Rural & Farm Work in Northern Territory

The Top End runs on the dry season: mangoes and melons around Darwin and Katherine from the second half of the year, cattle stations year-round, and busy tourism from May to September.

When the work is on

Crop / workWhereSeason
MangoesDarwin rural area, KatherineSeptember – November
MelonsKatherine, MatarankaMay – October
Asian vegetablesDarwin rural areaApril – September (dry season)

Seasons shift with the weather each year — treat these as a guide, and check our harvest calendar for detail by month.

Main towns for rural work

Darwin rural area · Katherine · Mataranka · Alice Springs · Tennant Creek

Common types of work

  • · Mango & melon picking
  • · Cattle stations
  • · Tourism & hospitality (dry season)
  • · Roadhouses

Working Holiday Visa (88-day) note

The entire Northern Territory counts for 88-day specified work, and tourism & hospitality work in the NT can also qualify.

Read our full 88-day visa guide and use the postcode checker before accepting a job.

General information only — not migration advice. Always confirm with the Department of Home Affairs.

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