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What makes this project special
Project Introduction
This project is a farmstay program at an orchard in Woori Yallock, an area near Melbourne known for its wide-open and beautiful natural surroundings. The orchard where participants will live is run by an extended family of about ten people, and participants will voluntarily take part in various activities as members of the family. The greatest advantage is the opportunity to experience farm life with a warm local extended family and to become deeply immersed in life in Australia. Also, enjoy some healing time for yourself—breathe the fresh air and relax in the vast natural surroundings.
Area Introduction
Woori Yallock is a vast, peaceful town about an hour from central Melbourne by public transport. Its clear blue skies and meadows that lift the spirits create the town's romantic charm. Thanks to its warm climate and fertile, expansive land, the area has long been home to a variety of agricultural enterprises. As a result, vineyards, cherry farms, and orchards cluster together, offering the pleasure of visiting a different farm each day.
Alsowatch horses, cows, and alpacas grazing leisurely around the townand become one with nature. Drive along the long, open roads and feel the refreshing exhilaration,a 'healing' area where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.
About the Organization
This orchard is a family business carried on by about ten people, including an elderly couple, a young couple in their 30s, their children, and other relatives. Beyond simply producing fruit, they have long worked in many ways to develop the local food industry and tourism, making them an indispensable family in Woori Yallock.
We grow over 300 varieties of fruitWe also sell harvested fruits directly and process them into canned goods, jellies, and jams to sell at local markets and online marketplacesAdditionally, proud of the quality of our carefully grown fruit and to allow a wider variety of customers to enjoy them, within the orcharda cafeWe operate a cafe. Through the farm, cafe, and production facilities, we function as both an educational center teaching profitable farming to local youth and as a tourist destination.
Students from various schools visit for farm experience education in Australia, and groups of tourists continuously come to taste the colorful, sweet fruits.
Project activities
Projects and activities
This project will beconductedin English.
English requirement★★☆☆☆
Because the main activities involve helping with simple tasks on the farm, participants with basic English skills enough to communicate with the family can join. Since this is a hands-on orchard experience, there is no fixed schedule.
Main activities
1. Assisting with orchard tasks
This orchard produces around 300 types of fruit year-round. Participants help the family check the condition of the fruit and harvest. The harvested ingredients are used to make jams, canned goods, jellies, etc., which are sold at markets, cafes, and online marketplaces. Help create a variety of products made from freshly picked fruit that will be distributed across Melbourne, Australia!
2. Working with customers in the cafe
What makes this orchard special is that there is a café on the premises that makes a variety of desserts using fruit picked right there. In addition to drinks, it offers light meals and desserts that visitors can enjoy; local residents often drop by to enjoy them together, and tour groups also dine there. Become the owner of the café and share various drinks and desserts made with fresh ingredients with your neighbors!
3. Participate in weekend markets and local festivals
Australians buy and sell homemade products and home-grown fruits and vegetables at weekend markets. These markets open up social opportunities to meet a variety of new people. With your family, warmly approach local farmers and neighbors to develop your social skills! Participants carry attractive fruits and goods themselves and display them so local people can easily see them. Take the chance to casually talk to visitors and introduce your products—it’s a great way to see your English improve day by day!
4. Observe school farm classes
Australian schools encourage a variety of outdoor activities. For farm experience education, schools may come on group field trips, and tourists visiting attractions like the Yarra Valley sometimes come to the orchard as a group. When families act as guides and show visitors around the orchard, please join in and help lead and look after the children and tourists!
With a proactive attitude and a positive spirit, volunteer to participate in orchard work and become a new member of a loving multi-generational family—from little grandchildren to elderly couples.
* Honest reviews from visitors to the farm
"The people at the farm were so kind and friendly that it felt like being at home. We were able to taste more than eight different kinds of fruit (it was citrus season so we mostly saw citrus varieties). Everything was really fresh. It was so nice that we wanted to come back in other seasons, too."
"On the tractor tour we learned about 12 different kinds of fruit samples we hadn't seen before. Everything picked from the trees was so fresh and delicious. The breakfast and meals we ate at the café were also really tasty and satisfying."
"An experience of riding a great tractor around the orchard and eating as much of our favorite fruits as we wanted."
"We were able to visit such a beautiful orchard several times, and each visit was a pleasure—we felt very lucky. The family running the orchard was really kind and always welcomed us."
* Photos taken by visitors to the farm
Project Reviews
Participant Kim Na-rae
"I was able to change the parts of myself that bothered me and that I wanted to change."
I often thought, "When will I ever get to experience something like this and make so many friends?" I met so many wonderful friends, and the orchard work that was hard at first became enjoyable over time.
During my gap year, I talked with friends I made and traveled around, seeing such a variety of jobs that I thought, "So this kind of work exists." I also realized that "there are different ways of living," which broadened my thoughts and horizons."
How to Apply for the Project
1. Apply on the website
Complete the application on the website and then submit the participation form.
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2. Pay the project fee
Pay the project fee to proceed with the local partner organization.
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3. Participation confirmed
It takes about 7–10 days to confirm participation.
(After participation is confirmed, the person in charge will call the participant directly.)
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4. Online Orientation
After participation is confirmed, pre-departure preparations, a project briefing, and other paperwork will be conducted.
(Detailed information will be provided via email during the orientation.)
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5. Departure
Participants will depart individually according to their schedule,
'Melbourne Tullamarine Airport'as the arrival airport.
*Those flying with Qantas or Jetstar within Australia will arrive at Avalon Airport.
Pick-up service provided.
Participants will enter Australia through'Melbourne Tullamarine Airport'They will arrive at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Upon arrival, participants should make an online reservation through the airport bus website or purchase a bus ticket at the Melbourne Airport information desk. After boarding the airport bus (SkyBus), disembark at the bus stop indicated in the materials provided during the online orientation. From the drop-off point, transfer to the free mini shuttle and give the driver your accommodation address; the driver will take you directly to the front of your accommodation.
Detailed accommodation address and directions will beprovided in detail during the online orientation. Melbourne has Tullamarine Airport and Avalon Airport; generally, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is used. Those flying domestically within Australia with Qantas or Jetstar will arrive at Avalon Airport, so when booking your flight, confirm which airport you will arrive at and plan your travel to the city accordingly.
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*Procedures after applying on the website can be checked on 'My Page'.
*Please book flights and transportation after your participation is confirmed and you have received the final departure schedule.
- People who can communicate in basic English
- Anyone aged 18 or older
- Anyone interested in agriculture and orchard farming
- Anyone who wants to relax and reconnect with nature in the outskirts of Melbourne
- Anyone who wants to live with large families in the romantic Australian countryside
You will live in a house with the family who operates the orchard. It is an ideal environment to start your day, seeing endless green trees stretching out in front of the house and smelling the scents of various fruits.
Participants can use all household facilities—kitchen, living room, laundry room, etc.—comfortably as if it were their own home, as part of the family. Participants have a private single-occupancy room and a bathroom, and can conveniently use the internet. For meals, you can cook for yourself using ingredients that are always available or freely eat food prepared by the family.
You can enjoy a variety of fruits and products produced on the orchard, and it’s also a good opportunity to cook Korean dishes to present to the family.
Single-occupancy room / Shared bathroom / Shared kitchen / Breakfast included / Wi‑Fi charged separately
1. Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
Introducing a colorful chocolate factory that looks like it popped out of the movie 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' Beloved by chocolate lovers, this place is the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, located on the edge of the Yarra Valley hills. French and Belgian chocolate experts, inspired by the Yarra Valley's natural surroundings, built a factory that makes specially shaped chocolates. To delight both the palate and the eyes, they offer tastings of a wide variety of chocolates, so tourists from around the world visit constantly. They also make chocolates using fruits and nuts that capture the colors of the Yarra Valley—cherries, tangerines, peaches, plums, and nuts—so be sure to visit and try them!
Yarra Valley is a high-quality wine-producing region created by its cool climate and moderate sunshine. About 80 diverse wineries, ranging from small family-run vineyards to large, well-known brands, are located here. Many wineries also offer wine classes, so visit on a day off and try a lesson. You could choose a single winery and follow a wine trail, or visit a cellar door offering free tastings to sample new wines.
3. Great Ocean Walk
A hidden gem along the Great Ocean Road that runs along Victoria's west coast—the Great Ocean Walk. Walk for half a day along the Otway–Campbell National Park trekking route through Australia's natural scenery. Walking among dense, lush trees and viewing the Great Ocean's Twelve Apostles revealed between the trails is an unmissable pleasure. You can experience the astonishing feeling of becoming one with Australia's vast nature and entering the great universe here.
Estimated Costs
(Based on 1 week)
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Item |
Details and Remarks |
Amount |
Category |
|
Round-trip airfare (including tax) |
Varies by flight |
Approximately 800,000–900,000 KRW |
Exclusions |
|
Visa fee |
- |
Working Holiday Visa (AU)$420 3-month Tourist Visa (AU)$20 |
|
|
Individual travel insurance fee |
Varies by insurer/duration |
Approximately KRW 10,000 (estimated) |
|
|
Airport fee |
- |
- |
|
|
Local living expenses |
- |
- |
*Airfare may vary depending on the flight.
*Local living expenses are based on averages and may vary depending on participants' preferences..
*Participants' travel expenses and personal pocket money are separate.
•Note (Estimated local prices)
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Accommodation |
Per night |
Meal |
Per meal |
|
Guesthouse |
Approx.25,000 KRW |
Local meal |
Approx.Estimated 10,000 KRW |
|
Hotel |
Approx.Estimated 100,000 KRW |
Restaurant |
Approx.Estimated 25,000 KRW |
*Estimated local prices are based on average standards and may vary depending on participants' preferences.
1. This program3 to 4monthsIt is recommended to apply with about that much lead time.
2. Except for the duration of program activities, a passport must have at least 6months of validity remaining.
3. After the program is confirmed, refunds for participants' personal reasons are not permitted.
4. Participants are deemed to have agreed to the Gap Year refund policy upon submitting their project application.
5. This project is subject to <Standard> refund policy. If canceled before project participation is confirmed, a 100% full refund is available, and if canceled after project participation is confirmed, a cancellation fee will be charged. For detailed information on refunds, please check the Gap Year Refund Policy..
6. Project schedules and content are subject to local conditions(Transportation,weather changes, etc.)may vary due to (transportation, weather changes, etc.) or the circumstances of local organizations, and may be reduced or modified if unavoidable.
7. This project is actually operated by a project operator partnered with Korea Gap Year. Therefore, responsibility for actual operation lies with the project's local organization.
8. Overseas travel safety information The travel alert levels operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are Exercise Caution / Refrain from Travel / Evacuation Recommended / Travel Prohibited 4are divided into levels, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 'Safe Overseas Travel' website ( www.0404.go.kr ) Detailed information can be found here..
9. Please book flights and transportation only after your project participation is confirmed and you have received the final departure schedule. We provide individual guidance regarding schedules after participation is confirmed.
*Visa information
To enter Australia, you need a tourist visa or a working holiday visa.
Visa issuance generally takes 3–5 days, so it is recommended to prepare your visa at least one week before departure.A tourist visa allows a stay of up to three months per visit, A working holiday visa allows a stay of one year by default (extendable up to a maximum of two years). If you obtain a working holiday visa, you can legally work in Australia to earn money.
