Young Backpackers who come to Australia on A Working Holiday Visa need to complete 88 days of regional work in order to be able to extend their stay in Australia for another year. Finding eligible work for the 88 days requirement can be a challenge and can lead backpackers down many paths. While jobs like farmwork, construction, and natural disaster recovery are all popular options some backpackers prefer Hospitality Work. Hospitality work performed North of the Tropic of Capricorn is considered eligible for the 88 days requirement. For this reason many backpackers come to Townsville Queensland to complete the 88 days requirement.
As a backpacker who spent 4 months in Townsville I am making this guide to share my journey and experiences. Hopefully this guide will help you decide if Townsville is the right place for your working holiday down under.
Townsville Queensland is a Great Place to Complete Your 88 Days
Townsville is an attractive place to do the 88 days requirement and has a big backpacker community. The town is hot year round making it nice for people like me who hate the cold. It is considered remote enough for hospitality work to count towards your 88 days. This was perfect for me considering I have experience in hospitality.
The town is also fairly busy for a regional area with a growing population approaching 200,000. While not as exciting as a larger city like Brisbane there are some options for nightlife, particularly on the weekend. You have plenty of opportunities for going to a cafe, eating out, shopping and more. This can make it more appealing than a more remote area for regional work.
Townsville also has some natural beauty with beautiful beaches and a bustling marina. Its location in Queensland’s wet tropics region makes for some awesome day trips from the town. Crystal Creek is a must see experience.
It is super easy to get started in Townsville because there are a handful of backpacker hostels that can host you while you work. These can also serve as a base while you find other accommodation.
A Warning About Townsville’s Climate
Before you decide to move to Townsville you should know it is hot. I cannot emphasize how hot Townsville is. Townsville is hot and humid nearly every day of the year. During the dry season there is almost no rain. This means a beautiful clear blue sky every day, which is awesome for sun lovers. Be warned though the sun is abrasive. Don’t leave your accommodation without sun protection, sunglasses, sunscreen and water. It can also make it hard to walk anywhere due to the overwhelming heat. Even waiting at a bus station can be painfully hot. It’s also important to note some restaurants have an open air concept so you may find a job where you are on your feet in the heat for hours at a time.
Beware the Rainy Season
The only time Townsville is not hot is during heavy rain. When I was living in Townsville there was not a cloud in the sky for months. Then one day in the beginning of January the rainy season came. It was like a switch had flipped. Suddenly there were thunderstorms every night. Big storms would come and it would be rainy and windy for days. The town would flood. I left shortly after this started. The rainy season is hard because you can lose hours due to restaurant closures. The rainy season varies year to year and can occur between November and April. In 2024 when I was there the heavy rains started in January.
This is not to say don’t stay during the rainy season, many backpackers leave during this time so it can be a good way to pick up hours.
How to Find an 88 Days Job in Townsville Queensland
Online Job Search
You can use online job search websites such as Seek, Indeed, Jora, Gumtree, and groups like Townsville Jobs on Facebook to find Jobs. These platforms are often updated with new jobs and can be particularly helpful in the service industry. I would be careful to not only use these methods though as many jobs are obtained by goin in person. One method I used to successfully land a job was to check for recently posted jobs on seek and then to show up with my actual resume.
Resume Canvassing
The most tried and true method for finding employment in Townsville is by canvassing local businesses with resumes. Hospitality is huge in the area and many backpackers find employment at local restaurants and hotels. Popular jobs include hotel housekeeping and reception, bartending, and restaurant work in both the front and back of house.
Areas in Townsville to Look For Employment
Flinders Street: The most popular area for nightlife. A great place to look for jobs at local bars and nightclubs, you may be able to find weekend work as a bartender or barback. Try applying on less busy nights or right as clubs open.
Palmer Street: A more recently developed area Palmer street is home to many restaurants and is a popular area for backpackers to find work.
The Strand: Right on the beach the strand is home to many restaurants, bars, and cafes that hire backpackers.
The Ville and The Ardo: The major hotel and casino in town. These establishments are a huge local employer of backpackers with jobs in the restaurants, events, and the hotel.
Townsville Suburbs: Most backpackers don’t have a car and stick to the areas listed above. If you have a car or bike you can significantly expand your job search to suburbs like Aitkenvale, Cranbrook, Castle Hill and more. These areas have much less competition and can be worth a shot.
Work Tips
- Many employers in Townsville receive hundreds of applications a month. Don’t be discouraged if you get a lot of rejections before you find a job. Timing is everything, showing up when an establishment happens to be hiring can be pure-luck. Some managers in the area can actually be a bit rude to backpackers looking for work-don’t let this discourage you!
- One common problem for backpackers is not getting enough hours. Employers tend to hire backpackers on a casual contract. This means your hourly pay will be higher. This also means you are not guaranteed hours. Make sure you discuss expectations for hours with the employers when you are hired. Also make sure you
- Want to stand out from the competition? Read my post about resume writing specifically for Working Holiday Makers in Australia.
Backpacker Accommodation in Townsville
Townsville has no shortage of backpacker friendly accommodation. Here are five hostels in Townsville offering dormitory style accommodation.
The Reef Lodge: This is where I stayed long-term before I found accommodation with some friends. The Reef Lodge is located right in the heart of Townsville only 500 m from The Strand seaside, ferry terminals, and bus hubs. It has a laid back vibe, air-conditioned dorms/private rooms, a games room, gym, kitchen, and free Wi‑Fi. It’s a great place to meet people with nice outdoor seating areas and an outdoor movie area.
Civic Guesthouse: This cozy, award-winning backpackers’ hostel (TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence) offers clean dorms and private rooms, a fully equipped communal kitchen, a comfy TV lounge, free Wi‑Fi, and even a free shuttle to the ferry. Located just a short walk from the CBD, it’s an ideal choice for travelers seeking a quiet, friendly base with excellent service and great value
Seaside lodge: Recently renovated with a fresh, beach-inspired aesthetic, this spacious hostel is just a stroll from The Strand, Reef HQ, and the CBD. You can hang out by the pool or ping-pong, cook in the commercial kitchen, BBQ outside, and enjoy proximity to a Coles and local watering holes. Bonus: self check-in and daily cleaning ensure convenience and tidiness
Flinders St. Hostel: I actually stayed here for a couple of nights. It’s a small female only hostel with a really nice balcony. It has a great location for finding work. The kitchen is huge for the amount of people staying there. The only downside is the dorm rooms themselves were very cramped.
Avenues x-change Aitkenvale: I saw this one online and it looked interesting due to its location. Aitkenvale is a suburb deeper into Townsville and could potentially be a less competitive area to find a job. However not much information was available about this hostel online.
Public Transportation in Townsville
Townsville is relatively accessible without a car, however the public transportation system is slow. Busses do not run on Sundays and less popular routes have services that come less than once an hour. If you don’t have a car the bus can be useful for running errands and visiting new parts of town. I don’t think the public transportation infrastructure is great for work. It’s best to work within walking distance of your accommodation or buy a bike. You can also subscribe to an e-scooter service like Neuron scooters. This is how I got around during my time in Townsville.
What is there to Do in Townsville
Despite being in a somewhat rural area Townsville has a lot to offer. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Townsville.
Swim at The Beach
Townsville is warm year round and is a coastal beach town. This is perfect for travelers like myself who love to soak up the sun and go for a dip in the ocean. The main beach is located on the scenic strand, which is home to many restaurants and cafes and is always bustling with people. This is a great place to meet up with friends and even consider grabbing a pint at one of the nearby beachside bars.
Townsville is tropical and can be home to crocodiles so make sure you heed warnings and only swim in the patrolled beach area. During summer months the ocean has jellyfish known as stingers. Fortunately the town puts up stinger nets giving you a place to swim.
Visit The Rockpool
Townsville is also home to a huge saltwater pool by the beach called the rockpool. This massive pool is free for public use. It is also next to the adorable rockpool cafe and located right next to the beach.
Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is just a 20 minute ferry ride from Townsville. It’s perfect for a day trip, or an overnight stay at a hostel. It’s a bit of instagram famous for its cook electric convertibles known as “barbie cars” that you can rent. It has beautiful beaches, quaint shops, and some cool hikes. You can even spot a wild koala if you are lucky. Round Trip ferry tickets cost $40.
Castle Hill
The giant hill in the middle of Townsville is a bit of an Icon. Visible from almost everywhere this hill makes a great hike. You should go at sunset to avoid the heat. It offers a great view from the top and hanging out at the top with my friends is one of my favorite townsville memories.
Day Trips
Townsville is located in a really cool area of Australia. With access to both the ocean and the Wet Tropics region there are some cool trips from Townsville. Here are my favorite day trips from Townsville.
Crystal Creek( Paulauma Ranges National Park):
1 hour from Townsville via Car
This is one of my favorite day trips from Townsville! The Paluma Ranges National Park is home to quite a few watering holes. I visited little Crystal Creek, but there are more choices in the area. This was so cool, my friends and I packed a picnic lunch and a speaker and spent the day chilling by a waterfall. Here you can swim, cliff jump, and even find a hidden natural waterslide.
Wallaman falls
2-2.5 hours from Townsville via Car
I didn’t actually do this hike but some friends of mine did and it looks incredible. Wallaman falls is Australia’s tallest single drop waterfall. While it can be a brutal hike through a tropical rainforest the views are so worth it.
Charters Towers
1.5 hours from Townsville via Car
2 hours from Townsville via Bus
3 hours from Townsville via Train (not everyday)
This small town is the gateway to Queensland’s Outback. Here you can delve into the history of an old Gold Rush Town. Visit museums, and maybe even stay the night for a spooky ghost tour.
MOUA
Via boat tour from marina
The Museum of Underwater Art is a really cool attraction. Located right off the shore of Townsville. I never went because it was a bit out of my price range, but I think it would be an incredible experience. Guided boat tours depart from Townsville and last around 7 hours. You can scuba dive or snorkel. Here you can look at cool underwater statues and coral gardens as they come to life. This project will one day grow more coral and become an artificial reef.
Can I Find Work on Magnetic Island
Some backpackers may also try to find work on the nearby Magnetic Island. This is a really cool place. While some backpackers definitely work on Maggie opportunities are limited. Some backpackers find employment at hostels, hotels, and restaurants on the island. If you love Magnetic Island but can’t find an on island job, consider moving across the water to Townsville. You can always spend your time off on the Island.
More Towns to Consider for Working Holiday Jobs
Townsville is a great choice for a working holiday, but it’s not the only one. Far North Queensland has so many great regional towns that backpackers can work in. In fact I made a complete guide for working Holiday makers in Far North Queensland so give that a look. Here’s a quick overview of some great towns to do a working holiday in.
More Working Holiday Towns in Queensland
- For Hospitality Jobs try Cairns, Port Douglas, Mission Beach, or Airlie Beach.
- Banana Picking is a year round industry with jobs around Tully, Mission Beach, Innisfail, and Mareeba.
- Mango season runs from October-January with Jobs in Bowen, Ayr, and Mareeba.
- The Atherton Tablelands is great for all kinds of farm work
- Read my guide to a Working Holiday in Far North Queensland to learn about more opportunities.
Weather you choose to do your working holiday in Townsville, Queensland, or somewhere else entirely remember to have fun. A working holiday can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. Best of luck on your journey, wherever it takes you.
-Lindsy
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