Explore rural New Zealand in the Southern Alps and learn a lot!

Top Host: This host receives lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the community as a Top Host.
Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Connect with nature: 14 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Connect with international travelers: 10 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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What you offer

25h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

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What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

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Availability

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Stay at least: 2 weeks

Stay up to: 4 weeks

The Experience

Help in exchange for excellent lodging, all meals, internet. We're looking for energetic people to help with various tasks (gardening, firewood, eco-project, feed chickens, maybe help with painting a cottage & sheds, some household chores and general tidying up around the property) No smokers no/vegetarians/GF/ food fads, please :) Only couples or 2 friends together accepted (sharing bedroom in studio unit)

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Requirements

Fluent English
Over 21 years old
Only welcomes couples and partners (does not accept solo volunteers)

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

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Connect with those who will also be there

Become a Verified Member and exchange ideas before your trip with other worldpackers who will be volunteering in the same place as you.

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17 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Eco Lodge

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

14 Get in touch with nature
10 Meeting international travelers
9 Meeting locals
7 Developing environmental awareness
6 Learning about sustainability
5 Practicing English

Louise

United States

Very peaceful experience. Definitely recommend having a car so you can explore the nearby towns. We stayed for three weeks and had a cozy cabin with a wood fired stove. Warm dinners every night and very generous time off. Thank you Simonetta and Gary!

12 days ago

Simonetta replied

Thank you Louise and Marty for all your help! The chickens and the dogs miss you!
And I thought of you this morning while using the superbly polished silver... Hope you are having fun in your travels.

LeeAnn

United States

Gary and Simonetta are great. They are both very busy with their the lodge, so there is plenty to get involved in and learn about. And, the surrounding countryside is beautiful. This is a great place to disconnect from the city. There is plenty of potential if you are willing and ready to learn and work together. I am grateful for this time here- my first Worldpackers experience- it was wonderful. Would absolutely recommend.

4 months ago

Vanessa

Germany

Simonetta and Gary are the loveliest host ever! I really enjoyed my stay and can only recommend them. They are super friendly and always helpful with great local recommendations. The place is super peaceful and surrounded by a breathtaking view of the mountains. The chickens are a lot of fun and super sneaky :D saying goodbye to the dogs and the cats almost broke my heart! They are just as funny and lovely as the hosts! I would gladly go back there!

5 months ago

Celeste

United States

Staying with Simonetta and Gary was a lovely experience for us. They have a stunning property and made us feel very welcome throughout our two-week stay. We helped by gardening, turning over the houses after guests left, and clearing a vegetable garden of weeds. They provided food for breakfast and lunch, and we had a home-cooked meal every night we were there! The food was great, and Simonetta and Gary were lovely. The area was stunning, but I recommend having a car. I recommend staying with them if you get the chance!

6 months ago

Hannah

United States

Felt like being welcomed by a family. From the dogs greeting you to the chickens you feed every morning. As well as of course the hosts themselves Gary and simonetta I am forever grateful

6 months ago

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About the host

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Hosted by Simonetta

Top Host: This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.
Response Rate: This host usually answers to 100% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in A few hours

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