Eco-volunteers and Internships
The Animals
Koalas, potoroos, bilbies, kangaroos, dingoes, flying foxes, quolls, possums, gliders, echidnas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, parrots, dragons, pythons, emus and small farm animals.
Location Calga NSW
Nestled in the Australian bush near the town of Gosford on the Australian East Coast, only 1 hour north by car or 2 hours by train from Sydney International Airport Train Station.
The Work
Help the rangers with animal enrichment, food preparation, enclosure maintenance, cleaning, path building, bush regeneration, visitor education, and whatever else needs doing on the day.
The Program
Day 1: 3pm pickup Gosford Station, welcome, induction. Days 2-6: 8am-5pm work alongside the rangers. Day 7: 9am dropoff Gosford Station end of program or days off. Day 1/8: 3pm pickup Gosford Station ready for the working week.
Internships vs Eco-volunteers
Interns follow a similar schedule to eco-volunteers, but may have additional academic requirements from their university such as a research project, performance feedback forms, structured reporting and interviews.
The Accommodation
Accommodation is in one of two share houses. Bedrooms are "bunkrooms". You may need to go outside to get to the showers and toilets. Kitchen and recreational space is shared with other residents.
Meals & Catering
The pantry is stocked with meat, vegetables, cereals and fruit so you can prepare your own meals. If you are vegan or on a limited diet or want expensive luxuries, you may need to buy additional groceries.
Flights, Visas, Insurance
You buy your own plane tickets. You must have full medical insurance. Information for your visa application: your program is eco-tourism, you pay for the experience, and you are not taking paid work away from an Australian resident.
Your Packing List
Work boots, water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellant, phone, charger, Australian SIM card, flashlight, batteries, long workpants, rain gear, warm jacket, insurance certificate, visa, spending money, opal card for public transport.
Project Length
Eco-volunteers minimum 2 weeks. Interns minimum 4 weeks. Maximum depends on your visa. All stays are subject to availability. All stays are subject to following program rules.
Age, Health, Vaccinations
Minimum age is 18. Good health and able to perform up to 8 hours a day of manual work outdoors in all weather. Only if you want to work with bats, you will need rabies vaccinations.
English Requirements
Basic English is NOT enough. You must be able to read English and to follow complex instructions. Your safety depends on you being able to communicate easily in English.
Price & Inclusions
AUD $2,820 for 2 weeks. $5,160 for 4 weeks. Accommodation, train station pickup/dropoff, Walkabout Park t-shirts, training and supervision, accommodation, self-serve pantry, nights in the bush with the animals, BBQ, campfire, on-site cultural activities.
Leisure Time
Enjoy the tranquility of the bush or head to the bus/train station on your day off. 2 hours to Sydney and Newcastle. 3 hours to Blue Mountains or Port Stephens. 40 minutes to Terrigal Beach.
Vaccinations to work with Bats
If you want to work with Walkabout Park's flying foxes, you must have had a course of 3 rabies vaccinations AND show Walkabout Park a certificate with your titre levels (no older than 3 years) proving you have immunity against lyssavirus (rabies).
Program Rules
Behaviour code of respect. Follow all safety instructions. 10pm quiet time. Keep share-house clean and tidy. No mobile phones during work time. No workplace relationships. No smoking. No alcohol. No drugs.
No Public Transport
A taxi to Gosford can cost $55+. There are no buses or trains and you can't walk or hitchhike along the motorway. Walkabout Park does a station pickup at 3pm on Day 1/8 and dropoff at 9am on Day 7.
