Volunteering at the Reserve offers locals and visitors alike the chance to experience life in the Australian bush and at the same time contribute valuable hands on work to our conservation initiatives including:

• Gouldian Finch Reintroduction
• Fire Management
• Wildlife Monitoring and Mapping
• Vine Thicket Restoration
• Buff-breasted Buttonquail
• Freshwater Crocodile Reintroduction

The Conservancy has enjoyed working with volunteers from many countries and all walks of life. Tented accommodation is provided on site, though volunteers are expected to have sufficient funds to cover their own food.

The Conservancy also enjoys ongoing support from local volunteers, many of whom have been actively involved for many years. Some visit on a regular day a month, or assist with special projects such as wildlife monitoring or field days. Others such as Viv Sonntag, help in the Visitor Centre, or with administrative tasks such as memberships. Whatever your skills, we would be delighted to have you join our volunteer team.

The Conservancy employs a small staff of two wardens who are resident on the Reserve, and all additional work is carried out by volunteers both local and from overseas. Volunteers are particularly valued, and the Conservancy welcomes assistance in all aspects of Reserve management, from practical hands on work such as building walking tracks and bird hides, weed and erosion control, assistance in species monitoring and wildlife care, members activities, or administration from funding applications to publicity, events and memberships.

Volunteers are welcome all year round. The Reserve closes to the public during the Wet Season months of January to March, and it can be quite hot and wet during these months. At times of heavy rainfall, the Reserve may experience poor accessibility for several days at a time, and volunteers visiting at this time of year must be prepared for these conditions.

However, staff are often at their busiest with maintenance, repairs and office work. During the busy winter months of June to September, staff and volunteers are particularly involved with visitors. On site accommodation in safari tents can be provided for sabbatical staff or longer stay volunteers, and meals are cooked and eaten communally in the Visitor Centre kitchen. It is only an hour’s drive to Cairns or Port Douglas for days out to the Great Barrier Reef, and the Reserve lies in the centre of Australia’s most biodiverse region with fantastic birding opportunities both on the Reserve and in nearby areas.

Whilst the building and infrastructure work for the Safari Camp is being undertaken by local contractors, there are additional tasks that volunteers can assist with. In particular, the general landscaping of the vicinity of the camp and its integration into the Reserve requires assistance. Construction of a camp eating area, fire places for bbqs etc are all on the general wish list! This project is available from August 2004.

The number of places available to volunteers is limited to a maximum of 4 at any one time, with a minimum stay requirement of 2 weeks, and a maximum of up to several months by mutual agreement. Volunteers who are locally resident may prefer to volunteer on a regular day or weekend per month, or assist with special events. All training required is provided by Conservancy staff on site.

The Reserve relies, to a significant extent, on visitor revenue to fund its ongoing conservation work. A critically important activity is to market it into the local tourism market in Cairns and Port Douglas. For volunteers less physically inclined, this has proved a popular option. Training and transport is provided and the project is on offer throughout the year.

Also for those volunteers less capable of working outside on the Reserve, or as a break from physical work outside, ongoing assistance within the Visitor Centre in dealing with visitors and explaining about the work of the Conservancy is extremely valuable and popular. It is also a great way to interact with local people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Accessible from April to December inclusive.

Become A Volunteer