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Cairns is one of Australia's most popular destinations for backpackers seeking farm work and hospitality jobs. Located in tropical Far North Queensland, Cairns offers year-round employment opportunities in banana farming, mango harvesting, and the booming tourism industry.
Farm work in Cairns and surrounding areas (Innisfail, Tully, Mareeba, Atherton Tablelands) counts toward your 88 days for visa extension. The region's tropical climate means consistent work availability, especially in the banana industry which operates 12 months a year.
Hospitality jobs in Cairns are abundant due to the city's status as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. While these roles don't count for 88 days, they're perfect for earning money between farm seasons or while waiting for harvest periods.
Search Verified Cairns JobsCairns and the surrounding Far North Queensland region are known for tropical fruit production. The warm, humid climate creates ideal conditions for year-round farming, particularly in the banana industry.
Season:
Year-round (peak work)
Difficulty:
Physically demanding
Typical Tasks:
Picking, de-handing, bunch carrying, packing, planting, pruning
Most common farm work in Cairns region. Available in Innisfail, Tully, and surrounding areas. Can be hot and humid work.
Season:
November–January
Difficulty:
Moderate
Typical Tasks:
Picking, sorting, packing, grading
Seasonal work in Mareeba and Atherton Tablelands. Good pay during harvest season.
Season:
February–March
Difficulty:
Moderate
Typical Tasks:
Picking, packing, pruning
Available in Kuranda and Atherton region. Shorter season but consistent work.
Season:
May–October
Difficulty:
Moderate
Typical Tasks:
Picking, packing, sorting
Lemons, limes, and oranges grown in Mareeba and Dimbulah areas.
Season:
Year-round
Difficulty:
Physically demanding
Typical Tasks:
Harvesting, planting, field work
Available in coastal areas south of Cairns. Requires protective clothing.
Season:
Year-round
Difficulty:
Light to moderate
Typical Tasks:
Planting, weeding, maintenance, landscaping
Various nurseries and farms need general laborers throughout the year.
Cairns is a major tourism hub and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, making it one of Australia's best cities for hospitality work. The city attracts millions of visitors annually, creating consistent demand for hospitality workers in hotels, hostels, bars, restaurants, and tour companies.
Hospitality work does not count toward your 88 days for visa extension. Only farm work in regional areas qualifies.
However, hospitality jobs are excellent for earning money while waiting for farm seasons, between farm contracts, or to supplement your income. Many backpackers mix both types of work.
Serve drinks, take orders, clean glasses, and assist customers in bars and pubs.
Experience: Often no experience required
Pay: $26-32/hour + tips
Availability: High demand, especially weekends
Clean rooms, change linens, and maintain cleanliness in hostels and hotels.
Experience: No experience required
Pay: $25-28/hour
Availability: Very high demand year-round
Reception, cleaning, bar work, and general hostel duties. Often includes free accommodation.
Experience: No experience required
Pay: $25-30/hour or accommodation exchange
Availability: Common in backpacker hostels
Dishwashing, food prep, cleaning, and assisting chefs in restaurants and cafés.
Experience: No experience required
Pay: $25-29/hour
Availability: High demand
Take orders, serve food and drinks, make coffee, and provide customer service.
Experience: Barista skills helpful but not required
Pay: $26-32/hour + tips
Availability: Moderate demand
Assist with reef tours, diving trips, and adventure activities. Help with equipment and guests.
Experience: Diving certification helpful
Pay: $28-35/hour
Availability: Seasonal peaks
Farm: Bananas, Avocados (Feb-Mar)
Hospitality: Moderate demand
Hot, humid, cyclone season. Still work available.
Farm: Bananas (peak), Citrus starting
Hospitality: Increasing
Best time to arrive!
Farm: Bananas, Citrus, Pineapples
Hospitality: High demand
Highest work availability
Farm: Mangoes (Nov-Jan), Bananas
Hospitality: Very high (Xmas)
Great for hospitality + mango picking
All wages comply with minimum wage ($24.95/hr). Piece-rate workers can earn more with experience.
Banana capital. Year-round work. 90km south.
Major banana region. Wettest town. 140km south.
Mangoes, citrus, coffee. 65km west.
Avocados, dairy, vegetables. Tablelands region.
Bananas, sugarcane. Closest to Cairns (25km).
Bananas, quieter town. 60km south.
Central Cairns, social, easy hospitality work access
More space, kitchen, cheaper than hostels
On-site, very cheap, close to work, basic facilities
Some farms provide transport. Car helpful but not essential.
Yes, farm work in Cairns region counts. Hospitality does NOT count.
Physically demanding but most adapt in 1-2 weeks. Good pay once productive.
Yes, many entry-level roles available (housekeeping, kitchen hands, bar support).
Some do, others require own vehicle. Always confirm before accepting.
3-4 months working full-time (5-6 days/week). Bananas available year-round.
April-June (dry season begins). Peak season is July-September.
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