Mirthe’s working holiday in Australia

Finding a job was quicker and easier than I expected. Other backpackers’ stories made me a bit nervous, saying it’s tough to get work because there are so many backpackers. But one thing I learned: if you really want something, you’ll make it happen. The first few days, I focused on sorting all the practical stuff, like opening an Australian bank account, getting a local phone number, and updating my English CV. I also made sure I had the right certificates, like the RSA, which you need if you want to serve alcohol in Australia.

I spent those first days mostly in the library, sending out applications and calling businesses. I found job ads on Gumtree and Facebook. In the afternoons, I’d head into town to hand out my CV in person at restaurants and bars. This is honestly the quickest and most common way to find work. Businesses in Australia really appreciate it when you just walk in and introduce yourself. I always asked for the manager and handed my CV directly to them. That way, you know your CV won’t end up in the bin. Within two days, I had seven job interviews! And if you haven’t heard anything after two days, just pop back in and ask about your application. It shows you’re genuinely motivated. Some hostels also have a board with job ads, or you can tell reception you’re looking for work and leave your number. Often you’ll get a text (proper old-school, but it works!) when a job comes up. So don’t forget to ask about these options when you check in at a new hostel! Plus, asking around and networking is always smart. You’ll definitely meet backpackers who are already working in Australia. Ask them if they have any connections or if their workplace needs more people.

Good prep is half the battle. Make sure you’ve sorted all the practical stuff before you start job hunting. If an employer sees you’ve already got this sorted, it boosts your chances of getting hired faster.

Nowadays, there are special working holiday starter packs in places like Sydney, which are super handy. During a week like that, you’re with other backpackers doing a working holiday, and you get help with all the practical things you need to work in Australia. You’ll also get advice on which certificates you need for different jobs. It saves you loads of time, since you don’t have to figure out which bank or phone provider is best. You can get straight to the important stuff, and it’s a fun way to meet other backpackers!

My time in The Outback was definitely my most unforgettable experience. I lived and worked there for five months, and it felt really special to live among the locals, in the middle of nowhere.

It’s the kind of experience you’ll hardly find anywhere else in the world, and that made it so unique. My home was literally a roadhouse, with a petrol station and a small campground, somewhere along the famous Oodnadatta Track.

The nearest supermarket was 200 kilometres away, so if I needed groceries, I’d give my list to the pilots who lived with us, and they’d fly over and bring everything back. That was just the start of the unusual way of life there.

The facilities were totally ‘old school’. There was no beer on tap, simply because it wasn’t possible. The tap water was salty, so a truck would regularly deliver fresh drinking water. It all made the experience even more memorable.

The famous Lake Eyre wasn’t far from us, and the roadhouse offered scenic flights over the lake. If I had a day off and there was space, I could join the flight - what an experience!

The locals nearby were classic Aussies, with cowboy hats and big XXL moustaches. Every evening they’d come to the bar for a beer, and I learned a lot from them about Aussie slang. It was amazing to see how tight-knit the community was, and I was soon seen as one of them. As they said: “You are part of the family right now.”

The Outback isn’t for everyone, but for me it was the perfect place. The sunsets, the night sky, everything was indescribably beautiful. Every evening we’d sit around the campfire, playing guitar and watching the stars. Some weekends there’d be a big local event: people from “nearby” would camp out, there were horse races, and of course a massive BBQ with an Australian band. It was simple, but so unbelievably cool!

I met so many amazing people there that I won’t forget any time soon. My notebook is full of addresses from people all over Australia where I’m always welcome. Like I said, Aussies are just incredibly welcoming.

WORKING IN THE OUTBACK. Haha yes, I’m a fan, but seriously, it’s a brilliant way to earn money. You get room and board sorted, which means your expenses are low.

Plus, there’s not much to do in the Outback, so you’re not tempted to spend money. Even if you do this for just a few months, you can save up fast! To give you an example, I managed to save enough in 5 months to buy a 4x4 car and have enough savings to travel around for another 3 months.

You can often work at hostels in exchange for your stay, by doing cleaning for a few hours a day or organising activities. This helps you save some cash while you’re job hunting.

Stay in hostels as much as you can and cook for yourself there. Eating out and going out costs a lot. Supermarket prices in Australia are about the same as in the Netherlands, so if you cook in hostels, you’ll definitely save some money.

And yes, everyone says you should drink goon if you want to save money… you know, that cheap wine in a bag. Well, I absolutely don’t recommend it 😉 You’re better off finding happy hours - they’re everywhere in Australia and offer great deals!

Another fun way to save money is Couchsurfing! It’s a platform where you can stay with locals for free. You use the Couchsurfing app to find people offering a place to sleep, often on their sofa or in a guest room.

You save money, but it’s also a great way to meet locals. And to reassure you: people in Australia are incredibly friendly, open and relaxed.