from 1,399€

Outstanding 4.9rating (189)

Australian Endangered Species Conservation Care

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Enjoy up close and personal time with Australian wildlife
  • Stay in the Aussie bush
  • Taking care of injured, sick and orphaned wildlife
  • Make memories you can't get anywhere else in the world
  • Close to the Great Barrier Reef and northern Queensland

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

This facility takes in injured wildlife and manages a wombat captive breeding programs conducting vital research. Great opportunity to care for Aussie wildlife!

The Project

The Endangered Species Conservation facility manages a number of captive breeding programs and partners with Government authorities, universities and zoological institutions to conduct vital research on Australian wildlife. The facility focuses on threatened species, Northern and Southern ...

About the program

The Project

The Endangered Species Conservation facility manages a number of captive breeding programs and partners with Government authorities, universities and zoological institutions to conduct vital research on Australian wildlife. The facility focuses on threatened species, Northern and Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats.   

The centre also provides medical care for injured, sick and orphaned wildlife through its rescue and rehabilitation program. Animals are nursed back to health with the goal of being well enough to be released back into the wild. The facility also supports other wildlife carers who assist with this dedicated work.   Volunteers are a valuable partner helping with the care and feeding of the injured animals.

The centre delivers a range of wildlife education programs to enable local community groups, industry bodies, school groups and individuals to be actively involved in the conservation of native animals. The programs highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy natural environment to ensure the well-being of our native species.   

The facility welcomes students and volunteers from all over the world to learn about Australian wildlife and contribute to the breeding, release, research and education programs.

The Location

The Gladstone Region is located on Queensland’s Central Coast and is home to over 67,000 people. Situated at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Gladstone offers access to uninhabited coral cays, waterways and beaches. Its sub-tropical climate is perfect for year-round boating, fishing and swimming.

Gladstone itself is a hillside city, overlooking Port Curtis, Queensland's largest multi-commodity shipping port. Marine activities are the lifeblood of the city; the people of Gladstone own more boats per person than nearly any other community in Australia! Charter boats provide access to the area’s many off-shore islands.

Mainland Australia is the world’s largest island, but the smallest continent covering an area of 7.69 million square kilometres. Its ocean territory is also the third-largest in the world, spanning three oceans and covering around 12 million square kilometres.

Our Volunteers

As a not for profit organisation, the facility relies on financial support from grants, fundraising, donations and membership fees. Volunteer fees contribute to the cost of food, water and utilities such as electricity. You will be contributing to the survival of endangered species that are found nowhere else in the world.

Furthermore, you will help to support animals who require intensive care in order to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. You may have the opportunity to go on rescue calls.

You will care for many different species of animals although the project mainly cares for Hairy-Nosed Wombats. Volunteers will be directly involved in the animal’s care. You may have the opportunity to physically handle the animals depending on the specific task you are undertaking, for example, you may assist with rescues and releases back into the wild or the trapping of animals for health checks. Some animals like a scratch and if there are joeys in care they require regular bottle feeding.

Conditions Onsite

The project is based in a quiet location away from a major town.

You will be working in the heat, so work starts in the early morning to avoid the hottest part of the day, but please be prepared for that.

Please Note

The second instalment of your project fees is due within 1 week after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your balance. The balance is due 90 days prior to travel. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees“.



Typical day

Volunteers will be directly involved in the care of many animals. Your day will consist mainly of animal husbandry duties, including food preparation and harvesting and cleaning of enclosures. Other activities include enclosure maintenance, tree planting and participation in fundraising events and ...

Typical day

Volunteers will be directly involved in the care of many animals. Your day will consist mainly of animal husbandry duties, including food preparation and harvesting and cleaning of enclosures. Other activities include enclosure maintenance, tree planting and participation in fundraising events and community education activities.

The animals volunteers will care for include wallabies, Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats, Northern Hairy Nosed Wombats, Sugar Gliders, Squirrel Gliders, lizards, snakes and birds. Koalas and kangaroos also frequent the project grounds!


Free-time activities

Once a week, staff and volunteers visit Gladstone to stock up on supplies and look around town. 

Only minutes from the project location is Gladstone's most prominent natural landmark – Mount Larcom. If you are up for a challenge, why not climb to its peak, 632 metres above sea level? It might take ...

Free-time activities

Once a week, staff and volunteers visit Gladstone to stock up on supplies and look around town. 

Only minutes from the project location is Gladstone's most prominent natural landmark – Mount Larcom. If you are up for a challenge, why not climb to its peak, 632 metres above sea level? It might take a few hours, but once at the summit you will be rewarded with uninterrupted views of rural farmland, Gladstone’s harbour and, on a clear day, the islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

If Mount Larcom sounds a bit too strenuous, try taking in the spectacular view from one of the more easily accessed lookouts in Gladstone, such as Round Hill Lookout or Auckland Hill Lookout right in the city.

On the city’s foreshore you will find Spinnaker Park. Enjoy the native wetlands, explore the walking tracks or have a good old fashioned Aussie barbeque amongst the beautifully landscaped parkland. You can take a dip at the park’s beach cove or relax at one of the many nearby beaches. Or perhaps take a trip to nearby Heron or Wilson Islands and experience all the magic of the Great Barrier Reef. Swim, snorkel or scuba dive with brightly-coloured fish and turtles or simply enjoy the peace and quiet. 

If you like to throw in a line, consider a visit to Lake Awoonga, 25km south of Gladstone. The lake, which is Gladstone’s primary water source, has been stocked with over 2 million barramundi over the past 10 years, along with several other fish species. For keen birdwatchers, over 200 species of bird can be found here.

Head back to Gladstone to experience the city’s famous mud crab and fresh seafood, take in some culture at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery or enjoy one of the many community events and festivals on offer.

If you are lucky enough to visit in April, enjoy watching the yachts arrive at the finish line at the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. If visiting in June, don’t miss Ecofest, central Queensland’s largest environmental awareness event, with its wide range of eco-friendly displays and stalls.

Please note that project staff cannot provide transport for sightseeing, therefore volunteers are best to either hire a car or see the sights before or after their placement.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (fluently)

Required Documents

Proof of travel Insurance docs and Proof of vaccinations

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Volunteers must be fluent in English, hardworking, able to work effectively in the heat and to take direction from full time carers. Volunteers should possess a genuine desire to care for animals and be committed to their conservation.

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers


What's included in this project?

  • Pre-departure support
  • Project Information Pack
  • Transfers from the local town to the project (depending upon availability)
  • On the job training
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • O2E T-Shirt
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • 24-hour O2E emergency phone
What's not included in this project?

  • Flights
  • Snacks
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending
  • Visas

Airport Pickup at Gladstone Airport


Accommodation

Single rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen.

Food & Beverages

Food is supplied, however volunteers are required to prepare their own day time meals from supplies. Dinner is made and enjoyed by the group on a nightly basis.

Vegan and vegetarian options are available. 

Drinking water is supplied.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Gladstone Airport (GLT) in Gladstone. We assist you to find cheap flights to Australia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Australia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Australia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Australia. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Volunteers are able to arrive on any day, any time of the year.

To get there, fly to Brisbane, Australia, then take a plane, bus or train from Brisbane to Gladstone. Volunteers may be picked up from Gladstone Airport or they can take a train or bus to the local town for pick up.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,399€
3 weeks 2,098€
4 weeks 2,797€
5 weeks 3,496€
6 weeks 4,195€
7 weeks 4,895€
8 weeks 5,593€
9 weeks 6,292€
10 weeks 6,992€
11 weeks 7,690€
12 weeks (max. stay) 8,390€
Average fees 698€/week

Program fees

698€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

Outstanding 4.9 rating (189 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Tracy

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers is a non-profit organisation that was founded for the purpose of providing resources and financial assistance to animal welfare and conservation

Meet your organization

The O2E Founders are animal lovers and committed volunteers. They founded and established the organisation in Melbourne, Australia, having seen firsthand that volunteer recruitment agencies were not always aware if the projects they supported had the best interests of animals and environment in mind. Instead, unethical and harmful behaviour including elephant riding, unsustainable tree nursery projects and the consumption of scarce community resources by the presence of volunteers were often the result. Local wildlife communities and the animals’ environments were also clearly disadvantaged. For this reason, we created our Oceans 2 Earth Ethical Standards and the Wildlife Code and measure all potential projects by these policies prior to partnering with them.

Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers offers volunteering and adventure travel experiences for ethically minded animal and conservation lovers looking for the trip of a lifetime.

In creating Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers, the O2E founders challenge and engage individuals to contribute to meaningful animal welfare and conservation projects. As wildlife carers and avid animal welfare and rights campaigners, they uphold a vision to promote ethical volunteering as an advisable travel alternative.

We believe the way to solve the issues of animal mistreatment and environmental destruction and degradation is to provide people with the opportunity to contribute and interact so that they may develop their own personal culture of responsibility and global conservation. People exposed first hand to challenging bio diverse environmental issues are more likely to draw on those experiences and continue to make a positive impact once they arrive home. 

Oceans 2 Earth recognise that individuals really can make a difference. However small the work effort is from one person, if you combine the actions of many people as a whole, the result can become quite significant. By bringing like-minded and ethically conscious animal lovers together, Oceans 2 Earth believe that there is no limit to what we can achieve. 

Our Mission

Promote environmental sustainability and to be accountable for our impact on the environment.

Take action and find solutions to improve the natural, bio-diverse way of life for all. Promote the ethical treatment and natural living ecology of all animals.

Expose and educate volunteers to the plight of animals ill-affected by conflict or interaction with man, encouraging them to take action and find solutions to these global issues. 

189 reviews · rating4.9

I stayed at the Australian endangered species and conservation care (aka. Safe haven) facility for 3 weeks. Had the most amazing time caring for the Australian wildlife and leaning so much about the animals as well as the Australian culture in general. A wonderful crew run the place with Tina as ...
I really enjoyed my time at the endangered species conservation project! The people were really nice and thankful. In the morning we used to clean the pens and in the evening we fed the animals which was a lot of fun. I had an amazing time ...
For me as a vet overseas this experience was totally amazing. The staff involve you from the first day on all the procedures with the animals ad give you support and a lot of love. They were amazing with me and I felt as a member of the big family of the local host organization from the first ...
Ida Stilbo rating5

2024 at Aussie Wildlife Homestay

I had the best time staying with Peter and Caroline! In my 3 weeks stay I got to experience the Aussie Wildlife on close hand. I spend lots of time with the roos and wombats both feeding, playing and cuddling. There are also plenty of other animals to talk to during the day. The rooms and house were ...
It is such a unique and an amazing experience. I’ve met so many wonderful people and learnt so much about the Great Barrier Reef while volunteering for a great cause! Highly recommend and would like to do it again. Thank you ...
Susanne Everding rating4.4

2023 at Forest Elephant Sanctuary

The best animal welfare project I have ever experienced - everything was just great! Highly recommended!! The founder LEK is an incredible woman who achieved unbelievable changes for ...

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