Get stuck into gap year conservation volunteering up the Sunshine Coast
Queensland is one of the most well travelled states in Australia, boasting the stunning beaches of the Eastern Coast with plenty of sunshine and fun rolled in too. It is known as the Sunshine State, and boasts some incredibly diverse opportunities for gap year conservation volunteering projects.
There are three main gateway cities in Queensland, these being Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville.
Brisbane: The state’s capital, Brisbane is a great place to join the projects heading to the hinterland areas of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Cairns: Joining projects in Cairns offers the chance to help out in rainforests on mountain ranges, beach and creek restoration projects and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Townsville: these projects tend to take in rainforest and beach areas, with dramatic coastlines and glorious beaches.
Some of the projects that you might be getting involved in Queensland include:
- Fraser Island. This is the world’s largest sand island and a place of exceptional beauty. The long white sand beaches go on for as far as the eye can see, flanked by sand covered cliffs. This is a world heritage site, and volunteers have the opportunity to help out in the National Park areas on walking tracks and trails, as well as with promoting the growth of local flora.
- Springsure Koala Reserve. Help out with koalas that have been severely impacted by drought, flood and fire. Volunteers on this project help to assess the state of local koala populations and their habitats.
- Reintroduction of the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat. This is a species that used to be widespread in south west Queensland, but is now one of Australia’s most endangered species. Only 110 remain in the Epping Forest National Park! This is an amazing opportunity to help on a project establishing a second population of wombats- this involves constructing a predator proof fence to protect the new wombat from dingoes and foxes.
No one project is guaranteed, as they take place when there is a need for the help. You will help out in at least two different types of conservation projects over a one month period however, so you will see some of the beautiful sites that this area has to offer.
For more information about out gap year conservation volunteering in Australia programme, have a look here at conservation volunteering. There is also information about the other places in Australia that you could take part in this!
