An Australian white Christmas for nature lovers

 

Australian White Christmas

If you want to experience the joy of a white Christmas this year without breaking the bank, here are some out-of-the-box ideas to help you get your wish right here in Australia.

Bright, white filled skies

The Australian Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, with its large white wings and distinctive yellow crest, is an iconic white presence in Australia. Witness the spectacular sight and sound of these birds in large flocks. Some of the best places to get up close with a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo are along the River Murray in South Australia, and in the Adelaide plains including Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges. These large, mostly white birds are also a tourist attraction in Lorne in Victoria which lies along the Great Ocean Road. It is also a hotspot where these beautiful birds gather and willingly pose for selfies with visitors..

White sandy beaches

Australia boasts some of the whitest beaches, perfect for experiencing the essence of a white Christmas. Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia, is renowned for having the country’s whitest sand. National Geographic lists Hellfire Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park (WA), Whitehaven Beach (QLD), Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay (NSW), and Squeaky Beach in Wilsons Promontory National Park (VIC) among the beaches with the whitest sand. Relaxing on the white sandy coastline of an Australian beach is an unparalleled way to enjoy a white Christmas Down Under

Snow-capped mountains

While we won’t be seeing the snow-capped landscapes of the northern hemisphere, there may be a chance that you can catch a glimpse of snow-capped mountains in our land down under. In February 2023, some alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales endured cold blasts towards the end of the summer season, and while a rarity, it may be worth checking in to online snow cams to monitor local conditions.

To find a place to call home close to one of the many places you could experience a white Christmas in Australia, head to Mindahome.com.au for a list of house and pet sitting positions available.

 

 

The Power of Pet Meditation

Our lives can be fast-paced, and stressful and sometimes it can be difficult to achieve moments of tranquillity. However finding those moments of serenity and mindfulness have been found to reduce anxiety, reduce symptoms of depression, and improve relationships, sleep and focus.

While meditation has long been practiced to achieve mental clarity and relaxation, pet meditation is an emerging trend that is being embraced by meditation enthusiasts and pet owners alike. Continue reading “The Power of Pet Meditation”

The paw-some perks of taking your pet to work

Pet SpanielWhen a typical day in the office includes preparing for several meetings, mountains of paperwork and deadlines to meet, consider how the presence of the wagging tail of your furry friend might be an instant mood booster for your workday.

Many companies are embracing the idea of bringing pets to work and for good reason. Not only does having pets in the workplace improve the wellbeing of employees, but it also creates a positive and vibrant work environment.  Continue reading “The paw-some perks of taking your pet to work”

4 Tips to Guarantee A House and Pet Sitting Call Back

Many of the home owners that we speak with comment about how impressed they are with the house and pet sitters who come to stay in their homes. The personalised care for their pets, the upkeep of their homes and the little touches they find when they return, all leave lasting memories of the house and pet sitter and are the difference between a one-time sit and the start of a long-term friendship.

Here are some of the ways that house and pet sitters are making their mark to secure call backs and word-of-mouth referrals. Continue reading “4 Tips to Guarantee A House and Pet Sitting Call Back”

Wintering in warmer locations

Mindahome house sitters David and Glenys of Albury have been members since early 2013. They explain how they escape the winter months.

Our names are Glenys and David. We reside in Albury NSW. For the last five years since our retirement we have been house sitting in Queensland to get away from our cold Southern winter in June, July and August. We have made many life long friends along with their pets and also gained some excellent references.

This year our house sitting commenced in May at Nindeeree on the Sunshine Coast between Yandina and Eumundi. This was a lovely home in the Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. The home was on two acres and had three lovely Border Collies we looked after for seven weeks. We also had our daily chores of looking after the house, garden and pool.

Continue reading “Wintering in warmer locations”

Rural house sitting

We received an email from long time Mindahome house sitters Rick and Tara (members since 2014), describing their experiences house sitting in rural Tasmania back in 2015.

Screen Shot 05-24-17 at 03.43 PM 001Hi Mindahome, your article on rural house sitting was good and from our perspective on our 11th housesit in less than a year we are living rural, almost remote Tasmania.  We have a long housesit here now and love the peace and quiet.

The other advantages we didn’t expect where the friendly communities in the country.  The generosity and even work experience we are gaining.  Hubby has been helping fence paddocks and we moved cattle during one farmers short break.  So not just our homeowner benefits, but we are an extra pair of hands where needed. Learning all the time. Continue reading “Rural house sitting”

The experiential benefits of house sitting in rural and regional Australia

A sittersRunning a farm or rural property isn’t for the faint hearted. Around 50% Australian farmers are self employed owner managers and are likely to work more than 49 hours a week managing the demands of a rural property, which leaves little opportunity to take time off for a holiday.

But home owners in regional Australia are increasingly turning to house and pet sitters to look after their properties while they take some well earned time away.

With experience and practical know-how, house sitters like Satya and Ishtar, can offer rural home owners peace of mind when they choose to travel. Continue reading “The experiential benefits of house sitting in rural and regional Australia”

How a mother and daughter duo saw Australia as house and pet sitters

adrienne_poppyKiwi born Adrienne and her daughter, Poppy, wanted to see Australia and have many adventures along the way. So they sold their house, car and all their possessions and began house and pet sitting their way around the country.

Here are some of their stories…

I came across Mindahome.com.au on one of my searches for different ways to travel around Australia and thought that house and pet sitting would be perfect for us.

We both love pets, but Poppy definitely has a way with all animals. Nothing beats the love and attention of a gentle child companion with all the time in the world to play. The pets that we’ve cared for are relaxed and in their own environment so it makes it easier for them to trust us and let us into their world. Continue reading “How a mother and daughter duo saw Australia as house and pet sitters”

MY JOURNAL by Geordie

A diary kept by Geordie the Schnauzer of Brunswick Victoria while his owners were away.  Jane is his Pet/House Sitter

March 2013

geordie
Geordie

I spent the first night on your bed & Jane couldn’t find me when I left the fan in the lounge ! She came in with a torch in the middle of the night!! I brought an old bone in to the mat & lots of ants followed !!

Some big rain drops in the heat so Jane took me out into it for a refreshing walk. Jane moved the fan in our bedroom & I like to lie under the bed on the wooden floor 🙂

I dug up an old dirt filled pig’s ear & brought it in to share!! I had fun with the broom Jane used!! We had such fun this morning, & Jane seemed upset she couldn’t find the pig’s ear where I’d hidden it, that after our walk & dinner, I presented it to her on the lounge rug !!!!  I just could not stop my tail from wagging but Jane picked the ear up & put it up high !!! & then she glared at me till I lay under her legs with the fan.

By the way it got to 37 degrees today so we didn’t go out till after 6. Jane’s a spoil sport as she didn’t use that broom this time but a boring brush & dustpan. Just chilling on Jane’s bed on 34 degree day – in front of fan – & I rolled over to do a big stretch & I fell off !!!! 🙂 I don’t get it …. I have to SIT before food but when I sat this morning I didn’t get any of Jane’s goodies. ( pills !!! ) Continue reading “MY JOURNAL by Geordie”

House Sitting in Melbourne’s Beachside

House SittingMy name is Jo and although I am no longer a house sitter I thought I’d write and share my house sitting experiences with you. My partner and I first learned about house sitting from family and friends and I thought it sounded like an ideal way to save money on accommodation so we decided to give it a go.

We both work full time so are restricted to the southern suburbs of Melbourne within reasonably commuting distance of our jobs. I suppose we house sat and were members of Mindahome for about six months and during that time took on around six positions from Brighton to Edithvale. All jobs included pets, some of whom were hard work while others were great fun. Continue reading “House Sitting in Melbourne’s Beachside”