Surviving 30 Days in Australia's Tropical North | Cairns, Queensland

[@robertrichardson1843]

Well done. Your perseverance to find a job is a credit to you. Half the aussies would have given up.

[@cariaus3758]

Omg I was starting to get anxiety, so happy you finally landed a job. Best of luck, hope you enjoy it.

[@suzannekeil3170]

Well Done Mate! Good on you for looking so hard to get work.

[@GerryMatthews-z4l]

Hi Greg, I am so glad you landed a job. Congrats. on your persistence. I certainly hope that it is working out for you. i hope you will be able to experience other parts of Australia. I am from the Tweed Valley in NE NSW, just south of the Gold Coast. Good luck mate.

[@jaderhiece4318]

As a Cairns local, I commend your perseverance on the bike! Omg I can only tolerate it May-Aug during dry winter 👏😂. The job and home searching is as brutal as the hot humid weather. A+ for effort! At least it’s moving into the best time of year and you’re set up to enjoy it.

[@cyclops92]

Congratulations champ ,it might of been a bit of a struggle but as the old saying goes no rain no rainbows.

[@gregjameson327]

Thanks mate! On to the next !

[@jenniferharrison8915]

Hi Greg, wow you have really tested your endurance and relentlessly explored all the possibilities, that's more than a lot of people do! I'm so glad you landed a good bar job, it's far more friendly and interesting than waiting tables! Well done to you, I hope you keep up the great momentum! Cheers! 👍🍺

[@cahorsman9299]

I'm glad to hear that you've cracked the job hunting window. Good luck to you in your Aussie adventures!

[@rlb3339]

Big G! Congratulations on landing a job. Hope everything is working out for ya and no more of those 'One day trials. In Australia, never known employers/recruiters to contact people who aren't successful. It's a pretty crap process, as it leaves you hanging, but good for you that you did the groundwork and finally found employment. Far North QLD is pretty monsoonal in the summer but it will get better. Eventually drys out and is beautiful in the winter.

[@gregjameson327]

Ty! Weather has actually been quite nice recently^

[@ProdCharles]

Watched all your Aus videos since your starting over moving to Australia one and this was my favourite. If you can, hope you do an extended version! Keep going, you're doing good

[@gregjameson327]

Any suggestion on objectives for the 100 days version ?

[@glenod]

@@gregjameson327 i have one.. you said pissing rain, i giggled.. the aussie lingo you have and will pick up, and seeing if you can train the brain to use the metric system. welcome to australia cobber. gleno.

[@ProdCharles]

@@gregjameson327 nope haha. I do not want to ruin the great videos you're making pretending to have an answer - ideas are king. I will say that what draws me to your videos involves the struggles you have making the monumental move to this country and how you are overcoming them as well as your growth as a KZbinr, but I am not your target audience.

[@gregjameson327]

Well struggle is my middle name so that won't be a problem haha

[@Jeni10]

@@gregjameson327 You could look at your daily lifestyle - routine, activities, meals, people, friendships, favourite things, etc. Folks back home would probably enjoy discovering how your lifestyle is in Oz compared to US. Also your lived experiences interacting with Aussies and your impressions of living and working amongst them. Just some broad suggestions, an outline to stimulate your thoughts. 😃🇦🇺

[@The_Stoic_PhilosopherAU]

Your persistence paid off! You have a good work ethic.

[@gregjameson327]

Thanks mate !

[@EhDewd]

Brisbanite here. I’ve been living in the US/Canada since 2014 (moving everywhere across both countries during that time), and as much as I’ve loved it, I’m finally thinking of heading back home later next year. I’ll return to Brisbane initially, but eyeing Cairns for the future so I’m living through your videos to get reacquainted to a potential future home! Earned a subscribe.👍🏼

[@mattyyoung1985]

Cairns isn't for everyone .. I must say this .. but it's only an hour and a half from brissy airport anyway ..

[@EhDewd]

@@mattyyoung1985 Out of curiosity what are some of the bigger negatives for living in Cairns? Versus the positives.

[@mattyyoung1985]

@@EhDewd crime is a big number here at the moment .. I'm from the Gold Coast so that says something about living here .. the humidity in some months can be a deterrent.. cyclones season can also deter one from wanting a life here .. there a number of good things .. but ,, it's not for everyone this place ,, I recommend tourists visit Gold Coast more so than here for their time in aus .. more safe and better work force .. very far and forgotten this place I'd say .. crocs , they eat ya kids if ya not careful .. not many things to do with kids really .. I have a 4 year old and feeling not much to do here atm ..

[@mattyyoung1985]

Positive , it's a beautiful place , plenty of things to do for an adult , lots of rainforest to explore, many waterfalls to see and swimming holes to swim in ., the town is different to others , rnb is bigger here than the coast , obvious reasons .., as a man , I love this place , as a father it's hard to bring up the little ones .. I rather the Gold Coast than here for that ..

[@mattyyoung1985]

@@EhDewd lots of good fishing here .. landscape is next to none in Australia.. I've been around and know this is one of the prettiest places to ever explore. It's about who ya are to survive and thrive here in the tropics .. if I were by myself , this is the place for me ., for a kid with special needs .. Gold Coast is for him ..

[@annateacheraustralia9868]

Congratulations on getting the job! 🙌 You persevered! Congratulations! 😊

[@mazzdacon2134]

Glad you finally got a job. Here in Cairns (I am local) the tourism industry is down about 30% at the moment. Business generally and domestic travel is affected by the cost of living crisis and international tourism hasn't recovered from the pandemic as air fares are still so expensive. Hope this is useful information for other travellers. Cairns is however a great place to live.

[@carbine5378]

Unfortunately this is what employers do now. If you’re not successful in an interview, you don’t get a call back to tell you so. It’s very unprofessional.

[@Starhunter1975]

They do this with everyone. Not just backpackers. They aren’t going to call 50 people to tell them they didn’t get the job.

[@StepSisRUstuck]

​They are a million if not billion dollar company they cant afford to hire more people for a job loke that? 🤦​@Starhunter1975

[@Austin_Boath]

@@Starhunter1975they can send an automated email. It’s not that hard.

[@aldocort3418]

At 10:03 that mountain range is called Guyala, a story bird that represents yidinji folklore for the people of Yarrabah ( an Aboriginal community 50km from cairns) 😅

[@dingodancer]

My home town. Enjoy it if you're still around. Autumn and winter is the best time to be here as far as the heat and humidity goes. Summer can be a killer if you're not used to it.

[@belindaclarke7803]

Congrats to you I hope you enjoy your time here best of luck.

[@libbypeace68]

Yayyyy! So happy you got a job. Really enjoying your videos.

[@robdogmaddog]

the locals in cairns are used to hundreds of backpackers trying to get jobs to extend their visas and use that to obtain free labor under the guise of a "trial shift". actually feel sorry for a lot of the honest backpackers who just want to experience australian life but end up with these bad experiences.

[@SpeKterDesigns]

Cairns local here. Theres a lot of businesses still closed since CV19 and if people get a local applicant they will take them over a backpacker who as you know are quite transient, they can get an offer to go for a trip somewhere and be gone overnight throwing out shift planning etc so yeah its no wonder you had trouble getting a job. Hope you enjoy your stay in Cairns.

[@samanthadove8346]

Congrats on the job🎉 well done ⭐

[@1970GenXer]

Welcome to North Queensland, I live in Townsville, 4 hr South of Cairns. You sure pick a gorgeous area to start your journey from. 1 month to get a job, well done and Congratulations. You asked for a suggestion for your 100th day, there is seriously is so much the list is hugh. But I think it should be a trip up to the Kuranda Markets, on the old steam train. The trip back down to Cairns, by Skyrail. I haven't done the Skyrail trip yet, it would be an awesome view over the Rainforest.

[@gregjameson327]

Hopefully I’ll get out the sky rail this week !

[@Hongaars1969]

There you are…thought you had disappeared…Nice upload. Thank you. Wishing you well…..gosh, that rain reminds me of the rain in Seychelles. Glad that you found a job. It feels unsettling being in your position. Remember, if it’s not in Cairns, there are other places across Australia to try. And watch that sun….

[@gregjameson327]

Haha yea I learned my lesson with the sun ^

[@pricey4566]

Well done mate 👏 your determination looking for work was amazing and glad you landed a job and getting to know a local bloke will help in your adventures especially with a set up like he's got with his boat and 4x4 hope you get to check out the Atherton Tableland up the hill not so humid up there and a beautiful spot looking forward to your next Vid 👌

[@gregjameson327]

Thanks brotha!

[@gregjameson327]

Haha I wanna get a car so I can explore more !

[@stephenmarsh1918]

Well done Greg, your persistence paid off congrats

[@Paddyb522]

Congratulations on landing a job! Your experience sounds very similar to my own when I first came to Cairns… seven years later I’m still here! 😂

[@gregjameson327]

Haha glad I’m not the only one.l! Felt like there was something wrong with me for a while lol

[@dot10k]

I have followed you from day 1 and congratulate you on your perseverance. It certainly paid off and you succeeded where others would have given up. There is a lot to do in the area.There is a bus from Central Cairns that visits the beaches on the Northern side of the city and it would be a great day out. I don’t think that the return fare is too expensive . It goes to Palm Cove where I live during the Winter. Visit Kuranda on the train and come back on the skyrail. Also go up to Port Douglas and the Daintree. When you have settled in further and have a car, or a friend who has a car you could travel up to Cooktown which is of historical significance to Australians. Make sure that you learn about the Aboriginal history of Australia. The indigenous first peoples of this land cared for it for 65,000 years before the British arrived. I came here as a backpacker 44 years ago and never left …. It is a wonderful country. Finally, as you have discovered, Australia is a huge country and every state has some wonderful sites and people. Keep on travelling as there is a lot to see. Aussies like to chat … so take advantage of their conversations and advice … I am sure that Val would agree with that. Best Wishes and safe travels 👍😀🌞 PS … Wear lots of sun screen .. Slip, Slop, Slap (Val will explain.)

[@gregjameson327]

Haha yea I’ve been meaning to get up to port Douglas as well!

[@peterwundersitz3715]

If you read, the Fatal Shore or any other book about early Australia (the big run, out back ploiceman) from a modern perspective, (1700's 0n) you will find that the aborigines were in a constant state of war with each other over land. The story of early South Australia. The government provided food and clothing each month. The aborigines came out of the bush and loved it so much they stayed. They finally had regular food supply.

[@stephenrogers9664]

I’ve been in Cairns for over 20yrs, & there is so much work up here in Cairns. The thing is you have to go from business to business looking for work. Most places still like the old school way of you walking into the places then asking. I work at a major hotel with over 220 staff, & every week we employ new back packers as there always leaving.

[@linyep]

He said he handed out loads of resumes.

[@alexkenley1]

damn great story dude persistence pays off huh. congrats on the job

[@gregjameson327]

Thanks mate! Let me know if you have any suggestions for a 100 days version!

[@alexkenley1]

@@gregjameson327 I used to work on the commercial fishing and diving boats out of Cairns. It was a great experience you should head down to the fishermans wharfs and ask around the boats for work would make some great content (as long as they allowed you to film when not working)

[@gregjameson327]

I actually thought about it haha. It would be so cool to work on a diving boat. Idk how I'd would get my editing done out there though haha

[@alexkenley1]

@@gregjameson327 yeah true but as long as you could get some footage you could store it all up on SD cards and edit the vids when you get time off in port. just an idea anyway

[@myke49]

Welcome to Oz. I spent about an hour in Cairns on a working trip. I drove a Nissan Patrol (the first type) from Sydney. It was hot and steamy as I remember. I then drove out west with a coworker into the inland. The coast was hot and sweaty but the inland is dry. Very dry and HOT and with an infinite number of large blowflies. Now I know why people used to wear hats with wide brims and corks on strings. All the best with your time in Oz. Mike in Oz

[@gregjameson327]

Yea the hats will save ya from absolutely frying haha

[@jasonhoneychurch1]

GOOD VIDEO MATE! WELL DONE!

[@gregjameson327]

Hell yea! Thanks mate!

[@froglady4360]

Welcome to Cairns! It is a beautiful place to live, but it can be a little unforgiving sometimes. Unfortunately like you said there are too many backpackers trying to enjoy the area as well, and not enough jobs for everyone. A lot of backpackers will work as hosties or crew on the boats taking tourists to the reef as you can get those jobs to tick the hospitality box. I’m glad you were finally given an opportunity. Don’t take it to heart that nobody gets back to when looking for employment as even when they advertise a vacancy, the fine print normally says “only successful applicants will be notified”.

[@bevhowell7665]

Gosh you are a goer , well done

[@cinemaipswich4636]

Thanks for being honest about working in Australia. Cairns is a tourist mecca so it is a bit hard to find a job. Hope you love it here like we do.

[@gregjameson327]

I do despite the job struggle it’s been great !

[@bettinico]

Crazy that youtube recommended this since I live in Cairns. It's super hot right now in December 😅

[@barnowl.]

Good to see that you finally realised there is a lot of competition for jobs in tourist areas such as Cairns. Try moving around to all parts of Australia for a wider and deeper experience of this wonderful country. As for the sunburn, please remember to 'slip, slop. slap, wrap and seek ..' which is taught in all schools from the first class at school as Australia has the highest statistic of skin cancer in the world. The sun is particularly harsh here one reason being the tilt of the earth brings us closer to the sun. We did also have a hole in the ozone layer over the country but that has almost mended and has moved south of mainland Oz. Aloe Vera applied gel helps ease the pain of burns.

[@gregjameson327]

Yea I’ve been burned like this before in California. Aloe help but I tend to feel even itchier after it dries haha

[@richardthomson4693]

yeah but hes working in cairns so he can get his 88 days that will enable to him to get his second year visa. Advice for anyone coming to aus as a whv, do your 88 days asap. Allows you to go where to go later

[@gregjameson327]

Exactly! I think they might have been referring to after I get my 88 days though ^

[@viviennemeurs247]

Welcome to Cairns. It’s a great place to live, but with a high crime rate. Please make sure your bike lock is one that bolt cutters can’t cut through, or you’ll lose it.

[@starairways2776]

Enjoying the Cairns weather I see? It's been pissing down with rain for well longer than it should be up here, normally wet season ends at latest early April, but still keeps going. Anyways, I hope you find your ventures up here good!

[@gregjameson327]

Haha it’s still quite rainy even now ^ I don’t mind tho!

[@Kianiji18]

We don't say laundry liquid. Tha's just what the shop calls it for some reason. We would usually say washing powder or washing detergent.

[@albosmum5210]

Congrats on getting the job. PS have you noticed the change in the weather? The worst of the wet season is finally in sight. Also, doesn't your work visa also give you credit for agricultural work? I have a friend who regularly employs backpackers in his landscaping business. That's how he actually got started here after being a backpacker from the UK.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

Maybe he should, I think that's for the 2nd year though, after he has fully explored Cairns, he said he enjoys the tropical environments!

[@gregjameson327]

Yea it does! I was thinking about doing that but ended up landing a job before I needed to ^

[@Hidden-fn-YT]

Ive been to most of these places in the video🤣

[@virtualdude64]

Persistence is a virtue.

[@TonyChronicles]

Holy cow this poor kid, those job employers were ruthless!

[@peterwundersitz3715]

You want to stop in at cazaly's. The staff must all be back packers from europe. There must be hundreds of people looking for this kind of work. especially in cairns and the like.

[@uncu429]

Nice. May I know why you chose Cairns to work?

[@gregjameson327]

Cairns is considered a “remote” region working here helps extend my visa. But I actually love the climate and environment here as well ^

[@latenightlegacyofficial]

Which was the quieter. better hostel?

[@gregjameson327]

The village in cairns CBD!

[@stephaniebell4272]

Geeze! You didn’t have much luck with rotten managers! Sorry that happened to you.

[@MrDredd1966]

Pissing rain!! 👍🇦🇺

[@terben7339]

Laundry detergent can be powder or liquid.

[@Aussie_Kirsten]

Move to Hervey Bay, you should get work straight away there, especially in hospitality.

[@strangenameforaband342]

Well done in finally getting a job, you'll find having local experience will help with getting the next job. Sounds like they have a bit of a culture of exploiting backpackers up there which is unfortunate. You got some k's in with all that walking and riding so not all is bad. That and the experience on what types business not to bother appling with will hold you in good stead in the future, just need to work out a way to get out there on the cheap. A car is a big investment but if they know they can rely on you, you may be able to get more hours.Good luck man you are on your way.

[@gregjameson327]

Thank brotha !

[@linyep]

I hope they paid you for the trial as that’s illegal if they didn’t . Sadly because so many people apply they don’t get back to people, however that’s terrible once you did a trial they didn’t get back to you. Might be a Cairns thing being so full of backpackers. Also many people have certificates and training in hospitality. Glad you got a job eventually ! Good luck with your travels oh and BTW ibuprofen and Panadol are sold in the shelves in Coles or Woolies ! Where did you have to ask for it behind the counter ?

[@gregjameson327]

Chemist warehouse^

[@Jeni10]

Madeira cake was named after Madeira wine, a Portuguese wine from the islands, which was popular in England in the mid-1800s and was often served with the cake. It’s pronounced mah-deera.

[@pasilinnosto6712]

Bus pull strings went out in the 70s

[@andyjames2082]

Look at you go, "pissing rain" that the Aussie spirit!

[@illletmyselfout.8516]

Welcome to Cairns

[@FionaEm]

It's really common for Australian employers not to call you back when you're applying for work. It's frustrating as hell, but if there are more applicants than jobs, ya kind of have to suck it up! It probably doesn't help that you arrived in Cairns in the wet season, which is the 'low season' for tourism up there. Glad you got a job in the end! Now, wear some bloody sunscreen next time you're outside 😅

[@gregjameson327]

Haha I usually do wear it was a one time thing lmao

[@AO-oy4rf]

Thats so rude to not get back to you after you work a shift! I bet they don't pay for that shift either. Employers don't get back to you when you apply but even worse when you go for an interview and all the prep and hassle and then they don't even send an email to say sorry you were unsuccessful. Still if that is their attitude imagine actually working for them!

[@gregjameson327]

Yea fair enough, it is what it is though. Seems to be a bit more common here in Aus but maybe that just comes with being here on the working holiday visa

[@KarenMorrow-z3e]

Yes please

[@The_Jupiter2_Mission]

I say go live at Val's place! The 50's would be closer at hand. Ma-deer-a cake.

[@Rockhampton633]

There alot of jobs available, but not enough jobs. Took me a year to land a full-time job after i finish school.

[@gregjameson327]

Man I feel that the struggle is brutal out here

[@queenslanddiva]

I hope you were paid for all those practice shifts? Well done for your perserverance.

[@mathewbacsik8681]

Wow I didn’t realise how brutal employers can be these days. Hopefully you’ll make nice Aussie mates who’ll turn your perception around 🤞

[@wallywombat164]

Never heard of ' laundry liquid '.

[@gregjameson327]

Haha nope it’s just detergent where I’m from

[@wallywombat164]

@@gregjameson327 Struth, WHY would some toffee nosed SNOB refer to that STUFF as l..... l...... 👺👺👺👺👺

[@crow7505]

Should have come to the west coast and done FIFO mate

[@gregjameson327]

Is FIFO usually for mine work?

[@JadawinL]

@@gregjameson327 Yes - FIFO work is usually mining work. However, the miners are there to mine. They also need Maintenance workers, Janitorial workers, Catering workers, Security workers, Administration workers, Transport workers - a whole team is needed to keep these mines running, there are FIFO jobs covering any industry. Many young Australians work in FIFO for a few years and come back with their first house deposit, they save most of their wages as living expenses are covered by the employer.

[@gregjameson327]

Ahhh I could see that paying pretty well. It'd be a pretty cool gig when your young and not tied down with a family or mortgage^

[@Jeni10]

Why did you choose Cairns to live? It’s much cooler further south. It pours raining because it’s a rainforest area, you know, RAIN FOREST. 😂

[@gregjameson327]

Hahaha I actually like the heat in cairns most of the time. Only sucks when your handing out resumes in black pants

[@Jeni10]

@@gregjameson327 Yeah, glad you got a job now! Some employers like it when an applicant shows enthusiasm to work for them by calling them every couple of days for an update, just for future reference. Don’t do it unless it’s a workplace you’re keen to join. 😃👍🇦🇺. Oh! And don’t be afraid to ask how they do things because your experience in the States is always going to be different from Australian employers, they can get set in their ways and you need to understand their preferences and adapt to them. You’ve figured that out by now anyway. 😍. I’m enjoying your content so keep it coming. 😃

[@paudisart4001]

ggs

[@Aiman-hw9ev]

3:21 lold what

[@DanTuber]

Wear sunscreen mate. Slip slop slap.

[@andyjames2082]

Umm, showing cash after getting your TFN is not the best idea!

[@gregjameson327]

Hah fair enough lmao

[@D3athpixie007]

You must be a little princess to think living in cairns is "surviving "

[@garymcfetridge7883]

Now mate, U know Aussies are pretty straight forward, so consider this a helpful suggestion and not hate mail. I think you cd do better with yr coiffuring. Go to a good hairdressers and try a more trendy hairdo. Yr a good looking, healthy young man and seem like a good guy. But I feel yr letting yrself down with that "do", lol. Go try something new after researching some trendy mags. Remember, there's only 2 weeks between a bad and good haircut, lol. Please take this suggestion in the spirit it's intended.

[@marsbearmcw3050]

Surviving? Really? Is that how you describe it? Just because you leave a resume to someone doesn’t mean they have to ring you back. Bit precious I’d say. Now if you had a proper interview then that’s a bit slack of them but not if you just dropped a resume off.

[@gregjameson327]

“Surviving” is more for the KZbin algorithm ^. When I say they didn’t call me back I’m only referring when interviewed or did a working trial shift. Sometime both

[@marsbearmcw3050]

@@gregjameson327 well that’s pretty slack of them then.

[@necromancersorcerer2196]

Come down to Melbourne ☺️

[@jonathont7866]

FYI you're required to wear a helmet when riding a bike in Australia, and it's something that police will enforce if they spot you. The fine is $154 in QLD

[@brayden2530]

Never worn a helmet, never had a fine 🤣

[@cyriloliver6747]

Next minute...

[@Starhunter1975]

It’s Cairns. The police know you can just jump on a plane and fly home. What’s the point in giving you a fine.

[@becmoran9119]

Honestly 'Good looking English speaking White Guys' wouldnt typically stick around in service jobs and move on to better things at any time. So you would seem a little 'unreliable' before you even started. Sorry for the stereotype as its obvious you are genuine.

[@stevegraham3817]

Don't forget that you need a pushbike helmet. The fine will be several hundred dollars if you don't.

[@twoflyinghats]

Get a BIKE HELMET, FGS, Greg!! It's compulsory by law, so don't think you can use ignorance as your excuse to the police for wearing only a baseball cap. While you're at it, get some SUNSCREEN and a WIDE BRIMMED HAT!

[@gregjameson327]

Haha whoops, I’ll pick up one of those bunnings hats