Welcome to the forum. There quite a few on here who work 'seasonally' so you should get some ideas and advice.
I work seasonally for the past four years and have picked grapes, apples, oranges, mandarins, strawberries. Those who have been doing the same work range from young, fit, active backpackers through to 80 year olds. Obviously, people pick at their own pace as most of the picking is 'on contract' - eg $X per bucket/bin etc.
I am in my mid-60s, of average fitness, and find the work good. Certainly I am fitter at the end of a season than at the beginning. The actual work can be become boring and repetitive but so can most jobs
My advice is, as they say, suck it and see. Find a smallish family farm (they are more friendly usually) and see how you go. You may find it to your liking ... or not.
Cheers - and happy travelling and working
John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 13th of May 2013 07:47:27 AM
Trish_Dave said
02:23 PM May 13, 2013
We are newbies to the Forum and I thought I would give it a go to find out some things. My partner and I have decided to make the great escape later this year. My question - just how physically hard is the fruit harvesting. I would assume that some are harder than the others and would appreciate any advice about fruit picking around Australia. We are in our mid 50's both physically OK - a couple of minor health issues with me - just want some feedback to get a clearer picture. Thanks any help would be appreciated.
Dougwe said
02:43 PM May 13, 2013
Welcome Trish Dave, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I couldn't do it but know a couple that have, they lasted 1 week and had to stop due to just being too much for them, they were late 50's. I have heard of a few that do fruit picking successfully though, I spose it all depends on your health and physical state.
Gerty Dancer said
05:20 PM May 13, 2013
At Mundubbera Qld for the mandarin harvest, we met people in their 60's who came there every year and worked in the sheds... the pickers were mostly young folk from all round the world.
Terry said
09:11 PM May 13, 2013
The best advice I can give is to try and get work in the packing sheds especially if you are not really that fit - we worked (both 65) in a shed (carrots) at Hillston about 5 years ago and really enjoyed it. Another thing is for Dave to get his Forklift licence - plenty of work available if you have this. One last thing - the best way to find out what work is available in the area is to just go to the pub/club and talk to the locals - you will be amazed as to what you can find out from them
herbie said
12:25 AM May 14, 2013
I know some people who work from one area to the next picking fruit and vegs. And then take three monts off to go do what they want to do. Some folk also folloe the grain harvest, if i had my choice i recon the grain harvest would be easier than picking fruit or vegies, but every one to their own. ..Depends also in what line of work you both are in now ,you maybe able to pick work up in your own field. The hardest part is making the move, once you are over the hump as we call it, all else falls into place.
Trish_Dave said
02:57 AM May 14, 2013
Hi - thank you all for your comments - We really appreciated the feedback. We got some good information. As you said Guru we will "suck it and see" - If I can't do it - then so be it - we'll get something else. My partner Dave has had mustering experience and grew up on a farm - can ride a horse and knows about farming etc. Thanks Terry he will get his Forklift licence - we both ride dirt bikes so maybe I could muster cattle ha ha - David could - I'm sure there will be something for us - we so want to get away from what we do and just take off.
Thank you all again for your comments.
EllenajoeL said
03:44 PM May 14, 2013
Hi Trish Dave (I hope its not too late to add comments)
I've travelled around Aust via various 'harvest trail' work opportunities some years ago. It was a great way to travel, I met lots of different folk and stayed in some great places (often for free too).
I was sometimes very tired and made minimal $, but I stayed quite fit and didnt have to spend much anyway.
As the vast majority of picking-type, paid work is based on amount of produce collected, it is worth considering:
what height and weight would you be able to continuously work with? For instance, berries are light and often very low to the ground, bananas are heavy and often require use of a ladder etc. etc. This is an important consideration, especially after a week or more doing the same thing!
what type of weather can you 'handle'? Some places can be extremely hot in the field during harvest, others very humid, it might even be constantly raining etc ....
Anyway, the choices are yours and it is certainly worth trying. It will help you be part of communities in ways rarely possible for a 'passing traveller'.
You will know as you go if its for you, I suspect.....and most locals/small-scale farmers will appreciate your efforts, regardless of results.
Red Dog said
11:17 PM May 14, 2013
I think everyone has tried working at fruit picking at least once in there life and it is very hard to make a good living from it
some do but very few good luck.
Jack Mac said
12:40 AM May 15, 2013
I picked fruit many years ago in Tatura (Vic, pears) and Tumbarumba (N.S.W. apples). i was young and fit then but made really good money at it. The first day I picked I think I made about $7.50 (1 1/2 bins) came back to camp sore and sorry and thought how am I going to make a quid at this. By the end of the week was picking 10 bins a day and making about 4 times my wage in Bne which wasn't a bad wage at that time.
I know we're all a lot older now and less fi,t but perservere and stay focussed. You will learn the best way to approach a tree as far as picking it goes and that can be the secret to picking more and making it easier on yourself. That said it is physical work, but you will build up your stamina. From people I know my age and older who have done it in the last 10 yrs and once did it full time in the 70's they say the orchardists are quite amenable to older workers working at their own pace and not necessarilly working full 10 hour days.
If I had to would still give it a go though. You do have to work but I remember it as one of the best times of my life.
Cheers,
Jack
Trish_Dave said
02:18 PM May 15, 2013
Thanks Jack - your post was great and gave us food for thought.
herbie said
10:21 PM May 15, 2013
While reading this thread i thought ,we all must have had one worst job ,during our life,would be intersting to find out if or anyone has had one of these type of jobs.
Mine was when i first got out the army ,mate and myself decided to see some of this beaut country .so we decided to do it the easy way ..WE THOUGHT....God how wrong we were on that score we went fruit and vegie picking our first job was picking BEANS ,back then to pick beans you were on your hands and knees on a charf bag picking them.We lasted two days at it and we were both fit from being in the Army, but apparantly not fit enough.
neilnruth said
10:54 PM May 15, 2013
Welcome to the forum from us too Trish_Dave. You've been given some great advice (We haven't picked fruit) and good advice is what you usually get on this forum. Enjoy your adventure.
Jack Mac said
12:20 AM May 16, 2013
herbie wrote:
While reading this thread i thought ,we all must have had one worst job ,during our life,would be intersting to find out if or anyone has had one of these type of jobs.
Mine was when i first got out the army ,mate and myself decided to see some of this beaut country .so we decided to do it the easy way ..WE THOUGHT....God how wrong we were on that score we went fruit and vegie picking our first job was picking BEANS ,back then to pick beans you were on your hands and knees on a charf bag picking them.We lasted two days at it and we were both fit from being in the Army, but apparantly not fit enough.
Must admit, would never do any picking that invovlved a lot of bending and reaching down. Climbing a ladder and picking what's in front of you or above much more comfortable (in my opinion) although the bag can get heavy, but you get used to that.
Gday...
Welcome to the forum. There quite a few on here who work 'seasonally' so you should get some ideas and advice.
I work seasonally for the past four years and have picked grapes, apples, oranges, mandarins, strawberries. Those who have been doing the same work range from young, fit, active backpackers through to 80 year olds. Obviously, people pick at their own pace as most of the picking is 'on contract' - eg $X per bucket/bin etc.
I am in my mid-60s, of average fitness, and find the work good. Certainly I am fitter at the end of a season than at the beginning. The actual work can be become boring and repetitive but so can most jobs
My advice is, as they say, suck it and see. Find a smallish family farm (they are more friendly usually) and see how you go. You may find it to your liking ... or not.
Cheers - and happy travelling and working
John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 13th of May 2013 07:47:27 AM
We are newbies to the Forum and I thought I would give it a go to find out some things. My partner and I have decided to make the great escape later this year. My question - just how physically hard is the fruit harvesting. I would assume that some are harder than the others and would appreciate any advice about fruit picking around Australia. We are in our mid 50's both physically OK - a couple of minor health issues with me - just want some feedback to get a clearer picture. Thanks any help would be appreciated.
I couldn't do it but know a couple that have, they lasted 1 week and had to stop due to just being too much for them, they were late 50's. I have heard of a few that do fruit picking successfully though, I spose it all depends on your health and physical state.
The best advice I can give is to try and get work in the packing sheds especially if you are not really that fit - we worked (both 65) in a shed (carrots) at Hillston about 5 years ago and really enjoyed it. Another thing is for Dave to get his Forklift licence - plenty of work available if you have this. One last thing - the best way to find out what work is available in the area is to just go to the pub/club and talk to the locals - you will be amazed as to what you can find out from them
I know some people who work from one area to the next picking fruit and vegs. And then take three monts off to go do what they want to do. Some folk also folloe the grain harvest, if i had my choice i recon the grain harvest would be easier than picking fruit or vegies, but every one to their own. ..Depends also in what line of work you both are in now ,you maybe able to pick work up in your own field. The hardest part is making the move, once you are over the hump as we call it, all else falls into place.
Thank you all again for your comments.
Hi Trish Dave (I hope its not too late to add comments)
I've travelled around Aust via various 'harvest trail' work opportunities some years ago. It was a great way to travel, I met lots of different folk and stayed in some great places (often for free too).
I was sometimes very tired and made minimal $, but I stayed quite fit and didnt have to spend much anyway.
As the vast majority of picking-type, paid work is based on amount of produce collected, it is worth considering:
what height and weight would you be able to continuously work with? For instance, berries are light and often very low to the ground, bananas are heavy and often require use of a ladder etc. etc. This is an important consideration, especially after a week or more doing the same thing!
what type of weather can you 'handle'? Some places can be extremely hot in the field during harvest, others very humid, it might even be constantly raining etc ....
Anyway, the choices are yours and it is certainly worth trying. It will help you be part of communities in ways rarely possible for a 'passing traveller'.
You will know as you go if its for you, I suspect.....and most locals/small-scale farmers will appreciate your efforts, regardless of results.
I think everyone has tried working at fruit picking at least once in there life and it is very hard to make a good living from it
some do but very few good luck.
I picked fruit many years ago in Tatura (Vic, pears) and Tumbarumba (N.S.W. apples). i was young and fit then but made really good money at it. The first day I picked I think I made about $7.50 (1 1/2 bins) came back to camp sore and sorry and thought how am I going to make a quid at this. By the end of the week was picking 10 bins a day and making about 4 times my wage in Bne which wasn't a bad wage at that time.
I know we're all a lot older now and less fi,t but perservere and stay focussed. You will learn the best way to approach a tree as far as picking it goes and that can be the secret to picking more and making it easier on yourself. That said it is physical work, but you will build up your stamina. From people I know my age and older who have done it in the last 10 yrs and once did it full time in the 70's they say the orchardists are quite amenable to older workers working at their own pace and not necessarilly working full 10 hour days.
If I had to would still give it a go though. You do have to work but I remember it as one of the best times of my life.
Cheers,
Jack
Thanks Jack - your post was great and gave us food for thought.
While reading this thread i thought ,we all must have had one worst job ,during our life,would be intersting to find out if or anyone has had one of these type of jobs.
Mine was when i first got out the army ,mate and myself decided to see some of this beaut country .so we decided to do it the easy way ..WE THOUGHT....God how wrong we were on that score we went fruit and vegie picking our first job was picking BEANS ,back then to pick beans you were on your hands and knees on a charf bag picking them.We lasted two days at it and we were both fit from being in the Army, but apparantly not fit enough.
Must admit, would never do any picking that invovlved a lot of bending and reaching down. Climbing a ladder and picking what's in front of you or above much more comfortable (in my opinion) although the bag can get heavy, but you get used to that.