Bundaberg is one of Queensland's biggest growing regions and, for many working holiday makers, the place to do their 88 days of farm work. Vegetables, tomatoes and strawberries are harvested almost all year, plus there are sea turtles at Mon Repos and the southern Great Barrier Reef. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map — with seasons, working hostels and tips.
Around Bundaberg they grow sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries, avocados, citrus, mangoes and macadamias. That's why there's picking and packing work here almost all year — and the region is one of the most popular places to do your 88 days of “specified work” for the second visa.
There's the most work from April to December: vegetables and tomatoes run almost the whole time, strawberries roughly June to November, melons October to December. Mangoes are picked in January and February, avocados, citrus and custard apples between April and June. March is known to be quiet — if you arrive then, sort out a spot beforehand. Many farms only hire backpackers through the working hostels, often at short notice the night before.
The farms are out of town; without a car you depend on your hostel's shuttle or lifts. Only work for employers with a valid ABN who give you a payslip every week — otherwise the days don't count for your visa. On piece rates, you've been guaranteed at least the minimum wage since 2022. Track your days in the 88-day counter.
Working hostels find you farm jobs and bus you to the farm; in return you usually pay weekly rent and often a bond. Quality varies a lot. Before paying any deposit, get it in writing: is there work right now, how many hours, what does the bed cost per week, what does transport cost — and will you get payslips from the employer? Never pay money just for the promise of a job.
A big working hostel in a converted jail on Quay Street, with a pool. The hostel finds farm jobs and buses people out to the farms. Reviews are mixed — before paying a deposit, get jobs, weekly rent and transport confirmed in writing.
A working hostel in the north of town, across the Burnett River, also placing people with local farms. Same rule here: get work, costs and transport confirmed in writing beforehand and ask for payslips every week.
Bundaberg is about 360 kilometres north of Brisbane. The train on the Brisbane–Rockhampton line stops in Bundaberg, long-distance buses run along the coast, and the airport has flights to Brisbane. The town is easy to get around without a car; to reach the coast at Bargara you'll need the bus or a car. Tours to Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot Island at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef also leave from Bundaberg.
Mon Repos is the biggest loggerhead turtle nesting site on Australia's east coast. From November to January the females come up the beach at night to lay their eggs, and from January to March the hatchlings emerge and run to the sea. You can only watch on a guided tour run by the national parks agency. Tours cost money and book out fast — book early, ideally as soon as you know when you'll arrive.
This coastal town about 15 kilometres east of Bundaberg is the antidote to farm work. In “the Basin”, a sheltered rock pool right in town, you can snorkel — the water is clearest at high tide, and with some luck you'll see turtles. Along the waterfront there are cafés and cheap fish and chips. A good spot for your day off, all year round.
A patrolled beach in Bargara with a big grassy area behind it, good for swimming and picnics. From November to March, in the evening: no torches or bright lights on the beach — they confuse nesting turtles and hatchlings.
Bundaberg has been distilling rum from the molasses of its sugar cane fields since the 19th century, and “Bundy” is Australia's best-known rum. The distillery runs tours with tastings — paid, book ahead. Best in the afternoon after your shift.
Almost all year. There's the most work from April to December with vegetables, tomatoes and strawberries; March is known to be quiet.
Yes, picking and packing on farms around Bundaberg counts as “specified work” for the second and third working holiday visa — as long as you get payslips from an employer with a valid ABN.
A hostel that finds you farm jobs and drives you to the farm. You usually pay weekly rent and often a bond. Get it in writing beforehand whether there's work right now and what the bed and transport cost.
From November to January the females lay their eggs at night; from January to March the hatchlings emerge. You can only watch on a guided, paid tour.
All spots on the Bundaberg map. Nearby: Agnes Water to the north and K'gari to the south. The coast at a glance on the Great Barrier Reef Drive road trip. Track your farm days in the 88-day counter, and find all harvest regions in the harvest calendar on Work. Another farm region on the east coast: Coffs Harbour.
Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources, operator websites and job boards. Seasons vary with the weather and the farm — confirm with your hostel or farm before you travel.