🌞 🌱 Simple Living. Smart Energy. Shared Responsibility.
At Berry Springs Farmstay, we live simply and in harmony with nature. As the property relies on solar power and bore water, everyone is asked to use energy and water thoughtfully and with respect.
Sustainability is part of everyday life here. 🌿☀️💧
We host one caretaker or a caretaker couple at a time. Alongside animal and plant care and general property maintenance, caretakers who are not fully self-sufficient contribute to power and water costs ($50 per week), or—if agreed with the owner—provide a regular animal food donations of the same value. Our property runs entirely on bore water, powered by solar energy.
To prevent damage and ensure water is always available, please follow these daily routines carefully.
☀️ Solar Power
Everyone staying here plays an important role in keeping our off-grid system healthy. Simple habits — switching things off, planning ahead, and using energy wisely — make a big difference. We live comfortably when the sun shines, but we always prepare for cloudy days. 🌦️
During sunny hours, our solar panels generate plenty of clean energy.
This is the best time to:
✅ Charge phones, laptops, or tools
✅ Use the washing machine or other high-power appliances
✅ Run fans or air conditioning briefly if needed.
When the sky is cloudy or after sunset, the system relies on stored battery power.
To keep electricity available for everyone:
⚡ Switch off all unnecessary lights and appliances before sunset
⚡ Avoid running air conditioning overnight
⚡ Do not use washing machines, kettles, or other high-energy devices
💡 If power is wasted or items are left on, the batteries can drain and the property may lose power until the next sunny day.
🌿☀️ Solar Power & Energy Use Policy
We operate fully on solar power and do not have a generator backup, so energy use must remain minimal after sunset.
If you are not fully self-sufficient, the following weekly energy contribution applies to cover additional load on the solar system and battery wear:
🔌 $50 per week – caravan
🔌 $100 per week – shipping container or demountable
Energy contributions are paid upfront each Monday.
We strongly prefer self-sufficient setups, including a movable personal solar system provided by the person staying on site.
Please discuss your energy needs with us before arrival so we can plan usage together and ensure the solar system remains stable and reliable for everyone.
Thank you for helping us protect our off-grid solar system 🌱
If a dedicated meter is available, power usage can be charged based on meter readings. In most cases, if you are only running an air-conditioner, a flat rate of $50 per week applies for power access. If additional appliances are used, the rate may be higher, and any extra power costs will be charged once the power bill is received. Payment is required upfront before connecting your power cable.
💦 Bore Water
⚠️ If the owner is not present, you are responsible for filling your water tanks and managing the bore pump on the owner’s behalf.
✅ After sunrise, once solar power is available, plug in and switch on the bore pump. (The owner usually switches the pump on between 6:30–7:30 am.)
✅ Check all water tanks, including your own, and ensure they are filling properly and water is flowing steadily.
✅ If any tanks are low, open the valve so they can refill completely.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your own water tanks are filled during this time window.
⚠️ Directly before sunset, unplug and switch off the bore pump.
Confirm with the owner who is responsible if the owner is not on site.
⚠️ Ensure all taps and hoses are turned off.
Everyone is responsible for their own area.
💧 Check all water tanks — they must be completely full before nightfall or before any approaching storm.
You’ll know tanks are full when water slightly overflows from the top — this is normal and indicates full capacity.
⚠️ If the owner is not present, you must check with the owner and act on their behalf if required.
🚫 Unplug and switch off the bore pump immediately when a storm is approaching.
⚡ Lightning strikes on bore pumps are very common in this area and can cause serious damage, high repair costs, and several days without water or power.
💧 Report any leaks or dripping taps to the caretaker immediately.
🌦️ Check the weather radar daily to prepare for incoming storms.
🤝 Everyone plays an important role in keeping the water tanks full, the pump safe, and the system efficient.
💧🌿 Water Use Guidelines
Wise water use helps ensure there is enough for everyone, especially during dry periods, cloudy weather, or during the wet-season transition.
💧 Please use water mindfully — every drop counts in our off-grid system.
✅ Always switch off taps and hoses when not in use.
✅ Check regularly for drips or leaks and report them immediately to the caretaker in charge.
✅ Wash everyday clothes by hand where possible to reduce water and power use.
✅ Water gardens early in the morning (between 6:00–7:00 am) or late afternoon to minimise evaporation and waste.
🌱 Additional Water Use & Self-Sufficiency
Normal household water use is included.
For any water use beyond normal household needs (such as gardening or growing food), we strongly prefer an off-grid gravity-feed watering system that:
Is independent and not connected to the main pump
Is fully off-grid
Is supplied, maintained, and removed by the user
Is installed only with prior approval
🚫 No permanent changes to the property are permitted.
💰 Water Contribution (If Not Self-Sufficient)
If a person is not self-sufficient and requires use of the main pump or tank system for additional water needs, a water contribution applies to help cover:
Pump operation
Solar power usage
General system maintenance
Accelerated wear and potential pump replacement
👉 Contributions are typically $20–50 per week, depending on usage.
👉 Sustained or higher-demand use may also require an agreed contribution toward pump servicing or replacement.
Please discuss any additional water needs before arrival so usage can be planned fairly and the off-grid system remains stable for everyone.
🌿 Responsible Living
At Berry Springs Farmstay, protecting our bore water and natural environment is a top priority 💧🌿 We warmly welcome donations of organic weed control products and creative ideas for managing weeds naturally.
Any weed control methods involving grazing animals 🐐🐓 or the use of additional movable fencing must be discussed with and approved by the owners in advance, ensuring safe and responsible care for the land and animals 🤝🌱
We remove weeds and unwanted grasses manually — and, after checking they are not poisonous, we feed them directly to the pigs or chickens.
This natural recycling method keeps our soil chemical-free, supports our animals, and helps maintain a sustainable cycle on the farm.
🌱 Our approach to weed control is organic, safe, and community-driven.
💡 Ideas, suggestions, and new actions for improving our weed management are always welcome.
🌼 Passing It On
The goal at Berry Springs Farmstay is to always make things better for the next caretakers. Every person who stays here contributes to a living, growing space — one that continues to improve with care and attention. Before you leave, take time to ensure the gardens are healthy, tidy, and ready for the next person to enjoy.
📍 Show or message the next caretaker where the gardens are located.
🌿 Share what you planted or harvested, and pass on any tips or notes.
🌱 Each small act — watering, weeding, planting, or pruning — helps build something lasting and beautiful for everyone.
🌿 Creating and Maintaining Gardens
🌞 Choose sunny spots to plant herbs, vegetables, or flowers that suit the season.
💧 Water plants in the early morning or late afternoon to save water and reduce evaporation.
🌾 Use compost, mulch, or old hay to protect soil and keep moisture in.
🍃 Keep weeds under control so the plants stay strong and healthy.
🌸 Label any new plantings so future caretakers know what’s growing there.
🍎 Fruit Trees and Permanent Plants
🌳 Check and water fruit trees regularly, especially during dry weather.
🍋 Remove fallen fruit to discourage pests and keep the area clean.
🌱 If pruning or planting new trees, do it thoughtfully so they continue to grow well.
💚 Always leave the garden neat, healthy, and cared for — a gift to those who come after you.