I talk to Helen Gordon about travelling solo, regional work and her travelling years on a working holiday visa for Australia. I met Helen at Habitat HQ, a hostel both of us probably classed as our home for the better part of two years. Read on to find out what working holiday job she got dirty for and how she got away with regional work without leaving Melbourne.
You can learn more about Helen here on her Instagram, she is also crazy creative and encourages sustainable living.
What country did you last travel to?
The last place was Tallin, Estonia. It was very cold and I visited for silly reasons but it meant I ended up seeing a country I wouldn’t have thought about ever visiting. Which is always a good result.
Do you have any plans for your next destination?
I want to go back to Australia but I am thinking of hitting up Vietnam on the way through. Never been and it looks like a beautiful country.
What work did you do in Melbourne and do you have any tips? What was the process of getting a job?
I had an array of random jobs. I drove a tractor for a subsurface drainage company on two separate occasions, I did some leaflet dropping and I was a van driver for a wheel repair shop.
My main tip is don’t be picky to start. You can always find a new job if you don’t like it but I was picky and unemployed for quite a while.
Money dries up pretty quickly in Australia if you’re not working. Gumtree is your best friend and that’s where I found nearly all of my jobs in Australia. There are some weirdos on there so as a woman don’t post a picture of yourself and just be more aware, other than that it’s completely safe and there are some super awesome jobs advertised. Perfect for travellers.
How long were you there? Tell me more about staying longer, doing farm work – what kind of farm work was it?
I was in Australia for around three years. Two years on a working holiday visa and another year (ish) on a student visa. My farm work for my second year working holiday visa was surprisingly easy and I was very lucky. My tractor driving was covered as my farm work and I did it in Melbourne and the surrounding areas.
The business itself was based in a regional area so it counted, despite not physically working in regional areas often. The hours were long, the job was dirty but it was also ridiculously well paid and really chill. I loved it. So much so I worked for them again the following year.
What were your biggest struggles with your regional work?
My farm work was not regional, but I did work in regional Australia in a caravan park outside the Bungle Bungles. One thing that hit me was just how regional it was, the closest place was about an hour away which was a roadhouse. The closest town was three hours away. Although I fell in love with the outback living, the isolation was a struggle to start.
Close living quarters with the same handful of people was also a worry, but thankfully I got on with everyone. The lack of phone signal was hard to begin with and I couldn’t ring my parents or anyone else unless I stood in a very specific spot with questionable signal breaking-up phone conversations
Plus, the heat! Damn it was hot, about 38 degrees every day and pure unapologetic sun… in which you had to work and cook. But surprisingly your body becomes used to it. I have some of the best memories from there and although there were struggles, I definitely came out the other side much stronger.
What was the interview process like? How did it differ from traditional ways to get a job?
I can’t recall once having any kind of interview, at least for the jobs I got. Which was handy as I had no interview clothes! Getting work in Australia was the most casual process I ever had. Admittedly the jobs I was applying for were trade related so I can’t speak for hospitality or office based jobs… but it was all super casual, which is weird when you’re used to having to go through numerous interview stages and long waits to hear back from jobs.
I would email (or even text!) about a job, get a phone call and they’d say “come in and let’s see how you get on”. In Australia I felt everyone would at least give you a chance at a job. Which feels much different to here in the UK where you need numerous credentials, which normally still isn’t enough.
What’s an Australian road trip you would recommend?
All of them! Everywhere and anywhere. I would recommend visiting Western Australia, it is less explored, less touristy, and more Aussie. I personally loved the west coast and Northern Territory; the wildlife and sights less seen spoke to me the most. It felt like I was seeing ‘proper’ parts of Australia. Crocodiles and buffalo, red dirt and emus walking down the street.
I’m such a lover of food and like to encourage others to try out different establishments. Where in Melbourne did you love to dine out? And did you have a favourite place/meal?
Melbourne is amazing for food! It literally had everything for any occasion. La Roche on Acland Street was always a winner, the meals were huge and cheap (so were the drinks), it had an English vibe which included proper HP sauce.
Lentils As Anything served such good food. All veggie based, pretty simple but so so good. Plus, the purpose behind the brand is amazing! It was kind of pay what you want, so if you had money you pay more in order to help cover meals for the homeless. It meant the homeless and those less fortunate could come in and eat seriously healthy and filling food.
Basically all of Acland Street and the surrounding area was amazing for food.
I agree, Acland Street was amazing, so I want to get everyone drooling. What was your favourite meal?
My favourite meal and place for nostalgic reasons was called Grand Trailer Park. It was an American food diner-type place. Me and some buddies used to go there every time we went bouldering. Their burgers were jaw-dropping phenomenal – with a great selection to choose from. Onion rings, milk shakes, beers. Such good memories and equally great food.
What’s one item you took and never used?
A lock, believe it or not. I do understand why people lock their stuff away in their lockers, I have had things stolen myself. But it was always a pain, noisy… not to mention I owned nothing of value.
What’s the one item you wouldn’t go travelling without?
I feel like I should be thinking of something sensible like sunscreen or Tiger Balm. But honestly, a laptop or a tablet. There’s only so much your phone can do. On a laptop you can upload your photos or apply for jobs properly or just wind down and watch Netflix. I didn’t have one for most of the two years and when I bought one, it was so much easier. Obviously if you’re just on a short travel trip and not working then leave it behind. If I was on a short travel trip instead, I’d definitely take a portable charger. That thing saved me a fair few times.
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