We’re hiring! Want a job where you can travel, explore our incredible back yard AND get paid?!
Cockatours are looking for one adventurous GUIDE + one adventurous CHEF or COOK for the 2026 season. We run 15 & 17 day camping tours to remote outback Australia in our two 4WD tour trucks. Our main tours are to Cape York and Northern Territory/Gulf Savannah (Cairns-Darwin).
2026 is a Cape York only year, 2027 will be both Cape York and Gulf Savannah. To be a Gulf Savannah guide, you will need to have done one year of Cape York tours first.
Employment this year is for 6-7 Cape York tours between May-October (see tour calendar here). Our tours offer a relaxed way of seeing these regions for our clients aged 40-80. Tours are run by a driver/guide and an assistant/chef. Team work, communication and cooperation are essential. We have a great reputation and we pride ourselves on taking care of our clients and staff. Training will be provided on the job.
These roles are highly rewarding, visit amazing places, pay well and have employee benefits based on time employed. Some days can be challenging, but most are exciting, interesting and incredibly enjoyable! You get to see the country & meet amazing people!
This could be Australia’s job of the year!
For 2026, please view our tour calendar and make sure this suits you before applying. Cape York tours are 16 days, generally with 6 days in between and one larger break of 10 days. This can all be seen on the calendar.
Employment in 2026 will start around the 5th May for induction and trip prep.
Please be aware, these roles are highly active and require a decent level of fitness. Whilst the work isn’t physically difficult, the days can be long and there is always something to do. Camping tours require a higher level of staff engagement than accommodated tours do. They are busy roles, however you will also be able to do many of the things your passengers do.
Guides and chefs receive training over the course of their first 15-17 day tour.
In this time, your trainer will assist in driving, guiding and cooking, which takes the pressure off you for your first tour.
• Experience in Cape York essential
• MR License, Drivers Authority, First Aid necessary
• Guiding or ecology qualifications highly valuable
• $330-410/day depending on qualifications & experience
• Approx $7,400-$9,000/month
This role is suited to a friendly, humorous and confident person with an exceptional ability to interpret stories. Good navigation, mechanical knowledge, initiative and problem solving are also important skills. A high amount of responsibility is required for this role. Duties include driving, coordinating the day & activities, liasing with destination staff as well as delivering stories and interpretations to guests.
Guide – Main Duties & Responsibilities:
The person in this role will be responsible for delivering an enjoyable, safe & authentic experience to clients on tour. The role is primarily in the delivery of guiding interpretations for tour clients, however it may include other tasks.
The role:
Desirable Skills:
• Experience as a chef/cook essential
• Food handling certificate & First Aid necessary
• Serving experience highly valuable
• MR License highly valuable
• $250-340/day depending on qualifications & experience
• Approx $5,800 – $7,600/month
This role is suited to a friendly, outgoing and relaxed person. Duties include preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner (each night a client assists with dinner), coordinating food supplies, announcing meals and assisting the tour guide where needed. We pride ourselves on exceptional food and welcome chefs to bring their own take on meals.
Chef – Main Duties & Responsibilities:
The person in this role will assist the head guide in delivering an enjoyable, safe & authentic experience to clients on tour. The role is primarily food preparation however it may include other tasks.
The role:
Desirable Skills:
How to Apply:
Please do not call us to apply or enquire for more information.
