By Kim Barnard
Exploring a different corner of the world on a holiday is something that’s guaranteed to leave you with lifelong memories. But spending some of your vacation time giving back will take the experience to a whole new level.
Queensland, boasting a beautiful, vast landscape, offers a range of unique volunteer experiences which allow you to put your skills to good use while also exploring the beautiful sights and experiences the region offers.
If you’re looking for ways to give while you’re away, this guide will help; it’s all about how to volunteer while on holiday.
Keep Australia Clean
Removing debris and litter from in and around the magical Whitsunday waters is a life-saving task that can be done with Eco Barge Clean Seas.
This not-for-profit organisation has removed over 200,000 kilograms of pollution from the Whitsunday region since 2009. Not only do they eliminate objects that harm marine life and damage their ecosystem, but they recycle and transform ocean plastics to reduce landfill entirely. Plus, they nurture sick and injured marine turtles back to prime health.
Founder, Libby Edge is dedicated to protecting and preserving the marine environment so generations to come can enjoy its beauty. Libby established Eco Barge Clean Seas after learning about the devastating effects that marine debris has on the residents of the sea.
To volunteer for one of their barge trips (as part of the Whitsunday Marine Debris Removal Program), head to their website and fill out your details. The barge, which holds up to 10 volunteers at a time, will take you to known impacted bays and beaches. Expect to pick up approximately 300 kilograms of debris during the trip!
Note: morning tea and lunch is provided.
Dig for Dinosaurs
The Australian Age of Dinosaurs is a museum in Winton, Queensland that not only displays the incredible animals of the past, but lets the public get up close and personal with them. It’s one of the few places in the world that offers this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Join the team in the Fossil Preparation Laboratory and spend the day prepping real dinosaur fossils for display. Prep-a-dino over two days, with a mate, for just $169 per person; this package includes a guided tour of the laboratory, collection room and dinosaur canyon. Plus, a one-year membership to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs society. If two days isn’t enough, why not opt for 10? After completing 10 days of preparation and training with the museum, you’ll become an Honorary Technician. This package, starting at $729, can be enjoyed over non-consecutive days.
Dive with Whales
If you’re a keen diver and want to meet dwarf minke whales, then sign yourself up for a volunteer experience with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.
Not only will you be able to swim with these amazing animals in the Great Barrier Reef (it’s the only place in the world where you can), but you can contribute to research by collecting data on whale observations and sharing photos to the database.
Cairns is the departure point for these unforgettable scuba diving expeditions. Whether you choose the three-, four- or seven-day trip, you’ll have the time of your life witnessing the incredible biodiversity that lies in the incredible underwater world.
Check out this guide for other ways to help the Great Barrier Reef.
Have Some Turtle Time
When it’s turtle season (from November to March), the Mon Repos rockery near Bundaberg can always use an extra set of hands to help the newborn loggerheads reach their ocean home.
You don’t need any specific qualifications to take part in this very special experience, just a commitment to donate one night per week. As well as helping the rangers with visitor groups and turtle research, you might be called on to staff the entrance and souvenir shop, provide information to visitors and run the children’s activities.
Be a wildlife warrior
Head to Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast to help this conservation destination in its daily duties.
Volunteers learn new skills, gain an exclusive look into being a zookeeper, and meet some amazing animals and people. Choose from being a Keeper or a Customer Relations Volunteer; as a Keeper, your tasks will range from cleaning and maintenance, food preparation, animal observation, assisting keepers, and interacting with visitors at the daily Wildlife Warrior Colosseum Show. As a Customer Relations Volunteer, you’ll get to welcome visitors, answer people’s questions and help them navigate the zoo, and assist with guided tours, regular promotional events and children’s activities.
Live like a local
WWOOF is a worldwide movement bringing volunteers and organic farmers/growers together, to promote building a sustainable global community.
Travel around Australia living and learning on a host farm (for free!). For 4-to-6 hours a day you’ll be able to work on a functioning farm and perfect your organic practices.
Note: Before you become a WWOOFer, ensure your travel insurance is up to date as medical assistance in Australia can be very pricey.
Join a bush tribe
If you’re over 18, register as a volunteer with Bush Heritage Australia to be notified of roles going in the beautiful bushland.
Bush Heritage Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation that buys and manages land, and partners with Aboriginal people to preserve our landscapes and irreplaceable native species.
As a volunteer, there’s a plethora of tasks you can work on. Reserve tasks range from caretaking, grounds and building maintenance, fencing, feral animal control, weed control, ecological monitoring and other ongoing land management activities. Office tasks include research, administration, fundraising, events and other important projects.
Click here to learn more.
