Protect endangered wallabies and restore a beautiful island in the Great Barrier Reef
Program Overview
Travel to North Queensland and work on important conservation projects in the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian outback.
You will work for two weeks with rare wallabies in the Avocet Nature Reserve followed by two weeks helping to restore the subtropical Brampton Island surrounded by coral reef. You will have the opportunity to experience amazing Australian wildlife including koalas, kangaroos and goannas.
You will work on a recovery plan for Flashjack wallaby and support a variety of reserve management activities. On Brampton Island your conservation work will bring a lasting benefit for plant and animal species, particularly seat turtles that are particularly susceptible to injury or death cause by litter in the water and on shore.
Life on the Program
At Avocet Reserve you will rise early to check sand traps monitoring the level of feral animal activity helping ecologists develop animal management plans.
On Brampton Island mornings will be spent removing invasive species, afternoons usually involve monitoring the coral reef at low tide. In the evenings you can enjoy hiking, swimming and taking in impressive sunsets.
You will take a catamaran to Brampton Island and set up camp with the other volunteers in a beautiful secluded bay. Tents are shared and pitched next to the ocean where you will enjoy the sound of crashing waves.
All volunteers help with cooking and cleaning duties and should expect simple living conditions. There is no electricity or internet at camp although you will have the opportunity to stop between projects sites to check mail and wash clothes.
Program Details
The first phase of your placement, helping to protect wallabies, will involve:
- Flashjack trapping and monitoring
- Helping with pre-release feeding and the release itself (if available)
- Setting and monitoring sand plots, sensor cameras and trapping stations
- Collecting data to assess population densities, and assist with campsite maintenance
During your time on Brampton Island, your work contributing to restore the island to its natural state will involve:
- Helping with the process of removing invasive weeds
- Cleaning litter on beaches, separating it into groups and recording the data. This data is sent to a scientific researcher who investigates the dangerous effects of plastic and other litter on sea turtles.
- Monitoring water and coral quality. Fertilizers and pesticides are negatively affecting the Great Barrier Reef and pose a significant threat to the coral reef.
Volunteer Testimonials
As we came ashore we were all struck by the peace of the area and began to set up our tents, all with beachfront terraces and ocean views! Once we had established ourselves at the campsite we spent the afternoon familiarising ourselves with the local area and the wildlife which abounded at the shorefront. The tasks for the week were clearly outlined and involved the clearing of invasive vegetation, removal of debris from the beach and a coral survey on the nearby reef flat…
Spending a week on the beach of a remote island, meeting new people and enjoying plenty of free time to explore, all while helping with conservation work...what's not to like? My recent trip on Brampton Island was a great experience and one that I'd recommend to nearly anyone I know.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Transfer to and from Brampton Island by catamaran
- All equipment required for the work
- An introduction to a practical environmental and conservation education
- Night safari - giving you a chance to spot nocturnal wildlife
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Meals during your two days off in Mackay
