Whether you want to explore Adelaide city, the outback, one of South Australia's numerous wine regions, or even Kangaroo Island - there are loads of opportunities for a holiday job that will open the door to exciting new landscapes and experiences. We've picked some brilliant seasonal opportunities to help you kick start an unforgettable chapter. Use this guide to decide when to travel to Adelaide and start your working holiday and see what your next career could look like.
All year round...
Experience life as a Station Hand
If you've been fantasising about the vast, Mars like expanse of the outback then make your day dream a day job by becoming a station hand. Jillaroos and Jackaroos (our version of a cowgirl or cowboy) look after cattle or sheep, do farm work and spend a lot of time outside in nature. If you are looking for a completely different, life altering experience than look no further than the heart of Australia. Find yourself an Akubra once you land to keep the dust out of your eyes, invest in a sturdy pair of leather boots and a can-do attitude.
Join a family as an AuPair
Another job that offers year-round employment in South Australia is to be a live-in nanny or babysitter. Become a live-in nanny for a family in Adelaide and explore the city streets of our boutique capital while keeping the kids entertained, while exploring the best that regional South Australia has to offer on your days off. Or, go bush and become an AuPair for a farming family in outback South Australia and get a taste of everyday country life.
Become an adventure tour guide
If you have what it takes to challenge yourself every day and while also taking people along for the ride, then become an adventure tour guide. There are a range of thrill seeking careers to be had in South Australia - from quad biking on Kangaroo Island to rock climbing in the Adelaide Hills.
Work in the hotel industry
Feeling fancy? Experience South Australia's world-class and award-winning food and wine while working in one of Australia's finest luxury properties - like Sequoia Lodge in Mount Lofty, or The Louise in the Barossa Valley. If you enjoy your creature comforts - like heating, cosy couches, the soft melodies of jazz music playing all day and stunning surrounds then luxury hospitality is the gig for you.
There are also plenty of hotels and caravan parks scattered across Adelaide and South Australia that are often in need of staff - including roles like reservations, guest services or housekeeping.
Summer jobs: December to February
Pick fruit and vegetables in the outdoors
South Australia is known for its top-notch produce. Have a taste of the quintessential working holiday job by working in the outdoors picking fresh produce for Australian markets, supermarkets and for export. Play a part in one of Australia's biggest industries while living and working by the river, amid rolling green hills or in the outback.
Get a Festival Job
At the end of summer, Adelaide explodes with art, music, culture, bikes and cars. The locals call it "mad March" thanks to many of Australia's biggest festivals coinciding here in March and it sees most of the city shut down and turned into pedestrian thoroughfares lined with outdoor bars, fire twirlers, street dancers fairy lights and an electric atmosphere. Adelaide Fringe Festival, WOMADelaide, Adelaide Festival and Tour Down Under all require a heap of people to help get their shows on the road and is a great ticket to help you get into the job market.
Autumn jobs: March to May
Harvest award-winning grapes
Every year hundreds of seasonal jobs open up for the biggest time of year for winemakers - vintage season. This is harvest time, when thousands of grapes are picked from vines across the state to eventually get turned into world famous wine. Adelaide is the wine capital of Australia, so it is not surprise that the wine industry is a massive employer - particularly for seasonal workers. Whether you find an opportunity in the Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra or Riverland, your office could look like emerald green valleys, your work mates are likely the kangaroos that call the vines home and knock-off drinks are homemade. When vintage is finished, take your new knowledge of the local business and move into cellar door sales to chat all things wine with thirsty customers.
Winter work: June to August
Pull pints at an Outback Pub
Learn to pull a pint at two of Australia's most iconic outback pubs - the Prairie Hotel at the edge of the Flinders, or at the Maree Hotel near Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre. If pub work isn't your jam but you still want to experience the legend of the Australian outback, then try your hand working front of house at an outback station stay, or you could even take a job as a Cameleer Assistant.
Serve Tea on a Train
Spend your days travelling on one of Australia's greatest rail journeys that will take you across the country. Working aboard the Ghan, your average work week could see you darting between Adelaide and Darwin or Adelaide and Perth. These train trips will see you traversing some of the hardest to access, most remote corners of Australia.
Work in Spring: September to November
Work as a Deckhand
Cruise the Murray River during a glorious South Australian spring on the Murray Princess. Departing from Mannum, 87 kilometres from Adelaide, this will be a brilliant chance to explore the rugged cliffs of the Riverland and soak up the local nature and cultural history.
Work at an Oyster Farm
If you love seafood, then get yourself to an oyster farm. With farms in Coffin Bay, Smoky Bay and Kangaroo Island, oysters from these regions are sent to the best restaurants around Australia. Your days will be spent wading through the crystal blue waters along famous Australian coastlines, shucking and tasting the freshest seafood possible from nature's salty plate.
Dusted off your resume and ready to find your next gig? The Backpacker Jobs Board for South Australia is the perfect starting point. Browse roles and start applying!
What's so special about South Australia?
Want to know what you can do in South Australia that you can't do anywhere else? Check out our ultimate South Australian bucket list and discover the things you can only do in South Australia, what we are famous for and surprise yourself.
