Travel to Queensland in Australia for the conservation adventure of a lifetime. Spend time in the wild outback of this sun-soaked destination, as you care for baby and adult wallabies injured through human activity. It isn't hard to see why this vast and rugged continent has captured the hearts of visitors from every walk of life and every part of the world. You cannot fail to fall in love with the laid back lifestyle, the gorgeous weather and the unique wildlife. However leaving at the end of your adventure may be a bit more of a problem!
Wallabies are a well known symbol of Australia yet they are slaughtered for meat and injured through road traffic accidents in their thousands, often leaving behind tiny joeys to fend for themselves. Help in the rescue and rehabilitation of these adorable and fascinating marsupials, each with its own character and behaviour. As you will be spending time with the wallabies and being responsible for their every need you will build an incredible bond with them, making this project an absolutely irresistible prospect for anyone with an interest in these unusual and appealing creatures and a desire to travel to the glorious sunshine of Down Under!
Project Highlights
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Work caring for adorable joeys & adult wallabies
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Visit the wonders of this Antipodean paradise
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Form lifelong friendships with other volunteers
Project Requirements
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Minimum age of 18 years
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Book early to avoid disappointment
PLEASE CHECK AVAILABILITY WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS EXTREMELY POPULAR PROJECT!
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Location |
Queensland, Australia |
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Activities |
Feeding
Cleaning & maintaining the wallaby living quarters
Rehabilitation of injured wallabies |
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Transport |
Airport pick-up
Transport to the centre |
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Accommodation |
Shared accommodation at the centre |
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Before you go |
Pre-departure support
Travel & medical advice & documentation
Advice on equipment & visas
Discounted medical kit
Free Frontier T-shirt |
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In-country |
Food
Accommodation
Airport pick-up & drop-off
Ground transfers to project
Project orientation and training
In-country emergency support
24-hour international HQ backup |
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
Although wallabies and kangaroos are protected by law in Australia, it is easy to obtain a permit that allows individuals to shoot and kill these animals for commercial and non-commercial purposes. Although there are guidelines and a code of conduct in place that seek to ensure as humane a death as possible for the animals, this does not always protect the marsupials from suffering. Many are shot in the neck or chest, causing a slow, painful death, or snared in traps where they will slowly starve. Often if a mother is killed as a pest, the joey in her pouch will eventually die as it has no way of looking after itself.
Because of their curious and fearless nature, thousands of wallabies are involved in road traffic accidents and seriously injured as a result. The centre seeks to rescue injured or orphaned wallabies, tend to their needs and nurse them to good health. By joining this project you will help to ensure that many wallabies are saved from certain death, ensuring that the species as a whole continues to thrive and to be a symbol of Australia's wildlife as it has been until now.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
This project is a perfect way to experience animal care with wild animals that have been rescued from injury or abandonment. Wallabies are extremely appealing, friendly and inquisitive creatures that are a pleasure to care for. They are particularly interesting as marsupials, demonstrating all the unique characteristics that make this group of native Australian mammals inimitable.
Your daily activities could include feeding, possibly hand-rearing the wallabies (if applicable at the time of your visit), and cleaning and maintaining their living quarters. Your day will start early, around 5am, and the work can be physically challenging, although this is no hardship when the weather is as beautiful as it is in Queensland! There are also a range of other animals at the centre that need caring for.
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
You will be met at Rockhampton airport by the friendly in-country staff, but please be sure to arrive before 1pm as the trip out to the site takes a little time! If you are already travelling overland you can arrange for a pickup in Marlborough, please contact us for more information. You will be escorted to the rescue centre and the costs of all in-country and project related travel is included in the project contribution.
WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?
You will stay in simple shared huts which, although basic, still include cooking facilities, a laundry and hot shower. The project is based in a remote rural area, so you won't be visiting bars or restaurants in the evenings but this is a great excuse simply to relax and enjoy the glorious landscapes and countryside.
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for you, and generally consist of meat, vegetables and pasta; simple, nutritious meals that will provide you with all the energy you need to be active all day. If you enjoy cooking, you are free to prepare meals in the well equipped kitchen and don't forget to try out some local dishes and traditional recipes.
What Next? Apply Now!
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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Queensland is an extremely popular destination for tourists and travellers and is therefore geared towards providing adventure activities and attractions for visitors. For reasonable prices you can try out a huge range of popular sports such as bungee jumping, sky diving, 4WD tours, mountain biking, or water-based sports on the coast such as jet boating, water skiing or even whale watching. Local providers are expert professionals and will guarantee a safe and exciting experience and with its dramatic landscapes and rugged rural scenery, Australia provides the perfect backdrop for these kinds of pastimes. Do remember that while on the project you will be in a remote location so you will need to plan for extra time at the beginning or end of your project if you wish to experience other activities.
