Australian Ranch

Australia is Real Gap's most popular destination and aside from being a beautiful country with great weather and loads to see and do, one of the main reasons so many gap year travellers choose to travel Down Under is because of the wide variety of work available there. If you travel to Oz with Real Gap we can guarantee you a job. There are a huge number of jobs available in Australia but, for the ultimate Aussie experience, the most exciting job you can do simply has to be working in the outback on an Australian ranch.

People who work on an Australian ranch are known Down Under as Jackaroos and Jillaroos, (depending on whether they are a bloke or a Sheila of course)! Working on an Australian ranch is an ideal job for anyone who really wants to try something different on their gap year and totally immerse themselves in the Australian culture and outdoor way of life. Real Gap can arrange gap year work on a genuine Australian ranch with our ‘Australia Outback Ranch Package' If you want to experience the ‘Crocodile Dundee' lifestyle and work on an Australian ranch this programme provides will provide you with everything you need and, as with all of Real Gap's Australia programmes, you are guaranteed a firm job offer from an Australian ranch.

There are numerous different jobs you can do on an Australian ranch - from driving a tractor to feeding the animals. With some jobs on an Australian ranch it can help if you already possess some relevant skills - such as previous work experience on a farm, horse riding, motorbike or tractor driving experience. Don't despair, however, if you don't fit in to any of these categories and really fancy working on an Australian ranch. What really counts if you want to work on an Australian ranch is simply enthusiasm, energy, decent fitness levels and - above all - a general willingness to get your hands dirty.

You can work in an Australian ranch in many different parts of Australia. If your idea of working in an Australian ranch involves being in a remote part of the Aussie outback then this is definitely possible. Some of the Australian ranches Real Gap arranges work with are in areas other backpackers simply don't ever get to see. If, however, you want to work on an Australian ranch that isn't too remote then just let us know - we can then ensure we find you work in an Australian ranch on the outskirts of a town. If you are travelling Down Under with a partner or group of friends and would like to work together at the same Australian ranch, then this is possible too.

One of the great things about working on an Australian ranch is that there is a real ‘work hard, play hard' atmosphere. When you work on an Australian ranch your colleagues will generally be a mix of locals and other like-minded backpackers. Once your work has finished for the day on an Australian ranch the evening social life is usually excellent and, particularly if you're working on an Australian ranch in a remote part of the outback, the situation can really bond people together. When you work on an Australian ranch, all of your food and accommodation is included and you will also receive a weekly basic wage. The money you earn on an Australian ranch won't make you rich but, as you won't have any outgoings, it should provide more than enough spending money for you to enjoy the Aussie life in your spare time. With an Australian working holiday visa you are not permitted to work on one particular Australian ranch, or in any other job for that matter, for longer than three months at a time. However you are permitted to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months, so there is plenty of time available to do some travelling and also - if you like - find work in other Australian ranches as well.

The starting point for Real Gap's ‘Australian ranch' programmes is Brisbane. The first few days are spent getting over your jet lag with other gap year travellers in the beautiful surroundings of Rainbow Island. The programme then moves on to an Australian ranch where participants receive five full days of intensive, but extremely fun, training in order to prepare them for life working on an Australian ranch.