I learnt the term and was introduced to some by Yeoeleven down on the late Elle on Wheels farm and resort just outside Denmark, where she kindly allowed me to spend the night parked up in my camper van (arranged by Yeo).  That was the first time I had ever heard of the term.

I didn't know I wanted a job.

What is a woofer.

Hello boots welcome to the forum, Tell us a little about yourself ?? what type of unit are you travelling in, or intend to ?? Have you caravanned before. .?? 

If you have any questions about Vanning or travelling just ask ? lot of info on here, about it, But i don't think you will find much about ''backpackers'' or woofers ???

Works both ways.

Our young -uns want to work overseas fruit picking etc. Only fair it goes both ways. The other side of the coin is the price of our fruit and veggies.

How much extra would it cost us for ours if we didn't have the backpackers and others Grey Nomads included, picking our produce.

Then the Big two Coles and Woolies would be importing stuff cheaply from overseas putting our producers out of business.

No easy answer is there.

Gary wrote, ----    Yeah, even Julia's not allowed on here. However, that may change after yesterday. 

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Ha Ha !! Gary, Do you have inside information, that Julia is now going to buy a Caravan and go Nomading with us ??? 

She would be welcome around my campfire, for ONE night,, after that I don't think she will share it with me again, ??? 

Thanks for the clarification Boots, and Welcome again, Now we see who you are and what you do, we can understand your situation and dilemma, and no doubt will get some positive feedback

I do hope you find some on-going work soon, Nice van your towing there ?? mate has a 19' phoenix They built them tough ?/

Do not take offence at any replies you may have thought were a bit ''sharp'' as every now and then we get some people who only register on this forum to make a political or religious statement ?? and this is not what this forum is about. So stick around, join in and enjoy  Regards Dazren

I heard there is about 250 000 of us in the UK and the government would like to export them back here. So suppose it  dose works both ways, the difference is the hand full that I know are not picking fruit. Being paid well for the knowledge and Uni studies they have. The only fruit picking my son would care to do is at the fruit shop. 

A good place to look for work is via google, try typing in Australian job serch and the other one is farm work.

One citrus grove owner up out of Emerald QLD has brought 200 people out from ( I think Tonga ) on those 457 visa.

And not one of our own even got a look in for one of those $100.000 per year jobs in OUR own tourist advertising jobs.

This organisation that promotes all this, should hang their head in shame.

Caravan park managers are also on the government list of the so called skills shortage. There is 750 different jobs eligible through this 457 visa scheme .

Having spent 2 months living with woofrs at elle on wheel's farm in Denmark I did get to know some well. The main reason that they work for accomodation is to put 88 days in working on organic farms to get a further 12 months on their visa.

That is the carrot that moves most woofrs and not the work for accomodation only. They will spend 3 months to remain in Australia for an extra 12 months.        John

Well I've learned something, had never heard the expression before.

Welcome Boots.

I have  various friends  who use Woofers.

 Subsistence type small holdings. 

House in the tree plantation, carpenter.

 Education orientated (Biology/Botany)   hobby type farm.

None of these actually ever needed to employ or wanted  anyone to  work for them.    But Woofers  came and  stayed more like friends of friends.  Yes they  might cut wood or  paint a fence,   Even pruning trees or weeding the vege garden.   They dined with our friends and stayed a few nights or maybe a week.   Cooking a few meals themselves for the family's.  Great way to meet different cultures.  Our Australian Woofers are doing this in other countries as well.

Just a bit more clarification of "Woofers"  for everyone.  From Wikipedia.

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF, /wf/), or Willing Workers on Organic Farms, is a loose network of national organisations that facilitate placement of volunteers on organic farms. While there are WWOOF hosts in 99 countries around the world, no central list or organisation encompasses all WWOOF hosts. As there is no single international WWOOF membership, all recognised WWOOF country organisations strive to maintain similar standards, and work together to promote the aims of WWOOF.^[1]

WWOOFing aims to provide volunteers with first-hand experience in organic and ecologically sound growing methods, to help the organic movement, and to let volunteers experience life in a rural setting or a different country. WWOOF volunteers ('WWOOFers') generally do not receive financial payment. The host provides food, accommodation, and opportunities to learn, in exchange for assistance with farming or gardening activities.

The duration of the visit can range from a few days to years. Workdays average five to six hours, and participants interact with WWOOFers from other countries.^[2] WWOOF farms include private gardens through smallholdings, allotments, and commercial farms. Farms become WWOOF hosts by enlisting with their national organisation.

Examples of WWOOF experiences include harvesting cup gum honey from Ligurian bees at Island Beehive in Kangaroo Island, harvesting Syrah grapes for Knappstein Vineyard in the Clare Valley, and harvesting coffee beans from arabicas in Northern Thailand.^[2]

dazren wrote:

Ha Ha !! Gary, Do you have inside information, that Julia is now going to buy a Caravan and go Nomading with us ??? 

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 Does anyone remember that Greens Senator Joe Valentine?  Did the minimum time to get a lifetime super as a polly then pulled the plug.

Bought herself a campervan and travelled Oz......

Thank you, I am on a learning curve

Yes I am ,it's a great way to spend some time learning, out of the wet and cold as it is in Brisbane at the present.

I have been trying to read the post of a morning and latter on in the day to keep up with what is happening before the boss comes in from work.

I waiting for her big day to stop and start to smell the roses with me which is not far away.

I reckon there was a few of us out there who didn't know the term.

Never a day goes by with out learning something. Filed.