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“.