House and pet sitting for annual holidays

travelling house sittersThe chance to stay rent free in the destination of your choice

House and pet sitting is a very rewarding and affordable way to travel Australia. Not only do you get the opportunity to meet new families and pets but you also get the rare opportunity to discover some of the lesser-known attractions of an area.

Increases in utility bills, child care fees and general living expenses all place additional pressure on Australians to work harder and longer hours, meaning holidays away become less frequent or even missed all together.

Holidays are increasingly viewed as a luxury rather than a reward for hard work during the year or the chance to de-stress and relax to take time out for yourself. Continue reading “House and pet sitting for annual holidays”

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”

Wine, Cheese, House Sitting and Old World Charm in the Barossa Valley

House sitting in The Barossa Valley About an hour’s drive northeast of Adelaide in Southern Australia lies the Barossa Valley which derives its name from the surrounding Barossa Ranges. With a population of only 20,000 people living mostly in four major towns, the area exudes a quiet, quaint serenity that belies its role as a world-class wine producing region. It is a restful and interesting location to venture out with a spot house sitting or pet sitting and take in a touch of the world!

If Germany and a bit of history interests you, then look no further, you can almost feel the atmosphere when you are house sitting in Tanunda. Continue reading “Wine, Cheese, House Sitting and Old World Charm in the Barossa Valley”

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”

Darwin Festival – Showcase of the Northern Territory

Darwin Festival Children Perched atop the northern rim of the country, closer to Singapore than it is to Canberra, Darwin has grown from an outpost into one of Australia’s most modern cities with a cultural diversity unseen in any other part of the country. Named after the Charles Darwin who had previously sailed with the HMS Beagle, the city was destroyed by Japanese air raids in WW II and Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Because of both occasions, Darwin has been rebuilt twice, each time making it more and more modern. It has a dry season with blue skies and soft breezes, and a wet season with cyclones, heavy rains and spectacular lightning displays.

Every year, to celebrate its phoenix-like rise from the ashes, the city stages the Darwin Festival, an exciting event that showcases its multicultural population, distinct weather, picturesque outdoors and vibrant arts.

18 Days of Fun

Darwin Festival lasts for 18 days and nights featuring concerts, theatre and dance music, comedy shows and cabaret, exhibitions of film and visual arts as well as workshops all staged by local and touring groups. Scheduled for August 8 – 25, 2013 the event is the first Australian festival to make use of audience impact methodology to help develop productions that engage the audience and deliver deeper experiences. Darwin residents often travel at this time of the year too, making the need for a house carer or pet sitter an attractive and viable option for people looking to immerse themselves into the culture of the Northern Territory. Continue reading “Darwin Festival – Showcase of the Northern Territory”

Cool Cat Sitting Advice

Cat Sitting

There’s a global population of about 220 million domestic cats making them the most popular pets in the world with Japan ranked as the most cat-friendly country. With so many cats around chances are high that a pet sitting job in Australia might include taking care of a pampered feline. When looking after a treasured puss, here’s some advice on how to keep your cat sitting a cool and enjoyable experience for both you and the cat! Continue reading “Cool Cat Sitting Advice”

House Sitting a Farm – An Outback Adventure!

Country Farm Home

There are almost 135,000 farm businesses in Australia where more than 400 million hectares – over 50 per cent of the continent – is used for agriculture. These farms raise cattle, sheep, goats and chickens or grow rice, cotton, fruits, grains, sugarcane and a wide range of other produce. 99 per cent of farms in Australia are family-owned and operated. Because of the 24/7 demand of farm work, farmers and their families value their time off and use it to travel to other places in the country or overseas.

So, Who Takes Care of the Farm

When a farmer and his family want to travel on their time-off, finding someone to look after the farm can be a challenge. This brings up a big house sitting opportunity for those who love animals, crops, want a taste of farm life or just an chance escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a different kind of house sitting situation and becomes more of an adventure and learning experience. Continue reading “House Sitting a Farm – An Outback Adventure!”

Kirstie’s on a mission

10 September 2013
I house and pet sit with my pet, for pets

My dog Flee. She’s travelled the country with me and made some great friends on these house and pet sitting adventures.

Flee, running out the gate at sunset in Southern Barossa, SA
Flee

I can’t imagine how I could travel Australia to raise money and awareness for Oscar’s Law without her. She is my inspiration.

The thing that I like most about choosing to house and pet sit is that Flee has a ‘home’ to stay at when I’m out. It’s impractical to have her at a photo shoot so it gives me peace of mind that lovely home owners are willing to share their properties with Flee and I to call home for at least a little while.

This pic is of Flee running out the gate at sunset of our ‘home’ where we’re house and pet sitting in Southern Barossa. Continue reading “Kirstie’s on a mission”

House Sitting Is A Dream Come True For Michael

Mike & Jackson MM2Becoming a Mindahome house-sitter last year fulfilled a dream I had some years earlier. I have always loved cats and dogs, providing them the quality time and attention which they enjoy and appreciate – strokes, massages, comforting words and favourite dishes. When friends have noticed my affection towards their pets, they have suggested house-sitting and caring for others’ animals. The loyalty these pets give in return cannot be underestimated!

Since joining Mindahome in 2012, I have relished memorable house-sits in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.These are my highlights:

• ragdoll cat (Jackson) with special needs in Melbourne during May 2013. Needing a house-sitter urgently to administer Jackson’s medication and food through a tube, his owners flew me to Melbourne, giving them peace of mind while visiting their family in Mildura. Although Jackson missed his ‘mother’, he gradually accepted me as a carer and ate small yet more frequent portions of cooked fish. He liked my frequent caressing by night and day. This resulted in improvements to his health – appetite, appearance and communication (meows and purring). This was a short but delightful time ending on a happy note for us all! Continue reading “House Sitting Is A Dream Come True For Michael”

It’s as ‘Good as Gold’ being a house sitter on the Gold Coast!

House Sitter Gold CoastWhether you are holidaying or home sitting on the Gold Coast in sunny Queensland, you are sure to find a whole range of things to do, see and have fun. The Gold Coast is a place with a heart of gold, full of lively, vibrant people and all the amenities close at hand.  Only 94 kilometres south of Brisbane, the Gold Coast has a reputation as a top class tourist destination, fantastic surfing and impeccable views and beaches.

With a humid subtropical climate the Gold Coast is a great place to visit at any time of the year. You will find the city welcoming and full of friendly people. Surfing and water are very much a part of life here, with many properties having access to the canals and coastline that is so popular. The Gold Coast has a fantastic 57 kilometres of beaches and a very impressive surf lifesaving service that is one the best in Australia. The Queensland Shark Control Program is in place to help keep beach users and surfers safe by netting sharks that venture into the waters off the major beaches. Continue reading “It’s as ‘Good as Gold’ being a house sitter on the Gold Coast!”