Program Description
In this program, you will make a real contribution to the conservation of Australia’s distinct and wonderful wildlife as you work alongside the rangers at a local wildlife park. The park takes part in many breeding programs of some of the most endangered Australian native animals, releasing them into the wild to ensure the survival of these rare and beautiful animals.
This park also provides a refuge for rehabilitated but un-releasable injured and orphaned animals. In this program, the participants will assist the park rangers with general animal care. You will help with the crucial maintenance of the enclosures to keep the animals safe from predators and general park care work to preserve the healthy habitat for the animals. Mending fences and maintaining enclosures takes on a magical aspect when you are accompanied by wildlife which is free-ranging, trusting and inquisitive.
Much of the animal care work involves cleaning, feeding and maintaining the animals’ enclosures and their natural habitats including raking and collecting litter.
Program Fees
Australia Program Fees USD Projects 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 1 month 2 months 3 months Standard Placements-Wildlife Sanctuary North QLD
325 590 850 1110 2150 3190 Specialty Placements-Food for the homeless Sydney
-Wildlife Zoo NSW
645 1185 1755 2300 4500 6600 *Take $50 off p/week pp if traveling in a pair (Wildlife Sanctuary Project Nrth QLD only)
*One off application fee of US$275 applies in addition to the above program fees
*Application fee covers unlimited placements or countries at time of booking (maximum 12 week period)
Click Here to convert the above prices to your local currency
*Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group. Contact Us for more info
*We do not charge any credit card fees
Whats Included
- Support of in-country practitioner supervisor / coordinator
- Support of a team (normally 4 to 8 volunteers per intake)
- Arrival airport transfers
- 1 day induction & cultural orientation
- All ground transportation
- Accommodation – Volunteer Guest House (Single gender shared rooms)
- 3 quality meals per day (We cater to healthy diets!)
- Project equipment and materials (eg. safety lancets, gloves, blood testing kits, pamphlets)
- 24/7 in-country support & emergency assistance
- Training & guidance from qualified local staff
- Certificate of Completion
Whats Not Included
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Airfares & visa fees
- Additional tours, souvenirs, spending money
- Some daily local transport (depending on program eg. $2 p/day)
Australia Program Fees USD | ||||||
Projects | 1 week | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 1 month | 2 months | 3 months |
Standard Placements-Wildlife Sanctuary North QLD | 325 | 590 | 850 | 1110 | 2150 | 3190 |
Specialty Placements-Food for the homeless Sydney | 645 | 1185 | 1755 | 2300 | 4500 | 6600 |
*Take $50 off p/week pp if traveling in a pair (Wildlife Sanctuary Project Nrth QLD only) *One off application fee of US$275 applies in addition to the above program fees *Application fee covers unlimited placements or countries at time of booking (maximum 12 week period) Click Here to convert the above prices to your local currency *Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group. Contact Us for more info *We do not charge any credit card fees |
Whats Included
- Support of in-country practitioner supervisor / coordinator
- Support of a team (normally 4 to 8 volunteers per intake)
- Arrival airport transfers
- 1 day induction & cultural orientation
- All ground transportation
- Accommodation – Volunteer Guest House (Single gender shared rooms)
- 3 quality meals per day (We cater to healthy diets!)
- Project equipment and materials (eg. safety lancets, gloves, blood testing kits, pamphlets)
- 24/7 in-country support & emergency assistance
- Training & guidance from qualified local staff
- Certificate of Completion
Whats Not Included
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Airfares & visa fees
- Additional tours, souvenirs, spending money
- Some daily local transport (depending on program eg. $2 p/day)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Airfares & visa fees
- Additional tours, souvenirs, spending money
- Some daily local transport (depending on program eg. $2 p/day)
Apply Now!
Program Duration & Availability
Min duration (weeks):1
Aims & Objectives
By joining this program participants will have an opportunity to make a real contribution to help to care for Australian wildlife and domestic farm animals and to protect and care for the wild as well as domestic animals’ natural home that lives in the park. You will gain valuable experience in learning how to operate and manage an animal park by working as a mini ranger in the park.
Schedule
Monday to Friday
After having breakfast at the center, you will be driven by your coordinator to the wildlife park and farm and picked up in the evenings after a hard day’s work.
You will engage in your daily tasks at the project. You can have the lunch that you have prepared and packed for yourself from the center. After completing your day’s work, your coordinator will drive you back to our center in Newcastle.
Your daily tasks will include,
- assisting the park rangers with general animal care
- joining activities such as raking and collecting litter
- cleaning, preparing food, feeding and maintaining the animals’ enclosures and their natural farm habitats
Additional Requirements
- All participants are required to bring a photocopy of the passport and a printed copy of their travel insurance information.
- All participants will require a certain level of fitness and must be able to do physical work which will include light construction and other ‘hands on’ duties like hand weeding, clearing debris, rubbish removal, removal of invasive non-native tree species etc. This program will not suit participants who are afraid of wild fauna and insects or don’t wish to do physical work.
- All participants will need to undergo compulsory training over 1-2 days before working on the project. Training will be included during the first week and may be ongoing as new tasks arise.
- All placements must be confirmed at least 4 weeks before the starting date. After this period, placements will be confirmed on a case by case basis only and extra charges may apply.
- Arrival details must be informed at least 2 weeks prior to the date of arrival. Otherwise, they will have to make their way to the Center on their own.
- Certificates will be issued for the completion of this training and program participation only after placements have been successfully completed and requested.
- Due to Australia’s strict visa regulations, we are unfortunately unable to help to secure visas. Participants coming from western/European countries can easily get visas online.
- Maximum duration is 4 weeks.
- This program is strictly monitored and participants will have to leave Australia at the end of the program duration.
- Participants below 18 years require parental consent and participants above 65 require medical clearance to take part in the program.
- Participants will be required to sign House rules, code of conduct and other documents before starting their program.
Additional Equipment
The below list of things is essential for you to start the program. Participants will not be allowed to take part in the program if they do not have the required gear.
- Long loose-fitting comfortable work pants, made out of either canvas, cotton or denim
- T-shirts with short or long sleeves – shirt neckline must be high enough and length must be long enough so when the participant is stretching up or leaning over to work, they do not expose their stomach or back or chest
- Hiking boots or other very supportive closed footwear
- Thick hiking socks
- Hat or cap
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Rain jacket that is waterproof and covers down to mid-thigh, or shorter rain jacket with rain pants
- Strong gardening or work gloves
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle
- No singlets or hot shorts to be worn while working at the park
- Lockable luggage/locks
- Beachwear during free time (you might need it during your free time)
- Plug for Australia standard or Travel Charger/converter
- Any medication you may require
When working, participants are not permitted to wear or use:
- Mobile phones
- Shorts
- Stretch ‘leggings’ or other tight trousers
- T-shirts with no sleeves (“vests”)
- Shirts that allow the chest or midriff/stomach/back to be exposed when working
- Open sandals or non-supportive shoes
- Umbrellas
Location
Newcastle is Australia’s seventh largest, and second oldest city, with an enviable reputation as one of the world’s hippest and beautiful cities. Newcastle is brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine and design. Located on one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, Newcastle also has some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches like Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach, beautiful coastline scenery and easy access to the War Memorial Walk, a commemorative pathway way offers to breathtaking views of the cliffside and ocean as well as showcasing artwork dedicated to world war two. Beyond the beautiful coastline Newcastle’s ethnically diverse streets are full of action, and home to many unique bars and restaurants.
Your accommodation is located in the peaceful suburban city called Elermore Vale in the western outskirts of Newcastle, 13km from the Newcastle central business district (25 minutes drive). You will be staying in the residential area where you can easily reach all the services and facilities such as supermarkets, ATMs, banks, shopping malls, and restaurants. There are many tourist destinations which can be reached within 25 – 45 mins drive from the House Centre. Among them, there are white sandy beaches where you can spend your free time, such as Merewether Beach, Dixon Park Beach, Bar Beach, and places of interest such as the Newcastle Memorial Walk, Hunter Valley Winery and many more.
Accommodation & Food
About the Accommodation
Your Center is located in Elermore Vale, Newcastle, where you will be staying in a comfortable dorm-style accommodation for the duration of the project. The center has a well-equipped kitchen upstairs and a smaller kitchenette downstairs which you can use to store your food and make your own meals as per your wishes. There is also a cozy living room where you can hang out with the fellow participants, watch movies and spend time. The center boasts a large backyard perfect for playing a sport or pulling out the deck chair and soaking up some sun.
Available Room Types
Standard Room |
|
All meals included |
Yes * |
Free beverages |
Yes ** |
Persons per room |
4-6 |
Wifi in public areas |
Yes |
Laundry facilities |
Yes |
Lockable rooms |
Yes |
Hot shower |
Yes |
Private bathroom |
Yes |
Bed linen |
Yes |
Towels |
No |
Mosquito protection |
No |
* Three meals during weekdays and no meals on the weekends. Breakfast and dinner are self-prepared and packed lunch will be given at the project.
** Water, Coffee, Tea
Food Arrangements
In this location, breakfast and dinner have to be self-prepared and packed lunch will be provided during your project days. You can change the breakfast and dinner menu according to your wishes and share with the other participants and cook together.
During weekends, meals will not be provided. However, cold food will be available in the kitchen if you wish you to stay at the center during the weekends.
The cooking facility will be available for you to prepare breakfast from 6.30 am to 8.30 am and for dinner from 6 pm to 8 pm only.
Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store your personal food and beverages.
Facilities
Facilities include first aid equipment as well as coordinator support. Supermarkets, cafes, shops, ATMs are available within 25 mins walk.
Mandatory Orientation Day
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.
Schedule
- Welcome, introduction to Australia, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
- Introduction to the project
- Visit the project
Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program.
Sights & Surroundings
Your program will take place from Monday to Friday and weekends will be free for you to explore the city on your own. The places of interest and activities which you can visit during your free time include heritage sites, beaches, city centers, museums, walking tours and many more. Some of the interesting sites are as follows,
- Tree Top Adventure Park Newcastle
- Newcastle Library
- Newcastle Art Gallery
- Civic Theatre
- Newcastle Heritage and Ghost Tours
- The Bogey Hole
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Newcastle Museum
- Merewether Ocean Baths
- Hunter Wetlands Centre
- Blackbutt Reserve
- Hunter Valley Winery
- The War Memorial Walk
- Port Stevens
- Nobbys Beach
- Merewether Beach
- Dixion Park Beach