Wildlife Park NSW, Australia

_ feeding lemurs- Newcastle animal sanctuary

joey sitting in kangaroos pouch head first-Newcastle

Volunteer feeding kangaroo australian zoo placement

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 the maintenance or building of new enclosures
work alongside the rangers at a local wildlife park.

WHAT can you do?

Prepare food and feed the animals at the centre
Clean the animals enclosures
Work alongside the rangers, and help with clearing and maintaining animal enclosures
Assist with any other daily duties around the centre
Get stuck in and hands dirty, whilst working as a team

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 PARK, NSW
LOCATION: NEWCASTLE, 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$645 + APPLICATION FEE

Overview

In this program, you will make a real contribution to the conservation of Australia’s distinct and wonderful wildlife as you work alongside the rangers at a local wildlife park. The park takes part in many breeding programs of some of the most endangered Australian native animals, releasing them into the wild to ensure the survival of these rare and beautiful animals.

This park also provides a refuge for rehabilitated but un-releasable injured and orphaned animals. In this program, the participants will assist the park rangers with general animal care. You will help with the crucial maintenance of the enclosures to keep the animals safe from predators and general park care work to preserve the healthy habitat for the animals. Mending fences and maintaining enclosures takes on a magical aspect when you are accompanied by wildlife which is free-ranging, trusting and inquisitive.

Much of the animal care work involves cleaning, feeding and maintaining the animals’ enclosures and their natural habitats including raking and collecting litter.

Location

Newcastle is Australia’s seventh largest, and second oldest city, with an enviable reputation as one of the world’s hippest and beautiful cities. Newcastle is brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine and design. Located on one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, Newcastle also has some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches like Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach, beautiful coastline scenery and easy access to the War Memorial Walk, a commemorative pathway way offers to breathtaking views of the cliffside and ocean as well as showcasing artwork dedicated to world war two. Beyond the beautiful coastline Newcastle’s ethnically diverse streets are full of action, and home to many unique bars and restaurants.

Project Tasks

Assisting the park rangers with general animal care
Joining activities such as raking and collecting litter
Cleaning, preparing food, feeding and maintaining the animals’ enclosures and their natural farm habitats

Food & Accommodation

Your Centre is located in the peaceful suburban city of Elermore Vale, Newcastle. You will be staying in a comfortable dorm-style accommodation, with 4-6 people per room. The centre has a well-equipped kitchen upstairs and a smaller kitchenette downstairs which you can use to store your food and make your own meals as per your wishes. There is also a cozy living room where you can hang out with the fellow volunteers, watch movies and spend time. The centre boasts a large backyard perfect for playing a sport or pulling out the deck chair and soaking up some sun. There is also ben linen, lockable rooms, laundry facilities, wifi in public areas, and water, tea and coffee available.

You can easily reach all the services and facilities such as supermarkets, ATMs, banks, shopping malls, and restaurants. There are many tourist destinations which can be reached within 25 – 45 mins drive from the House Centre.

Breakfast and dinner have to be self-prepared and packed lunch will be provided during your project days. You can change the breakfast and dinner menu according to your wishes and share with the other participants and cook together. During weekends, meals will not be provided. However, cold food will be available in the kitchen if you wish you to stay at the center during the weekends.

The cooking facility will be available for you to prepare breakfast from 6.30 am to 8.30 am and for dinner from 6 pm to 8 pm only. Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store your personal food and beverages.

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?

All participants will require a certain level of fitness and must be able to do physical work which will include light construction and other ‘hands on’ duties like hand weeding, clearing debris, rubbish removal, removal of invasive non-native tree species etc. This program will not suit participants who are afraid of wild fauna and insects or don’t wish to do physical work.

Project Fees

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What's Included in the Volunteer Fees

Support of in-country practitioner supervisor / coordinator
Support of a team (normally 4 to 8 volunteers per intake)
Arrival airport transfers
1 day induction & cultural orientation
All ground transportation
Accommodation – Volunteer Guest House (Single gender shared rooms)
3 quality meals per day (We cater to healthy diets!)
Project equipment and materials (eg. safety lancets, gloves, blood testing kits, pamphlets)
24/7 in-country support & emergency assistance
Training & guidance from qualified local staff
Certificate of Completion

What's Not Included

Travel insurance (mandatory)
Airfares & visa fees
Additional tours, souvenirs, spending money
Some daily local transport (depending on program eg. $2 p/day)

Is there an Orientation?

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

Welcome, introduction to Australia, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
Introduction to the project
Visit the project

What About Transportation?

Airport pick-up is generally included in the volunteering cost unless specified. This may involve either a local pick-up by your volunteer host or a public transport ticket where necessary. These details will be finalised with you upon making a booking.

What does a Typical Day Involve?

After having breakfast at the center, you will be driven by your coordinator to the wildlife park and farm and picked up in the evenings after a hard day’s work.

You will engage in your daily tasks at the project. You can have the lunch that you have prepared and packed for yourself from the center. After completing your day’s work, your coordinator will drive you back to our center in Newcastle.

What Happens on Weekends?

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,

Tree Top Adventure Park Newcastle
Newcastle Library
Newcastle Art Gallery
Civic Theatre
Newcastle Heritage and Ghost Tours
The Bogey Hole
Christ Church Cathedral
Newcastle Museum
Merewether Ocean Baths
Hunter Wetlands Centre
Blackbutt Reserve
Hunter Valley Winery
The War Memorial Walk
Port Stevens
Nobbys Beach
Merewether Beach
Dixion Park Beach

There is plenty to get up to elsewhere 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?

All participants are required to bring a photocopy of the passport and a printed copy of their travel insurance information.
All participants will need to undergo compulsory training over 1-2 days before working on the project. Training will be included during the first week and may be ongoing as new tasks arise.
All placements must be confirmed at least 4 weeks before the starting date. After this period, placements will be confirmed on a case by case basis only and extra charges may apply.
Arrival details must be informed at least 2 weeks prior to the date of arrival. Otherwise, they will have to make their way to the Center on their own.
Certificates will be issued for the completion of this training and program participation only after placements have been successfully completed and requested.
Due to Australia’s strict visa regulations, we are unfortunately unable to help to secure visas. Participants coming from western/European countries can easily get visas online.
Maximum duration is 4 weeks.
This program is strictly monitored and participants will have to leave Australia at the end of the program duration.
Participants below 18 years require parental consent and participants above 65 require medical clearance to take part in the program.
Participants will be required to sign House rules, code of conduct and other documents before starting their program.

Additional Equipment

The below list of things is essential for you to start the program. Participants will not be allowed to take part in the program if they do not have the required gear.

Long loose-fitting comfortable work pants, made out of either canvas, cotton or denim
T-shirts with short or long sleeves – shirt neckline must be high enough and length must be long enough so when the participant is stretching up or leaning over to work, they do not expose their stomach or back or chest
Hiking boots or other very supportive closed footwear
Thick hiking socks
Hat or cap
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Rain jacket that is waterproof and covers down to mid-thigh, or shorter rain jacket with rain pants
Strong gardening or work gloves
Insect repellent
Water bottle
No singlets or hot shorts to be worn while working at the park
Lockable luggage/locks
Beachwear during free time (you might need it during your free time)
Plug for Australia standard or Travel Charger/converter
Any medication you may require

When working, participants are not permitted to wear or use:

Mobile phones
Shorts
Stretch ‘leggings’ or other tight trousers
T-shirts with no sleeves (“vests”)
Shirts that allow the chest or midriff/stomach/back to be exposed when working
Open sandals or non-supportive shoes
Umbrellas

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.