Join GoEco on a volunteer adventure in Australia to help wildlife at an incredible sanctuary near Sydney!
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum One-Week Commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). You will be picked up from the airport, settle into your new home in Beecroft and meet fellow volunteers.
Days 2–5, Monday-Friday: Rewarding volunteer work at the wildlife sanctuary, with a lunch break in between shifts. The sanctuary provides a safe natural home for over 180 species while also providing a refuge for rehabilitated but un-releasable injured and orphaned animals. The purpose of this program is to protect indigenous animals and plants, plus care for the dependent and wild animals that live there. Volunteers will prepare food, feed the animals, clean enclosures, maintain the sanctuary itself and partake in other related tasks.
Day 6, Saturday: Volunteers staying only one week will depart on this evening. Free day for those extending.
Day 7, Sunday: Free day for those extending to spend how they wish (See "Travel Highlights" below for suggestions!)
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Program Highlights:
- Work closely with koalas, kangaroos and other indigenous Australian wildlife
- Contribute to conservation efforts at one of Australia's leading wildlife sanctuaries
- Ethical volunteering and wildlife interactions
- Live close to Australia's vibrant capital city of Sydney
- Weekends are free for exploration
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum One-Week Commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). You will be picked up from the airport, settle into your new home in Beecroft and meet fellow volunteers.
Days 2–5, Monday-Friday: Rewarding volunteer work at the wildlife sanctuary, with a lunch break in between shifts. The sanctuary provides a safe natural home for over 180 species while also providing a refuge for rehabilitated but un-releasable injured and orphaned animals. The purpose of this program is to protect indigenous animals and plants, plus care for the dependent and wild animals that live there. Volunteers will prepare food, feed the animals, clean enclosures, maintain the sanctuary itself and partake in other related tasks.
Day 6, Saturday: Volunteers staying only one week will depart on this evening. Free day for those extending.
Day 7, Sunday: Free day for those extending to spend how they wish (See "Travel Highlights" below for suggestions!)
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Location of the Project:
Calga, Australia (just 1.5 hours outside of Sydney by train, 1 hour by car)
Project length:
Min 1 week - Max 4 weeks
Arrival Airport:
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
Volunteer Work:
Animal care and sanctuary maintenance
Age:
18 - 82 (This project may accept volunteers who are 16 or 17 years old with a letter of consent from a parent or guardian.)
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 16 international volunteers
What's Included
Accommodations:
Shared dormitory-style accomodation
Food:
Three meals a day during the week (If volunteers stay on-site on the weekends, self-service food is provided.)
Airport Transfers:
Airport pickup is provided upon arrival
Orientation:
All training provided upon arrival.
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, personal expenses, travel health insurance, visa (if required)
This volunteer project is located just an hour and a half outside of Australia’s lively, cosmopolitan city of Sydney - at the beginning of the picturesque NSW Central Coast. The sanctuary is made up of 80 acres of natural Australian bush that is protected by 2 miles of carefully engineered fox-proof fence and is home to a range of indigenous animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and dingoes.
Australia is home to some of the world’s most unique wildlife, with many species found only in Australia. This makes wildlife conservation in Australia incredibly important. Sadly, however, Australia is facing an extinction crisis, with more than 30 native mammal species becoming extinct since European settlement only 130 years ago. Today, more than 1,700 species of Australian animals and plants are listed as at risk of extinction.
By joining this program, volunteers will have an opportunity to make a real contribution to protecting Australian wildlife from extinction. Set amongst 170 acres of natural bushland, with 80 acres protected by a state of the art feral-predator proof fence, this is the largest feral-free natural bushland on Australia’s eastern seaboard. The sanctuary provides a safe natural home for over 180 species while also providing a refuge for rehabilitated but un-releasable injured and orphaned animals. The purpose of this program is to protect indigenous animals and plants, plus care for the dependent and wild animals that live there.
Some of your tasks may include:
Holidays: Please note that the project will be closed in full between Christmas and New Year holidays, therefore all volunteers will need to check out before we leave for the holiday break. Volunteer work does not take place during national holidays, but you are always welcome to join in the local celebration.
Please note these consecutive holidays, which may impact short-term placements, before registering:
By joining this program, volunteers will have an opportunity to make a real contribution to protecting Australian wildlife from extinction. Set amongst 170 acres of natural bushland, with 80 acres protected by a state of the art feral-predator proof fence, this is the largest feral-free natural bushland on Australia’s eastern seaboard. The sanctuary provides a safe natural home for over 180 species while also providing a refuge for rehabilitated but un-releasable injured and orphaned animals. The purpose of this program is to protect indigenous animals and plants, plus care for the dependent and wild animals that live there.
Some of your tasks may include:
- Helping to feed the animals
- Maintaining the sanctuary grounds
- Cleaning enclosures and their environment
- Clearing paths and raking droppings and debris
- Building new enclosures and fences
- Maintaining nature trails
- Supporting environmental education programs
- Repairing animal education displays
- Maintaining the fox-proof fence which protects the animals
- Assisting in the gift shop and visitor information center
Holidays: Please note that the project will be closed in full between Christmas and New Year holidays, therefore all volunteers will need to check out before we leave for the holiday break. Volunteer work does not take place during national holidays, but you are always welcome to join in the local celebration.
Please note these consecutive holidays, which may impact short-term placements, before registering:
- December 25, 26 & 27 2018
Internet:
Free WiFi is available at the volunteer house.
Laundry:
Laundry facilities are available at the volunteer house.
Accommodations:
You will stay in shared, single-gender, dorm-style accommodation, in a residential neighborhood in the Sydney suburbs. Daily transport form accommodations to project site is approximately one hour each way.
Food:
Food will be provided for volunteers to prepare their own breakfast and dinner. A packed lunch will be provided on weekdays. During weekends, all meals are self-served from the pantry and fridge stocks.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
- Minimum age of 18 (or 16/17 with parental consent)
- Basic level of English
- Immunizations (please consult your local travel clinic)
- Interest in Australian wildlife and animal rescue
- Moderate to high level of physical fitness
- Volunteers need to bring wet weather gear
- Police clearance
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:
Hyde Park
This one's for the nature lover! Take a stroll through Sydney's oldest public park and admire the mixture of fig, palm and othert types of trees that line the beautiful gardens.
Sydney Opera House
Take a visit to one of Australia's most iconic places! Whether you just want to enjoy the architecture or actually want to see one of the theatre's forty shows per week, this landmark is a promising tourist destination.
Bondi Beach
Soak up the sun at one of Australia's most popular beach destinations! This beach is a hot spot for any volunteers who are looking to relax in the sandf or surf the waves in their free time.
Hyde Park
This one's for the nature lover! Take a stroll through Sydney's oldest public park and admire the mixture of fig, palm and othert types of trees that line the beautiful gardens.
Sydney Opera House
Take a visit to one of Australia's most iconic places! Whether you just want to enjoy the architecture or actually want to see one of the theatre's forty shows per week, this landmark is a promising tourist destination.
Bondi Beach
Soak up the sun at one of Australia's most popular beach destinations! This beach is a hot spot for any volunteers who are looking to relax in the sandf or surf the waves in their free time.
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