Experience farm life at its finest! Our small farm in O’Connell, a historic village on the Fish River, specializes in garlic and saffron. We’re just 2.5 hours west of Sydney – come join us and benefit from this unique work exchange opportunity!
Work exchange in Australia – requirements & tasks
Cultivating saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, is a rewarding endeavor for us. Our farm is nestled in one of the few Australian regions blessed with the ideal combination of climate, soil, and growing conditions that saffron demands. The arrival of frost in late April or early May signals the start of the saffron bloom, and with it, a brief but precious 3-4 week harvest window.
The work itself is quite easy and enjoyable. As long as you’re comfortable crouching down to the raised beds (see photos), you’ll be fine! There’s no need to wake up at the crack of dawn unless you want to. Feel free to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely, home-cooked breakfast whenever you’re ready.
Once the morning sun has coaxed the saffron flowers open, it’s time for the harvest. You’ll simply stroll along the rows, gently picking the blooms – it’s a very easy task to learn, and we’ll be there to guide you every step of the way. After harvesting, we’ll gather indoors around a cozy fire to carefully remove the precious saffron stigmas from each flower. This delicate process needs to be done daily as the flowers bloom, ensuring the freshest, highest-quality saffron. We use a custom dehydrator to dry the saffron stigmas. The work is not physically demanding, unlike many other farm jobs.
The hours you’ll work will vary depending on when the flowers bloom. We’ll also consider how many people are helping and how quickly everyone works. On average, you can expect to work about 4 hours each day.
Work exchange in Australia – what we offer
We offer a comfortable and inviting space for your stay, featuring a cozy room with a queen-sized bed, smart TV, and your own private bathroom. Traveling with companions? We’re happy to host up to four people, though the second bathroom would then be shared.
And to ensure you’re well taken care of, we provide a full board throughout your stay.
More volunteering opportunities in Australia
- Help in a guesthouse during your working holidays in Australia
- Travel and work at a wellness sanctuary in New South Wales
- Volunteer in Australia at a hostel
