🌞 🌱 Simple Living. Smart Energy. Shared Responsibility.
We host one caretaker or a caretaker couple at a time. Along with helping on the property, caretakers contribute to power and water costs and participate with regular animal food donations.
At Berry Springs Farmstay, we live in harmony with nature. Our lifestyle is simple, practical, and guided by respect for the land, animals, and resources we share. Living off solar power and bore water means everyone helps protect what keeps us going — by using energy wisely, saving water, and working together with care and awareness.
Here, sustainability isn’t just a rule — it’s a way of life that connects us to the environment and to each other. 🌿💧☀️
Table of Contents
🌿 Responsible Living
Every caretaker contributes to this shared goal — by using natural methods, respecting the land, and keeping our water clean and pure for generations to come. 🌿💦
Wise water use helps ensure there’s enough for everyone, especially during dry or cloudy periods.
💧 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 to the caretaker in charge.
✅ Wash your every day clothes by hand when possible.
✅ Water gardens early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid waste through evaporation.
At Berry Springs Farmstay, protecting the pristine Berry Springs water is one of our highest priorities. We proudly maintain our property free from harsh pesticides and chemicals, ensuring the safety of our bore water and the wellbeing of our animals. Through responsible land and resource management, we create a balanced ecosystem that supports native wildlife, pollinators, and the health of our surroundings.
🌼 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.
Our approach to weed control is organic, safe, and community-driven.
💡 Ideas, suggestions, and new actions for improving our weed management are always welcome.
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.
🌱 Mulching, hand-weeding, and mindful grazing all play a role in keeping our land healthy and thriving. Together, these simple actions protect the water table, nurture the soil, and preserve the natural beauty of Berry Springs.
☀️ Solar Power at Berry Springs Farmstay
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.
We operate fully on solar power — there is no generator backup, so energy use must stay minimal after sunset. If you wish to run an air conditioner overnight or use high-power appliances regularly, we ask for a $50 per week energy contribution to cover the extra strain on the system and battery wear.
Please discuss this with us before arrival so we can plan energy use together and make sure the solar setup remains stable for everyone. 🌿☀️
💦 Bore Water System Guidelines
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.
✅ After sunrise, when solar power begins, plug in and switch on the bore pump.
✅ Check the water tanks — make sure they are filling properly and that water is flowing steadily.
✅ If tanks are low, open the valve so they can refill completely.
⚠️ Directly before sunset, always unplug and switch off the bore pump.
⚠️ Ensure all taps and hoses are turned off.
💧 Check the water tanks — they must be completely full before nightfall or any approaching storm.
You’ll know they’re full when water begins to overflow slightly from the top — this is normal and indicates the tanks are at capacity.
🚫 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.
