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Want to get away from it all and experience life in the Australian outback? Learn what it takes to live on a real life cattle station and put what you've learnt into practice with a paid work placement!

Spend a few days taking in the bright lights of Sydney then it’s time to head to the ranch and roll up those sleeves! Discover the real outdoor way of life and try your hand at everything from tractor driving to fence building. Once you’ve mastered the basics on the training course, it’s time to ride those open plains and earn some cash on an Australian cattle station!

Day 1 - 2: Down time to explore

Time to get settled and spend 3 days exploring the sights and sounds of Sydney! Optional day trips are available and you can pack in as much or as little as you want to; set off on a sightseeing spree or just take some time out on the beach.

Day 3 - 8: Life on the ranch!

Your outdoor journey begins here, a scenic day-long drive will take you through the Hunter Valley Vineyards and the Blue Mountains and to your new home; Kaluba Ranch right in the middle of the Aussie wilderness and a long way from the rest of the world! Set up your bank account and get your cowboy kit; boots, belts, shirts, sunscreen in Coonabarabran then it’s time to get down to work.

Learn everything you need to know to work as a ranch hand and stay safe in the outback. Become a pro with horse riding and cattle work, ride motorbikes and tractors, sleep under the stars and lend a hand with maintenance on the station. Once you’ve completed your course and passed the training, the team can help you find a paid position where you’ll test out all of your new skills and live like a real Aussie, the rest is up to you!


What's included?

* Twelve months of job offers all over Australia
* Airport pick-up
* Transfer from Sydney to training ranch
* 9 nights accommodation
* Help setting up bank account and tax file number
* Six days of training, familiarisation and job matching
* Meals at the ranch

What's not included?

* Flights
* Working Holiday Visa
* Travel Insurance which will cover horseback riding and ranch work
* Return transfer from training ranch back to Sydney

Duration

10 days of training followed by up to 12 months in a paid placement.

Start Dates

Real Gap Experience offer gap years, career breaks and adventure travel from 2 weeks to 2 years with weekly/monthly departures for most trips that aren’t dependant on seasons or weather to operate. Set departure dates means you’re always together with other young like minded travellers and making new friends is guaranteed.

Costs / Benefits

For all Volunteer, Adventure Travel, Sports and Learning New Skills trips, no salary is paid and participants will need to pay a fee that covers food, accommodation, transfers and 24/7 back-up and support. For our Paid Work Abroad options a salary is paid and varies depending on the trip and location.

Requirements

You need to hold a drivers license, ideally manual as opposed to automatic. Vegetarians are welcome on this programme but if you want to set off on the same placement as a friend/partner if may take a little longer.