If the day-to-day grind is getting you and your partner down, we might just have found the perfect - if somewhat dramatic - way of getting away from it all.
Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service have launched a search for couples to act as caretakers of Maatsuyker Island, a 460-acre island found six miles off the southern coast, for a six month period. The pair in question would have the entire island to themselves, and would be cut off from the mainland for the job’s duration. In other words, you’d have to be pretty secure in your relationship to make a good go of it - or you could just bring your best friend along instead.
Posted on Facebook late last year, the Parks and Wildlife Service’s ad asks for ‘volunteer caretakers for the coming two years on the remote and spectacular Maatsuyker Island in Tasmania’s south-west.’
‘If you are keen to escape the rat race and spend six months on a sometimes wet and often windswept island, watching the swells of the Southern Ocean, we might have just the gig for you,’ it reads.
‘We are looking for self-sufficient people that are healthy, have a proven ability to live and work in remote locations, and are able to carry out caretaking services including maintenance of grounds, buildings and plant and equipment. Additionally, they are required to carry out daily weather observations for the bureau of Meteorology, for which they receive training and payment.’
‘Transport to the island by helicopter is provided. Volunteers are sought for periods of six months from either September to March or March to September. For safety reasons at the remote location, couples or individuals (minimum of two) are preferred.’
The willing pair with live in a 19th century lightkeeper’s house (very Light Between Oceans – make of that what you will…), with four bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a bathroom and just one small fan heater for warmth. You’ll have to find your own amusement, as there is no television or internet access on the island – so while the rolling waves and hugged coast might provide perfect Instagram material, you won’t actually be able to share any of it for the six-month stint.
If that doesn’t put you off, applications are open until 30th January, with more information available from the Parks and Wildlife Service’s website. Good luck (we think you might need it…)
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