My Gap Year in the Australian Outback
It’s a typical rainy day, my suitcase is packed and I’m unbelievably excited to hop on a plane to the other side of the world! In my excitement I almost forget the important (and pretty much vital) documents… Passport? Check! Flight tickets? Check! Money? Ummm… Check!
Thanks to Smaller Earth, I’m all set to embark on an amazing journey. In 24 hours time I would have landed in Oz and be ready to start my adventure, at an Australian Outback. My plans were all confirmed beforehand, so I don’t have the worry of trying to find a job and accommodation in a completely new country!
I have just finished college and wanted to take a year out to experience the real world, instead of going straight into either further education or a job. I was worried about having enough money, but by taking part in the Outback Australia program with Smaller Earth I knew I would have a guaranteed job and be paid a minimum wage of $300 dollars per week, with accommodation and meals included, this was a win/win situation for me.
I spent my first few days at Rainbow beach, which was great as it gave me a chance to meet some of the other people who I would be working on the farm with in the upcoming weeks. Rainbow beach is a MUST see and luckily for me it was included in my program.
The training week was probably the best part of my time at the outback; it was such a fun packed week and I learned so much. I was able to gain news skills ranging from driving a tractor and motorbike to herding cattle to horse riding and even building fences! The food we had was delicious and the farm is in a beautiful setting, which you get to see a lot more of when you go out for trail rides on motorbikes and horses. I even saw wild kangaroos and wallabies… how awesome!
Everyone is offered at least one job and you definitely feel ready to do it by the end of the week. The trainers were excellent too, very friendly and made sure that you really understood how to do the skill they were teaching. If you didn’t think farming was for you, there was always the option to work in the local pubs or restaurant.
I have just finished 3 months at a farm working as a horse rider. I had only been horse riding a few times beforehand but during the training week I discovered a real passion for it.
I can’t begin to explain how life changing working in the outback is. Of course it is hard work but it is unbelievably rewarding and the best thing is now I’m off to spend another 6 months traveling around the magnificent cities in Oz with lots of money to spend!