The Whos In Whoville

So the next adventure has begun.

We arrived a week ago now in the Snowy Mountains of Australia, with new roommates and new jobs. What I can say so far, is that this is my first time having roommates I actually really like – rather than roommates I hide from or continuously fight with. Now, if you’ve been keeping up with my not yet written roommate tales, you’ll know that it’s at least mostly not me who’s unlikeable. From being threatened by a crazy bird man, a live-in landlord who told us we’re only allowed in our rooms because he doesn’t want tenants in his space, it’s been an absolute ride.

Now about the job. We’ve had two training days in which we cleaned. And cleaned. And cleaned. As is the job. I knew it would be physically demanding, but I failed to imagine just how much so it would actually be. After two half days for training I am WIPED. Which is great… Because we’ll be doing 50 hour weeks moving forward… Which… If you’ve been following the things I’ve yet to tell you about my constant connective tissue disorder related injuries, you’ll know is quite a bit intimidating.

But things to know about the Snowy Mountains! If you’re planning a trip here, or are coming to work for a work holiday, here’s the deets I’ve learned from being here for sooooo long (literally a week, so take this with a grain of salt).

1. Grocery shopping is much more expensive that other places we’ve lived in Australia. This is considered a more remote area, and a luxury travel area, so expect prices to reflect that.
2. Many accomodations here do not have wifi. That (someone that enraged my entire work holiday work team) is an obstacle we’re currently facing, as without being told, we’ve all moved down here and without data and good connection, can’t so much as call home. (Luckily, we do have data, and mild connection.)
3. Ski passes are outrageous. You’re paying Whistler prices for small, packed hills that can barely keep a layer of snow. I haven’t seen leak season slopes yet, but the snowboard shop guys told me it’s mostly slush after 11 am.
4. There’s actually a lot to do if you’re social! (See links at the bottom of the post.) In Jindabyne: Monthly line dancing, weekly musical bingo, gyms and a swimming pool, a skate park, and if you’re desperate to not ski or snowboard, Canberra is a two hour drive from here. Taco Tuesday at Emporium   has some of the best non-Mexican style tacos I’ve ever had (I had the halloumi ones and they were great).
5. There is technically rock climbing nearby. We’ve yet to do much of it, and as winter weather really sets in I don’t know how keen we’ll be, but it’s certainly there. There’s also a ton of random boulders around that you can play on even if they’re not listed in the crag. This area has a TON of really cool granite just sitting in the grass being beautiful.
6. You can see emus. There’s a ton of emus.

Another major pro if you’re wanting to work here is that, given the whole tourism thing, you’ll be making crazy money with weekend hours. We’re looking at over 600 a weekend because of weekend awards. That ALONE makes up for how expensive it is here, because if you can save just your Sunday pay every week, by the end of the season you’ll be happy as a clam. I’m hoping to save more than that, but it’s not looking good.

But anyways, the tldr: the Snowy Mountains are really beautiful, really expensive, and potentially an amazing work holiday stop (especially if you’re homesick for colder weather like I was).

Taco Tuesdays at Jindabyne Emporium | Restaurant and Bar https://www.jindabyneemporium.com/

Line Dancing and other events at Banjo Paterson Inn https://www.banjopatersoninn.com.au/whats-on

Musical Bingo at Horizons Lake Jindabyne  https://www.horizonslakejindabyne.com.au/