Written by Christi Sparrow
Like many families, we are always on the lookout for creative, unique experiences on our travels. While vacation rentals and hotels certainly have their benefits, we also like to seek alternative accommodation options to mix things up and save money.
We first learned about WWOOFing a few years ago and were enticed by the promise of acquiring new outdoor skills, working with animals, growing food, and connecting with local people. We had our first WWOOFing stay at an eco-village in Denmark, Australia, and we loved it! Read on to learn about WWOOFing and our experience at the Deco-Village.
Below Image: A view of the Deco-Village in Denmark, Australia.
So what exactly is WWOOFing?
Originally founded in England in 1971, WWOOFing is a global movement that links organic farmers and growers with willing volunteers. Officially, WWOOF stands for “world wide opportunities on organic farms”. Volunteers correspond directly with farmers to arrange visits which are typically one or two weeks but can last several months.
In most countries, WWOOF volunteers are asked to perform 4-6 hours of work per day in exchange for a full day’s food and accommodation. The work can vary widely depending on the farm. Some common tasks include planting seeds and trees, gardening, caring for animals, building fences, making compost, harvesting, cooking, or packing. We also saw farms who need volunteers to help with bee keeping, wine making, or cheese making!
Volunteers must provide their own transportation to the host farm and don’t need to have any previous farming experience. Volunteers are just asked to arrive with an open mind and a willingness to learn and attempt new skills. This educational, non-monetary exchange has built a sustainable community of farmers and volunteers focused on organic agriculture and sustainable lifestyles.
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How to find WWOOFing opportunities for families
First thing’s first: decide where you’d like to go. There are over 100 countries that offer WWOOFing opportunities. Each country has it’s own WWOOF organization. You will need to become a member of your chosen country’s organization to correspond with their list of hosts. The annual membership fees are typically quite low. And you will earn this investment back in meals and accommodation on your first WWOOFing adventure!
Once you’ve chosen a country or countries, check the laws regarding visa requirements there. You’ll want to make sure that you’re authorized to WWOOF wherever you intend to go. Then you can visit those countries’ respective WWOOFing websites. Many organizations allow you to preview opportunities and filter by hosts who allow children so you can get a glimpse of what might be available to your family.
Once you subscribe to a WWOOFing organization, you will be granted full access to find family-friendly hosts. It’s fun to correspond with hosts about their farm, expectations, and what daily life would be like for your family! Be sure to take the time to set up a thoughtful, robust volunteer profile for your family. This typically includes background information, work preferences, relevant experience, dietary needs, and several family photos. You want to sell your family to potential hosts!
Limited Time Offer:
Create a WWOOF Australia account before December 2020 using code PUDDLESANDPASSPORTS to receive a 14 month membership for the price of 12 months. Start your research and planning now without losing valuable time on your membership. Click the Logo Below to Create Your WOOFing Account.
Our experience WWOOFing in Denmark, Australia
We began our search for a WWOOFing experience in Australia two months before we planned to arrive. After searching for family-friendly hobby farms in Western Australia, we ultimately submitted visit requests to four hosts. We exchanged messages with each host over the course of a couple of weeks and decided to visit an eco-village in Denmark for 10 nights in March.
Because we are a family with young children, we were sure to discuss expectations ahead of our visit. Since our kids need full time supervision, only one adult would be available to perform work around the village at any given time. Our host suggested that in exchange for four hours of work per day, our family would receive accommodation and dinners. This suited us just fine!
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Arriving to the eco-village
As we pulled into the driveway of the Deco-Village in Denmark, Australia, to begin our 10-night WWOOFing stay, we had no idea how profoundly our time with this community would affect our family.
Upon arrival we were invited into one of our new neighbors’ homes for dinner. Presented with a delicious fish curry stew, I was already really liking the idea of having one meal each day thoughtfully and lovingly prepared for us. I also suddenly became acutely aware of the specific table manners that our kids were lacking! And thus the lessons for me began within the first hour of our arrival.
Throughout the next day, we met all of our neighbors who represented a wide mix of ages and backgrounds. This made for a diverse community and wonderful conversations. Four households in the village had young children, and we were excited for our kids to play and hopefully form new friendships.
Below Image: Chloe and Camden enjoying some playtime in the community garden.
Post that may be of interest: Why We Love to Travel with You: A Letter to Our Children
Life at the Deco-Village
The eco-village consisted of 12 duplexed homes, a common house, spacious garden, and thriving orchard. The large common house offered a bathroom, a shared kitchen, and a spacious communal living room. We stayed in the spare bedroom in the common house which included a queen-sized bed and a bunk bed. There was also room to pop up a portable crib for Camden.
On our tour of the grounds, we learned about the Deco-Village’s sustainable living practices. Their primary, sustainable building material is hempcrete, and the homes do not need HVAC systems. The homes draw power from solar panels. Rain water is collected and provides fresh drinking water. The village repurposes grey water in its gardens and orchard. And I think our family is now mildly obsessed with composting. Chloe and Camden both caught on quick to the concept of sorting their waste!
Below Image: Camden watering the plants… and the stone wall 🙂
A typical day for a WWOOFing family
As soon as we emerged from the common house each morning, there was a friendly neighbor or two to greet. One morning Camden and I were up especially early, and we were rewarded with a spectacular pink sunrise which we enjoyed with our neighbor, Ary.
While our kids fueled up for the day on oatmeal and fruit, inevitably a neighbor would stop by to see how we were doing or suggest a fun outing for our family. Very quickly we noticed how supportive the community was and how we felt welcomed and included.
Gradually other neighbors would join us with their cups of coffee or fruit salad, and we’d sit at the outdoor table watching kids from two or three households soak up their first unofficial playdate of the day. Just having the opportunity for Chloe and Camden to interact with other children their age in a safe environment was a real gift. They got to practice their social skills while Jay and I actually held conversations with other adults!
Click here to learn more about WWOOFing in Australia. Limited Time Offer: 14 months for the price of 12. Start your research and planning now without losing valuable time on your membership. Use code PUDDLESANDPASSPORTS
Below Image: Camden enjoying a stunning sunrise with Mommy.
Our WWOOFing responsibilities
Jay performed most of the WWOOFing labor on behalf of our family, (thanks, honey!). His tasks included digging holes for trees, a drainage trench, and fence posts, building fences, and landscaping. Chloe and I washed windows for two of our neighbors. It was a great way to get to know them and learn more about the eco-friendly features of their homes. Our neighbor Rhona even treated Chloe to a scrumptious snack tray while we squeegeed her windows!
Our hosts were very accommodating with our work hours. Depending on the weather and the day’s tasks, sometimes Jay would complete his four hours of work in the morning. The kids and I would play in the garden or take a walk to the nearby town center of Denmark. There we explored coffee shops, retail shops, two grocery stores, a great playground on the river, and a lovely nature park. One morning we walked with another Deco-Village family to a nearby fig tree to pick the sweet jammy fruit.
Below Image: Jay working hard preparing the concrete to start the orchard fencing.
Below Image: Chloe cleaning the windows in the common house. She did an amazing job!
Other days Jay could work in the afternoon which afforded us free mornings to explore Denmark and the surrounding area. We soon fell in love with two nearby beaches: Ocean Beach and Lights Beach. The rugged landscape complete with majestic cliffs, large rock formations, and endless bush walks set against the icy blue ocean made for some unforgettable beach experiences. (Unfortunately Greens Pool was closed for renovations during our visit.) We also visited the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk for a unique stroll through the canopies of the beautiful tingle forest.
Our new community
Afternoons were quiet. Camden napped. When Chloe and I weren’t washing windows, we found plenty to do or read or explore. Often a neighbor would stop by bearing gifts from the community garden: a bowl of fresh green beans, a few ears of corn, fresh squash, lettuce, watermelon, or cherry tomatoes.
Each evening we were warmly welcomed into a different neighbor’s home to share a delicious meal which often contained fresh ingredients sourced from the village’s garden or a nearby farm. As we settled into conversations with our neighbors after a full day, we relaxed into the comfort that comes with being part of a community.
Below Image: Lights Beach is perfect for walks and dips in the ocean. Stunning!
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An unexpected curveball: the COVID-19 pandemic
As the end of our scheduled WWOOFing stay approached, the world quickly spiraled into a never-ending sequence of new travel advisories and restrictions, canceled flights, closed borders, self-isolation measures, lockdowns, fear, and anxiety due to the escalation of the COVID-19 crisis which on March 11, 2020, was declared a pandemic.
Jay and I scrambled to cancel reservations, rebook flights, and agonize over whether to return to the United States right away or attempt to stay in Australia. Meanwhile, our neighbors showed us nothing but patience, understanding, and generosity. They offered for us to stay at the Deco-Village as long as we needed to figure out our next move. Neighbors watched Chloe and Camden while Jay and I called airlines and waited on hold for hours, contacted the U.S. Embassy and the Australian Immigration Office, sought answers from our travel insurance company, weighed the logistics of our dwindling options, and finally, arrived at some decisions. The Deco-Village provided for us a calm, supportive environment when we needed it most.
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Our extended WWOOFing stay
Ultimately, not only did we stay in the common house at the Deco-Village for an extra four nights, but one of the village families offered to us their three-bedroom home while they remained in Perth to serve their self-isolation stint after returning from Bali. So for an additional 10 nights we were settled comfortably amidst our new community we had quickly grown to cherish.
Jay continued to work in a WWOOFing capacity throughout our entire stay. The kids and I continued to soak up the fresh air and fresh food. Our neighbors continued to share their produce, space, positivity, and wisdom. And although everyone was figuring out for themselves what the new normal meant in terms of social distancing and how to ride out the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes remained bright all around.
On March 31st we packed up our family and headed north to Perth, ahead of regional border closures, forever grateful for our new friends, new memories, and new inspiration.
Would we do WWOOFing again?
Well, the short answer is yes. WWOOFing at the Deco-Village was like having 12 hosts, each of whom contributed to a wonderful experience for our family. Jay truly enjoyed working outside, building, and learning. The kids loved playing with their new friends and picking fresh tomatoes from the garden. I deeply appreciated learning how to live more sustainably. And I felt nourished by the genuine connections we made with our neighbors.
As parents, Jay and I savored the opportunity to sit back and watch our kids’ personalities develop through play with peers. We also welcomed the positive influence that the other adults in the community had on our children. This stay reminded us that it truly does take a village to raise kids and be a well-balanced family.
Below Image: Jay and Camden showing off fresh vegetables from the community orchard.
Experiencing how different communities and families live is an overarching goal of our travels. Learning firsthand about new approaches, methods, practices, and lifestyles gives us ideas on how to improve our own lives. For example, our stay in Denmark’s Deco-Village inspired us to start planning our own dream garden complete with fruit trees and a large compost bin! We look forward to cultivating some of our own fruit and vegetables. Planning a garden is also a super fun, tangible project and goal for our family to work towards together. We’re so excited, in fact, that we planted pots of radishes, tomatoes, and lettuce at our rental home in Perth!
Below Image: Chloe and Camden helping Daddy in the community garden.
Final Thoughts...
Our WWOOFing experience in Denmark straddled two very different national and global climates: before the COVID-19 pandemic spread significantly to Australia and the United States and after. At a time when we needed support, objective advice, and a safe place from which to make difficult decisions, this community showed us compassion, patience, and encouragement. Our family is so thankful for our experience at this eco-village, especially during such a tumultuous time. We certainly benefited exponentially more from this stay than we bargained for, and we would love to return one day.
If you have any questions about our WWOOFing experience or the Deco-Village, post your comments below! Have you ever tried WWOOfing? Let us know!
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22 thoughts on “Our First WWOOFing Experience: Australia”
What an interesting experience. Something to keep in mind.
Hi Clara! It was lots of fun. We highly recommend it!
What a cool idea. Thanks for sharing this. I wonder how difficult the farming tasks may be for newbies?
Hi Melissa! Each host farm is so different. Part of our vetting process was learning about what each host expects from WWOOFers… with two young kids, we were looking for tasks on the simpler side… 😉
What a great experience! I’ve suggested WWOOFing to people as a great option for seeing the world! I’ll be sure to share your post. Happy travels!
Thanks, Julie! Happy travels to you, too!
This is something I’ve never heard of. It sounds like a dream come true. Such an adventure!
Hi Katy, thanks for your comment! We highly recommend the experience. 🙂
Brilliant post, such an amazing experience for you all. I’ve not heard of WWOOFing but it’s definitely something I’d love to look into in the future. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for reading, Helen! It was a fantastic experience. WWOOFing started in the U.K., so I’m sure you have loads of options on your doorstep. 🙂
I’ve WWOOFed once when I was travelling in Australia, it is a great way to experience local life. Great read!
Hi Lisa! Thanks for your comment. We can’t wait to do it again!
Wow! What a unique and awesome way to travel. I can’t imagine anything more memorable than this. We love to do things the local way and I can’t imagine anything more local.
Thank you! It really was a great experience! We loved it and can’t wait for our next WWOOFing opportunity! The experience really helped make us feel like ‘locals’.
I live in Australia and never knew about this. It sounds like a “money can’t buy” kind of experience.
It truly was!… WWOOFing Australia have been great, since we posted the blog, they have shared it to their 46,000 followers (you can find them on FB) and now they are offering our readers a 14 month membership for the price of 12 so people can start planning and researching now in preparation for when the travel restrictions lift. If you are interested, see the link in the post. Regardless, we highly recommend WWOOFing.
I have been looking forward to hearing about this experience. How exciting, fun, and it actually looks pretty relaxing. The kids are loving it. What a fun adventure. Plus, kind, helpful people when you really needed it. Be safe.
Thank you Jenny. It was a memorable and unique experience for sure. We really felt like we were part of the community, and yes, the kids loved it! Finally some friends for them to play with!
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Highly descriptive post, I loved that bit.
Will there be a part 2?
Thank you for sharing your link in answer to my question on FB.
We are really excited to start our adventure on the road next year, and looking forward to intentionally gain experience and knowledge at places like this, so that we can set up our own organic Permaculture yard/farm once home again.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Julie. We really enjoyed our WWOOFing experience. We were inspired and now look forward to starting our own garden when we get home. Safe travels and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Great post, now I want to check out the village. I am an American who would like to travel to Aussi to WWOOF (if/when I can get into the country), but I am still kind of confused about how to plan my trip. If I want to go for a couple of months would you recommend “booking” farms for the whole stay back to back, or just the first one so there is flexibility to stay longer if wanted and then last minute try and find new places to go?