Farm Work in Queensland

About queensland

Queensland is the closest thing to year-round farm work in Australia. The tropical north grows bananas and mangoes through winter. The fertile south produces vegetables and citrus across the cooler months. Between Bundaberg, Bowen, the Atherton Tablelands and a dozen smaller regions, there is almost always something being harvested somewhere in QLD.

More backpackers do their 88 days in Queensland than any other state. The variety of crops means when one thing finishes, another starts. If you're planning your first farm work experience, QLD is the safest bet for finding work quickly.

What's Growing Where

Key Regions

Bundaberg and Wide Bay

The single most popular destination for backpackers doing farm work in Australia. The mix of crops means there's rarely a gap between seasons. Working hostels like Farmgate Backpackers connect you directly with local farms and organise transport to the fields each morning. Most people find work within a few days of arriving.

Bowen and Whitsundays

Tomato and capsicum country. The season runs May to November, with the biggest volumes mid-year. Bowen is a small town, so accommodation books out during peak season. If you're heading there, sort a bed before you arrive.

Atherton Tablelands

About an hour inland from Cairns. Bananas grow here year-round, which makes this one of the few regions where you can start work any month. Avocado and mango picking fill the gaps. The climate is tropical but cooler than the coast because of the altitude.

Stanthorpe and Granite Belt

The only part of Queensland where you'll pick apples and stone fruit. The season runs November to May. Stanthorpe gets genuinely cold in winter, so if you're coming from the tropics, bring a jumper. Grape harvest fills February to April.

Gayndah and Mundubbera

Known as Australia's citrus capital. Orange and mandarin picking runs April to October. These are quieter towns with fewer backpackers, which can mean less competition for work.

Pay

The casual minimum rate for farm workers is $30.91 per hour under the Pastoral Award 2026. Most picking jobs in QLD pay piece rates, where you earn per bin, bucket or kilogram. Your first week will be slow while you learn. Experienced pickers on tomatoes, mangoes or citrus typically earn $35 to $45 per hour equivalent.

For a full breakdown, see our farm work pay rates guide.

Getting Around

You'll need your own transport for most QLD farm work. Some working hostels in Bundaberg and Bowen run daily shuttles to farms, but outside those towns, you'll really need a car. Greyhound buses connect the major towns along the Bruce Highway, so getting to a region is straightforward. Getting from your accommodation to the farm each morning is the harder part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best farm work in Queensland?

Bundaberg is the most popular region because it offers work across multiple crops nearly year-round. Bowen is strong for tomatoes and capsicums from May to November. The Atherton Tablelands near Cairns have bananas and avocados almost year-round. Stanthorpe is the pick for stone fruit and apples from November to May.

What fruit picking is available in Bundaberg?

Bundaberg grows sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, mangoes, avocados, citrus and macadamias. The region is busiest from April to December, but some crops run year-round. Working hostels like Farmgate Backpackers connect you directly with local farms.

When is mango season in Queensland?

Mango season in Queensland runs from roughly September to December, with peak harvest in October and November. Bowen and the Atherton Tablelands are the main mango regions. The work is physical and hot, but piece rates are strong.

Is there farm work near Cairns?

Yes. The Atherton Tablelands, about an hour inland from Cairns, grow bananas, avocados, mangoes and sugarcane. Banana work runs year-round, making this one of the few regions in Australia where you can find farm work any month.

How much does farm work pay in Queensland?

The casual minimum rate is $30.91 per hour under the Pastoral Award 2026. Many QLD picking jobs pay piece rates instead. Beginners typically earn around minimum wage while learning. Experienced pickers on mangoes, tomatoes or citrus can earn $35 to $45 per hour equivalent.

Looking for work in other states? Check out farm work in Victoria, or head north to the Northern Territory for mango and melon seasons that pair well with QLD's tropical circuit.

See the full harvest calendar to plan your route, or read our 88 days guide if you're on a Working Holiday Visa.

Where are the queensland jobs?