Great Barrier Reef Jobs for Backpackers

Great Barrier Reef Jobs in Australia

Job opportunities at the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Having the opportunity to travel around Australia is the chance of a lifetime. The country boasts so many natural wonders, gorgeous cities, dreamy coastal towns and unique areas. But, even with so many amazing places around Australia, it's no wonder that the Great Barrier Reef is often a firm favourite for anyone lucky enough to visit.

Travelling around Australia can get kind of expensive though, especially if you want to see as many of the stunning attractions as possible before your working holiday is over. A great way to fund your travels is by picking up casual positions along the way. If you're not too sure what job opportunities might be available to you while you're visiting the Reef, we can help. Take a look here at just some of the job opportunities at the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

What is the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system and a declared world heritage site. The Reef protects a huge swath of the Australian coastline while acting as an entire ecosystem in its own right. It is home to thousands of species of fish and all manner of sea creatures including whales, dolphins and sea turtles. It is located along the east coast of Queensland and is considered an absolute must on every tourist's to-do list.

What kind of jobs can you get around the Great Barrier Reef?

There are plenty of different job opportunities based around the Great Barrier Reef. These jobs vary quite a lot which means there should be something for everyone in terms of skills required, interests and working hours preferred. Anyone looking for casual or part-time work should have some luck in the following industries:

1. Scuba and snorkelling tours

Diving and snorkelling are incredibly popular activities along the Reef. If you’re experienced at scuba diving or snorkelling, there’s a good chance that you will be able to work in the diving industry.

2. Fishing boats and boat trips

With fishing being such a popular sport throughout Australia, it’s not surprising that the Reef offers up some of the best fishing in the country. Fishing trips, charter boats and boat trips are consistently popular tourist activities on the Reef, so if you have any experience on a boat or out fishing, you might be able to get work at one of the many companies that offer such services.

3. Hospitality on the Reef

Hospitality is a great industry to be in if you’re looking for a casual or temporary position. There is a huge range of different hospitality positions available from bars and restaurants to cafes, food trucks and fast food. Many venues are willing to train you on the job, so it’s not imperative that you have experience behind a bar or on a restaurant floor. This makes it a great industry around the Great Barrier Reef.

4. Housekeeping jobs on the Reef

With hotels, hostels and campgrounds located up and down the Reef, picking up a housekeeping job shouldn’t be too hard at all. Housekeeping is great as it is easy to fit your work hours around your travels and explorations, which gives you plenty of time to experience the Great Barrier Reef in all its glory.

3. Retail positions on the Reef

If you have any customer service experience, you might be able to land yourself a part-time retail position in one of the many towns along the Great Barrier Reef. Retail is a great job option as it is often a part-time position that pays decently well. It will fit around your adventuring well and help fund the next leg of your travels.

Experience the adventure

One of the best things about working in the tourism industry is that you will be able to get out and experience the Reef while also earning some money for your travels.

Spending time along the Great Barrier Reef is a truly unique experience. It’s a beautiful location and offers some of the most diverse marine life on the planet. Spending some extra time along the East Coast experiencing the Reef in greater detail while building up your travel funds is a great way to spend part of your working holiday. There are plenty of jobs available, all that’s left for you to do is to decide what industry you would like to work in while you’re staying there.