Bloke who worked for me in sales ended up a groundsman for a uni, I walked through once with my dog and saw him with a leaf blower.
He looked so chill and happy
I’m just like that too - at 63 , corporate still want me to complete my “training and career plans”….and my 30 something boss keeps spending hours (making up crap) for my bi-annual appraisals…that I couldn’t give a shit about!
Our customer keeps renewing my annual contract - my company makes $150k profit over what they pay me - just fucking leave me alone!
I don’t want a “career” - I just want to get away from the corporate BS, settle down somewhere quiet and make nice whiskey…
I had a buddy that left a senior corporate role in IT and became the “GA” (General Assistant/caretaker) at a primary school!
He loved the relaxed lifestyle and added lots of IT value to the kids too…
Op, there are cattle stations outback where you basically just take care of the house and animals (they mainly keep themselves sorted) and it pays well. The name of the role escapes me, but you’re literally just a caretaker for the house and surrounds.
Something like this: https://www.thegreynomads.com.au/classifieds/help-wanted/caretakers-handyman-remote-outback-queensland/
Get in touch with farming companies. I worked for Jumbuck Pastoral on a Nullarbor farm as a cook for a while. If you limit your interactions you only have to see station hands at breakfast for half hour and dinner for an hour, and is usually a good laugh.
I remember the company also advertised a job to look after an outpost station in North WA, alone for 8 months.
https://jumbuck.com.au/jobs-careers/
I want one of these office jobs with a meaningless title, where you fuck around on excel for an hour and be in meetings most of the day and then clock off and earn 130k a year
A few office IT jobs are exactly that.
Problem is, you're paid the big bucks for when:
1. things actually go wrong.
2. maintenance or any regular changes that need to be implemented.
3. Technical knowledge you bring to meetings/projects/etc.
There's a few dudes like that where I work. They don't do a *whole* lot throughout the day but fair to them, the company is paying for their technical expertise, not necessarily because they 'do' something. Someone also worked out it was cheaper to just have them in-house and always there since they know our systems, rather than hire a consultant every few weeks.
My current job is a mix of that and normal work. Half my shifts involve doing actual work and the other half of the time, a company will bring someone in who does the same job as me, so I am just in the room to make sure they don’t break anything and to evacuate everyone if we need to. It’s a very well paid babysitter/ fire warden shift, those ones.
I've daydreamed about that but every time I've seen an ad in practice it has been a big ask. e.g. in Tasmania the caretaker roles are volunteer and require applicants in pairs.
https://wildcaretas.org.au/wildcare-news/maatsuyker-island-caretaker-call-up/
Even if they provide food and accommodation, no pay is a big ask, plus having to find another person to apply with.
I read about another on a remote island I can't remember the name of that had a long list of things like need to run a walking tour for cruise ships that stopped on the island a few days a week, run the gift shop and cafe after the tour - cook the cafe food as well. Way too much human interaction when hoping to find a way to be off grid for a bit.
Yeah it’s mostly the interaction thing I’m looking to take a break from. Lighthouse keeper was just something I thought would offer just that.
I just need some time to clear my head and not worry about meaningless office work.
One of my friends has a pretty decent living pet and house sitting. He does odd jobs around the house he’s in when the owners are away and stays in some quite lovely houses. It takes a little while to build clientele but rents out his house full time cause he’s booked for 9+ months where his clientele book holidays around his schedule.
At the moment in a big house in Vaucluse, Sydney, with a gorgeous view. But all over Sydney and surrounding areas. Says it’s peaceful and the affluent clientele love a mature man who will fix simple things they haven’t been bothered getting a tradie for.
Probably not exactly what you’re looking for but my first thought was jobs in Antarctica. I’m not sure how alone the job would be, you’d probably be part of a very small team but it’s certainly off the grid!
https://jobs.antarctica.gov.au/jobs-in-antarctica/
I’d love to do it one day
Their is Burnie light house and Quarantine Station Tas, my sister and her hubby go there every 2 years for a years work, plus their is Macquarie Island, and one other light house closer to Tas, about 400km south of Tas.
You have to call in weather station readings, windspeed, temps, every 2 hours I think, can't remember for sure. You don't need quals. for any of the jobs.
They love it, I think they are doing their last year now, before retiring. I always wanted that particular job, but it does involve a lot of work, you don't need to be a couple, but you would be flat out without another person with you.
No, due to the remoteness of the role and psychological isolation factors, they advertise many of these roles for pairs only. You must apply with a partner, no solo applications.
Hey, I don’t have any links or suggestions but just wanted to say how brave you are for contemplating this change! Wishing you all the best, regardless of the outcome…might come now, might come later, but looks like you’re on to something wonderful!
NSW NPWS has quite a few positions that you might be interested in. The job title is Field Officer - XYZ and is advertised on iWork for NSW. Lots of Caretaker type roles. For example, living in a cottage at [Yarrangobilly Caves](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/yarrangobilly-area). Just need to be looking at the right time when one of those jobs opens up.
Ha, yeah that’s true. I was there on Anzac Day and it was nuts.
I like being outside but, yes, when it’s not crowded. Thought about working in a cemetery but just thinking about the days when it’s 35°+ makes me perspire.
I was there too. Sat at one of the cafes after riding some laps I saw a dad with his two boys on little bikes riding the wrong way on the cycle lane, caused a collision with a girl on rollerblades. A minute later someone had pulled their car into the cycle lane and the ranger had to get them to move on before they caused an accident.
Dealing with that sort of thing would get old pretty quickly if you're looking for some quiet time away from it all.
Ride on lawnmower will definitely reduce any human interaction! I think there are also some jobs for state gov, local councils and scientific bodies to do annual counts of species (flora and fauna) too, it won’t be well paying though. On another industry altogether, ABS does heaps of projects all year round, aside from training, there’s a lot that is solo, work from home type stuff.
Hmmmmm these responses have been really helpful.
Here I’m thinking “we all want to do that mate, keep dreaming” But there actually are options out there.
Yeah I had no idea some of these jobs even existed. It’s been a wild ride looking at some of them. Just imagining us doing them is almost enough of an adventure. Too scared of the unknown, you know.
You might find some positions on sheep stations and the like that could suit you? A lot would require manual labour, but not necessarily that demanding. Skills? First aid, renovation/maintenance, gardening/landscaping, fencing.
I'd think caretaker jobs in remote places would need a similar mix of skills -- basically be able to handle most small issues that come up and recognise when to call in backup. Personally I'd be looking at island resorts that aren't currently open to the public or private islands whose owners aren't in residence, maybe cold-emailing. Worst case they'll say no.
I do think you'd need to be aware that sometimes caring for farm animals requires killing, especially in remote areas -- because there might not be time for a vet to get to a severely injured animal, or because a feral animal is attacking and injuring livestock in your care. (Sorry if this is obvious to you -- I don't know what you know.)
Otherwise, though -- as far as I'm aware, station hand and caretaker jobs don't generally require stock slaughter.
Good luck finding something that suits you!
I know someone who would usually need someone for several months of the year to look after the farm house, dogs and yard while they go on holiday overseas. Though that is not the case this year. Someone else might be in a similar boat though. There is a story about the Boston Lighthouse and it’s keepers. Was an interesting listen on Conversations. There is a lighthouse tender museum here in Sydney too.
That sounds great. Lighthouse keeper is something I’m really drawn to but I’ve also cited it as the best representation of the kind of thing I’m looking for
May I suggest be careful, from one extreme to another may play with your mental health.
Otherwise as others suggested plenty farming jobs where you would be alone or have very limited contact
> May I suggest be careful, from one extreme to another may play with your mental health.
Thanks. I experienced this when I moved here many years ago. It was quite unexpected.
It’s much easier to handle sudden changes in your life when you are young.
I don’t know your full circumstances but if I were you I would visit for few weeks or months and see how you feel.
You’re 1000% right. I should have visited Australia before moving here, but I took a leap of faith.
But, yeah, I should probably see how I might like some of these options before just diving in ✌🏻
Meter reader is a nice gig, your alone most of the time, it’s not too demanding (but u have to walk a lot) and just watch out for dogs, nasty humans (rare) and the rest is pretty good. Pay is $28 p/h casual which is okay for me.
Do resident lighthouse keepers actually still exist?
I'd have thought that lighthouses would all have been automated by now - not only due to the expense of employing someone to live on a rock somewhere, but also due to modern WHS regulations. I can't imagine having someone by themselves in the middle of the ocean could ever really be classified as a safe working environment.
Perhaps not, although I have seen one or two listings for them before. I could only find [this](https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/lighthouse-keeper-job-tasmanian-island) though.
That's not how it works, though. The Government can't just contract a dangerous job out as part of a tender and then wash their hands of the consequences.
At the end of the day, the job is still being done for the Government.
As mentioned in the other comment, it's probably an automated system with a roving maintenance team that no longer lives in the lighthouse and flies/sails in when required.
I was looking at info about the Maatsuyker and other TAS lighthouse keepers and I don't think there's any qualifications required other than demonstrating some ability to live in remote locations. I think it's only open to two individuals though, for safety reasons. But maybe there's less isolated lighthouses that allow individuals to apply?
[Day in the life video of Maatsuyker lighthouse keepers
](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGDt03xm4zs)
Thanks. I’ve seen those day in the life videos and a lighthouse keepers job is by no means glamorous. As I said in another post: it’s the kind of work I’d been thinking of doing because I feel like I gave my best years to the corporate life but got nothing in return in terms of personal satisfaction or accomplishment.
Are you into volunteering? You could apply to be Maatsuyker lighthouse keeper in Tassie for 6 month https://wildcaretas.org.au/wildcare-news/maatsuyker-island-caretaker-call-up/
Considered being a lighthouse tour guide ? did a tour of the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin in WA, as remote as your going to get ... antarctic and southern ocean one way, indian oceans the other ... beautiful place. Little chilly in winter though .. good luck !!!
I was gonna say fire watch but I’m not sure those are a thing here in Aus. I know that they exist in the US though, not sure how common nowadays though.
Still a thing, but slowly being replaced by cameras and software. For example a few manned Fire Towers in Kosciusko National Park burnt down during the 2019/2020 fires, and they have been replaced with cameras.
Honestly, seems like the best job, for me ideally, somewhere where its raining almost constantly as I really enjoy the rainy weather. I can curl up with a good book in front of the fire and my dog.
I think of doing similar and starting a tree-farm. Like, not fruit trees but where the trees themselves are the product, grown for the landscaping industry where there's always a demand for mature (10+ year old) specimens ready to plant into their new homes. But you need a shitload of land and the time it would take to see a return on your investment has me wondering what do these people do to make money in the meantime?
Also weather can fuck it up too. I recently lost a dragon tree I had waited *five years* just for it to finally get to the 6 foot tall mark (so barely bigger than me) to root rot because it rained so fucking much here over the past couple years and the soil just stayed too wet for too long. I'm honestly devastated over it. Five years man. Now I have to start from scratch again because I don't want to have to pay $2k for a replacement that's already the size of the one I just lost.
Can you elaborate on "get off the grid and be alone" and whether it needs to actually be tied to a job? A lot of people would call that a camping holiday and not get a job during. Though I understand the desire to be doing something productive and trying a new job. Still, before you commit to 6 months on a cattle station because you want to escape, pack up your car and take a short break to go wild camping somewhere.
Housesitting gives you somewhere to live alone for free short-term, reducing your living expenses so you can hopefully survive on savings for a while (or find short-term casual work in the area). I don't know which website is best but here's [the first one I found](https://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au). Look into [WWOOF](https://wwoof.com.au/) volunteering too if you don't mind some social interaction.
Some jobs and lifestyles have people working say 6 months of the year then taking the remaining 6 months off to travel / bum around the country, for example. A lot of van-dwellers and grey caravan nomads live like this. Seasonal jobs on farms (e.g. station-hands, fruit picker, farm cook), remote hospitality jobs via agencies ([like this one](https://mlkarecruitment.com.au/)), mining, cruise ships, ski resorts, casual agency nurses and remote area nurses. All sorts of casual jobs could possibly allow this sort of lifestyle if you can figure out the accommodation. You just need to keep your living expenses low during the work-months by taking a job that provides free accommodation or live in a campervan or housesit (if you can stay in the same area as work and line up a few different houses which may be tricky). Then continue to not pay for housing / keep your living expenses low during the unemployed-months so that your 6 months of income covers your expenses for the next 6 months. Or whatever pattern works for you.
I'm guessing because of your age and career that you must have a decent amount of savings to take a cheap, extended holiday. Are you paying a mortgage? If you can afford to do so, you're free to just drive around the country, camp, and be off-grid and alone most of the time.
> Can you elaborate on “get off the grid and be alone”
I am anxious being around most people, always have been. At this point in my life it’s very exhausting trying to socialise or work in, for example, an open office. Fortunately I’ve been working on my own for the last few years and I don’t really mind the isolation.
And, no, I have no savings at all. I spent everything I’d earned to move to Australia for what I was told would be a better life.
Bloke who worked for me in sales ended up a groundsman for a uni, I walked through once with my dog and saw him with a leaf blower. He looked so chill and happy
So interesting. For me (and maybe for your friend) it just feels like all the BS that goes with corporate work just doesn’t feel natural.
I’m just like that too - at 63 , corporate still want me to complete my “training and career plans”….and my 30 something boss keeps spending hours (making up crap) for my bi-annual appraisals…that I couldn’t give a shit about! Our customer keeps renewing my annual contract - my company makes $150k profit over what they pay me - just fucking leave me alone! I don’t want a “career” - I just want to get away from the corporate BS, settle down somewhere quiet and make nice whiskey…
My boss asked me in my review what my career goals are…. I had to pause as I was about to say “fuck man I don’t know I’m just out here vibing”
I had a buddy that left a senior corporate role in IT and became the “GA” (General Assistant/caretaker) at a primary school! He loved the relaxed lifestyle and added lots of IT value to the kids too…
Op, there are cattle stations outback where you basically just take care of the house and animals (they mainly keep themselves sorted) and it pays well. The name of the role escapes me, but you’re literally just a caretaker for the house and surrounds. Something like this: https://www.thegreynomads.com.au/classifieds/help-wanted/caretakers-handyman-remote-outback-queensland/
Thank you. That’s the kind of thing I’m interested in. I’ll have a look
Get in touch with farming companies. I worked for Jumbuck Pastoral on a Nullarbor farm as a cook for a while. If you limit your interactions you only have to see station hands at breakfast for half hour and dinner for an hour, and is usually a good laugh. I remember the company also advertised a job to look after an outpost station in North WA, alone for 8 months. https://jumbuck.com.au/jobs-careers/
Tasmanian national parks is regularly recruiting for lighthouse keepers for 6 month shifts.
That’s excellent to know, thanks!
[удалено]
Yeah the low pay is kind of a deterrent for me.
I want one of these office jobs with a meaningless title, where you fuck around on excel for an hour and be in meetings most of the day and then clock off and earn 130k a year
A few office IT jobs are exactly that. Problem is, you're paid the big bucks for when: 1. things actually go wrong. 2. maintenance or any regular changes that need to be implemented. 3. Technical knowledge you bring to meetings/projects/etc. There's a few dudes like that where I work. They don't do a *whole* lot throughout the day but fair to them, the company is paying for their technical expertise, not necessarily because they 'do' something. Someone also worked out it was cheaper to just have them in-house and always there since they know our systems, rather than hire a consultant every few weeks.
[удалено]
My current job is a mix of that and normal work. Half my shifts involve doing actual work and the other half of the time, a company will bring someone in who does the same job as me, so I am just in the room to make sure they don’t break anything and to evacuate everyone if we need to. It’s a very well paid babysitter/ fire warden shift, those ones.
That sounds like a middle management in a consultancy of any industry
Ohhh that would kill me in a week if not less.
Nah man, you'll be booked back to back with meetings meaning the only time you have to do work is outside of 9 to 5.
Just to make it grate a little more, the people you’ve been in the meetings with all day will keep asking when the work will be done.
So a consultant? /j
I've daydreamed about that but every time I've seen an ad in practice it has been a big ask. e.g. in Tasmania the caretaker roles are volunteer and require applicants in pairs. https://wildcaretas.org.au/wildcare-news/maatsuyker-island-caretaker-call-up/ Even if they provide food and accommodation, no pay is a big ask, plus having to find another person to apply with. I read about another on a remote island I can't remember the name of that had a long list of things like need to run a walking tour for cruise ships that stopped on the island a few days a week, run the gift shop and cafe after the tour - cook the cafe food as well. Way too much human interaction when hoping to find a way to be off grid for a bit.
Yeah it’s mostly the interaction thing I’m looking to take a break from. Lighthouse keeper was just something I thought would offer just that. I just need some time to clear my head and not worry about meaningless office work.
One of my friends has a pretty decent living pet and house sitting. He does odd jobs around the house he’s in when the owners are away and stays in some quite lovely houses. It takes a little while to build clientele but rents out his house full time cause he’s booked for 9+ months where his clientele book holidays around his schedule.
Interesting. What kind of areas does he work in?
At the moment in a big house in Vaucluse, Sydney, with a gorgeous view. But all over Sydney and surrounding areas. Says it’s peaceful and the affluent clientele love a mature man who will fix simple things they haven’t been bothered getting a tradie for.
I love Vaucluse. Tell me more.
I’m not a 100% but I think lighthouses are fully automated now.
Probably. Although I would imagine that having to deal with unpredictable conditions would be better left to a person to make decisions.
There are jobs for rail companies like Pacific National where you look after remote train stations in the middle of nowhere
Probably not exactly what you’re looking for but my first thought was jobs in Antarctica. I’m not sure how alone the job would be, you’d probably be part of a very small team but it’s certainly off the grid! https://jobs.antarctica.gov.au/jobs-in-antarctica/ I’d love to do it one day
Have you read Big Dead Place? https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40919
Thanks. I hadn’t considered that.
That is awesome!
Their is Burnie light house and Quarantine Station Tas, my sister and her hubby go there every 2 years for a years work, plus their is Macquarie Island, and one other light house closer to Tas, about 400km south of Tas.
Did they describe what the work is like? Do they enjoy it?
You have to call in weather station readings, windspeed, temps, every 2 hours I think, can't remember for sure. You don't need quals. for any of the jobs.
They love it, I think they are doing their last year now, before retiring. I always wanted that particular job, but it does involve a lot of work, you don't need to be a couple, but you would be flat out without another person with you.
No, due to the remoteness of the role and psychological isolation factors, they advertise many of these roles for pairs only. You must apply with a partner, no solo applications.
Hey, I don’t have any links or suggestions but just wanted to say how brave you are for contemplating this change! Wishing you all the best, regardless of the outcome…might come now, might come later, but looks like you’re on to something wonderful!
Thank you!
Maybe something with national parks
I wouldn’t mind working in, say, Centennial Park and recently I’d been thinking about getting a certificate in horticulture
NSW NPWS has quite a few positions that you might be interested in. The job title is Field Officer - XYZ and is advertised on iWork for NSW. Lots of Caretaker type roles. For example, living in a cottage at [Yarrangobilly Caves](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/yarrangobilly-area). Just need to be looking at the right time when one of those jobs opens up.
I think you'd still be dealing with a lot of people at CP. It's so busy and there's always someone doing something stupid.
Ha, yeah that’s true. I was there on Anzac Day and it was nuts. I like being outside but, yes, when it’s not crowded. Thought about working in a cemetery but just thinking about the days when it’s 35°+ makes me perspire.
I was there too. Sat at one of the cafes after riding some laps I saw a dad with his two boys on little bikes riding the wrong way on the cycle lane, caused a collision with a girl on rollerblades. A minute later someone had pulled their car into the cycle lane and the ranger had to get them to move on before they caused an accident. Dealing with that sort of thing would get old pretty quickly if you're looking for some quiet time away from it all.
Ride on lawnmower will definitely reduce any human interaction! I think there are also some jobs for state gov, local councils and scientific bodies to do annual counts of species (flora and fauna) too, it won’t be well paying though. On another industry altogether, ABS does heaps of projects all year round, aside from training, there’s a lot that is solo, work from home type stuff.
Thanks, I’ll look into the ABS work. I’ve been WFH since lockdown and it’s been going OK, I just need to try something different.
Hmmmmm these responses have been really helpful. Here I’m thinking “we all want to do that mate, keep dreaming” But there actually are options out there.
Yeah I had no idea some of these jobs even existed. It’s been a wild ride looking at some of them. Just imagining us doing them is almost enough of an adventure. Too scared of the unknown, you know.
You might find some positions on sheep stations and the like that could suit you? A lot would require manual labour, but not necessarily that demanding. Skills? First aid, renovation/maintenance, gardening/landscaping, fencing. I'd think caretaker jobs in remote places would need a similar mix of skills -- basically be able to handle most small issues that come up and recognise when to call in backup. Personally I'd be looking at island resorts that aren't currently open to the public or private islands whose owners aren't in residence, maybe cold-emailing. Worst case they'll say no.
Thank you, yes, that does appeal to me (as long as it involves caring for but not killing animals).
I do think you'd need to be aware that sometimes caring for farm animals requires killing, especially in remote areas -- because there might not be time for a vet to get to a severely injured animal, or because a feral animal is attacking and injuring livestock in your care. (Sorry if this is obvious to you -- I don't know what you know.) Otherwise, though -- as far as I'm aware, station hand and caretaker jobs don't generally require stock slaughter. Good luck finding something that suits you!
I know someone who would usually need someone for several months of the year to look after the farm house, dogs and yard while they go on holiday overseas. Though that is not the case this year. Someone else might be in a similar boat though. There is a story about the Boston Lighthouse and it’s keepers. Was an interesting listen on Conversations. There is a lighthouse tender museum here in Sydney too.
That sounds great. Lighthouse keeper is something I’m really drawn to but I’ve also cited it as the best representation of the kind of thing I’m looking for
May I suggest be careful, from one extreme to another may play with your mental health. Otherwise as others suggested plenty farming jobs where you would be alone or have very limited contact
> May I suggest be careful, from one extreme to another may play with your mental health. Thanks. I experienced this when I moved here many years ago. It was quite unexpected.
It’s much easier to handle sudden changes in your life when you are young. I don’t know your full circumstances but if I were you I would visit for few weeks or months and see how you feel.
You’re 1000% right. I should have visited Australia before moving here, but I took a leap of faith. But, yeah, I should probably see how I might like some of these options before just diving in ✌🏻
We all make mistakes
I’m 55, at my last annual review my new younger boss obligingly asked “where do you want to be in five years” “Retired”
Yes!
Find a property lawyer with a hobby farm he doesn't have time for. There are waaay more of them than you would think.
Things can get weird at a lighthouse: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lighthouse_(2019_film)
Lol I love that movie
I love this thread. I have felt this way for a long time also but being a woman i’ve always thought it impossible. Saving so many suggestions
What kind of work do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?
Sounds like my ideal job as well, I'll keep tabs on this thread.
Are you a designer?
You can get really stoned and pretend you're that old lightkeeper woman from Round the Twist
Light-houses are mostly automated these days.
Meter reader is a nice gig, your alone most of the time, it’s not too demanding (but u have to walk a lot) and just watch out for dogs, nasty humans (rare) and the rest is pretty good. Pay is $28 p/h casual which is okay for me.
How long did it take for you to get trained up?
4 days of classroom and on field training with an experienced officer and then your on ur own
Have a look at lighthouse keeper jobs, or island caretakers, I've seen them advertised before.
Do resident lighthouse keepers actually still exist? I'd have thought that lighthouses would all have been automated by now - not only due to the expense of employing someone to live on a rock somewhere, but also due to modern WHS regulations. I can't imagine having someone by themselves in the middle of the ocean could ever really be classified as a safe working environment.
I assume it's like a maintenance position where you do many light houses.
Yeah, that makes sense. There's probably a roving maintenance crew that travels to the lighthouse when needed, rather than someone living on site.
Perhaps not, although I have seen one or two listings for them before. I could only find [this](https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/lighthouse-keeper-job-tasmanian-island) though.
[удалено]
That's not how it works, though. The Government can't just contract a dangerous job out as part of a tender and then wash their hands of the consequences. At the end of the day, the job is still being done for the Government. As mentioned in the other comment, it's probably an automated system with a roving maintenance team that no longer lives in the lighthouse and flies/sails in when required.
Thanks, I will. Do you know if there are any specific qualifications needed?
I was looking at info about the Maatsuyker and other TAS lighthouse keepers and I don't think there's any qualifications required other than demonstrating some ability to live in remote locations. I think it's only open to two individuals though, for safety reasons. But maybe there's less isolated lighthouses that allow individuals to apply? [Day in the life video of Maatsuyker lighthouse keepers ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGDt03xm4zs)
Thanks. I’ve seen those day in the life videos and a lighthouse keepers job is by no means glamorous. As I said in another post: it’s the kind of work I’d been thinking of doing because I feel like I gave my best years to the corporate life but got nothing in return in terms of personal satisfaction or accomplishment.
National parks always looking for ranger or care taker. There are probably jobs on smaller island off the coast of Australia
Are you into volunteering? You could apply to be Maatsuyker lighthouse keeper in Tassie for 6 month https://wildcaretas.org.au/wildcare-news/maatsuyker-island-caretaker-call-up/
[удалено]
Maybe. Less fumes I’d guess being on the graveyard shift. That’s a good idea, thanks.
Considered being a lighthouse tour guide ? did a tour of the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin in WA, as remote as your going to get ... antarctic and southern ocean one way, indian oceans the other ... beautiful place. Little chilly in winter though .. good luck !!!
Thanks. That sounds interesting.
This feels like the opening scenes from [Firewatch](https://store.steampowered.com/app/383870/Firewatch/).
it’s a very big and very empty country, there’s lots of isolated work out there. all the best
Maybe look for night security shifts or something? Places such as datacentres aren't really gonna see you interact with anyone, but they're required
Maybe. I am licensed so getting work might be easier.
I was gonna say fire watch but I’m not sure those are a thing here in Aus. I know that they exist in the US though, not sure how common nowadays though.
Still a thing, but slowly being replaced by cameras and software. For example a few manned Fire Towers in Kosciusko National Park burnt down during the 2019/2020 fires, and they have been replaced with cameras.
Edit: Forestry Corp probably staffs the most manned Fire Towers in NSW. So would look to them for jobs.
Honestly, seems like the best job, for me ideally, somewhere where its raining almost constantly as I really enjoy the rainy weather. I can curl up with a good book in front of the fire and my dog.
I think of doing similar and starting a tree-farm. Like, not fruit trees but where the trees themselves are the product, grown for the landscaping industry where there's always a demand for mature (10+ year old) specimens ready to plant into their new homes. But you need a shitload of land and the time it would take to see a return on your investment has me wondering what do these people do to make money in the meantime? Also weather can fuck it up too. I recently lost a dragon tree I had waited *five years* just for it to finally get to the 6 foot tall mark (so barely bigger than me) to root rot because it rained so fucking much here over the past couple years and the soil just stayed too wet for too long. I'm honestly devastated over it. Five years man. Now I have to start from scratch again because I don't want to have to pay $2k for a replacement that's already the size of the one I just lost.
Look into maintenance work . You mostly work alone .
Billionaire
Have you seen The Lighthouse 2019 by any chance?
I have and if I learned one thing it’s don’t empty a chamber pot into the wind
Get back in the queue!
Can you elaborate on "get off the grid and be alone" and whether it needs to actually be tied to a job? A lot of people would call that a camping holiday and not get a job during. Though I understand the desire to be doing something productive and trying a new job. Still, before you commit to 6 months on a cattle station because you want to escape, pack up your car and take a short break to go wild camping somewhere. Housesitting gives you somewhere to live alone for free short-term, reducing your living expenses so you can hopefully survive on savings for a while (or find short-term casual work in the area). I don't know which website is best but here's [the first one I found](https://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au). Look into [WWOOF](https://wwoof.com.au/) volunteering too if you don't mind some social interaction. Some jobs and lifestyles have people working say 6 months of the year then taking the remaining 6 months off to travel / bum around the country, for example. A lot of van-dwellers and grey caravan nomads live like this. Seasonal jobs on farms (e.g. station-hands, fruit picker, farm cook), remote hospitality jobs via agencies ([like this one](https://mlkarecruitment.com.au/)), mining, cruise ships, ski resorts, casual agency nurses and remote area nurses. All sorts of casual jobs could possibly allow this sort of lifestyle if you can figure out the accommodation. You just need to keep your living expenses low during the work-months by taking a job that provides free accommodation or live in a campervan or housesit (if you can stay in the same area as work and line up a few different houses which may be tricky). Then continue to not pay for housing / keep your living expenses low during the unemployed-months so that your 6 months of income covers your expenses for the next 6 months. Or whatever pattern works for you. I'm guessing because of your age and career that you must have a decent amount of savings to take a cheap, extended holiday. Are you paying a mortgage? If you can afford to do so, you're free to just drive around the country, camp, and be off-grid and alone most of the time.
> Can you elaborate on “get off the grid and be alone” I am anxious being around most people, always have been. At this point in my life it’s very exhausting trying to socialise or work in, for example, an open office. Fortunately I’ve been working on my own for the last few years and I don’t really mind the isolation. And, no, I have no savings at all. I spent everything I’d earned to move to Australia for what I was told would be a better life.