Tasmania attracts tourists with ‘special job’ – Periódico HOY

Tasmania has launched a humorous “odd job” initiative to boost winter tourism. The Australian island is offering people the chance to swap their day job for an unusual, temporary role during the off-season. The 10 roles advertised include paranormal investigator, wombat walker and stargazer. Although the positions are unpaid, all costs for successful applicants, including travel, food and hotel, are covered by Tourism Tasmania. Tourism Tasmania says the paranormal investigator role is voluntary and for one day only. It’s open to those interested in “history and the mysterious” and involves detecting paranormal activity at Willow Court, one of Australia’s oldest mental hospitals, using the “latest ghost hunting equipment”. Another role, “oyster organiser”, involves sorting, cleaning and sorting freshly harvested oysters from Great Oyster Bay. Importantly, there will also be the opportunity to “taste” the oysters, although Tourism Tasmania says this is “purely for quality control”. Train enthusiasts are invited to apply for the role of “steam nut,” another one-day job that will see applicants join the crew of the Lynchford Express steam train as it travels along Tasmania’s west coast. Stargazers interested in joining the Tasmanian Astronomical Society for an evening of skywatching are also welcome. There are also jobs available for truffle hunters, “wine whisperers” and wombat walkers willing to take the marsupials on a “morning walk.” Tourism Tasmania said 1.25 million people visited the island last year, up from the year before but still down from 1.35 million in 2019 before the pandemic. Winter in Tasmania runs from May to August, with temperatures typically ranging between 3 and 11 degrees Celsius, according to Tourism Tasmania. “As winter temperatures drop, we know Australians are looking to boost their wellness and get away from the constraints of everyday life,” the agency’s marketing director Lindene Cleary told local media. Only adult residents currently living in Australia are eligible to apply for the positions, and they must explain in less than 50 words why they want to swap their day job for a “gig.”