Volunteer in Austria in a traditional farmhouse in Tyrol
Shared via our Facebook group.
Hello everybody! 😉 I had some amazing volunteer experiences during my solo world trip, so I convinced my sister to try it out as a host.
Update, August 2026: The official Thumahof website is still active and identifies Christine and Simon Hörbiger as the hosts of the traditional organic farm in Wildschönau, Tyrol. However, we could not find a current public announcement confirming that this particular volunteer exchange is still available. Please contact the hosts directly before making travel plans.
About the host family and the farm
In the original 2021 announcement, Christine and her family were described as a team of five: Christine (then 39), Simon (then 43), and their three kids (then 12, 8, and 4). They live and work in a 240-year-old traditional farmhouse that has been fully renovated, in Tyrol, Austria. They have cows, goats, a horse, chickens, a cat, and lots of daily farm life. The family loves animals and enjoys sharing simple, peaceful rural routines.
They do organic farming and grow part of their own food. According to the original announcement, Simon also worked full time as a consultant, and Christine worked part time as a primary school and special education teacher, while running the household, the farm, and a holiday flat.
What did volunteers help with?
The original announcement was published in 2021, during a period when distance learning was affecting the family. At that time, they were looking for help practicing English with the kids, especially their eldest child, who loved animals. Besides practicing English, they asked for help with everyday tasks:
- household support, including cooking and cleaning
- playing with the children and going for walks together
- optional support with feeding the animals
- in summer, helping in the garden, harvesting, haymaking, and general landscape work
These tasks reflect the original 2021 arrangement. Please ask the hosts what kind of help, if any, they are currently looking for.
Exchange and benefits
The original 2021 exchange offered room and board in return for about 5 hours of help per day.
They were described as friendly and open-minded, and they had hosted volunteers before. They appreciated people with a positive attitude toward work and shared family life.
Please confirm the current schedule, tasks, days off, meals, and accommodation arrangements directly with the hosts, as the original conditions may have changed.
Accommodation and requirements
According to the original announcement, volunteers had their own room with their own bathroom. If the family’s holiday apartment was free, volunteers could sometimes stay there instead.
The original listing requested non-smokers and mentioned that the family preferred a healthy lifestyle.
Language
The original announcement requested a basic level of German. The family also offered opportunities to improve German and share ideas about sustainable living.
What can you do nearby?
In winter: skiing, sledging, cross-country skiing, and other mountain activities. The ski area “SKI JUWEL Alpbachtal Wildschönau” is nearby. Visit: https://www.skijuwel.com/en/winter
In summer: hiking, mountain walks, alpine nature, and lakes.
The original listing described the farm as about 1 hour from Innsbruck and about 20 minutes from Wörgl. Public transport was also available, with a bus stop approximately 1 km away.
Historical context: References to distance learning and pandemic-era arrangements belong to the original 2021 announcement. They should not be interpreted as current conditions.
Please note: This volunteer opportunity dates from 2021 and we have not independently confirmed that the exchange is still available. Availability, tasks, schedules, accommodation, meals, requirements, and other conditions may have changed. Please verify everything directly with the hosts before making travel arrangements.
Contact details 🔍📧
Official website:
https://thumahof.at
The official website is active, but the current availability of this volunteer exchange should be confirmed directly with the hosts.
The original announcement was shared by Maria in our Facebook group.
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