North ? south ? west ?

Redwood Nomads 256 · Member

North ? south ? west ?

Duh · Guru

Generally speaking using the tropic of cancer across Australia as a rough guide, north in winter, south in summer.

I would be heading south if it was me and doing the lower parts of Oz at this time of the year.

Some GN's are working on harvesting jobs (or about to) or other jobs around the place so they may be best to advise you on the work available/work direction to follow. Do you have a trade or other skills you could use during your travels for relief or other work? There is a work available section on the main page of GN also.

Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy it.

copper1 · Guru

Welcome Steven & Glenis, exciting time Grandchildren and the call of the open road. We are heading south into Tassie for Summer and then home by March then off north somewhere in June til September this year (don't plan on working tho) so I depends on what you want to do work wise but, I am sure, you will get heaps of info from other members from this site. Enjoy your time out on the road and welcome.

Cloak · Guru

Well it's coming up to the big wet up north with fewer work opportunities so why not try the Murray Darling system. There must be places open on the harvest trail one would think.

Even down here in the Torradin area the asparagus crops are being harvested as we speak. Also the stone fruit crops in Shapparton are on the move I hear.

If you go to the host Website GreyNomad.com.au there is a help needed section.

Good luck and happy travels.

Redwood Nomads 256 · Member

thanks for your replies.. I am A scaffolder forklift operator but have many other skills covering everything from fishing to fruit picking Glenis is A social worker currently employed as A support worker for special needs /disabilities. Glenis has experience in bookkeeping food services as well as running her own beef fattening farm.We are willing to give anything A go.

copper1 · Guru

As stated this site has classified section also try work about Australia, some jobs on there as well. biggrin

buffy61 · Senior Member

Hi redwood...welcome to the forum.
We are doing the same as you...working as we go. Left Brisbane about 6 weeks ago. I have a 12 week nursing contract in Wagga. He didn't have a job and has been pacing the pavement handing out cvs. Got a job in retail this week. Harvesting starts in this area shortly so that was another option. Will stay in lower oz til about April we think. Seems I may have a nursing contract in Townsville so will head there in April. Better start checking caravan parks out for accommodation I guess...any suggestions anyone???

Keith19837 · Senior Member

Redwood Nomads 256 wrote:
Hi all
Newbies here. We are presently in Brisbane awaiting the arrival of A new grandson so have delayed our departure till after New Years. We are just asking for the best direction to head at that time of the year. We are not tied to A schedule but would both like to work as we go. Any helpful hints or suggestions will be greatly appreciated..

thanks
Steven and Glenis

Hi guys, if you are heading into Victoria and your health is reasonable, then the Yarra Valley (Lilydale and following down through the Yarra River) has a lot of vineyards requiring grape picking. Many of the owners welcome you to hook up a van or MH and live on site for the season or just a week or two. If you go on to the Australian Job Search website you'll find it on the 'Harvest trail' (also covers the Riverina area for fruit and others picking regions). However, the down side. Shortly a lot of overseas youngsters will be coming over, buy a cheap camper and go to the various Job Providers Networks en masse and go for these jobs whilst traveling (sort of young nomads). Many of them have little or no English but worth a try.

For what it's worth.

Dunmowin · Guru

Redwood Nomads 256 wrote:
Hi all
Newbies here. We are presently in Brisbane awaiting the arrival of A new grandson so have delayed our departure till after New Years. We are just asking for the best direction to head at that time of the year. We are not tied to A schedule but would both like to work as we go. Any helpful hints or suggestions will be greatly appreciated..

thanks
Steven and Glenis

Welcome Redwood Nomads, We too work as we travel, and since July 2011 have worked the following:

2011 - Birdsville Caravan Park for race week, Cattle Property near Winton (one month), Bean Harvest Bowen (one month).

2012 - Prairie Hotel, Parachilna (3 months) Grain harvest for Viterra South Aust (2 months). Port Vincent Caravan Park (2 weeks)

2013 - Caravan Park, Kalgoorlie (1 week), William Bay Cottages (2 months), Currently waiting for a date to start for Grain harvest with CBH in Western Australia.

We get some work via the Grey Nomads classifieds, and are members of Workabout Australia.

If you want to get involved in grain harvest, normally around October to December, you need to apply for the work in about August.

wendyv · Guru

buffy61 wrote:
Hi redwood...welcome to the forum.
We are doing the same as you...working as we go. Left Brisbane about 6 weeks ago. I have a 12 week nursing contract in Wagga. He didn't have a job and has been pacing the pavement handing out cvs. Got a job in retail this week. Harvesting starts in this area shortly so that was another option. Will stay in lower oz til about April we think. Seems I may have a nursing contract in Townsville so will head there in April. Better start checking caravan parks out for accommodation I guess...any suggestions anyone???

Townsville Caravan Parks: have stayed at the Lakes CP - has advantage of being central, but a lot of the sites are a bit squeezy.

We liked Woodlands and stayed there a couple of times. But it is on the northern outskirts which might not suit if you have to commute to work.

Earlier, stayed at Rowes Bay - the closest one to the sea (just over the road). Was popular with backpackers then.

There are a number of others that we haven't personally experienced. Check out the Badgers site (google badgers caravan park reports) for comprehensive reports from travellers.

Once the tourist season starts up north, a number of the camping grounds, cafes etc are looking for staff. They often do not advertise - rely on word of mouth, or signs put up in windows etc. Places that spring to mind are Bedrock Village CP at Mt Surprise; Cobbold Gorge; Adels Grove; roadhouses along the Gibb River Road.

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.