Station Hands | Wilgena Station | SA

Get your first taste of station life at Wilgena Station. Come alone, with a friend or as a couple.

Dreaming of working on a cattle station one day? You’re not alone! If you're struggling to get your foot in the door, but you’re serious about getting into the industry, a season on a sheep station is one of the best ways to start.

At Wilgena, we’re open to first-year station hands with the right attitude. This role suits people who are ready for remote living and have the maturity and independence to handle both the rewards and challenges of station life. If you’re keen to learn, work hard and give it a genuine go, we’ll give you the opportunity to build real, practical skills.

As a station hand at Wilgena, you’ll gain experience in:

• Remote living and working

• Livestock work and animal husbandry

• Mustering on 2-wheel motorbikes

• Water runs and bore checks

• Station maintenance and infrastructure repairs

If you’re looking for a start in the industry and want to build the skills that will take you anywhere,  Wilgena is a great place to begin.

Wilgena Station is a 5,000 sq km sheep station located approximately 400 km north-west of Port Augusta, near the rail town of Tarcoola in South Australia’s Far North. The station operates a self-replacing Merino enterprise, shearing around 25,000 sheep annually.

While remote, Wilgena offers a genuine outback lifestyle. The nearest pub is about an hour away, and the region has a strong pastoral community. There are opportunities to attend local events and gymkhanas throughout the year, including the well-known Glendambo Gymkhana held each October.

As a station hand at Wilgena, your work will be varied and hands-on. No two weeks look exactly the same, but your role will include:

• Livestock work including mustering, yard work and general animal husbandry

• Mustering on 2-wheel motorbikes

• Water runs, bore checks and trough maintenance

• General station maintenance and repairs

• Fencing and infrastructure work

• Assisting with seasonal station activities as required

This is a practical, outdoor role where you’ll gain broad, real-world station experience.

This role suits someone keen to start their station career and willing to give remote life a genuine go.

Essential

• Current driver’s licence with own car

• Good level of physical fitness

• Positive attitude and willingness to learn

• Ability to live and work remotely for extended period.

• You must have full working rights in Australia.  *Not considering working holidays visa holders.*

Highly regarded

• Motorbike licence or experience riding 2-wheelers

• Previous farm or station exposure (not essential)

• Practical, hands-on mindset

• Understanding that station life has both great moments and tough days

You’ll suit this role if you:

• Are resilient, adaptable and responsible

• Enjoy working outdoors in all conditions

• Can work well in a small team.

• Ready to start building your station skills and credentials. 

Being so far away from home is a big step, so we aim to make Wilgena feel like a home away from home.

You’ll enjoy:

• Competitive base salary

• Free accommodation 

• All meals provided 

• 4 weeks annual leave

• Genuine work-life balance — weekends are generally your own

• Overtime paid or time off in lieu (TOIL) when required

• WiFi and all utilities included

• Fortnightly mobile phone allowance to put toward your mobile phone bill. 

• Recreation room with pool table, darts and TV to enjoy downtime

• Full training and support

If you’re looking to build a long-term career, there are always opportunities for growth and development within McBride.

Please send your resume and short email/letter about you and your experience to:

Aida Ashworth, People & Culture Manager

via the APPLY NOW button.

PLEASE NOTE :

• This is a permanent position and not available to Working Holiday Visa Holders (Backpackers) or overseas applicants.

• Applications without required skills and experience listed in the ad will not be considered.