As of June 2015, I have completed travels with my wife, Heidi, as we explored southeastern Australia in search of alternative ways to do life separate from the mainstream. Throughout the journey, I wrote a regular series of entries which documented our experiences and can be read under the menu heading “Intentional community trip 2015“. Here are quick links to all the entries on this trip (in chronological order):

1. Preparations & expectations
2. On the cusp of departure…and adventure!
3. Destination One: Di and Ruth: compact community
4. Destination Two: Cornerstone: Community 101
5. Destination Three: Strawbales and tipis, native spirituality and hospitality
6. Destination Four: Working on the margins of society
7. Destination Five: Discovering a lot of common ground
8. Destination Six: Intentional community beginnings: Moora Moora
9. Destination Seven: Time to reflect and heal
10. Destination Eight: Respecting the earth: permaculture at Fryers Forest
11. Destination Nine: Urban Seed part 2: Working on the margins in suburbia

This first stage road-trip around Victoria, Australia had us seeking to discover what various intentional communities, groups, individuals and families are doing in terms of living more creatively, sustainably and compassionately. We are considering another journey later this year to build on this first trip.

Our aim is to further connect with like-minded people and find security in community, not finances; share resources and ownership so as to reduce our negative impact on the planet; participate in non-violent actions to bring about a more just world; use the arts to bring people together, communicate the challenges that humanity faces, and promote positive stories and alternative ways of living; work with the land and protect/respect this Earth.

We have a lot to learn and a long way to go, hence our desire to see what other people are doing and what wisdom we can gain from and share with them. So far it has been an amazing exploration.

~ Mike Crowhurst, June 2015