Fruit Picking in Swan Hill Victoria

Fruit Picking in Swan Hill

Swan Hill is a major town on the Murray River. It is in the Mid-Murray area of Victoria, on the eastern edge of the Mallee country in the north west of the State. One of the historical river towns of the Murray and a former large port, Swan Hill is now a vibrant city. A diverse range of fruit and vegetables as well as significant amounts of wool, grain and stock are produced in the area. A large tourism industry based on the river and river history is featured around the city, with the centre piece being the Folk Museum and the Paddle Steamer Gem.

Includes Beverford, Koraleigh, Lalbert, Lake Boga, Moulamein, Nyah, Piangil, Ultima, Vinifera and Woorinen.
Vinifera is 25 kms north of Swan Hill. A small riverside settlement, the Vinifera area produces a range of horticultural produce including stonefruit, grapes, citrus and vegetables.

Lake Boga is located 17 kms south of Swan Hill and was vital as a RAAF “Flying Boat“ Station during WWII. Lake Boga now has a wide range of horticultural crops grown in the area as well as supporting a tourist industry based on the lake’s current water sport activities and the history of the RAAF base, particularly the “Catalina“ flying boat.
Woorinen is 10 kms west of Swan Hill. A small riverside settlement, the Woorinen area produces a range of horticultural produce including stonefruit, grapes, citrus and vegetables all irrigated from the nearby Murray River.
Piangil is 43 kms north of Swan Hill, located on the banks of the Murray River, just opposite Tooleybuc. Grapes, citrus and some stonefruit are grown in the area.

Cool Places to visit when in Swan Hill

Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement, Paddle Steamer Gem, Paddle Steamer Kookaburra, Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, Burke and Wills Tree, Historic Bridge, Water Tower, Federal Hotel, Giant Murray Cod, Murray Downs, Bullers and Bests Wineries, Dowling House, Lake Boga and the Catalina Flying Boat Museum.

When can I go Fruit Picking in Swan Hill?

• January to May - Grapes
• May to January - Citrus
• May to February - Vegetables
• May to September - Vine pruning
• December to February - Stonefruit

Search for current jobs in Swan Hill
Seasonal work jobs
Farm hand jobs

Harvest labour providers

MADEC Australia

Harvest Labour Services
Address: 186 - 188 Beveridge Street
Phone: 1800 062 332
Fax: 03 5033 0026
Website: http://www.madec.edu.au/
Email: swanhill@madec.edu.au

Transport

How do I get there?
Swan Hill is accessible by road via the Loddon and Calder Highways, 336 kms from Melbourne following the Hume and Sturt Highways, 893 kms from Sydney, and 518 kms from Adelaide following the SE Freeway, the Mallee and Murray Valley Highways. A V/Line rail service operates daily to Swan Hill from Melbourne and there are daily bus services from Sydney and Adelaide. Public transport to the smaller surrounding locations is very limited and private transport is advised.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

There are regular public transport (Bus) services in many regions, but remember that many jobs are on farms, some distance from town, where possibly NO public transport is available. It is therefore recommended that you have your own transport.
Public Transport V/Line
Phone:136 196
Website: http://www.vlinepassenger.com.au
Email: feedback@victrip.com.au

Transport hire Companies

Travellers Auto Barn

Phone: 1800 674 374
Website: http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au
Email: pb@travellers-autobarn.com.au

Wicked Campers

Phone: 1800 246 869
Website: http://www.wickedcampers.com.au

Accommodation Swan Hill

Where can I stay in Swan Hill?
There is a large range of hotels, motels, caravan and cabin parks and backpacker
hostels in town as well as a caravan park in Nyah. Job seekers with caravans, campervans or tents can be sited on many properties. Some farms provide simple hut accommodation.

PICKING THE CROPS!

Grapes, citrus, stone fruits and vegetables are harvested along the Murray River each year. Jobs include picking, packing, pruning and other general harvest work.
The jobs can include climbing ladders, standing, kneeling or sitting while moving through the crop. The work is often repetitious. Start time is usually from early morning and often long into the day. The crop is often picked into containers such as tubs, buckets, citrus bags or picked into bundles and placed onto trays or into bins. Some sorting and packing jobs are also required. These can involve working later in the day after the crop has been harvested.

WHAT CLOTHING AND SUPPLIES NEEDED?

Clothing should be hard wearing and give maximum protection from all weather, particularly the SUN. A broad brimmed hat and sturdy work shoes / boots are required. A Water bottle (for everyday) is essential and Sun block, Sun Glasses and Insect repellent can be useful.

RATES OF PAY

Pay rates can vary widely according to crop types and the localities of production. Pay can vary and be paid Weekly, Hourly, on a “per container basis” or by direct negotiation. Work times can also vary on a locality or seasonal basis. Some harvest jobs will require night time or part night time work. Details on pay rates are available from your local Employment Service Provider or your Harvest Labour Office. Wages are generally paid weekly by Cash, cheque or by direct credit to your Bank.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Identification (eg. Drivers License, Passport).
• Tax File Number for Tax Declaration forms 
• Job Seeker Identification Number 
• Overseas visitors (Backpackers) will need a Work Visa.

Australian WorkPlace

For information on finding work, careers and training, and other Labour Market information. The Australian WorkPlace is a product of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Website: http://www.workplace.gov.au/

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

For information on visiting and working in Australia, and postcode areas eligible for second Working Holiday Maker visas.
Website: http://www.immi.gov.au/

Australian Taxation Office

For information on Australian taxation system including online Tax File Numbers and associated details.
Website: http://www.ato.gov.au/

Australian Wool Innovation Limited

For information on the Australian Wool Industry.
Website: http://www.wool.com.au

Wool Search

Wool harvesting employment opportunities can be found on this website.
Website:http://www.woolsearch.com.au

Shearing Contractors Association of Australia

Wool harvesting employment opportunities can be found on this website.
Website: http://www.scaa.org.au

Shearing World

Wool harvesting employment opportunities can be found on this website.
Website:http://www.shearingworld.com

Swan Hill Region Information Centre

Showcasing all the wonderful aspects the region has to offer, staff at the Swan Hill Region Information Centre are happy to help you with where to go, what to do, places to stay and dine, and a whole lot more.
Address: Cnr McCrae & Curlewis Streets
Phone:1800 625 373
Website: http://www.swanhillonline.com
Email: tourism@swanhill.vic.gov.au

Department of Primary Industries Victoria

To reduce the risk of spreading Queensland fruit fly, you must not take fresh fruit (including tomatoes, capsicums and chillies) into a fruit growing area. Fruit infested with fruit fly may appear to be intact on the outside.
If you have mistakenly taken fruit into a fruit growing area, it should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and left in the sun for a minimum of three days, and then placed in the rubbish bin. Maggots can also be killed by stewing or freezing the fruit.
Website: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au

National Harvest Labour Information Service

The National Harvest Labour Information Service welcomes you to the Harvest Trail Website. Linking Jobseekers with Harvest Work throughout Australia.Address:126 - 130 Deakin Avenue
Phone:1800 062 332
Website: http://www.harvesttrail.gov.au

More information
NATIONAL HARVEST INFO HOTLINE: 1800 062 332