88-day farm work
One of Queensland's best regions for Working Holiday Visa regional work — tomatoes, capsicums, mangoes, melons and more.
Bowen · North Queensland
Your home base in Bowen
A relaxed, welcoming hostel for farm workers, backpackers and travellers exploring Queensland's beautiful north. Stay a night, or stay the season — most people do.
- $236per week, dorm bed
- 4.7★Google rating (89 reviews)
- 88 daysregional work region
- 5 minwalk to town
Why Bowen
A small town that punches well above its weight
Bowen sits between Townsville and Airlie Beach — close enough to the Whitsundays for a day trip, far enough from the crowds to actually save money.
Beaches & fishing
Eight beaches within ten minutes of town, plus some of the best land-based fishing on the coast.
Affordable living
Rent, food and fuel all cost less than the cities. Your pay goes a lot further while you knock over your days.
Great community
A genuinely international crowd — you'll share a kitchen with people from a dozen countries. French speakers especially welcome.
The place itself
Everything you need after a long day in the field
Two houses, a cottage and a big shared courtyard on Gordon Street. Nothing fancy — just clean, practical and built for people who work.
Big shared kitchen
Commercial-scale kitchen with multiple gas cooktops, ovens, microwaves, sinks and a fridge shelf and food tub of your own. No queueing at 6pm.
Common rooms & TV
Two large tiled common rooms with couches, big-screen TVs, PlayStation and plenty of power points for charging.
Laundry on site
Commercial washers and dryers plus outdoor lines — because work clothes don't wash themselves.
Courtyard
Covered outdoor area with picnic tables. This is where the hostel actually happens.
Free parking & Wi-Fi
Off-street parking for your car or van right at the door, and Wi-Fi throughout.
Walk to everything
Woolworths, the banks, the pubs and the bus stop are all a few minutes on foot. No car required.
Rates
Simple weekly pricing
All rates are per person and payable a week in advance. Many guests stay several months — book ahead, beds fill up quickly in season.
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10-bed mixed dorm Most popular
The classic backpacker option. Bunks, fan, shared bathrooms.
$236per week
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8-bed female-only dorm
Same rate, women only. Popular — worth asking early.
$236per week
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4-bed dorm
Fewer people, more space, a bit more quiet.
$266per week
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Private rooms
Limited availability — for couples or anyone wanting their own space.
Askon request
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Nightly stays
Just passing through? $65 the first night, $55 each night after.
$65first night
Farm work & 88 days
Honest guidance, not empty promises
We don't guarantee employment — nobody honest does. What we give you is local knowledge, real contacts, and a straight answer about what the season actually looks like right now.
The main harvest runs through the second half of the year. There's also hospitality and general labour around town, and our guests are good at sharing lifts to the farms.
How the 88 days work“We'd rather give you a real picture than tell you what you want to hear.”
Google reviews
What guests say
★★★★★
An ideal place to stay, especially if you're looking to meet people and enjoy a friendly atmosphere!
The hostel is well-located in the city center, with pleasant and clean common areas.
The owners are friendly and always ready to help. They answer the phone very quickly!
Most of the backpackers staying there work on the same farms, which creates a very warm and welcoming atmosphere for those completing their 88-day. I met some wonderful people and had a fantastic stay!
★★★★★
I had a really lovely stay at this hostel! The owners are incredibly kind, friendly and always available to help with anything you need. They make you feel welcome and at home from the very beginning. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and I really enjoyed my time here. I would definitely recommend this place and would happily stay again!
★★★★★
Had such a good time at Mangoes! I came here for farm work and honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. The people were definitely the best part. It was so easy to meet others and I met some really lovely people who made my time here so much more special.
If you’re coming to Bowen for farm work, I’d definitely recommend staying here.
The vibe at the hostel is really chill and everyone is super friendly. It ended up feeling like a little home away from home.
★★★★★
I had such a great experience at Mangoes Backpackers! The atmosphere is really friendly and welcoming, and the staff are always helpful.
What I loved the most about my stay was definitely the people I met. I made some amazing friends and shared so many good moments with people from all around the world. It really felt like a little family, and these are memories I’ll keep for a long time.
A great place to stay in Bowen, especially if you want to meet new people and have a good time. I would definitely recommend Mangoes Backpackers! ☀️🥭
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bed cost at Mangoes in Bowen?
Dorm beds are $236 per person per week in the 10-bed mixed dorm or the 8-bed female-only dorm, and $266 per week in the 4-bed dorm. Nightly stays are $65 for the first night and $55 for each night after. Private rooms are priced on request. All prices are in Australian dollars.
What is included in the price?
Bed linen, free Wi-Fi, free off-street parking, full use of the shared commercial kitchen (with your own fridge shelf and food tub), the laundry, two common rooms with TVs and PlayStation, and the covered courtyard.
Can Mangoes help me find farm work for my 88 days?
We do not guarantee employment. We give honest local knowledge about which farms and contractors are hiring, and you live with other guests already working the season, who often share lifts to the farms. Check the current specified-work rules on the Department of Home Affairs website.
When is the harvest season in Bowen?
The main harvest runs through the second half of the year, roughly winter into spring. Beds fill fastest just before and during the peak, so book early.
How do I book?
Email stay@mangoesbnb.com.au or call 1800 863 559 with your arrival date and how long you would like to stay. We confirm availability, send an invoice, and you pay the first week in advance by bank transfer. There is no booking fee.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 2pm and check-out is by 10am. Reception is open 8am to 6pm daily.
Where is Mangoes and how do I get there?
16 & 18 Gordon Street, Bowen QLD 4805, a few minutes' walk from the supermarket, banks and pubs. Greyhound and Premier Motor Service buses stop in Bowen. It is about an hour's drive north of Airlie Beach and two and a half hours south of Townsville. The nearest airports are Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) and Townsville.
Location
16 & 18 Gordon St, Bowen
Right in town, a few minutes' walk from the supermarket, the banks and the pubs. The Bruce Highway runs through Bowen, so both Greyhound and Premier Motor Service stop here.
- Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays — about an hour's drive south
- Townsville — about two and a half hours north
- Horseshoe Bay — ten minutes; the best beach in town
Got a bed with your name on it?
Tell us your dates and how long you're planning to stay, and we'll let you know what's free.