Join our Lodge team as a Cook and bring your talent

United States

4

I had a wonderful time at the guest house! The work was fun; there was plenty of variety, but not so much that it got overwhelming, and I appreciated the community atmosphere I found at John and Toni's house. I had many nights of good conversation with Toni, John, T, and casual and seasonal staff! I think that this is better viewed as a work exchange than a job. I earned a little bit, but this isn't the best fit for someone hoping to earn much more than accommodation. All in all, I would recommend this experience to others! Thank you the guest house!

3 months ago

Lisa replied

We really enjoyed having you on the team Ilana - wishing you all the best for your travels!

United States

4

I am so glad I got to spend three weeks at the guest house! It's a gorgeous spot, there was good variety in work tasks, and I met such wonderful people. I didn't have a car, but coordinating a ride to hike a bit of the Routeburn was easy (thanks, Toni!). I was a bit surprised that 15 hours/week for accomm didn't take taxes into account, so housing was more expensive than expected. Overall, I think this experience is what you make of it — there are many opportunities for laughter and joy in this beautiful place! Thank you T, Toni, John, and everyone on staff for a fun few weeks :)

4 months ago

Lisa replied

Thanks for staying Berit, you were a joy to have on the team. Happy travels!

United States

4

I really enjoyed my time at the guest house. The work was manageable and if you are happy to just work your 15 hours a week for accommodation, this is perfect. If you are looking to make money, I would recommend applying as a seasonal staff member. Additionally, I would recommend having a car. There are countless hikes and places to explore, but they are difficult to reach if you don't have a car. If you have a car and make an effort to hike and camp in the surrounding areas, this is an absolutely magical place to live and work for a little while! Thank you T, John, and Toni for everything!

4 months ago

Lisa replied

So glad you enjoyed yourself Talia, it was a pleasure having you on the team. All the best for your next steps in your travels!

United Kingdom

2

My first Worldpackers that I didn't enjoy my time at. I slept in a garden shed outside which is not livable for anyone. You share a bathroom and kitchen with 9/10 other people who actually live in the house. You are required to do the same jobs as full time paid staff, within your "volunteering" hours. I had few hours of training on housekeeping then I was left to fend for myself or be taught by staff who had been there a week. I never felt comfortable with Toni to raise concerns as she was hardly ever present.

4 months ago

Lisa replied

Hi Ashley, we are sorry to hear that you felt that way. I do wish you had spoken up to one of the many other people onsite or myself so we could have problem solved! We are very clear that this is not a volunteering position but rather a casual staff member but I'm sorry to hear that you felt your training was not appropriate. We will take that on board and look to improve. Enjoy your travels. Cheers, Lisa

United Kingdom

2

My experience was not as expected. I was due to stay here at the guest house for 2 months. It was sadly cut short to 2 weeks as the accommodation I was staying in was not adequate. I was living in a garden shed, which of course was absolutely freezing cold at night. I was under the influence that I would be reporting to Toni and interacting more with herself after speaking through WorldPackers but that wasn't the case. I didn't feel comfortable to speak to Toni as I felt judged most of the time when she was at the guest house. John on the other hand has been amazing and that man deserves a break.

4 months ago

Lisa replied

Hi Charley, we are sorry to hear that you felt that way. We would have appreciated you raising these issues with us while you were hear so we could have taken steps to solve any issues you have. It didn't have to be with Toni as there are other onsite managers or also myself who looks after HR and who you interacted with setting up your stay. We would have looked at alternative accommodation options for you, rather than you guys cutting your stay short. Wishing you happy travels. Cheers, Lisa

Canada

4

The guest house is a beautiful destination with a lot to offer if you love hiking/ tramping, kayaking, and just being out in nature. You can use the bikes, jump in the hot tub or lake, and the work is fairly simple. It's clean and quiet, and the owners are nice. However, it is very isolated; over an hour drive to Queenstown for anything and the traffic is terrible. I found it disorganized; it was hard to get questions answered. The person who makes the schedule isn't there and they only pay you once at the end of the month. For the right person it's probably great but I did not enjoy it.

6 months ago

Lisa replied

Hi Lucy, we are sorry that you didn't find Kinloch the right fit for you and that you didn't feel that you could get questions answered. We are a remote lodge and we do make that clear for people before you arrive. We have both the owners and also an onsite manager who are there to support the team and are happy to answer any queries that people have. You were staying during the busiest time of the year which is always a challenge, no matter how organised we are. All the best for your travels!

Ireland

5

The guest house was the best possible start to my New Zealand adventure. Toni & John are the most welcoming and lovely hosts and they make you feel so at home at their place as well as the two dogs Holly and Wilbert who provide unlimited cuddles and entertainment. In relation to the work; you have some choice when it comes to what role you want to work in. The shifts are busy but 3 hours flies by and you can also choose to do extra if you want to earn money. the guest house is the most beautiful place I've ever lived; the river, the trails, the hot tub and I hope I can return again.

9 months ago

Lisa replied

It was sooooo lovely having you at Kinloch Nicola. Exciting times ahead as you move on to new things. Thank you and see you again.

Austria

5

I had a great time at the guest house! I got to learn a lot and work in different areas at the guest house, while still having loads of free-time and enjoying the beautiful surroundings and spending time with the many great people I met. The Hosts and the Manager are super sweet and will make you feel right at home. I definitely recommend doing this for anyone that wants to make new experiences, meet new people and loves nature! Another bonus are the two amazing puppies, that are great for cuddles and walks :))

9 months ago

Lisa replied

It was wonderful having you at Kinloch Madlen :) Enjoy your travels

United States

5

10/10 would recommend. We would have stayed for longer if we could have. Toni and John are so lovely. This is a family business and you get what you put into it! That being said expect to work hard and I would definitely recommend having a car so you can get around. The nearest town is around 30 minutes away so come prepared with any groceries you may need. The team was very receptive to us wanting to work more and there is such a fun team environment that makes everyone feel like family. This is an incredible experience and I would highly recommend especially for a longer term opportunity.

over 1 year ago

United States

5

This was my first time using Worldpackers, and I had a great time overall. Initially, I thought it was a volunteer opportunity, but it turned out to be a paid position, which was a nice surprise. Toni John, and T were amazing and made me feel like part of the family. Working in the mountains was refreshing, and it was cool to meet staff from all over the world. One thing to note is that the guest house is quite remote, so having a car would definitely be helpful. Overall, I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a unique adventure and a friendly atmosphere!

over 1 year ago

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