Wildlife Sanctuary North Queensland - Volunteer Overseas with IVI

IVI volunteers- wildlife santuary project

WHY we need you in Australia

13.2% of Australian's are living below the poverty line (thats over 3 million people).
Around 14% of people in Australia, are eating less food than they need due to a lack of money or other resources.
The number of wildlife handed to the RSPCA has dramatically increased over the past decade.
Many animals are significantly injured on roadsides, meaning they cannot then survive in the wild.

APPLY NOW

Ready to volunteer abroad? Complete your application online in about 5 min.

HOW can you help?

Play an important role in helping care for a variety of animals at the sanctuary
Help with daily activites around the centre, such as feeding and cleaning
Assist with light construction work or building new enclosures
Gain experience on the nearby farm if desired

WHAT can you do?

Prepare food and feed the animals and birds
Clean the animals enclosures
Help with night feeding
Assist with any other daily duties around the centre, such as cleaning the bnb rooms

Why Involvement Volunteers International?

Non Profit Org & Charity with 30+ Years Experience
Authentic, Meaningful & Affordable Projects
Social Experiences - Sharing with International Volunteers
Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries

Project Description

PROJECT NAME: WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, NORTH QLD
LOCATION: MOSSMAN, AUSTRALIA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)

MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK

MIN AGE: 16+

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: N/A

PROJECT COSTS: From US$325 + APPLICATION FEE

Overview

This organization has a large comprehensive display of Australian mammals, including other animals such as crocodiles (12 crocs!), cockatoos and parrots. The sanctuary also houses five endangered species, of which are in breeding programs. A love for animals in a must and they all work closely together to ensure the well being of the animals in their care.

The Zoo is set in 5 hectares (10 acres) of tropical gardens and comprises several guest B&B style accommodation rooms (including a large pool) and some 120 species of Australian native birds, mammals and reptiles including crocodiles, kangaroos, cassowaries, emus, dingos and wombats to name a few.

The Sanctuary is a brilliant day out from Port Douglas or Cairns for families, individuals and groups wanting to see, touch and photograph wildlife set within wetland reserves and purpose built aviaries with first class amenities.

Location

Mossman, is situated in tropical North Queensland, the pretty town located at the bottom of the mountain regions. Neary is Mossman Gorge, a lush jungle trail leading to a waterfall, inside Daintree National Park.

Project Tasks

Daily feeding of animals and birds
Cleaning enclosures
Gardening, painting & light construction work
At times, assisting with the preparation of the accommodation rooms
Building new enclosures
There is also a farm located 250km inland and volunteers may choose to experience working on a farm if desired

Food & Accommodation

Volunteers are housed dedicated volunteer guest house located separately from the main B&B quarters. The volunteer guest house sleeps up to 8, but generally no more than 4 volunteers at a time. There are 3 bedrooms, a living area and kitchen.

The accommodation is clean and comfortable with air conditioning and/or fans provided as it’s hot in Queensland! You’ll have full access to the pool area to chill out at your leisure, from 1pm onward each day. You’ll have access to a bicycle to get to Wonga Beach, local store etc.

Great food; all the fresh meat and vegetables that you can eat. Free Wifi is available at reception but most volunteers will purchase their own data plan with local sim.

Testimonials...

"The Zoo was AMAZING and I loved my time there and can’t wait to go back! The zoo is well maintained, the standard of care for all the animals is first rate and Donna and Gill run an efficient ship to keep it all that way. I honestly can’t rave about it enough, i loved getting up early every day to do the morning feeding rounds"

"It’s hard to tell what I liked most about my stay because there are so many things I loved to do! I guess feeding the crocodiles and kangaroos were two of my favourite tasks to do. In general, interacting with the animals, especially with the birds that have been hand-raised and therefore very tame was fun."

"My highlight of the trip was seeing animals I have never seen before such as kangaroos, wombats and crocodiles at the zoo. We also went to Cape Tribulation and on a boat tour on the river by the rainforest where we saw crocodiles, snakes and a lot of bats. The people living there were really friendly and our accommodation was quite big, we had a lot of space. We also could go swimming in the pool when we finished work."

"The best experience I have had since I’ve been in Australia. It took me a good week or so to get used to serenity and quietness of working at the zoo, but after that I can honestly say that as the weeks progressed the more enjoyment I took from the job."

"I spent the first 2hs feeding the animals and cleaning the enclosures and then, it varied: I did some painting and raking, burned stuff, cleaned the B&B rooms, prepared the food for the animals, etc."

"Donna and Gil welcome you in a beautiful surrounding (the Daintree!), where you have your own place to cook, sleep, watch TV, relax in the garden or by the pool. We felt at home right away. The job can be hard sometimes especially if it rains a lot making everything a bit more difficult. But we liked every part of what we did, we learned a lot! We fed the animals, did some gardening, cleaning in the zoo, the enclosures, and get the rooms ready in the b&b area."

"I enjoyed both of the placements very much! I highly appreciate Tina and her family for dedicating themselves entirely to save the endangered species from extinction, despite lack of manpower and funding."

FAQ...

Is Wildlife Volunteering in Australia the Right Project for Me?

We ask:

That you are a genuine, honest and hard working person
That you have a positive can-do attitude
That you are willing to get your hands dirty, get wet when it rains etc.
That you are comfortable around animals (no phobias of birds etc.)
That you are fluent in English and can understand general directions
That you have a sense of humor and don’t take things to heart (Important!)
That you do not smoke
That you do not have any special dietary requirements

Project Fees

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What's Included in the Volunteer Fees

Arrival transfer from Mossman (Make own way from Cairns)
7 nights accommodation p/week – Volunteer Center (single or twin share rooms)
3 Meals per day (Breakfast, lunch & Dinner)
Bicycle for duration of stay (10 min bike ride to beach)
Transportation into Mossman town if needed
Volunteer discount rates on tours and attractions (heaps of local advise)
Use of necessary equipment and project materials
24/7 in-country support
Certificate of Completion

What's Not Included

Travel insurance (mandatory)
Airfares & visa fees
Transportation from Cairns to Mossman (Bus costs approx AUD $50 return)
Additional tours, souvenirs, spending money

Is there an Orientation?

The Australian volunteer programs are very autonomous and often you may be the only volunteer on site. Orientation generally involves between 1-3 days in which the host family or volunteer coordinator provides various local tours and/or an in depth orientation of the area and the likely day to day objectives as a volunteer.

What About Transportation?

Free pick you up and drop off from the Mossman bus depot is included. This means you’ll need to find your own way to Mossman. Bus transfers operate multiple times daily from Cairns which is the closest airport.

What does a Typical Day Involve?

Hours of work are typically 7.30am to 1.00pm with a break in between. This means you have your afternoon’s off to do as you please! Weekends are also free time. Every 2nd night 30mins for night feeding is also required. Please note, at times volunteering in the zoo can be hard work! You’ll need to be hard working to be accepted into the program 🙂

Just some of the wildlife you are likely to encounter at the zoo!

Freshwater Crocodile
Saltwater Crocodile
Dingo
Tiger Quoll
Sugar Glider
Squirrel Glider
Northern Bettong
Rufous Bettong
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Emu
Cassowary
King Quail
Dusky Moorhen
Buff-banded Rail
Pacific Black Duck
Plumed Whistling -Duck
Rainbow Lorikeet
Red-necked Lorikeet
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Varied Lorikeet
Black Kite
Eastern Rosella
Pale-headed Rosella
Northern Rosella
Western Rosella
Port Lincoln Ringneck
Mallee Ringneck
Twenty-eight Parrot
Blue-winged Parrot
Elegant Parrot
Turquoise Parrot
Scarlett-chested Parrot
Gouldian Finch

Australian Wood Duck
Cattle Egret
Nankeen Night Heron
Bush Thick-knee
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove
Superb Fruit-Dove
Peaceful Dove
Bar-shouldered Dove
Zebra Finch
Long-tailed Finch
Plumb-headed Finch
Crimson Finch
Star Finch
Diamond Firetail
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Blue-faced Parrot-Finch
Emerald Dove
Spinifex Pigeon
Southern Boobook
Tawny Frogmouth
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Laughing Kookaburra
Double-barred Finc
Musk Lorikeet
Australian King Parrot
Red-winged Parrot
Cloncurry Ringneck
Golden-shouldered Parrot
Hooded Parrot
Blue Bonnet
Bourke’s Parrot

Crested Pigeon
Wonga Pigeon
Pied Imperial Pigeon
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
(4 sub-species)
Glossy Black-Cockatoo
Yellow-tailed BlackCockatoo
(2 sub-species)
White-tailed BlackCockatoo
(2 sub-species)
Gang-Gang Cockatoo
Galah (2 sub-species)
Long-billed Corella
(2 sub-species)
Little Corella
Short-billed Corella
Major Mitchell’s Cookatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Eclectus Parrot
Superb Parrot
Regent Parrot
Princess Parrot
Cockatiel
Budgerigar
Red-capped Parrot
Red-rumped Pa
Adelaide Rosella
Green Rosella
Crimson Rosella
Yellow Rosella

What Happens on Weekends?

There is plenty to get up to in Australia. From a trip into the Outback, admiring Uluru, wandering around the big cities, going on a river crocodile cruise in Darwin, surfing, diving, snorkelling, trekking through the rainforest, relaxing on a beautiful beach, swimming with whale sharks on the west side, sipping on delicious coffee, hugging a koala, the list goes on!

Are There Any Special Requirements?

No extra requirements

Country Information

Volunteering in Australia can be the most cost effective way for gap year students and backpackers from all over the globe to experience this great country. From pristine surf beaches to hinterland mountains and outback deserts, IVI has options available to suit various needs and budgets.

Australia is a vast country, with a variety of different scenery. The Western side is much more quiet, with beautiful beaches, snorkelling and National Parks. The East side is popular with backpackers doing the trip from Melbourne to Cairns (or vice versa). And in the middle, you have the Outback, where you will find Uluru, formally known as Ayres Rock. Wherever you choose to explore in Australia, you are guaranteed to find adventure!

Climate

Australia is generally warm year rounnd in most places. Up North in Darwin you will find it’s always hot and humid and in the mountains in the South it will snow in winter, so always check the climate for whichever region you will be visiting.

Summer is from December to March and will be hot in most places. Winter is from June to August and can be warm or cool, depending which area you are in. Spring and Autumn can be the best months to travel due to the temperate climate.

What's the Culture Like in Australia?

Australians are very friendly people and love being outdoors, active and enjoying the year round sunshine. It’s a very diverse country with many different cultures and backgrounds, such as Asian, British, Irish, Greek, African and of course the Indigenous groups. Australia holds some of the worlds first people.

Australians love a good drink and catch up with friends, as well as enjoying watching or playing sport! The outdoor lifestyle is evident here, with locals enjoying the beach, outdoor bars or the open parks and bushland.

About Involvement Volunteers International

30 Years Non Profit Experience

IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.

Affordable Volunteer Travel

We’re not motivated by shareholder profits. Our fees are fully transparent to ensure maximum benefit where it is most needed.

Safe & Responsible Projects

All projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management team, operational & risk assessment & overseas support contact. All projects are personally inspected to ensure very high quality.

Work Experience & University Credits

We place thousands of Uni students and can assist you with course credits and in-field experience points. Many of our project coordinators are qualified practitioners in their respective fields allowing unique in-field supervision and Uni accreditation options

See More

How Can I Raise Funds for my Trip?

Check out this amazing blog with step by step info on how to raise funds for your overseas volunteer experience to help maximize your impact abroad. Guide to Fundraising

Weekends & Extra Tours

There are several places to hold a koala in Australia, one being the Lone Pine Wildlife Sanctuary in Brisbane. These cute animals are just irresistable!

The Great Barrier Reef is a snorkeller's or diver's heaven. With crystal clear waters, and an abundence of marine life, this is a must visit!

One of Australia's most iconic structures, the Sydney Opera House is an impressive building. Wander around the city or head our to one of the beautiful beaches.

Australia is not short of incredible beaches to explore. Whether its for relaxing, having a BBQ or getting active with surfing and other watersports- theres a beach for everyone!

This stunning road leads from the cities of Torquay to Allansford, right on the South coast of Australia. Along the winding coastal road you will spot many beautiful spots, such as the Twelve Apostles.

Uluru is a sacred place to the Aboriginal people. The huge rock stands out from the otherwise vast and barren landscape surrounding it. Head here for sunrise and sunset to see the rock glow a deep red colour.