PERMA-CULTUREDesign Course

This course is mainly theory-based, giving you the knowledge you need before putting it into practice. To build your hands-on skills, Sam also runs practical courses, with discounts for returning students. Check out Sam's course schedule to see what's coming up.

The course follows the curriculum set out by Bill Mollison, the founder of permaculture, in Permaculture: A Designers' Manual, the foundation text of the field. The curriculum has been taught for over 40 years, and here it's delivered by a designer who has applied it on six continents.

We highly recommend getting your own copy of the manual and bringing it to the course. You'll be able to follow along in class, add your own notes, and keep it as a reference for years to come. It's a large book that can take a while to arrive, so order early.

Sam Parker-Davies is a regenerative designer, educator and project manager with more than 10 years' experience. He has completed over 100 projects across six continents. He lives and teaches regularly at Zaytuna Farm Eco-Hamlet, and is the main facilitator for this course.

You'll leave with a finished design, your PDC certificate and a community to keep growing with.

Yes. There's an optional regional tour of historic permaculture sites and current projects, at a cost of $500. Please contact Sam to register your interest and book.

The course is held at the Zaytuna Farm Eco-Hamlet, just outside the village of The Channon in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, Australia. The nearest major town is Lismore, 22km away, and Byron Bay is about 48km away.

Address: 1158 Pinchin Road, The Channon, NSW 2480

By air: The closest airports are Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and Gold Coast Airport. Brisbane Airport is the nearest major international airport.

By train: The nearest train station is Casino, with a connecting coach service to Lismore.

Local transport: Public transport to The Channon is very limited. A school bus runs from Lismore on weekdays during school terms only, so we recommend arranging a taxi from Lismore or car-pooling with other students. Email us if you'd like to be connected with others on your course.

Camping on site: Zaytuna Farm offers camping for course participants, in your own tent, campervan or caravan. Sites are on flat ground close to the Commons, where you'll find the compost toilets, hot showers and the shared camp kitchen. There are also 10 raised, covered camping platforms for tents smaller than 4m x 2.5m. These are first come, first served and not guaranteed, so please check with a member of staff before setting up.

We don't provide tents or camping equipment, so please come prepared for the season. We recommend a good waterproof tent, an air mattress, a sleeping bag, blankets, a pillow, a head torch and a tarp for shade. Camping can be booked via Hipcamp.

Nearby farmstay: If you'd prefer a room, we recommend Wildura, a permaculture farmstay about 10km from Zaytuna Farm on the edge of Nightcap National Park. Its cosy private guest room sleeps up to 4, and staying there lets you experience a second working permaculture farm. Book your stay at Wildura

Informal resident stays: Limited private arrangements with Eco Hamlet residents may occasionally be possible. These are made directly between you and the resident. Email us if you'd like us to pass on your enquiry.

Course meals: Lunch and dinner are available to purchase Monday to Friday during the course, at $30 per meal. Breakfast and weekend meals are self-catered, so please plan and bring supplies for these. During breaks, you can buy tea and coffee from the café.

Cooking your own: If you're camping at Zaytuna Farm, you're welcome to use the camp kitchen to prepare your own meals. Facilities are basic and shared, with limited fridge space, cookware and utensils, so we recommend bringing your own plate, cutlery, cup and an esky if you can. Please don't bring electric kettles or toasters, as the farm runs on solar power.

We recommend bringing supplies with you, especially if you don't have a car. The local store stocks most basics but is more expensive than supermarkets in Lismore.

Eating out in The Channon: The village tavern serves lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday, and the general store sells hot meals and drinks 7 days a week. If your course runs over the second Sunday of the month, The Channon Craft Market also has plenty of food stalls.

Yes. Please park in the designated car park and follow the signs.

If you're camping during a course, campervans can be parked in the camping area. If you're bringing a caravan, please return your vehicle to the main car park once you've set up. In wet or muddy weather, please avoid driving onto the camping area.

Facilities include clean compost toilets, solar-heated hot showers with gas backup, a coin-operated washing machine, a laptop workstation, a small library and a shared camp kitchen with a fridge.

Filtered rainwater is available from the marked taps in the dining area and camp kitchen. All other taps in the Commons and bathrooms supply unfiltered rainwater. Taps not attached to a building carry dam water for irrigation and are not safe to drink.

Wi-Fi is available from 6pm to 9pm for emails, research, browsing and video calls. Please don't use it for streaming or large downloads, as bandwidth is limited. Internet isn't available in the classroom or eating area, except during exercises that need it.

We recommend bringing a laptop, as students often share files during the course.

Reception at the farm is weak for most providers, with Telstra being the most reliable. You can usually get better reception a short walk up the road.

There is a laundromat with washers and dryers at the General Store in The Channon, at $4 per wash.

Camping gear: If you're staying on site, bring a good waterproof tent, an air mattress or sleeping mat, a sleeping bag, blankets, a pillow and a tarp for shade and rain. A head torch is essential, as there's no outdoor lighting in the campground.

Kitchen essentials: Bring your own plate, bowl, cutlery and cup, an esky (as fridge space is limited), and supplies for breakfast and weekend meals. Please leave electric kettles and toasters at home, as the farm runs on solar power.

Clothing: Pack modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, in line with our community guidelines. Summers are hot and humid with heavy rain, while winter mornings can be frosty, so pack for the season. You'll also need a raincoat, gumboots or sturdy closed shoes, slip-on shoes (as shoes come off before entering any building), a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Personal items: Bring a towel, eco-friendly toiletries and washing powder, sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and any personal medication.

For the course: A laptop is handy, as students often share files, along with a notebook and pens. We also recommend bringing a copy of Permaculture: A Designers' Manual.

Zaytuna Farm is a working farm and a living community, home to residents and their families. A little care and awareness goes a long way, and these guidelines help everyone enjoy their time here.

Community guidelines: Please read and sign the Zaytuna Farm MOU before your course. In line with the community's values, we ask that everyone dresses modestly (covering shoulders and knees), that no alcohol or illicit drugs are brought on site, and that pork products aren't prepared or eaten in common areas.

Respecting privacy: Common areas are open for you to explore, but residents' homes and private areas are off limits unless you've been invited. Please respect residents' privacy, especially on weekends.

Shared spaces: Take your shoes off before entering any building, clean up after yourself, and don't leave personal belongings lying around. When you've finished at the laptop workstation, unplug your devices so others can use it.

Water and energy: The farm runs on rainwater and solar power, so please keep showers short, use eco-friendly toiletries, and leave the bathrooms clean and dry. Charge devices in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest, use as little power as possible after dark, and switch off lights when you leave a room. If supplies run out or something is broken, please let a staff member know.

We understand that plans can change. Please email us as soon as possible, and see our terms and conditions for details of our cancellation and refund policy.

It's up to you, but we strongly recommend that international students take out comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, baggage and liability.

We can't give medical advice, so please speak with your doctor before travelling.

We're unable to advise on visas. Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest information and to find the right visa for your situation.

Please contact Zaytuna Farm directly at admin@zaytunafarm.com with your name, contact details, a description of the item and where you think you may have left it. The farm team will let you know if it's been found. Please note that lost property is only held for 4 weeks.

The area is beautiful to explore. Nearby Nightcap National Park offers rainforest walks and waterfalls, including Protestors Falls.

If your course runs over the second Sunday of the month, don't miss The Channon Craft Market, the oldest market in the region, an easy 15-minute walk from the farm. It's a great spot for food and local crafts. Visit the market website

The village of Nimbin is about 20 minutes' drive away, and the coastal town of Byron Bay is 40 to 50 minutes away.

Zaytuna Farm is in a high-rainfall area. The wet season runs from around November to May, with temperatures often around 30°C (86°F) and high humidity. From May to October, days are usually mild at around 20°C (68°F), with occasional light frosts in the early mornings.