Island Jobs for Backpackers

Island Jobs in Australia

Crystal clear waters. White sands. Golden sunshine. Fancy waking up with all of this on your doorstep?

For most people, working on a beautiful island is just a dream. However, if you are looking to make that dream a reality, there are many island destinations looking for young workers on an Australian working holiday visa for various roles. Can you see yourself volunteering on a vital conservation project? Acting as an au pair for an Australian family? Working in a labour job overlooking a picturesque landscape? Or bar tending in a beachside resort?

We are here to tell you that soon you could be living and working on one of Australia's top island destinations. Here are a few of our favourites:

Magnetic Island

Just 8 kilometres off the coast of the city of Townsville, this island has the best of both worlds. It is remote enough to escape the hustle and bustle, but close enough to return to creature comforts when you need to. This is a hugely popular tourist destination for snorkelling and beach activities, with most workers taking up hospitality roles.

Lizard Island

This exclusive holiday island is tucked into the Great Barrier Reef and boasts more fabulous tropical North Queensland scenery and weather. You might find a gig volunteering to help conserve the reef, with food and board included. Why not make your working holiday count by having a lasting impact on the environment?

Christmas Island

A little further afield, nestled close to Indonesia, is Christmas Island off the coast of Western Australia. Get off the beaten track to a place that only a few Australians have visited. This destination boasts coral atolls and is a developing community that will be fascinating for any tourist, working in any role.

Thursday Island

Part of the Torres Strait peninsula, this island is 39 kilometres north of Cape York. If you want a great northern experience, this is about as far up as you can go! Get acquainted with this fascinating mix of Australian and Torres Strait Island culture and make your working holiday an educational one.

Long Island

This little known New South Wales gem is a 73 hectare wilderness wonderland in the Hawkesbury river, 50 kilometres north of Sydney. It is joined to the mainland by railway, but because this is a nature reserve, it is not possible to visit without permission from the Parks and Wildlife Service. Working here will give you exclusive access to this special natural icon.

Rottnest Island

Just off the coast of Perth, Rottnest Island is another protected nature reserve with white sand beaches and notable surf breaks. If you want your working holiday to be a surfing holiday, then this is a spot to consider.

Now that you've discovered a few of the great destinations on offer, here are some reasons to choose an island over a mainland locale for your working holiday:

No hurry

As soon as you step onto an island you are operating on island time. Slow down and really enjoy your time in Australia. Escape the hustle and bustle of major cities like Sydney and Melbourne and get used to people stopping for a chat.

Get to know the locals

Island communities are usually small, so you will get a very personal experience while working on an island. Get to know the locals who call these places home all year round. You might find yourself making friends or an extended family that you will keep for life.

The sheer beauty

There is a reason these places are at the top of so many people's travel bucket lists. They are beautiful, and you could wake up in these amazing places everyday. During your time off, you can walk along some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, go diving in pristine reefs, and explore uncharted bushland and wilderness. You'll also get up close and personal with wildlife outside of the tourist-heavy wildlife parks.

As you can see, there are so many reasons that you should consider living and working in one of Australia's many top island destinations. It's time to start saving and making your travel arrangements, because these opportunities are right at your fingertips!