Whether you want to explore Adelaide city, the countrysideone of South Australia’s many wine regions, or Kangaroo Island – there are plenty of opportunities for holiday work that will open the door to exciting new landscapes and experiences. We’ve selected brilliant seasonal opportunities to help you start an unforgettable chapter. Use this guide to decide when to travel to Adelaide to start your working holiday and see what your next career might look like.
All year…
Live the experience of a worker’s position
If you’ve fantasized about the vast, Mars like expanse of the hinterland then turn your day dream into a day job by becoming a station worker. Jillaroos and Jackaroos (our version of a cowgirl or cowboy) tend cattle or sheep, do farm work, and spend a lot of time outdoors in nature. If you’re looking for a completely different and life-changing experience, look no further than the heart of Australia. Get yourself an Akubra once you’ve landed to keep dust out of your eyes, invest in a sturdy pair of leather boots, and a positive attitude.
Joining a family as an AuPair
Another job that offers year-round employment in South Australia is to be a live-in nanny or babysitter. Become a live-in nanny for a family in Adelaide and explore the streets of our boutique capital while entertaining the children, while exploring the best that regional South Australia has to offer on your days off. Or go into the bush and become an AuPair for a farming family in the outback of South Australia and get a taste of daily life in the countryside.
Become an adventure guide
If you have what it takes to challenge yourself every day while taking people with you, then become an adventure guide. There is a range of thrill-seeking careers in South Australia – from quad biking on Kangaroo Island for climbing in the Adelaide Hills.
Work in the hotel industry
Want to fancy? Experience South Australia’s world-class, award-winning food and wine while working in one of Australia’s finest luxury properties – as Sequoia Lodge at Mount Lofty, or The Louise in the Barossa Valley. If you value creature comforts – like heating, comfy sofas, the sweet melodies of jazz music playing all day, and stunning surroundings, then Luxury Hospitality is for you.
There are also many hotels and caravan parks scattered around Adelaide and South Australia that are often in need of staff – including roles such as reservations, guest services or housekeeping.
Summer jobs: December to February
Pick fruits and vegetables outdoors
South Australia is known for its premium products. Experience the epitome of a working holiday working outdoors picking fresh produce for Australian markets, supermarkets and export. Play a part in one of Australia’s biggest industries while living and working by the river, amidst green hills or in the outback.
Get a festival job
At the end of the summer, Adelaide explodes with art, music, culture, bikes and cars. Locals call it ‘crazy march’ thanks to many of Australia’s biggest festivals coinciding here in March and most of the city is shut down and turned into pedestrianized lanes lined with outdoor bars, fire twirlers, string lights of street dancers and an electric atmosphere. Adelaide Fringe FestivalWOMADelaide, Adelaide Festival and Tower Down Under all require a bunch of people to help get their shows on the road and are a great way to help you get into the job market.
Fall jobs: March to May
Harvest prized grapes
Each year, hundreds of seasonal jobs open up for the greatest time of year for winemakers – the harvest season. It’s harvest time, when thousands of grapes are picked from vineyards across the state to ultimately be made into world-class wine. Adelaide is Australia’s wine capital, so it’s no surprise that the wine industry is a massive employer, especially for seasonal workers. Whether you find an opportunity in the Claire Valley, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, coonawarra or Riverland, your office might look like emerald green valleys, your co-workers are probably the kangaroos that inhabit the vines, and the fakes are homemade. Once the harvest is over, take advantage of your newfound knowledge of local commerce and move on to door-to-door sales to discuss all things wine with thirsty customers.
Winter work: June to August
Pull pints at an Outback Pub
Learn how to pull a pint at two of Australia’s most iconic outback pubs – the Hotel des Prairies at the edge of the Flinders, or at the Maree Hotel near Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre. If working in a pub isn’t your thing, but you still want to experience the legend of the Australian outback, try your hand at working outside the house during a stay at an outback train station, or you could even take a job as camel assistant.
Serving tea on a train
Spend your days traveling on one of Australia’s greatest rail journeys that will take you across the country. Work on board Ghana, your average working week might see you wandering between Adelaide and Darwin or Adelaide and Perth. These train journeys will take you through some of Australia’s most difficult and remote corners.
Spring work: September to November
Work as a deckhand
Cruise the Murray River during a glorious South Australian spring on the Princess Murray. Departing from Mannum, 87 kilometers from Adelaide, this will be a great opportunity to explore the rugged cliffs of Riverland and soak up the local nature and cultural history.
Work in an oyster farm
If you like seafood, go to an oyster farm. With farms in Coffin Bay, Smoky Bay and Kangaroo Island, oysters from these regions are sent to Australia’s finest restaurants. Your days will be spent wading through the crystal clear waters along Australia’s famous coastlines, shucking and tasting the freshest seafood possible from nature’s salty plate.
Have you dusted off your resume and are ready to find your next gig? The Backpacker Jobs Board for South Australia is the ideal starting point. Browse the roles and start applying!
What’s so special about South Australia?
Want to know what you can do in South Australia that you can’t do anywhere else? Check out our ultimate list of things to do in South Australia and find out things you can only do in South Australiawhat we are famous for and surprise yourself.
/Courtesy of SA Tourism. This material from the original organization/authors may be ad hoc in nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors.
