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Volunteer Abroad Australia: Wet Tropics Rainforest Conservation

Australia 5 to 26 days From 750 €

This programme combines exploring the natural landscapes of Australia’s North Queensland and your voluntary commitment in conservation projects serving to protect Down Under’s tropical rainforest.
The Wet Tropics of Queensland is a region of amazing scenery with waterfalls, rivers, gorges, volcanic mountains and the oldest surviving tropical rainforest on the planet. Furthermore, the forests are home to numerous threatened species, including the Southern Cassowary and the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo.
As part of this five-day to four-week journey you dedicate yourself to conserving this unique environment: By planting new trees and removing invasive plants you contribute to protecting this important habitat and, with it, a multitude of threatened species. While becoming active as a volunteer you will not only experience Down Under’s impressive nature but might also witness some fascinating wildlife sightings.
Take part in this extraordinary conservation trip and immerse yourself into the awe-inspiring Wet Tropics, located in the Atherton Tablelands, while making an active contribution to conserving Down Under’s unique natural areas.

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

Experience the Wet Tropics of Queensland – some of the oldest rainforests on earth
Go on exciting rainforest walks and, if you are lucky, enjoy unique wildlife sighting
Explore volcanic lakes, impressive waterfalls and picturesque nature reserves
Become active as a volunteer and help protect valuable natural areas

Locations

Wet Tropics of Queensland

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Volunteer journey through Australia’s Wet Tropics

When participating in this programme you enjoy a unique combination of exploring Australia’s tropical Northeast and joining different conservation projects as a volunteer dedicated to protecting the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

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Arrival and orientation in Cairns

You arrive at Cairns Airport – one day prior to the official start of the journey. After that you’ll make your way to a hotel/hostel in town where you spend the following night (at own cost). The next morning you will meet your group at a city hostel in Cairns. Together you start your journey to the Atherton Tablelands.

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Activities during your conservation journey

During your conservation journey in Australia you dedicate yourself to exploring spectacular nature sites in the country’s tropical Northeast and, at the same time, contribute to conserving the pristine rainforest habitat of the Wet Tropics of Queensland.
For the first half of the day, you and your group usually become active in protecting and restoring North Queensland’s tropical rainforest. In general, you’ll be involved in planting trees, invasive weed control, installing tree guards and mulching.
The second half of your day will be spent exploring nature and wildlife of the Wet Tropics. From Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham to Malanda Falls and the night wildlife of the rainforest – you will discover numerous wonderful nature locations before returning back to the city of Cairns on the last day of the programme.

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Accommodation during the programme

Your accommodation during the programme will be camping with communal bathroom amenities featuring solar powered rainwater showers. You will share a large twin tent with another participant. Daily snacks as well as three meals per day will be provided. Meal-preparation 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 North Queensland

After you’ve contributed to different conservation tasks and enjoyed fantastic nature sites of northeastern Australia, you’ll have time for your own activities in the evening: Spend time with the others and discuss the events of the day, play games or read a book. If you decide to stay in the programme for more than five days, you can also use the weekend(s) for your own activities.

Arrival

Arrival in Cairns
Day 1

First day of the conservation trip

Today you and your team meet at 8:00 am at Cairns City Hostel from where you travel to your Wet Tropics base in the magnificent Atherton Tablelands. Your first stop on route is Lake Barrine to admire the large Kauri Pines and the volcanic crater lake. You will continue your journey to picturesque Lake Eacham and then to Malanda Falls for a little lunch. Here you will also enjoy a short rainforest walk. In the afternoon you set up camp for the following four nights before visiting Mt Hypipamee volcanic crater and going on a walk through amazing high-altitude rainforests – make sure to keep a lookout for cassowaries and tree kangaroos! In the evening you return to camp for dinner.
Day 2 - 3

Second and third day of the conservation trip

You’ll start your second and third day by supporting conservation activities at a local nature refuge. After a talk and guided walk through the nature refuge you become involved in seasonal conservation efforts which typically include tree planting, weed removal and placing tree guards and mulch around young trees to ensure higher survival rates. In the later afternoon you and your group return to your campsite for free time before having dinner together.
Day 4

Fourth day of the conservation trip

This morning will also start with your commitment in conservation activities at a local nature refuge. Before doing so, you and your group will meet the wildlife refuge owner for a site tour and to listen to talk about the benefits of wildlife tunnels and habitat corridors. Afterwards, you’ll spend the morning removing weeds to help restore rainforest habitat. After lunch it is time to explore two nearby “hidden” waterfalls before returning to camp for dinner and optional wildlife spotting at sunset.
Day 5

Fifth day and departure

After breakfast, you’ll pack up and visit the local Tree Kangaroo Rescue Centre for an opportunity to meet these fascinating animals. Here you and your team learn about the conservation efforts taking place to help save the rare tree kangaroos before you head out to collect forage in a nearby forest, used to feed rescued kangaroos. Another stop will be Tarzali Lakes where you enjoy lunch and might be able to spot some magnificent platypuses. You and your group will be back in Cairns at around 4:00 pm. From here, you can start your journey back home.

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!”

Volunteere bei einer Verpflegungspause von der Arbeit

Ein eingerolltes Farnblatt im Vordergrund der restlichen Pflanze

Review Volunteering New Zealand – Melanie

“Ich habe meine Zeit in Neuseeland sehr genossen. Es ist ein wunderschönes, interessantes Land.”

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Review Photos Sabbatical Australia – Silvia

Silvia asked us to plan an incomparable sabbatical for her. One of her stops was our nature conservation project in Australia. Here you can find some great impressions from Down Under:

1. Wet Tropics of Queensland

The Wet Tropics of Queensland are a natural region in the northeast of Australia, on the coast to the Great Barrier Reef. The vast area comprises mostly tropical rainforests – probably the largest part of the remaining Australian tropical rainforests. Numerous species, some of which are threatened, can be found in the depths of the area, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
The many rivers, gorges, waterfalls and mountain peaks, which offer an incomparable view of the stretching rainforest, fascinate each visitor immediately.

The Wet Tropics of Queensland are a natural region in the northeast of Australia, on the coast to the Great Barrier Reef. The vast area comprises mostly tropical rainforests – probably the largest part of the remaining Australian tropical rainforests. Numerous species, some of which are threatened, can be found in the depths of the area, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
The many rivers, gorges, waterfalls and mountain peaks, which offer an incomparable view of the stretching rainforest, fascinate each visitor immediately.

Purpose of the volunteer journey in Australia

The Wet Tropics of Queensland consist of approx. 8,940 km² of Australian wet tropical forests. The vast region stretches from Townsville to Cooktown and borders the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. The tropical rainforests are recognized internationally for their ancient ancestry. Unique plants and animals grow here, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Moreover, Australia’s Aboriginal people have lived continuously in and near the rainforest environment for thousands of years – which is why the Wet Tropics are not only ecologically but also culturally highly important. Help of dedicated volunteers is required in order to ensure the forests’ survival. By removing weeds, planting trees and GPS mapping national park sites you actively contribute to conserving the fascinating Wet Tropics of Queensland.