My Working Holiday Adventure in Cairns: Looking for work in the tropics
Cairns - Botanical garden, May 2019.
After living almost two months in Melbourne, it was time to migrate. The weather began to change: wind, rain and cold. It was the least I wanted for this year of exploration, recognition and mental rest that my body was crying out for. The idea was to get to know the country, working on something that did not require greater experience. My goal was to find a hospitality job somewhere beautiful next to the beach. From Melbourne I sent a lot of CVs, but most of them asked for experience that I didn't have, since I had never made a bed in perfect condition nor did I know how to wait tables or make coffee.
Arriving in Cairns was fabulous. From the plane, everything looked green and she was excited about what the place would be like. Landing and feeling the heat and humidity was heavy, but she was glad to have arrived. The flight took almost three and a half hours from Melbourne, and I think I slept the entire trip, only waking up upon landing. Cairns airport was small, with photos of the place. I decided to take an Uber to the hostel we had booked, since I was now traveling with a friend. Upon arrival, we settled into a 4-bed room and met other people who were also looking for work or just knew the place.
On the second day of being in Cairns, one of the hundreds of emails I sent responded to me, arranging an online interview for that same day. Doing that interview was the most stressful thing I had ever experienced, because I was still in the process of learning the language and had no experience. But what I had learned was that I needed to be brave and do it, even if it didn't work out. To my surprise, they hired us and we had to fly to a town called Weipa, in Cape York, almost a ten hour drive from Cairns or an hour and a half by plane. We decided to go by plane, so we paid the ticket and in a couple of days we would be flying to an unknown town in the middle of nowhere to work at a campsite.
First job
I found it on Facebook, I sent them the resume with my friend's and boom, interview called, we are ready to go see this sunset.
Getting to know Cairns and its surroundings.
In the meantime, we had to see Cairns and its surroundings, so we organized some visits with the people we met. I rented a car so we could get around. Since I was the oldest in the group, leasing a car was simple; Being over 30 had its advantages. I still remember that first drive in Australia like it was yesterday. My legs were shaking. In Chile I had driven a little, but I didn't have that much experience and I had never used an automatic car. One of the people I met gave me confidence and explained it to me, and I took the plunge. That trip was quite an adventure. We were in Kuranda, a small town in the hills. Driving there was a challenge with sharp turns, but I made it. When I arrived, I cried with happiness because I had the courage to drive on the wrong side of the street in a different country, and, above all, I gained confidence. It may seem like nothing to you, but for me it was a great achievement, one more step in my self-love, a love that I only discovered when I arrived in Australia.
First time driving in Australia
First time driving in Australia, on the other side of the road and automatic, I had always driven manual cars.
After Kuranda I continued driving to Port Douglas, a beautiful coastal town, however, that day we had a lot of rain and we enjoyed it halfway. The return was difficult because it was raining like I had never seen in my life, I couldn't see the lines of the road, it was quite a challenge, but we arrived safely.
The good thing about that car is that it coordinated with the agency to be able to return it at the airport, so we had a hard time and didn't spend money on paying for an Uber.
I would have liked to spend more time in Cairns. I really liked the place: all green, forests. I didn't visit the Great Barrier Reef, it's on the list, but there are plenty of things to do. The hostel we stayed in was at the entrance of the town, perfect for me. I met many wonderful people.
lodging house
It had almost everything: a barbecue area with a kitchen, a bar, tables for lunch and a giant screen.
My recommendations
Cairns is not a big city, to me it is like a town. It is 100% touristy, so all the backpackers come in search of work and opportunities.
Looking for work outside Cairns.
Getting together with friends and renting a car together is easy and saves cost.
Have mosquito repellent and sunscreen.
The best time of year is the dry season, from April to October.
Unmissable: Havaianas. I bought some years ago at Northface that were super comfortable to walk in.
My successes
Always travel with a hat and a light rain jacket.
Translated driver's license.
My mistakes
Do check if the hostel offers airport transportation.
Wear jeans; These pants and shorts are heavy and hot. If you're thinking of going to Queensland in the dry season (winter for us), it's good to have light clothing. If you only travel with a backpack, the quickest and cheapest way is to buy second-hand clothes in Salvos.
I only have my cell phone camera, that's why the first photos don't have much quality.
Conclusion
This experience of exploring Cairns taught me a lot about bravery, adaptation and the importance of getting out of my comfort zone. From facing interviews in a language I was still learning to driving on the wrong side of the road, each challenge made me grow and gain self-confidence. Cairns, with its tropical climate and welcoming atmosphere, will remain in my heart as a place full of adventure and learning. If you are thinking about exploring Australia, I encourage you to be brave, take risks and enjoy every moment, because every step outside your comfort zone is a step towards personal discovery. Until the next adventure!
