Rocklyn, Victoria

ID: 4b8m

Single-storey farm house in the country

Name:	Meg
Nearest major city:	Daylesford and Ballarat
Sitter required for:	9 Apr 2026 25 Sep 2026169 days
Dates are flexible:	Final dates are still being worked out with our overseas employer. There may be some flexibility in the dates required.
Pet sitting required:	1 dog, 2 cats, 3 farm animals, 20 other animals (Chooks)
Sitter's pets welcome:	Maybe
Reply rating:	5 out of 5

About this house sitting position in Rocklyn

We have a 4 year old, 3 bedroom, eco-sustainable, home on a 5 acre permaculture property in a lovely, small village near the Wombat State Forest. Only 18 minutes drive to Daylesford and 25 minutes drive to Ballarat which will give you access to amenities, while you enjoy your country retreat. The property is not accessible by public transport.

We are planning a 5-6 month trip from April to September 2026, and we are looking for the right folks to step in, who will love being here and much as we do.
The permaculture side of the farm will be packed up and set to low-maintenance mode, so you will not be required to do much work outside and the woodpile is stacked and ready to keep you warm inside. We also have hydronic radiator heating if you prefer.

We live with 2 inside cats, 1 outside dog, about 20 chickens and 3 horses. The horses are negotiable as part of the care as we have a wonderful neighbour who can maintain them on the property if you are not confident with horses.

The two cats and dog get fed morning and night and the cat litter box will need to be changed regularly. Someone will stop by by once a month (by arrangement with you) to administer an anti-inflammatory injection to the doggo to keep her moving freely. The chickens get grain, you get eggs and they will need the hen house cleaned (remove old bedding, add new bedding, clean water buckets) about once every 3-4 weeks. Water will need to be checked for all the animals daily.

The dog, Cherry, is a Maremma, she does not need to be walked, she is gentle, good with kids and loves cuddles.

The cats mostly just sleep, but do enjoy a warm lap of an evening if it's available. They are allowed outside whenever they like, but are used to being left inside most of the time.

The horses are for decorative purposes only.

You do not need to be here all day, we work outside the home and the animals are used to us coming and going. There are plenty of opportunities for day trips in the local area.

Entry to the Wombat State forest is a short walk away, with plenty of interesting trails to explore. There is also a beautiful Yoga Ashram open for visiting, 2.4kms up the road.

We would welcome you to come and stay with us up to a week before we leave so we can do a full handover and so you can explore the area freely before your responsibilities begin.

If you would like a cozy Autumn/Winter retreat, in a warm and sustainable home, with some of the best views in the district, please reach out to us.

We would consider breaking the time up into multiple shorter term sits. We would prefer a couple or family, but all applications will be considered. Read more...