Postponed indefinitely.
Hands-on hempcrete experience. Real site. Real build. Real Fun!
Belubula Hemp Homes, in partnership with Environmentarian, is offering this immersive adventure. Come join the 2026 Jenolan Hemping Hands Experience.
Volunteers will join a like-minded team, and contribute to a project that has purpose, in an amazing location.
During this hands-on adventure you’ll be part of creating a super-sustainable hempcrete home. A carbon negative dwelling, designed with passive design principles, that works with the natural resources of the planet using the sun, rain, land and natural building materials to create a super sustainable, extremely comfortable structure.
Keen to Join the 2026 Jenolan Hemping Hands Experience
Please complete the Expression of interest form.
Each day is active, physical and shared. Connect with team members over days of bucketing and tamping hemp. broken up with snack breaks and lunch (provided) as well as a chance to chat about hemp building and more. The material itself is part of a bigger story. Hemp, a carbon-rich biomass, is being locked into the walls, shaping a building that gives back to the people and the planet.
Hempcrete buildings are generally carbon negative and lock in more carbon than used during the building or asociated other materials. It’s a rare chance to be involved in something positive and grounded, to spend time outdoors, meet good people, move your body, and leave knowing you’ve contributed to a lasting, climate-conscious legacy.
More info about the 2026 Jenolan Hemping Hands Experience
The Jenolan Hemping Hands Experience June-July 2026, is located in Good Forest, on Jenolan Caves Road not far from the Victoria Pass (currently closed) in the Blue Mountains region. Hempcrete installation is expected to run for approximately 2–3 weeks, Monday to Saturday, commencing late June 2026 (TBC).
Participants will be led by facilitator Jeremy Thomas (Hemp Building Directory) and builder James Isaacs (Belubula Hemp Homes) plus crew and trades, gaining direct exposure to best-practice hempcrete installation in a real building context.
Weather and Clothing
Expect cold conditions. The site sits at around 850 metres elevation and it will be mid-winter. There will be some protection from the elements, basic shelter and service facilities, but most of the time will be spent out in the open mountain air.
Bring appropriate layers: a waterproof, windproof jacket, long sleeves, durable pants, a beanie for warmth and a hat for sun protection. Ensure all clothing and work gear can handle wear and tear. Expect a bit of mu and dirt which is part of the fun!
This experience requires a good level of resilience.
What You’ll Experience
This experience is designed for people who want practical competence. Depending on your commitment levels and the amount of days you attend, can could be involved in:
- Bucketing, placement and tamping techniques. This is the main activity.
- Understand formwork
- Hempcrete mixing
- Workflow efficiency and site logistics
- Quality control and common pitfalls
- Project management considerations for hemp builds
- Site safety and team coordination
You’ll be guided by an experienced team of builders, facilitators and trainers, with time for questions, discussion and observation as well as physical work.
This team building opportunity will see you join with like minded people for a memorable learning experience you won’t forget.
Hemping Hands Experience Gallery
Flexible Attendance Options
Participants can choose from 1 day to 1 week:
- Single Day: ideal for builders, designers or owner-builders wanting exposure
- 3-Day Intensive: a solid immersion into hempcrete systems and process
- Full Week: meaningful repetition, deeper understanding and confidence
Morning tea and lunch are included on all days. A booking fee is required to secure your selected dates. This is not a participation fee.
Bookings
Tickets for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 day sessions will be released via Humanitix once dates are confirmed. We are aiming for 5-10 volunteers per day. Numbers will be capped to maintain a high-quality experience. Please contact us if you’d like to talk about a special visit or timing arrangement.
Keen to Join the 2026 Jenolan Hemping Hands Experience
Please complete the Expression of interest form.
Who is this for?
- Builders and trades exploring hempcrete
- Designers, architects and building designers wanting site experience
- Owner-builders and sustainability-minded people serious about solutions
- People considering hempcrete professionally and wanting test it out
- Volunteers wanting to participate in a climate positive, carbon negative project
- This is a family friendly activity. Any able bodied person from 12-72 can participate
- All participants will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival
What to bring?
Note: all PPE (peronal protective equipment) will be provided.
- Warm clothes that can handle a bit of wear and tear
- Sturdy work shoes or boots
- Long sleeves. Due to the material hemping should always be undertaken with long sleeves
- Your own work gloves if you like but there will be plenty on site
- Rain protection: a light rain jacket that you can work in
- Head wear: it may be hot and sunny it may be cold. Bring both sun hat and beanie
- Water: there is potable tank water on site. But if you prefer treated or bottle water bring your own supply
Catering
Tasty morning tea, a hearty lunch and afternoon snacks are provided for all volunteers. All dietary requirements can be catered for, please advise (e.g. gluten free).
Adjacent to the work site is a rumpus-style shed with full facilities, including kitchen and toilet. This will act as our base, a place to regroup during breaks and spend time in the evenings for those staying overnight.
There is a wood oven which we will aim to keep running. It provides limited heat only, so dress accordingly.
Tank water onsite is potable. Bring your own drinking water if you prefer.
Getting there
You can drive or catch the train.
Note: the Victoria pass is currently closed in both directions.
Drive
Its about a 3 hour drive from Sydney. The Victoria Pass is currently closed in both directions so travel by car needs to be via Bilpin and the Bells line-of-road
Train
We are will try to offer a shuttle from the train station at Lithgow to the site. This needs to be pre arranged. The train leaves from Central every weekday at 5:24am. This gets to Lithgow by 8:15am which means you’ll be on site by around 8:30am.
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation options in the area to suit different budgets. Click the below maps to browse for accommodation to suit your stay.
Camping on site
There are flat areas to pitch a tent. Campervans, 4WDs with pop up tents and, possibly caravans, welcome.
Who’s involved
Builder: Belubula Hemp Homes. Founder James Isaacs will be running the build.
Facilitator: Environmentarian. Founder of Hemp Building Directory Jeremy Thomas will be managing all aspects of the hemping hands experience.
Building design by owners; drafting and design contributions Henry Saxby Cad Solutions.
Hemp Building Supplies: Australian Hemp Masonry – binder. Hemp Hurd – TBC
Keen to Join the 2026 Jenolan Hemping Hands Experience
Please complete the Expression of interest form.
