Jobs Gap Year Programs in Australia

I have recently come back from my gap year and while I was there I spent a month working on the relationships between humans and elephants. So why would I recommend Oyster? I am so glad I picked to do this project with Oyster because they made me feel very well taken care of and looked after me before and during the project. They talk you though everything you need to know before the project takes place and what clothes and necessities you may need to pack. So what does the project consist of? I would do this project a million times if I could, and if you don’t believe me lots of people who were doing the project had already done it before and had come back because of how much they enjoyed it. So the project is on a two week program and you have the option to stay from two weeks to 3 months. The first week is amazing because you build walls for the local community. Some days some of the locals will come and help, or a few kids will come and keep you company, that is amazing because you feel so immersed, it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The second week is spent tracking elephants. This was my favourite out of the two because you learn all about the elephants foot prints. We also managed to see a two day old elephant which we were lucky enough to name !!! So why pick this project? I think this project and Oyster have a lot of selling points. For starters Oyster takes very good care of you and help you organise yourself before the project starts so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Secondly you are in the middle of the desert, I don’t think you could get anymore rural than that. You don’t really have much service so it’s lovely to disconnect for two weeks. You get to spend some time with lovely people who you may not meet on a day to day basis, people from different countries, locals, and different ages. You camp under the stars which is also amazing. Overall I would always recommend this amazing project, such a special experience!!

Oyster Worldwide responded to this reviewAugust 13, 2024

Wonderful to read about your experience, thank you Emily! The Oyster Team

The last few weeks I have been travelling around South East Asia with Oyster Worldwide, completing my Gold The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

 This has been a truly once in a lifetime experience, meeting many new people from all around the world and learning about the Asian culture and lifestyle.

 From volunteering at an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chaing Mai, Thailand to partying on a yacht in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, I enjoyed every second of it. 

 Oyster Worldwide have been super professional and helpful throughout the whole experience and made a complex and daunting trip, a breeze in the park!

Oyster Worldwide responded to this reviewJuly 20, 2023

Sounds like you made the most of your time Bailey and had a wonderful tour - thanks for sharing!

The Melbourne Gap Year Adventure from Grabatour is designed for those planning a working holiday / gap year in Australia. It is a comprehensive tour that will take you on an adventure through the heart of Melbourne and outlying areas, taking in all major attractions, hidden gems and more. After the intro week they will help you with everything you need to find a job there or give you many advices on your traveling plans. During the tour you will make friends with many other young travelers as well. A Very fun intro tour. Totally recommend!!

I had a really great time as a volunteer teaching assistant at a school in Coyhaique, Chile. I was teaching a huge range of ages (4-17) and it was great to be able to interact with classes at various stages of their English development. The teachers I was supporting were amazing and very eager for the help, particularly with the younger years and keeping their interest. I absolutely loved my time living with my host family as they were so welcoming. Being able to speak a little Spanish already definitely helped my integration but they were also incredibly helpful in helping me improve and understanding of my many mistakes! Coyhaique in itself is a smallish town with not too much to offer however there are two national parks surrounding it with some good hikes. It is easy to travel out of Coyhaique by bus (just book in advance) either going north or south and getting to Balmaceda airport is also simple should you wish to go further afield. Having people on the ground in Coyhaique was encouraging as you knew you had support should you need it but we didn't interact much. The Spanish lessons were fine but I feel they would be more helpful to someone of a lower level, as for me, I just needed to practice speaking so the best thing was just being with my host family! Overall a good experience and I'm so glad I did it.

Oyster Worldwide responded to this reviewAugust 09, 2019

Thank you so much for leaving a review!

It was really amazing with all the help from the team for finding work in Oz! During 8 days we done many activities and they were fantastic and it is something I don’t regret a bit. You felt welcomed from the first day when you arrive in the accommodation (YHA). Our group leader was extremely helpful. Overall I had a great time on this tour!

I had just finished my A Levels and wasn’t sure whether uni was an option for me - so a gap year was on the cards. My friend and I had a passion for animals so decided to go on a trip to see some of the worlds most magnificent. After lots of research, Oysters promise of responsible travel and support was what made us sure they were the best company to go with. I went to South Africa for 4 weeks to volunteer as a wildlife conservationist with the Big 5. I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved the programme. I got to see and experience a culture and lifestyle I never thought possible, made life long friends all over the world and have memories to last a life time. Oyster provided non-stop support as soon as I applied until the very moment I returned home. It would take me a whole book to write all the amazing things I saw and experienced and why Oyster Worldwide was the best choice - cliché as it sounds, taking a gap year with Oyster was the best decision I have ever made and I cannot wait to get on a plane to another one of their awesome projects.

Oyster Worldwide responded to this reviewFebruary 04, 2019

Many thanks for taking the time to review us! <br/><br/>Oyster Team

Had such a fantastic week with Kirsten! Everything was planned so well and it was worth every penny! From the moment i was picked up from the airport i felt so at ease and comfortable and never had a dull moment! The best part of the trip was the night in port Stephens! I would highly recommend doing this trip with oz Grabatour!

This trip was really good. Our guide - Kirsten - was helpful, knowledgeable and great fun, making us all feel at ease from day one. This experience was a great way of travelling by yourself and making friends in the process, and the activies were key to this. From sandboarding to dolphin watching, there was a good range of the type of things you come to Australia to do, would definitely recommend this trip!

Such a fun week! Great way to start my Aussie travels. The weekend trip to Port Stephen was incredible- kangaroos, surfing and sand boarding! The accommodation there was also great, way better than the one in Sydney. Also a fantastic way to get all the important stuff done since they helped us so much. Tom had such a vast knowledge too which helped a tonne!

I found Oz Grabatour to be very welcoming, friendly, fun filled and extremely entertaining. It has been full of plenty of activities, breathtaking sights and plenty of information from the different places seen to further travel. I am very glad I have done the oz Grabatour as it has offered me a place to set settled in Sydney and become comfortable before continuing on my journey.Tom-awesome guide! He’s the funniest person and we all had a good time with him.Thanks, OZ Grabatour!!

First of all, Tom was awesome, best tour guide ever. The Grabatour was an amazing experience & you get so much for the money. Not only the amount of activities that are included but the group of like-minded people you meet is invaluable. The provided meals are great, the hostel is clean & tidy. Everything was really well organised and well thought and planned out. The leader Tom was fantastic and helped with anything we needed. Over all, probably the best thing I’ve done and a fantastic way to get started on your travels

The Oz Grabatour has a great itinerary to introduce how amazing Australia is, the trips cater to everyone with relaxing time on some of Australia’s beautiful beaches as well as some physical activities like the Tomaree walk. The views are incredible from the coastal walk to the sand dunes and the experiences are unforgettable! Tom was an awesome tour guide and such a great support when I had some personal stuff going on! I just wish it was longer but it has set me up perfectly for further travels across Australia, I especially can’t wait to see the East coast! Thanks Grabatour travel & Tom!

Oz Grabatour was the best decision I made when deciding to travel to Australia. Tom was a wicked leader so easy going and full of banter. Everything was smooth running and there was no wasted time. The itinerary embarked so many unforgettable memories made with a group of people I wouldn’t change for the world. Thank you Tom for being a genuinely nice guy, putting us all at ease and helping us organise our next adventures. Charssssssssss‘

Oz grabatour was a amazing way to start my year in Aus. Tom was an absolute legend who was always up for a laugh and nothing was ever too much trouble for him. Even messaging him in the early hours to ask where sells pizza...he's a class guy. The nights out were ace and the accommodation was decent too. The best part has to be the trip to port stephens and being with a bunch of great people! Would totally recommend this trip!

Oz grabatour was the perfect way to get introduced to Australia as a first time traveller! Tom has been incredibly enthusiastic and supportive during the tour and has given great advice about travelling through Australia afterwards. Every day has been a load of fun and full of incredible experiences. Would recommend this tour to anyone! Thanks Tom and Grabatour Travel!

I’ve had a great week, really enjoyed myself and helped to set me up for work. The week was packed with brilliant activities and was a great way to start travelling as you are introduced to loads of other travellers mostly doing very similar things to yourself! Tom was a great guide and a good laugh. Would highly recommend doing this if your thinking about travelling to Australia, I have actually now booked on to the Grabatour travel

This was one of the best weeks in my whole life! I meet amazing people and saw so much. Everything was organized so well and we had so much fun. Our tour guide Kirsten is the best! She gave us such a warm welcome and was really caring the whole time. But she was more than just our tour guide. She was part of our group and became a real friend. Thank you Kirsten! I couldn't have had a better start for my Australia trip. All the best! Nathaniel.

Kirsten was the best guide we could have asked for! Kirsten was so helpful from the start, even before arriving in Sydney, and spent a lot of time helping me plan my future travel. Kirsten made it such a fun week! I had an incredible time and met some amazing new friends! Oz grabatour family for life! We love you Kirsten! ❤️

Had an amazing time on oz Grabatour! Tom was full of energy and so enthusiastic about everything. Surfing was sooo much fun, such a great experience! Even if the hike’s nearly killed me I would definitely suggest doing it. If you’re a veggie prepare to eat a lot of veggie burgers though... never want to see one ever again! Met the most amazing bunch of people and can’t wait to see the rest of us!

Oz Gabatour was so incredibly helpful, I wouldn’t have been able to do a lot of the things they help you with myself. Had such an amazing week, have not stopped laughing! Tom was absolutely amazing as a guide and it seemed like he had been a guide for years! So lovely and puts everyone at ease :)