What can I do for you???

farmer Karen · Veteran Member

What can I do for you???

Happywanderer · The Master

Welcome to the grey nomads Karen. I see you are in the Grampians. If I am ever down that way I would love to call in for a cuppa and a chat. I am sure a lot of the grey nomads would feel the same.
What can you do for us? Thats up to you. I have many times had a grey nomad or 2 park up here for the night, plugged them into our power.
It couldn't be done on a regular basis, they might use all your power and water. lol
But I'm sure there are some who would love to pop in for an overnight stay.
See what others think.

EllenajoeL · Senior Member

Hello farmer Karen.....what you have already done by joining and posting here is a great start in my opinion....

(As an acreage holder/farmer too, I often wonder myself about how GN members etc could 'stay here' for simple, mutual benefit. ... though my 'problem' is the 1km access track to our home. confuse )

Anyway, I wish you well with your 'efforts' here and I am confident you will find it all worthwhile.

Please consider keeping this forum involved/informed.

Leo

biggles · Senior Member

Thanks for asking karen .. maybe you could enlighten us a little about what you have already established as a business already .. The "Kiln" has been a family operation for some time,

and it would be interesting to hear what you might be further considering ..

kind regards

Jon

Beth54 · Guru

If ever I get down to the Grampians again, I'd love to pop in for a chat Karen.

smile

beiffe · Guru

Often there are two sides to this discussion.

I often stay on farms and I offer my help for the option to sit on a piece of land perhaps down the back where there is a nice view or a river etc.

I have one farm where I help with chores such as fencing, painting carpentry etc and then I get week for week in a small house boat. While working I am sited alongside the Murray River and sometimes even camp in the house boat if it is not hired.

Another I offer my time around the station and then I can use the station 4x4 to look around and take photos etc and generally enjoy the country.

I do other voluntary work where I receive free camping in return for jobs preformed so it is not new.

If you have a bit of land where people can stop for a day or so there are many ways that you can be repaid. Just company is sometimes appreciated and someone to help with gardening or house chores or that job that always seems to be too hard or you just have not got the time.

So perhaps let us know what you would like and what you have to offer such as scenery / attractions on the farm and nearby and people will then either ask more questions or just accept the offer to call in as many GN's do now when they pass the residences of fellow GN's

Regards
Brian

farmer Karen · Veteran Member

Many thanks...I am really excited to meet such lovely new friends and am excited about your responses.

Yes we are near the foothills of the Grampians....south west of Dunkeld...the view is great!

We have a sheep farm which I help with on a casual basis..therefore unable to go to work

I am a people person and enjoy any social interaction.

At present we are involved in a volunteer program where travellers help with farm work but the family are not too keen on the "invasion" of often not so helpful workers. That said...we have had some that I really long for there return and miss them greatly (thanks Sue and Phil)

I have been bagging sheep manure to sell at the gate...any guesses what sort of farm we have??? and have teamed up with another farmer's wife to keep up a steady supply of eggs.

But I do not usually talk with my customers because we have an honesty system.

I have also been renovating one of the old buildings in our yard...not something that nomads would need. It was a tobacco drying kiln and I have turned it into accommodation...just needs a bath room...and a veranda

but I keep thinking and watching you drive past

Please tell me what you like to stop for on your travels???

Coffee???? and

Beth54 · Guru

I came through your area in October last year Karen. This was a big adventure for me, my first big trip with my new/old van. We camped at Lake Bolac overnight, where it was drizzling and windy. I was cozy inside my little van, and really loved the windswept beauty of the area.

I have a feeling we stopped at Dunkeld for our morning cuppa.

I can understand that you would sometimes get some unwelcome visitors. I have relatives on propertiesÂ in western Qld, and theyÂ occasionally allow people to come inÂ toÂ cull theÂ goatsÂ and pigs. But sometimes that doesn't go well. disbelief

If I was to stop in at your farm, firstly it would be for a chat, but I think morning or afternoon tea would be a lovely addition...for which I'd happily pay. Maybe with a choice of scones or cake of some kind.

If I was to want to stay over, I would only require a level spot to set up, and maybe a shower. That would suit me.

Hope this helps. smile

Â

gold dandelion · Senior Member

hello Farmer Karen, we have friends that farm in Edenhope, not to far from you.

barina · Guru

What an interesting question. When I get my van later this year I would love to come up and say hello, have a chat solve the problems of the world and maybe I could do something for you.....

biggles · Senior Member

I was just wondering how it fits into their already established business ..

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/921687

Jon

-- Edited by biggles on Wednesday 1st of May 2013 08:21:38 AM

pauline · Guru

Does anyone else find this a bit of a confusing thread................or is it just me.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Welcome to the forum Karen - and what a nice question - but as Pauline says - what do you mean, what can you do for us? You say you have sometimes, volunteers, and the family aren't too keen on the intrusion of often unhelpful people - but do you mean you would like travellers to stop, have a cup of coffee and a chat? Do you mean you would like to offer them somewhere to camp up overnight?

Your generosity is welcome - but no-one likes to intrude on a working business - maybe a verandah "shop", to stop for a cuppa, have your eggs there for sale, maybe some local crafts - I know there are a lot of crafters in The Grampians - sorry but not many travellers need sheep poo - biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Anyway, when we are down that way, we will be in touch, call in and say g'day.

brickies · Guru

I am with you Pauline

brickies · Guru

Yes how can you help me grow my farm stay business

Gerty Dancer · Guru

We enjoy "pick your own strawberries" type of thing.

If the historic kiln was of sufficient interest we might drive in to have a look. You'd need to provide a large car-park suitable for caravans. A coffee-maker might be useful too, and a nice picnic area.

But you wouldn't make much from that... focus your marketing to the cashed-up honeymooners.

Beth54 · Guru

'What would encourage you to pop in?' That's the way I understood the question.

Happywanderer · The Master

biggles wrote:
I was just wondering how it fits into their already established business ..

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/921687

Jon

How did you work out this business was one and the same as farmer Karen, Jon?

That puts a different light on the thread.

biggles · Senior Member

I think I might just have been in the right place at the right time Marj ..

sufil · Guru

We are the "Sue and Phil " Karen mentions. They run a sheep farm at Moutajup about 12 kms from Dunkeld towards Hamilton (but not on the main highway). We first met them thru the HelpX programme (similar to WWOOFFING programme.... x amount of hours for meals and accommodation) We are regular visitors to their farm these days.

Karen, The area between the brick shed and the road would make a great "caravan park" for people wanting somewhere to park up for a day or two so they can do the "tourist thing " around the area. It is reasonably flat and plenty big enough for all vans to get in and out easily. If we can fit any one can!! Self sufficient vans that don't need provided power and water so you don't need to put in any facilities. They can top their water up at Dunkeld Tourist Info Centre if required.( the farm relies on rain water for everything as town water doesn't extend to them) Down the track I would put in a gazebo area with a campfire area for happy hour etc. ( maybe a job for some nomads to do!!) I am sure you will get lots of people calling in to stay a night or two.
They have sheep (obviously), some alpacas as sheep guards, a cat(Puppy) and a working dog (Gus) 2 horses and chooks. Pets must be well behaved because of the stock ( let your dog go for a run by all means but if he gets in with the sheep and the alpaca (or Steve) sees him I know who will win and it wont be your little Charlie!!) Steve's family have farmed the area since the year dot so they know all the good spots to visit.
Karen is a very social person who loves visitors so do call in when passing.

way2gokev · Senior Member

G'day

I know there will be alot of negatives to your post in regard to P/L and AHOS but eh I take responsibility for what I do and I would love to come and stay and do abit of work for a few nights camping. How you get them in the gate, well may be a sign saying "If you want to get down and dirty" call fresh scones and a cuppa for your trouble.

It will be next summer before I'm down your way but I have made a note of the location.

Cheers and good luck

Kev

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Good on you for clearing some things up for us, and giving Karen some advice sufil - wondered if that was you guys. Seems it is not the same place as someone else mentioned?

aussietraveller · Guru

Hi Karen and welcome to the forum

It seems like you have just let a whole lot of people know about your farm and have issued an invite to call in when next in the area I think you may have just made the right move to get people to call in for a chat and a cuppa.

farmer Karen · Veteran Member

Yes...you are all invited

I look forward to meetingyou and having a cuppa with many of you someday.

I am thankful for all my new friends on this website