Fruit picking jobs in Australia – What, where, how (and why!)

Where to live

Working hostels

The most obvious accommodation solution for fruit pickers is to stay in a working hostel, where the hostel will put you in touch with local employers, as explained in chapter 4.

Note that you will be expected to pay a weekly rate to benefit from the hostel connecting you to local farms. If you’re just parking your campervan in front of a working hostel, finding you an employer isn’t a priority for the hostel—after all, you’re not a paid guest!

Staying on-site

Some employers host their temporary workers on the farm. Check beforehand if you can camp or if employees get a free bunk bed/shared room.

Campsites or caravan parks

If you’re living out of your vehicle, you can park it in a free or paid campsite. You’ll find designated areas with facilities easily, as long as your work site isn’t too remote. Read Van-dwelling or living in your vehicle for more info.

Where to buy food

Farm jobs can offer “room and board,” which generally means you’ll be provided with a bed and meals. This is a great way to save money, as your expenses should be minimal. However, your pay may be lower, especially if the farmer deducts from your wages to cover accommodation and food costs.

Otherwise, once your workday is over, you will have to go grocery shopping and cook your own meals. Keep in mind you may not have many options in rural Australia. If you don’t have access to a vehicle, you may need to organise a liftshare with other backpackers to get to the shop and back!

Getting around

Keep in mind that Australia is a big country. Towns can be very far apart and you can’t really safely walk along the dirt roads in rural areas.

If you live on the farm, problem solved; zero commute needed! If your employer offers room and board, you really won’t have to go anywhere, unless you start getting cabin fever on your days off.

Things get trickier if you live further away from your work site. Working hostels often offer carpooling solutions for a small fee. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you will again need to team up with other workers who do. If you have a car, be sure to offer other backpackers a ride!