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Work At Kerewong Horse Farm
Working at Southern Cross Horse Treks gives you the opportunity to experience life at the Kerewong horse riding holiday property in NSW Australia.
Help with everyday duties involved in running a horse riding tour business, learn about living on a rural Australian property and gain valuable horse care skills.
Stay for 2-3 months or longer and experience the lifestyle, live in your own private cabin with some meals provided for and the option to exchange some of your work hours for horse riding.
Working Farmstay Holiday On NSW North Coast (near Port Macquarie)
A great job opportunity exists for 1 or 2 people (singles or couple) to stay on the Kerewong horse riding property in farmstay accommodation with free WiFi and some meals provided in exchange for your help with:
General horse care, general farm hand duties, property, garden and facilities maintenance along with guesthouse and hospitality work.
Experience the true rural Australian lifestyle with nature, Australian wildlife and horses at your doorstep!
Note for International Work & Travel visa holders seeking to extend their second year visa: The Help Exchange position advertised here does NOT count towards obtaining a Second Year Working Holiday Visa, because the nature of the business is classified as Tourism, not Farming.
Horse Farm Workers - Job Description:
Assist with all the everyday duties involved in running a small horse riding holiday business as necessary. There is a very diverse range of tasks and every day is different, depending on weather or busy and quiet weeks.
- Examples of Horse Care Duties: feeding horses, filling water troughs, general horse care, hoof care, blankets, stabling, saddling / unsaddling, tack & saddles cleaning. This is not a trail guiding or horse riding job, but there will be the opportunity for some horse riding in free time or in exchange for your extra work hours if appropriate.
- Examples of Farm Property Duties: paddock cleaning and maintenance, picking up horse manure from pastures and yards (a lot!), stable cleaning, cleaning & tidying property, pulling out paddock weeds, pick up branches, sweeping, painting fences, repair fences
- Examples of Garden Work: general gardening, pruning, weeding, mowing, cleaning swimming pool (from leaves)
- Examples of House Work: cleaning, tidying, sweeping veranda, cleaning windows, cleaning / preparing guest rooms
- Examples of Hospitality Work / Help With Guests: help during meal times, help with preparing guest meals, general kitchen help, dishwashing, being back-up person during riding tour, help guests with horses during riding tours, cleaning up after rides and meals, prepare and bring lunch to the guests in the forest by 4WD tour support vehicle
- Dog Minding: if appropriate (dog lovers will love the "Branch Managers" Jedda & Bowie and the Kerewong clown Pepe the Australian Cattle Dog)
Horse duties depend on your horse experience, horse handling skills and how long you stay on the farm. Short term helpers do less with the horses and have more general house & farm duties, for instance gardening and housework.
It is expected that every worker is competent enough to help with the horses as well as general farm work and house / hospitality work. All great experiences to add to your resume!
Expected Time Frames For Horse Farm Job
Work Hours: Depending on the agreement 3 - 5 efficient work hours per day on average (distributed over the day), 5 - 6 days per week. The work agreement, hours and type of work depend on circumstances like horse tour bookings, weather, season and work period (short / long term) and will be discussed with you when you apply. The nature of the business demands a flexible attitude towards your work hours and it is essential that you see your stay as a complete lifestyle experience and not just like a job that has to get done. For instance, dinner and socialising with guests is not to be seen as working time. During horse riding tours there will be longer work days, which will be compensated with more leisure time in quieter weeks.
Length Of Stay: Minimum stay of 2-3 months, with 1-2 weeks trial period to help you settle in.
Horse Riding: Riding horses is not part of the duties. However, if appropriate and time permitting, you will be given the opportunity to ride the horses both in arena and on trails but this will not count towards the required work hours. There is also the option to exchange work hours for horse riding.
What Is Required From Horse Farm Workers?
- Visa: if you are not an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident you need to have a valid visa for your stay in Australia (temporary visitors require either a Work & Travel Visa or a Tourist / Holiday Visa that allows doing volunteer work).
International Visitors Note: Southern Cross Horse Treks does not help with visa applications. Visas are the responsibility of the applicant. - Be willing, motivated and capable to work efficiently for an average of 3-5 hours per day (distributed over the day), 5-6 days per week, in exchange for your working holiday / horse farm experience, accommodation rent and meals (full or part board allowance).
- Intention to commit for a minimum of 2-3 months
- You need to have your own health insurance cover
- Preferred minimum age 24 years old through to fit mature aged people (you are still welcome to apply if you are younger and over 18 years old)
- Current Drivers license and good driving skills
- Good horse skills - handling horses with respect, sensitivity and confidence. You don't need to be an excellent horse rider but you need to be competent with horses and have a good understanding of general horse behaviour and the Arabian horses' specific characteristics (or are eager to learn more about Arabian horses). It is preferred that you have extensive horse care experience (either from having your own horse, working / helping at other professional stables or caring for someone else's private horse(s)).
- Since this is a tourism / hospitality business you need to have good social skills, enjoy meeting and interacting with new people. However you must be happy in your own company as well because in quiet period with less bookings it can be a very quiet life on the farm.
- A self-motivated, hard-working, fit, easy-going and positive attitude, capable to work alone and independently, enjoying hands-on work
- Not afraid of hard work, doing what has to be done and an excellent work ethic all round.
- If you want to do horse riding and help with exercising and schooling the horses, you are required to be an good rider with basic dressage skills.
What Is Being Offered? What Do I Get Out Of This Horse Farm Work?
- Australian Working Holiday: A unique opportunity to experience the rural lifestyle on a working horse riding holiday farm and to gain experience with horses, horse trekking and the Australian tourism / hospitality industry.
- Work Agreement: There are several agreement options, from working for your accommodation, working for accommodation and meals, renting your accommodation and paying off some of your rent with working hours, working extra hours in exchange for horse riding or providing for yourself and enjoy the lifestyle with just a few daily tasks (paying volunteer).
- Remuneration: there is no salary - full or part-board accommodation, skill, knowledge and work experience expansion is provided in exchange for work (plus some horse riding if appropriate). For those who wish to do more horse riding, in some occasions it may be possible to work certain hours per week for your accommodation, pay / provide for your own meals and trade further work hours for horse riding time, in agreement and depending on the season (please express your interest in this option when you enquire).
- Accommodation: 2 bedroom self-contained house (cabin style) in a beautiful and private location on the Kerewong property - make yourself at home on the farm with beautiful bush views!
- Meals: are mainly self-catered. Full cooking facilties are in your cabin. During horse tour weeks you can join some of the group lunch and dinner meals with horse riding guests.
- WiFi Internet is available and included in your accommodation rental fee.
- Horse Riding: Exercising the horses is not part of the job duties but depending on circumstances and your horse riding skills you will be given the opportunity for some horse riding, as another part of the exchange agreement for your working hours. Capable riders will be able to exercise the horses in the arena as part of their work agreement, in addition to the general duties.
- Leisure Hours: Time off to do as you please either on the property or on day trips will be ample. Play with the dogs, swim in the pool, go horse riding (in agreement) or just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. If you don't have your own car pleasurable outings with your hosts may be offered as part of your downtime or you can be given use of a car (if appropriate). Examples: trips to the dog beach, shopping, local swimming holes, rivers etc. There are many great places to explore in the Port Macquarie Hinterland and Beaches region of New South Wales.
This Is For Me - How Do I Apply?
This job will suit someone who enjoys horses and being outdoors, likes the balance between a quiet country life and meeting and socialising with new people, is fit and healthy, has good work ethics, doesn't mind doing physical strenuous work and sometimes (during riding tours) have long busy days.
Preference goes to helpers who:
- have good horse handling experience and skills, especially with sensitive horses (Arabians), and who behave in a calm but confident manner around horses
- have experience in horse care
- if interested in exercising the horses, have good horse riding experience and skills for arena work (basic dressage) and ground work
- have good people skills, but also enjoy their own company
- have good physical fitness and stamina for outdoors work (in Australian temperatures)
- have the ability to be tidy and clean in your home environment (you need to keep your accommodation clean and tidy because it is a very nice 2 bedroom cabin)
- can work alone and in a small team
- have good customer skills, is polite and friendly towards clients
- have good common sense and practical problem solving skills
If you are interested in a working holiday job at Kerewong, have a look around this website to become familiar with the horses, tours and business and then please send Kathy a message via the quick enquiry email. Upon receiving your expression of interest Kathy will email you an application form.
Testimonials
"For me working at Kerewong means working in Paradise. I had the opportunity to work at Kerewong, my Paradise on Earth, for 2 months in 2015. I had one of the best times of my life with unforgettable experiences, great company, beautiful landscapes and varied tasks. I loved taking care of the horses and cuddling and playing with the dogs. I loved painting the fences, talking to the horse riding guests and being outside all day, in a unique landscape. I enjoyed the day trips with Kathy and she is great person to work for. I enjoyed every minute of my stay and I recommend it to everybody. I hope I can return to Kerewong soon - I miss my animal friends and my Paradise on Earth." (Katharina from Germany, April - June 2015)
"Discovering a whole new world. Working at Kerewong was one of the best things that happened to me on my around-the-world trip in 2015. Being outside all day, helping around on the farm, looking after the horses, playing with the dogs, meeting the wonderful horse riding holiday guests. All of this and more awaits you when you work at Kerewong. Thinking back about my time at Kerewong two things stand out for me:
1. Living a different kind of life. Coming from an office background my life on the farm couldn't have been any different. Working with my hands, not computers. Being outside all day, not confined to an office. Being close to nature, not city life. Working at Kerewong gave me the chance to live a totally different kind of life for a while and I am grateful for that.
2. Learning and expanding your mind. There are endless opportunities to learn - with Kathy as a patient and passionate teacher and by yourself. I learnt how to care for horses and to better understand them. I learnt what it's like to run a horse farm and a tour business. I became a better rider. And so much more.
Whether you want to improve your horsemanship skills, learn more about working with horses, experience how it is to live and work on an Australian farm or just need a break from your regular life: a working holiday at Kerewong may just be the right thing for you. I highly recommend it and certainly hope to come back one day." (Stefan from Germany, August - October 2015)