Looking for a Place to Complete Your 88 days? Far North Queensland is a Haven For Backpackers.
Far North Queensland (FNQ) is a popular destination for backpackers on working holiday visas due to its tropical climate, stunning natural attractions (like the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest), and abundance of seasonal and casual jobs.
This guide will get into all the details of a Working Holiday in Far North Queensland. Listing job types for backpackers. The best towns to settle in. Tips for finding work in farming, hospitality, mining and construction.
The Most Common Backpacker Jobs in Far North Queensland
Fruit Picking & Farm Work
This is the most common job type for backpackers, especially those aiming to extend their Working Holiday Visa. This is the perfect industry for backpackers to break into as many employers already expect people to stay just to complete the 88 days. There is also a lot of potential to receive long hours and save up money while completing farm work. Typical roles in North Queensland include; banana, mango, avocado and lychee picking and packing, sugarcane planting and harvesting, vegetable harvesting, and dairy farm roles. Here’s an overview of some common roles and what to expect.
Banana Picking & Packing
What You’ll Do: Cutting banana bunches with machetes, carrying heavy loads, packing bananas into boxes in sheds.
What to Expect: Very physical and repetitive. Work in muddy conditions with early starts.
Best Season: Year-round (peak from March to October)
Best Locations: Tully, Innisfail, Mission Beach, Mareeba
Mango Picking & Packing
What You’ll Do: Picking mangoes from trees (using picking poles), packing and sorting in sheds.
What to Expect: Hot weather, sap burns (wear long sleeves), fast-paced shed work.
Best Season: October to January
Best Locations: Bowen, Ayr, Mareeba, Dimbulah
Pineapple Harvesting
What You’ll Do: Cutting pineapples by hand, stacking them into crates or bins.
What to Expect: Tough on the hands and legs. Sharp leaves, sticky sap, hot sun.
Best Season: November to February (some year-round)
Best Locations: Yeppoon, Mareeba, Rollingstone
Melon Picking (Rockmelon, Watermelon, Honeydew)
What You’ll Do: Picking melons off the ground, loading onto trucks or conveyor belts.
What to Expect: Hard physical labor, lots of bending and lifting, dirty but fun group work.
Best Season: May to October
Best Locations: Bowen, Chinchilla (outside North QLD), Gumlu
Tomato Picking & Packing
What You’ll Do: Picking tomatoes by hand, grading for quality, packing into boxes.
What to Expect: Fast-paced and repetitive, lots of squatting and walking rows.
Best Season: May to November
Best Locations: Bowen, Ayr
Planting & General Farm Labour
What You’ll Do: Seeding crops, laying irrigation, weeding, digging, fencing, tractor driving (if qualified).
What to Expect: Varied work, good for people who like being outdoors and active.
Best Season: Depends on crop — planting often happens just before harvest season.
Best Locations: Across all farming towns — Bowen, Mareeba, Ayr, Tully, Innisfail
Sugarcane Harvesting
What You’ll Do: Drive tractors, assist harvesters, irrigation work
What to Expect: Machinery-based, long hours, dusty and hot
Best Season: June–November (harvest season)
Best Locations: Ingham, Ayr, Innisfail, Tully, Proserpine
Dairy Farms
What You’ll Do: Milking cows, feeding, cleaning sheds, maintaining fences
What to Expect:Early mornings, animal handling, consistent routine. Can be very dirty work.
Best Season:Year-round (peak hiring in winter)
Best Locations: Malanda, Atherton Tablelands, Millaa Millaa
Avocado Picking
What You’ll Do: Using picking poles to reach high fruit, gently handling to avoid bruising.
What to Expect: Less intense than bananas or melons, requires care and focus.
Best Season: March to August
Best Locations: Atherton Tablelands (Mareeba, Tolga, Ravenshoe)
How to Find Farm Jobs in Northern Queensland
Stay in a Working Hostel
Staying at a working hostel can be one of the best ways to find employment on a farm in Australia. Hostels serve not only as accommodation but as community hubs. Some hostels like Innisfail Budget Backpackers are working hostels. This means they directly connect you with work when you arrive and serve as accommodation for workers. They may even provide transportation to work.
Other hostels are not working hostels, meaning they won’t connect you directly with a job, however you can often get a discounted rate if you stay on long term. Many hostels near farms host working backpackers year round and can serve as a base for a job search. They may post ads for local jobs, keep contacts of local employers or simply be in a great location for you to find work on your own. Talking to fellow travellers can be a great way to find work and maybe even a carpool if you don’t have your own car.
Looking for a Hostel? Grab my list of Backpacker Hostels and Working Hostels in Far North Queensland.
Go through a Labour Hire Company
Many large farms prefer to use a labour hire company rather than hire on employees directly. This is because it can be hard to manage a large and ever changing workforce. These companies act as a third party between laborers and employers. Applying at these companies is a great idea because they often work with many employers and can submit your resume to many places. If you work for a labor hire you may also get the chance to work for several different farms as seasons change so you don’t run out of work just because a certain crop is done.
Grab my list of farmwork labour hires companies here.
Online Job Search
Online Job boards can also be a great place to find jobs. This is especially good for out of the way jobs that may even offer accommodation. Seek, Indeed, and Jora are three main job boards for all types. Backpacker Job Board is a board specifically for backpackers. Many facebook groups are also a great place to look such as Australia Backpackers 2025, or Townsville jobs. Join a few local and regional groups, you never know when a job might pop up near you.
Note: you may be tempted to pursue jobs online before you arrive. However most employers prefer to hire once you are actually in the area.
Hospitality Jobs in North Queensland
Tourism is big in FNQ, and the demand for hospitality staff is high, especially in places like Cairns, Port Douglas, and Mission Beach. For people on a working holiday visa anywhere North of the Tropic of Capricorn counts as regional. This means hospitality and tourism roles count towards your 88 day visa requirements. Typical roles include customer facing roles such as bar staff, servers, food runners, receptionists, and baristas. Back of house roles include chefs, kitchen hands, and housekeeping roles. Many locations in Queensland ramp up hiring at the start of the dry season.
How to Find Hospitality Jobs as a Backpacker in Queensland
Hand Out Resumes in Person
This might seem scary, but the best way to find employment at many establishments is still to go in person and make a face to face connection. Pick an area with a lot of restaurants, bars or hotels and print a stack of resumes. Put on a sharp looking outfit (tip: nice work clothes can often be found cheap at local op shops or thrift stores) and hit the town. Some areas have high competition so don’t be discouraged if you get a lot of rejections. It is best to time your visit to slow hours when employees have time to look at your resume.
Online Job Search
In the modern era it is very common for places like restaurants and hotels to use online hiring practices. Online job boards like Seek, Indeed, and Jora are all a great place to start. Another place to look is Gumtree. This is where local businesses will sometimes post ads. Facebook groups are another great way to find employment in hospitality. One trick I have used to get jobs is to keep an eye on Seek and when a job is posted in my area I not only submit a resume online, I also visit the location in person to hand in a resume. This is a great way to set yourself above the competition at a location that you know is looking for staff.
Tourism & Adventure Jobs
If you’re outgoing and love the outdoors, you may find work in the tourism sector. This industry also counts towards the 88 days visa requirements anywhere North of the Tropic of Capricorn. Some roles in this industry may require a few more skills such as experience with boats or as a scuba instructor. Roles here include snorkel or dive boat crew, dive instructors, tour guides, receptionists, travel booking agents, wildlife park staff, whitewater raft instructors and more. Some of these roles ramp up hiring right before the dry season when most tourists flock to the North. If you are looking for a very specific role such as a whitewater raft instructor you might want to contact potential employers in advance to inquire about hiring seasons.
How to Find Tourism and Hospitality Jobs in North Queensland
Online Job Search
Jobs in tourism can be very specific so if there is something you are keen on doing ie: working as a scuba instructor do a quick search on dive companies in your area. Next contact them directly via phone, email, or an in person visit. Ask about employment opportunities or seasons when they will be hiring.
Construction & Labouring Jobs in North Queensland
Although less seasonal, these jobs pay well and are often available to those with some experience or physical fitness. For these roles you will need to obtain a White Card. Many roles will require additional certifications such as a manual drivers license, forklift certification or working at heights certification. These roles performed in regional areas count towards the 88 day visa extension requirments. Typical roles include, general laborer, landscaper, painter, and traffic control.
Grab my list of farmwork, construction, and mining labour hire companies.
How to Find Construction Jobs as a Backpacker
Labour Hire Companies
Just like farmwork, labour hire companies can also be a great way to find construction jobs. They have contacts for several different projects and can find a match for your skillset. These companies act as a go between for you and construction employers so they may be able to find work for you on multiple project sites. Some agencies include Labour Solutions Australia and FT Workforce.
Online Job Search
Looking online for local job ads is another great way to find construction jobs. Websites like Seek, Indeed, Jora and Gumtree are all worth a look. Local facebook groups are another great way to find a job in this industry.
Mining and FIFO
The mining industry is very desirable for backpackers to break into. On top of counting towards 88 days requirements it is also a great way to save money. Many mining roles require quite a few certifications such as white card, working at heights, working in confined spaces and more. Roles are often based out of Brisbane, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mkay, and from inland mining towns; however it’s best to have a job lined up before venturing into the outback. These roles often offer a rotating roster such as 2:1 or 1:1 making them desirable for those who want time off to travel. Common jobs include drillers offsider, machinery operation, administrative roles, and hospitality roles such as cooking or housekeeping for the mine camps.
How to Find FIFO and Mining Jobs as a Backpacker
Labour Hire Companies
Most FIFO jobs are landed through recruitment agencies these days. One great way to find leads on agencies that are hiring in your area is through word of mouth. When you decide to work on a mine site you will need to obtain at least a white card and oftentimes other qualifications. While getting these qualifications ask the instructors if they know some places you can apply too, network with peers in the class as well. Note: mining jobs pay very well and can be competitive, it is definitely possible to work in this field on a temporary visa however it’s best to have a backup plan as locals and permanent residents can be prioritized for roles.
Grab my list of labour hires companies here.
The Best Far North Queensland Towns to Live in
Finding your dream job on a working holiday isn’t always about what you do for work, the location can actually make all the difference. North Queensland has some absolutely beautiful towns to choose from, with a wide array of environments. Your 88 days regional work is a choose your own adventure, you could live and work in an outback pub in charters towers, serve coffees by the sea in Townsville or harvest bananas in the rainforests of Tully.
I’ve made a list of 20 towns in Northern Queensland. These are popular locations for backpackers to complete regional work.
My Top 20 Working Holiday Destinations in Far North Queensland
In order from South to North.
Yeppon
With stunning beaches and access to the southern Great Barrier Reef, Yeppon is a beautiful beachside town for backpackers to live in. With a local fruit picking industry and a small tourism industry for backpackers to find employment.
Rockhampton
Rockhampton is a bustling industrial hub. It is also the beef capital of Australia. Here Backpackers can find jobs in the beef industry,
Mkay
Located in a lush tropical area with access to reef and rainforest Mkay is a surprisingly beautiful industrial hub. This town is the Gateway to the Bowen Basin coal mining industry and is the place to be for those interested in FIFO mining jobs in North Queensland. Mkay is also known as Australia’s Sugar capitol and backpackers can find Jobs at local sugar farms as well as sugar mills. If you have nautical experience there is also a seasonal fishing and prawn trawling industry here as well as quite a bit of hospitality work.
Prosporine
Adjacent to Airlie Beach this town is a bit further inland. Here backpackers can find sugarcane industry work as well as some hospitality jobs and tourism industry jobs. Great location for trips to the Whitsundays and nearby rainforests.
Airlie Beach
A major tourism hub on the East Coast Airlie Beach is best known for its beautiful Whitsunday Islands. There are many restaurants and bars here as well as resorts and hotels. These are all great opportunities to get a tourism job however many backpackers pass through here so it can be quite competitive. If you have experience in the sailing industry there are jobs here for deckhands and those who want to work in the tourism industry.
Bowen(and Binbee)
Bowen is a beautiful seaside town just North of Airlie Beach. Backpackers living in this town can expect to swim and lounge on white sand beaches with great snorkel spots and stunning hikes on their days off. Bowen is not as developed as nearby tourist towns so while there may be some hospitality jobs available backpackers can expect to find work primarily on nearby farms. Binbee is a smaller adjacent town.
Ayr
This Rural town has a tropical savanna environment and is incredibly hot year round. Temperatures range from the high twenties in winter to temperatures well into the 30’s and even 40’s in summertime. This area has a sugarcane industry as well as a good Mango season.
Townsville
Townsville is a fantastic place to complete the 88 days requirement if you want to work in hospitality. This lovely seaside town sits adjacent to Magnetic Island making it a huge tourist destination. With plenty of backpacker hostels Townsville has a wonderful backpacker community and plenty of restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars backpackers can work at. A lucky few even find employment on the nearby Magnetic Island although these jobs are hard to come by. Major job opportunities are available if you have experience in housekeeping, barista experience or bartending. There are more jobs available in the dry season however competition can be high. Townsville is where I completed my working holiday in Far North Queensland.
Charters Towers
Inland of Townsville this town is your gateway to the outback. Work here will involve cattle ranching or working in the small hospitality industry. With loads of museums and historic buildings this town transports you back to old Queensland.
Ingham
Another rural town North of Townsville is Ingham. This small town is surrounded by sugarcane and banana industry farms offering year-round work.
Tully
Located between Townsville and Cairns, Tully is famous for being one of the wettest towns in Australia. Surrounded by lush rainforest and banana plantations, it has a humid tropical climate with frequent rainfall. On days off, backpackers can explore scenic walking trails, go whitewater rafting on the Tully River, or relax in swimming holes. The town itself is small and rural, but friendly and popular among working holiday makers. This town has tons of work on banana farms -year round! There is also some sugarcane work here.
Mission Beach
Mission beach is a small coastal town best known to backpackers for its scenic skydiving spot. Here you can find some jobs in hospitality although these are limited and many backpackers pass through so they can be competitive. There are also some banana farms in the area that may employ backpackers.
Innisfail
North of Townsville you will find Innisfail- one of Australia’s wettest towns. Located on the Cassowary coast, this town is surrounded by rivers and rainforest. Jobs here primarily consist of banana farming and processing as well as some sugarcane and papaya work.
Atherton
Located in the tablelands of Far North Queensland Atherton is home to some beautiful farms and scenery. Backpackers can spend weekends and days off exploring waterfalls or taking a short trip to Cairns. There are many fruit farms in the region offering picking work as well as dairy farms and coffee farms..
Mareeba
Situated in the Atherton Tablelands, Mareeba is drier and sunnier than the coastal towns. It has a mild tropical climate and is known for its diverse agriculture — including mangoes, avocados, coffee, and sugarcane. The area has a laid-back rural vibe with a charming town centre. On weekends, backpackers can visit coffee plantations, swim in freshwater creeks, or explore the nearby Granite Gorge. Find work on mango farms, avocado’s, lychees, and coffee bean harvesting. There are also tobacco farms and nursery and greenhouse jobs here.
Smithfield
Smithfield is technically a suburb of Cairns located just north of the main city. It’s surrounded by rainforest and mountains and has a warm, tropical climate. The area is semi-urban, offering easy access to both city amenities and natural escapes like the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Barron Gorge. Great for backpackers who want a quieter base near Cairns. Here you can find tourism and hospitality jobs or look for these jobs in nearby Cairns or the Village of Kuranda.
Cairns
Cairns is one of the top destinations for backpackers in Australia. It has a vibrant urban lifestyle with a strong tourism industry and tropical climate year-round. On days off, travelers can snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef, hike in the nearby rainforest, or relax in the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. It’s a very social place with lots of hostels, nightlife, and tour options. Here you can find jobs in hospitality or in the nearby tourism areas with jobs on Great Barrier Reef expeditions or working as a tour guide. Note: this destination is super popular among backpackers so jobs are incredibly hard to find. It’s best to venture outside the CBD to find work and consider a backup plan if you can’t find work here.
Mt. Isa
Located in northwest Queensland, Mount Isa is a remote mining town in the outback. It has a hot, dry climate and a rugged landscape. The town is quite urban considering its isolation, with shopping centres and pubs. Backpackers drawn to FIFO work in mining or heavy industry might come here. On days off, options include the local rodeo (if in season), Lake Moondarra, or exploring nearby gorges. Jobs here are found in mining, and some hospitality jobs.
Port Douglas
North of Cairns in the Daintree Rainforest you will find Port Douglas. This coastal Rainforest town is a beautiful place to live and work with access to a patrolled beach and beautiful rainforest days off can be spent in nature soaking it all in. Jobs here are primarily tourism focused with many resorts hiring backpackers for housekeeping or hospitality roles. Some jobs even include accommodation. There are also many dive companies and tourism companies in the area that employ skilled workers in those fields.
Cape Tribulation
Located in the true far north, Cape Tribulation is a very rural area. Suited to those who don’t mind being a bit off the grid and truly immersed in nature. This area has an abundance of fruit trees and jobs are primarily in fruit farms. There are also some resorts here as well as tour operators so you could find a job in tourism as well.
Resources for Working Holiday Makers in Far North Queensland
I have put together some free resources to help you on your working Holiday Journey.
Check out my Free List of Backpacker Hostels and working Hostels.
Check out my Free List of Labour hire companies for farmwork, construction, and mining.
Read My Guide to making a stellar resume tailored to Australian Employers. After all you want to stand out from the crowd!
Benefits of Living and Working in Far North Queensland as a Backpacker
Abundant Job Opportunities for 88 Days Work
Far North Queensland offers a wide range of farm, hospitality, and tourism jobs that count towards your 88 days for a second or third Working Holiday visa. These jobs are especially found in fruit picking, banana farms, sugar cane, and reef tourism.
Incredible Natural Surroundings
Living here means daily access to iconic spots like the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, waterfalls, and stunning beaches. You can spend your days off exploring some truly amazing natural wonders right in your backyard. Make sure to take a long weekend or two and take a mini road trip.
Strong Backpacker Community
Towns like Cairns, Mission Beach, and Atherton are backpacker-friendly with hostels, social events, and job boards. These places are perfect for meeting other travelers and making friends. Honestly my favorite part of doing a working holiday in Far North Queensland has been the people I have met.
Challenges of Living and Working in Far North Queensland
Hot, Humid, and Sometimes Harsh Climate
The weather can be a bit extreme in the tropics. Usually it’s incredibly hot and sometimes it’s incredibly wet as well. Keep an eye out for the wet season and stay alert for news and safety information when storms roll in.
Isolation and Limited Services in Rural Areas
Smaller farming towns can feel remote, with fewer entertainment options, limited cell service, and basic shopping/services compared to cities.
Wildlife Risks
Far North Queensland is home to potentially dangerous creatures like crocodiles, jellyfish, and snakes so be“crocwise” and know stinger season safety to ensure you avoid danger.
Tips for Safety and Lifestyle in Far North Queensland
Stay Sun-Smart
Always wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing—heatstroke and sunburn are real risks, even on cloudy days
Be “Croc-Wise” and “Stinger-Safe”
Never swim in unknown freshwater or estuaries; heed crocodile warning signs. During stinger season (Nov–May), only swim at beaches with stinger nets or wear a stinger suit.
Keep Hydrated & Eat Well
The climate in Queensland is draining. Be sure to drink lots of water and eat energy rich foods to stay healthy. Especially when you are working a long farm shift.
Have Reliable Transport or Know Local Bus Schedules
In rural areas, public transport is limited so, buy a car or plan a carpool share to avoid being stranded between job sites or towns. Make sure to check bus schedules for return times before departing on public transit.
Embrace the Slow, Simple Lifestyle of the Far North
You will find small towns tend to move at a relaxed pace. Make sure you bring entertainment (like books or podcasts) and adjust your expectations for nightlife and shopping.
