafty things to do, which is only limited by your imagination. So if you've always wanted to learn to do something practical, give it a go here.
Mt Royal National Park is nearby and a bit further away there's Lake St Clair where you can fish or sail (I have a catamaran which we take down occasionally). Above the lake is a ridge where we hang glide. So if you're a pilot and have a wing, then please get in touch!
On the days we go to town, there's all the usual things you can do in a country town including, the cinema, bowling, swimming pools and gym, library, cafes etc!
I regularly go to Newcastle and Sydney too and you are welcome to come along and enjoy the delights of the big smoke.
How far is it to the nearest town?
Singleton is the nearest town which is 40km away and 40mins drive from the gate. Depending on the condition of the driveway (which is soon to be fixed!) and the weather, we sometimes have to add another 20mins walk from the house to the gate.
How do I get to and from Imago Forest?
If you have a car you can drive to Imago Forest, otherwise you can be picked up and dropped off when I am in town (see my schedule). I am in Singleton at other times too, so call and check. I also travel to Newcastle and Sydney, so pickup and drop-off is available from those locations also.
If you are here for an extended time, then you'll probably get to know some of the neighbours and lifts to and from Imago Forest can be arranged with them.
How do I get to and from Singleton?
There are only three trains a day to Singleton (from Sydney/Newcastle). About 7am, 1pm and 5pm. The fastest train with no changeovers to/from Sydney is from www.countrylink.info. The slower (but cheaper) train with potential for missed connections is from www.131500.com.au
What should I bring?
It is essential to have the following:
- Current WWOOF book
- Clothes suitable for working in and getting dirty
- Clothes for hot and cool weather
- Covered shoes
- Torch
It can be very hand to have the following:
- Swimmers
- Gumboots
- Raincoat/umbrella
What are the utilities like?
Imago Forest is on solar power and collects rain water for drinking. The fridge and stove run on LPG which we get refilled in town. So it is important to have a conservative approach to using resources when coming Imago Forest. However we do have plenty of electricity to run a laptop for movies and more than enough drinking water to drink.
What sort of person is most suited to wwoofing at Imago Forest?
Although Imago Forest is open to most people, from past experience those that get the most out of being here are:
- motivated and keen to learn
- independent and adventurous
- practical and capable
- not afraid to put in some hard work
- somewhat experienced with the bush and remote areas
- not terrified of snakes, spiders and insects
- enjoy cooking and eating
- love life!
How many people can you take?
Unless you have your own transport I can take a maximum of two people.
Do I need to confirm my arrival?
Yes, you need to confirm one week before you come, otherwise we'll assume you aren't coming. Also, if the forecast is for rain all week there will be very little we can do so we'll need to cancel. I'd advise against booking a train ticket until you have confirmed your stay.
Yes, I'd like to WWOOF at Imago Forest
If you'd like to come to Imago Forest, then please fill in the following form and we'll get back to you within seven days.
