I Lived in the Outback - Here’s How It Went

Last year I lived in the outback of Australia for 7 months, crazy right? Literally the middle of nowhere and perhaps one of the most remote places in the world. The outback is known for a lot of red dirt and dangerous animals. But what is it really like to live and work there? Well, I’m about to tell you… and it’s probably not at all what you’re thinking.

But Why?

I was on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia and regional work is by far one of the best ways to earn and save money. The pay is pretty good (since no one really wants to go there) and living expenses are super low (since there’s not much to do). Plus it’s a great way to experience a different side of Australia. Some would even go as far as to call it ‘the real Australia’, but I’ll leave that one up to you.

Leaving the City Behind

I flew into Adelaide with my boyfriend Justin, then had a 5-hour drive inland in a little minibus. I couldn’t imagine moving out here on my own, we met people who did - but I’ll get into that later.

The landscape outside quickly changed from cityscape to country. When we arrived, my initial reaction was one of surprising awe. It was beautifully rugged with mountains of different textures and hues. You could see, without a doubt, why people came here from all over the world.

We got settled into our little cabin - which by the way felt like an absolute luxury. We had the whole place to ourselves, albeit a little dated, but it beat sharing a flat in Brisbane with 4 other people which cost over double the price of rent - ouch.

The commute to work the next day was a sweet 30-second walk, but it quickly became apparent how limited we would be without a car. To give you some perspective, the nearest little grocery store was a 25-minute drive and the nearest supermarket was a 1.5-hour drive away (not ideal).

Hello Country Life

In the first few weeks, we made the most of our new surroundings. I remember the night I walked back to my cabin from my first restaurant shift. I had never seen stars so clearly in my life. I just stopped to stare. The sky was so clear, it was incredible. I’m pretty certain I was looking at the Milky Way.

There was so much wildlife. Emus would walk right past the cabins during my housekeeping shifts, and we’d see kangaroos on walks after work. There were birds everywhere, from little green parrots to huge eagles. The resort was also a working sheep station so there were plenty of sheep about too.

We found enjoyment in little things like a sunset cycle (on some old bikes that Justin fixed up), making pizza at home, long walks on days off, and visiting the one coffee shop in the nearest town (which was really good by the way and I still miss to this day). I was fully embracing the slow life, which felt like a much-needed recovery after experiencing burnout.

Before coming to the outback, I had been working a full-time job in the city (which took over 2 hours a day to commute to when I wasn’t WFH), freelancing in the evenings, and trying to see and do as much in the area as we could on weekends. I loved living there but I couldn’t keep up, so the slower pace of life was welcomed with open arms.

It really made me realise that I didn’t need to see and do everything when I travel to places - in fact, it's impossible to do it all. Instead, I needed to value the slowness and be more present in whatever I was doing, so I could fully enjoy it, rather than rushing through it all.

Moving to the middle of nowhere is basically a surefire way to beat FOMO because you’re forced to find enjoyment in the things around you rather than looking outward at what you could be doing.

I found I had more time to focus on my own projects. Like reading more books, freelancing more, and experimenting with creative outlets.

Reality Check

The first couple of months went by and the initial newness of it all began to wear off. The days were long and the work was tiring. Some days were a challenge. We all lived in such close proximity to each other, it was like being in a bubble. There were different personalities so people were of course bound to bump heads. Some days were fun and you’d laugh, other days would be stressful and overwhelming. That’s just the reality of it.

I had a family member pass away so I was grieving and feeling homesick, and I was experiencing a lot of anxiety that I’d been too busy and distracted with to address before. I was forced to face parts of myself that I hadn’t given much space to air.

Everyone was going through their own situations. Like I said earlier, I couldn’t have imagined doing this alone. You are surrounded by people you work with, but shift patterns don’t always align, people move on quickly, and it’s not like you can just see your friends and family outside of work. Living in a remote location has its downsides. It was as if this semi-isolating environment heightened your emotions, or at least it did with mine.

Then Spring Came

Usually, when you face challenges you come back much stronger. Spring arrived, wildflowers bloomed, and so many bunnies were born. We saw little emu chicks that we’d watch grow a little bigger every day. There was even a lost newborn lamb that we looked after for a few weeks. That lamb was the cutest thing and genuinely brought me so much joy. I saw an echidna for the first time and was absolutely amazed (it’s essentially like a big hedgehog, so funny but so cute). We also completed one of the biggest hikes in the area which felt like a little achievement. I’m an earth sign (Taurus) so I felt totally in my element spending time in nature. This was for sure my wholesome granola girl era.

I found that meditating and doing yoga each morning was key for me to manage my stress and anxiety. I made a conscious effort to find gratitude in everything around me and became a much more grounded person when I was consistent with my mindful practices.

There were fun times too. I went on a helicopter ride which blew my mind and went on different tours of the area - work perks you know.

We made memories and lasting connections over this experience. There was such a diverse mix of people in one place, that I most likely would never have met otherwise. Everyone came from different places and had amazing stories to tell.

What Was It Really Like?

It was a whirlwind. I’ve never lived or worked in a place like this before. It was a challenging experience but I learned so much about myself and gained tangible skills from the work too. I met so many different people from different walks of life. It made me appreciate the little things, find more gratitude, and ultimately become a better person.

It’s not just about living in the outback, it’s about how when we step outside of our comfort zones in any situation we are challenged and forced to shift our perspective - that’s really how we all grow, learn, and change in the end.

Oh, and I’m sure you were wondering about the dangerous animals. Yes, I saw some spiders, a couple too close for comfort but no snakes. The outback isn't that scary I promise.

If you’re thinking about working in regional Australia, you should check out this blog post.