Tassie to pay Aussies travel costs for ‘odd jobs’ like wombat walker, paranormal investigator

Tasmania has just opened applications for 10 “odd jobs” and there’s a particular one on the list that will have you scratching your head.

Tasmania has just opened applications for 10 “odd jobs” including a cave conductor, paranormal investigator and probably the best yet strangest one, a wombat walker.

While the work is unpaid and only lasts a day or two, travel costs are covered as part of Tourism Tasmania’s latest campaign to encourage domestic visitation to the state during the colder months, considered its off season.

One Australian will be selected for each of the ten jobs and will have their flights to and from their nearest capital city covered. They will also get two nights’ accommodation at a nearby hotel, Airbnb or other arrangement, a hire car, and a hamper worth up to $500 of local Tasmanian produce and memorabilia.

A “wombat walker” is needed to take the furry friends at East Coast Natureworld on morning walks. Picture: Tourism Tasmania

What are the strange jobs on offer? There is certainly a significant range.

A “wombat walker” at East Coast Natureworld in Bicheno is responsible for leading the furry animals on their morning waddles as part of their rehabilitation program.

Walkers must coax them out of bed in the morning and motivate them with praise and pep talks, and their favourite snacks.

The wildlife park is looking for an animal and nature lover, and a keen walker who loves to get up in the mornings, come rain or shine.

A “cave conductor” at Gunns Plains Caves will help local musician Charlie warm up before performing for tour groups underground.

This job will require the successful applicant to bring their own instrument to improvise some tunes and test the cavernous acoustics. Applicants should note there are 54 stairs into the cave.

The “paranormal investigator” will work at Willow Court Asylum after dark. Picture: Tourism Tasmania

A “paranormal investigator” with Tasmania’s Most Haunted in New Norfolk will help capture and document any disturbances, spectral figures or unexplained phenomena at Willow Court Asylum.

The tour company require someone “attuned into interactions with the otherworldly” and who has respect for the chilling and controversial history of Willow Court.

Other jobs include a “truffle snuffler” at The Truffledore (truffle hunting with a canine companion), “wine whisperer” at Clover Hill (tending, tasting and sipping sparkling wines), “puffer nut” at West Coast Wilderness Railway (riding shotgun in the cab alongside the driver and fireman through the rugged wilderness), “soaksmith” at Little Things Farm (crafting bath salt), “oyster organiser” at Freycinet Marine Farm (gathering, sorting and cleaning shellfish), “star seeker” at Rathmore House (observing the night sky, assisting with celestial observations, telescope fiddling and astro-imaging), and “sauna stoker” at Little Beach Co. (tending their wood-fired sauna).

The “puffer nut” gets to ride shotgun in the cab alongside the driver and fireman through the rugged wilderness. Picture: Tourism Tasmania

Those Aussies who wish to apply must explain in 50 words or less why they want to swap their day job for the odd job in Tassie. Applications are open from now until July 8 this year. The total value of the prize pool is up to $25,000.

Tourism Tasmania chief marketing officer Lindene Cleary acknowledged the odd jobs campaign was a unique proposition.

“More and more, we’re all looking for remedies through experience that make life feel simpler and less stressful,” she said.

“Watching ‘cottagecore’ videos of people gardening and building cabins in the woods. Hobbies like cooking and reading are even trumping digital hobbies like gaming. So, we extend a warm invite to Australians to apply for an odd job in Tasmania and wake up from their cool weather coma.”