Ask most people what comes to mind when you mention Australia, and the responses typically include Sydney Harbour, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Great Barrier Reef or Uluru. What they’re unlikely to say is Adelaide, the Barossa Valley or indeed anywhere in Australia’s fifth most populated state, but that’s all part of its attraction.
As its name suggests, the state of South Australia is located in southern central Australia. Around 75 per cent of its 1.75 million residents live in the capital city of Adelaide and its surrounding suburbs. South Australia may not feature as prominently on the tourist route as the nation’s larger capital cities and better known attractions, but don’t let that put you off. From its pristine beaches to its world class wine producing regions and desert interior, there’s plenty to offer the traveller.
What’s the attraction?
A pretty city surrounded by green parklands, Adelaide boasts a thriving sporting and cultural scene. Within the compact city centre, you’ll find historic sandstone buildings, the bustling Adelaide Central Market and established restaurant and café strips. The recently renovated Adelaide Oval attracts huge crowds to support its two resident Aussie Rules football teams, and last year hosted the first ever day-night test cricket match.
In January, South Australia welcomes professional cyclists from around the world for the Tour Down Under, the biggest cycling event in the Southern Hemisphere. Throughout the six-day event competitors race through the city’s leafy suburbs, beachside tourist destinations like Glenelg and Victor Harbor, and the famous wine and food producing regions of the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale. For those who prefer four legs to two wheels, the Australian International Equestrian 3-Day Event takes place each November within the city’s parklands.
At the end of summer, the city puts its cultural credential on show with Adelaide Fringe, the nation’s largest open-access arts festival. A little more refined, but no less entertaining, the Adelaide Festival is a celebration of all things creative, including world-class theatre, music and dance productions, visual arts and writing. For lovers of world music and dance, WOMADelaide provides a feast of culturally significant performances from around the globe.
When it comes to natural attractions, South Australia more than holds its own, and the warm, dry climate means you can enjoy the outdoors all year round. With almost 4000 kilometres of coastline, you’re sure to find a beach that suits you, be it city-side cosmopolitan or totally secluded. An hour and a half southeast of Adelaide you’ll find Kangaroo Island, home to a huge range of local wildlife, including its namesake marsupials and a large colony of sea lions. In stark contrast, the ancient outback landscape of the Flinders Ranges, approximately 200 kilometres to the north of the capital, is one of breathtaking and unique beauty.
Putting down roots
Adelaide doesn’t just offer plenty for the traveller, it’s also a very easy and affordable city in which to live and work, making it a logical choice for both working holiday makers and residents to base themselves in Australia. Its comparatively smaller population means it provides all the attractions of a major capital city while avoiding many of the common drawbacks. One big advantage is the lack of traffic congestion compared to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, which means less time wasted commuting to and from work.
While the cost of living tends to be higher overall in Australia than the UK, it does vary according to location. The Adelaide property market is not subject to the same level of competition as the east and west coasts, which makes buying and renting houses and units there a whole lot more affordable. For example, as of March 2016 the average weekly rental cost for a house in Adelaide was A$368 (£184). Compare this to the national Australian average of A$422 (£211), or a house in Sydney, which will cost you an average of A$710 (£355) per week.
Lower rental costs extend to businesses, too, so eating out and entertainment tend to be more affordable than in the other capitals – leaving more money for the travel kitty, mortgage or savings plan. And when it’s time to move on, the rest of Australia is within easy reach. You can fly to Melbourne in an hour for as little as $49, or to Sydney for $59 in just over two hours. Or, for a completely unforgettable experience, you could board the Indian Pacific train bound for Perth, across the famous Nullarbor Plain.
Vet work in South Australia
Veterinarians are in high demand in South Australia, both for short-term locum work and ongoing permanent positions. The majority of practices are spacious, purpose-built and modern, and are well supported by a range of specialist and emergency referral centres around Adelaide, which often means no or little after hours work for surrounding clinics. In addition to general practice small animal positions, vacancies often exist in emergency and other specialties, including internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, dermatology and surgery.
There is also an opportunity for genuine mixed practice work much closer to the city than in other states, owing to the relatively high proportion of hobby farms and lifestyle properties on the city fringes. Large animal only work is also available for equine and production animal vets.
Such is the demand for veterinarians, many practice owners are willing to assist with sponsorship (a work permit) for overseas vets looking to settle in longer term roles.
How Vetlink can help
Vetlink has been helping veterinarians find work in Australia for 18 years. If you’d like more information about working in South Australia – or anywhere else in Australia – you are always welcome to contact us by email on vetlink@vetlink.com.au, free call within Australia 1800 991 993 or from the UK 0800 917 8558.
UK vets might also like to check out our previous blog post http://www.vetlink.com.au/blog/a-working-holiday-in-australia-the-experience-of-a-lifetime/ for more information about visas, veterinary registration and pay rates.
Below is an example of a locum job we currently have available in Adelaide:
JOB TITLE: Locum Veterinarian
LOCATION: Northern Suburbs of Adelaide | South Australia
TYPE OF WORK: 100% Small Animal
HOURS: Locum
AFTER HOURS: Approximately one night per fortnight.
SALARY: Negotiable
JOB NO: 186,805LR
AIRFARE PAID FROM WITHIN AUSTRALIA
Accommodation likely to be available.
A locum vet is required to start work in May, June or July for a minimum of a month. There is up to 6 months work available. If you can do any work during this period please contact Vetlink.
Approximately 40 hours per week to be worked.
This is a busy, high quality, multi-vet practice that sees an interesting caseload.
The practice is very well equipped with: digital x-ray, colour flow Doppler, video endoscope, diathermy unit, digital tonometry, modern dental unit, IV fluid pumps, fully automated anaesthetic monitoring equipment including, capnography, ECG and pulse oximeter.
Adelaide has plenty to offer, from beautiful beaches to rolling hills. It is noted for its many festivals and sporting events, its food, wine and culture.
To find out more about this position, or for a confidential discussion about your employment options, please contact Mark Eagleton.
Email: mark@vetlink.com.au
Free call (Australia): 1800 991 993
Free call (New Zealand): 0800 543 538
Free call (United Kingdom): 0800 917 8558
Phone: +61 8 9430 9990
Below is a link to a permanent job we currently have available in Adelaide:
http://www.vetlink.com.au/jobs/full-time-vet-job-adelaide-sa-187-264mc/
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