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Volunteer Abroad Australia: Springbrook Rainforest Conservation

Australia 5 to 26 days From 750 €

As a participant of this volunteer journey in Australia you combine exploring the natural landscapes of southeast Queensland and your voluntary contribution to protecting and conserving the mighty Gondwanan rainforest of Springbrook.
Springbrook is located in the Gold Coast hinterland of Australia’s state Queensland, almost 80 kilometres south of Brisbane. The area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. It is home to some of the oldest trees in the world as well as numerous partly threatened plant and animal species. As part of this five-day to four-week journey you and your team actively contribute to conserving this unique habitat and dedicate yourself to planting new trees, removing invasive plants and wildlife monitoring.
But it is not only during your volunteer units that you immerse yourself in Australia’s natural landscapes – daily excursions take you to extraordinary natural sites and allow you to discover Queensland’s tropical southwest and its fascinating flora and fauna in a very special way.

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

Experience the Springbrook rainforest – one of the last intact rainforests on earth
Become active as a volunteer and help protect this unique environment
Observe koalas, pandemelons, exotic birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat
Visit the famous “Natural Bridge” as well as the “Antarctic Beech Trees”
Acquire valuable knowledge about Australia’s flora and fauna
If you are lucky, witness fascinating wildlife sightings of possums or gliders

Locations

Springbrook National Park

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Volunteer journey in Australia

When joining this programme you enjoy a unique nature travel adventure which combines exploring Australia’s southwest Queensland with your voluntary commitment in different conservation projects, dedicated to protecting the Gondwanan rainforest of Springbrook.

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Arrival and orientation in Brisbane

You arrive at Brisbane Airport, one day prior to the official start of the trip. After your arrival at the airport you’ll make your way to a guest accommodation in town where you spend the following night (at own cost). The next morning you will meet your group in Norman Park/Brisbane from where you will start your journey together.

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Activities during your conservation journey Down Under

The unique combination of exploring Down Under’s southeast Queensland and your voluntary commitment in projects that are dedicated to protecting the majestic Springbrook rainforest is what characterizes this travel adventure.
You and your team usually spend the first half of the day conducting different renaturation tasks in order to conserve Springbrook National Park.

By planting new trees, removing invasive weed and wildlife monitoring you help protect this pristine habitat. During the second half of your day you will explore nature and wildlife of Springbrook National Park and its surroundings. Nature walks for observing the local flora and fauna, visits to unique nature reserves as well as talks about conservation measures in Springbrook provide important background knowledge and leave you with unforgettable memories.

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Accommodation in Springbrook

Your accommodation during the programme will be ranger’s quarters with communal kitchen and bathroom facilities. You will share a room with at least one other participant. Three meals per day and snacks will be provided. Preparation of your daily meals is a shared responsibility. All participants take turns helping to manage the meal preparation and clean-up.

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Leisure time as a volunteer in Australia

After your contribution to different conservation tasks and exploring unique nature sites of the Springbrook area, the evening hours provide some time for your own activities: Relax together with the others and talk about the events of the day, play games or read books. If you will stay in the programme for more than five days, you can also use the weekend(s) for your own activities.

Arrival

Arrival in Brisbane
Day 1

First day of the volunteer trip

On the first day of your volunteering journey, you and your team meet at 8:00 am in Norman Park/Brisbane from where you travel to your base camp in Springbrook. After your arrival you will have lunch in the quaint ranger’s headquarters where you will be staying for the following four nights. In the afternoon you and your group will carry out conservation tasks which include weed removal and tree planting. In the evening you return to camp for dinner.
Day 2

Second day of the volunteer trip

You’ll start your day at sunrise for a morning of bird-watching. After breakfast at camp, you will be involved with conservation activities until the afternoon. Afterwards, you will return to your camp and enjoy a talk from local rangers about conservation management in Springbrook. In the evening you’ll have dinner before being treated with stargazing and spotlighting to look for nocturnal wildlife. Watch out for possums, gliders – and koalas!
Day 3

Third day of the volunteer trip

During the morning hours of your third day you’ll complete conservation tasks before driving to the famous “Natural Bridge” around midday. Here you’ll have lunch and visit the waterfall. After lunch you can enjoy an incomparable tour of a homegrown rainforest at Cave Creek which is owned by an internationally known Australian writer and public intellectual. Learn more about this special area of 65 hectares which is being transformed from bare ground to lush rainforest. At sunset you and your group will return to Natural Bridge to look for glowing mushrooms as well as glow worms in the dark.
Day 4

Fourth day of the volunteer trip

This morning will also start with your commitment in conservation activities. Afterwards, you’ll drive to Binna Burra to have lunch and to go on a stunning hike which will lead you to the ancient Antarctic Beech Trees. During the hike you will not only immerse yourself into Down Under’s magnificent nature but might also spot some fascinating wildlife. After an exciting day of exploring Australia’s Gondwanan rainforest, you’ll have the chance for more stargazing and animal spotlighting back at your base camp.
Day 5

Fifth day and departure

Learn what others say about their Natucate adventure.

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Review Volunteering Australia and New Zealand – Frieda

“Driving a “mule”, which is a kind of quad, was also lots of fun! We used this mule to transport plants.”

Ein Campingplatz an einem See in Australien

Eine Freiwillige arbeitet auf der Wiese fuer den Erhalt des Naturschutzes

Review Volunteering Australia – Nele

“My time was full of adventures and very exciting. The 8 weeks flew by and I experienced many new things, have found new friends, collected new memories and learned a lot!”

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Review Volunteering Australia – Amelie

“On Friday we then planted about 1500 local plants. Tasks like these are definitely fun: you can see the results of your work at the end of the day.”

Naturschutz: Der Leuchtturm am Nugget Point in Neuseeland ueberragt die Kueste

Naturschutz in Neuseeland: Ein Kea Vogel sitzt im Wald auf einem Stein

Review Volunteering New Zealand – Tamara

“I definitely would not want to miss this whole experience! New Zealand is one of the most amazing and diverse countries I have ever been to.”

1. Springbrook National Park

Springbrook National Park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and is located in the Gold Coast hinterland of the Australian state of Queensland. Countless waterfalls, steep cliffs, rock formations such as the "Natural Bridge" and fascinating Gondwanan rainforest will delight visitors.

The Springbrook National Park does not belong to the most famous national parks of Australia, but is in no way inferior to the others. The breathtaking scenery and picturesque hiking trails should not be missed when visiting the Gold Coast or Brisbane, less than 80 kilometres away.

Springbrook National Park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and is located in the Gold Coast hinterland of the Australian state of Queensland. Countless waterfalls, steep cliffs, rock formations such as the "Natural Bridge" and fascinating Gondwanan rainforest will delight visitors.

The Springbrook National Park does not belong to the most famous national parks of Australia, but is in no way inferior to the others. The breathtaking scenery and picturesque hiking trails should not be missed when visiting the Gold Coast or Brisbane, less than 80 kilometres away.

Purpose of the volunteer journey in Australia

Subtropical and tropical rainforests belong to the most threatened ecosystems on our planet. In Australia, they are listed as critically endangered throughout the entire continent. The Gondwanan rainforest of Springbrook actually marks one of the last intact rainforests. The low-lying subtropical rainforest ecosystem in southeast Queensland has been reduced to less than 1% of its former range. As these areas are extremely fragmented, they are now at risk of deterioration through introduced pest species as well as the effects of climate change. Removing invasive plant species and planting new trees is critical to ensure the survival of these pristine rainforest areas – therefore, the helping hands of dedicated conservation volunteers are of utmost importance.