88 Days Farm Work Near Cairns

Everything backpackers need to know about completing their 88 days of regional work near Cairns — from finding farms to avoiding scams.

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What Are the 88 Days?

To get a second-year Working Holiday Visa in Australia, you need to complete 88 days (3 months) of specified regional work during your first year. The Cairns region — specifically the Atherton Tablelands — is one of the most popular places in Australia to complete these days.

Work must be in agriculture, mining, construction, fishing or bushfire recovery in a designated regional area. The most accessible option for most backpackers near Cairns is fruit picking and farm packing work on the Tablelands.

Essential Guides

🌾 How to Complete 88 Days Near Cairns 📍 Best Farm Work Regions Near Cairns 📋 Working Holiday Visa Guide 💼 Other Backpacker Jobs in Cairns

Best Regions Near Cairns

Atherton Tablelands

About 1.5 hours from Cairns, the Tablelands is the main hub for farm work in the region. Crops include avocados, bananas, maize, coffee and tropical fruits. Towns like Mareeba, Atherton and Malanda are the main bases.

Innisfail

About 90 minutes south of Cairns, Innisfail has banana farms and sugar cane work. It’s less competitive than the Tablelands and has a small backpacker community.

💡 Local Tip: The best time for farm work near Cairns is April–November. Banana work is available year-round but most fruit picking is seasonal. Arrive with at least AUD $2,000 in savings before heading to the farms.

Common Mistakes

  • Paying labour hire agencies that charge fees upfront — legitimate agencies don’t charge workers
  • Not getting your payslips stamped — you need proof of your 88 days for your visa application
  • Choosing farms based on hostel recommendations alone — research independently on Gumtree and farm-specific Facebook groups
  • Underestimating the physical demand — farm work is hard. Build up fitness before you start
⚠️ Watch Out: Farm work scams exist. Never pay someone to find you farm work. Be wary of hostels that charge large upfront “placement fees” to connect you with farms.

FAQ — 88 Days Near Cairns

How much does farm work pay near Cairns?
Most farm work pays AUD $22–27/hour or piece rate (paid per bin or per kg). Experienced pickers on piece rate can earn more, but beginners should expect AUD $150–200/day in their first weeks.
Do I need a car for farm work near Cairns?
Having a car makes things significantly easier. Some farms offer transport from town, and some hostels run daily shuttles to the Tablelands, but a car gives you far more flexibility in choosing farms.
How do I prove my 88 days for my second-year visa?
Keep all payslips, group certificates and a record of your employer’s ABN and address. The ATO can cross-reference your work history if needed. Do not rely on a handshake — get everything documented.
Can I do my 88 days in stages?
Yes. The 88 days don’t have to be consecutive. You can split them across multiple farms and employers, as long as all work is in an eligible regional area and in a qualifying industry.

Start Your 88 Days

Read our full guide to farm work near Cairns — including the best farms, pay rates and how to avoid scams

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Accommodation Near Farms

Hostels and guesthouses on the Atherton Tablelands for 88 days workers

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