It’s a scenario few of us can imagine, being dropped in the middle of a sea of red dirt that might be the closest thing to Life on Mars.

The existence of someone who does fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work is unconventional, and by all means, tough. But the dualistic reality of those who follow the FIFO employment trail and chase swells in their time off. That’s about as dramatic as it gets when it comes to180 flips on what your average day looks like.

An open-cut mine makes for a surreal work-site.

Offering a unique version of freedom with their intermittent work and plump paycheques, Australia’s mines have started building up a heavy rotation of surf-obsessed guys and gals, who regularly drop everything for optimal wave conditions, which usually land them in similarly remote, yet vastly contrasting environments. Unsurprisingly, just as rapidly as that money comes in, it’s capriciously spent on plane tickets and good times.Throw youthful zeal into the mix and it’s easy to see how a ‘live for the now’ philosophy takes hold. The best way to burn the memories of the stark work settings and hard labour is to spend fast and have fun.

The optics are not the only Yin and Yang.Many of the participants concede they are caught in a moral quandary; hooked on a life fuelled by wanderlust and the promise of the next Indo swell, whilst simultaneously aware that the mining of fossil fuels, like natural gas, has been widely criticised for its impact on the environment.Whatever your views on the mining industry may be, here’s a little glimpse into the mind-bending, bi-polar reality of a FIFO surfer

Matt Dunsmore

“With every boss I’ve ever had, I’ve had that chat with them.

The one where I’ve said: ‘look, I want a job, I’ll …