New Zealand & Australia Semester: Conservation Volunteering, Adventure Expeditions, Overland Travel

- Multi-Country

Locations in Australia and Oceania

  Australia

• Sydney: 
Sydney
• Brisbane: 
Brisbane
• New South Wales: 
Byron Bay,  Crescent Head
• Queensland: 
Hervey Bay,  Sunshine Coast,  Fraser Island,  Noosa

  New Zealand

• Auckland: 
Auckland
• Wellington: 
Wellington
• Christchurch: 
Christchurch
• All Other Areas in New Zealand: 
Nelson,  Queenstown,  Taupo,  South Island,  Whangarei

Term: Spring, Winter 
Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: January - March 2009, 2010

Description: Escape winter and enjoy an amazing summer 'down under' on our experiential travel-study program combining challenging multi-day adventures, hands-on volunteer conservation work and insightful overland travel. The program consists of:

1. Three week-long volunteer conservation projects in different areas of New Zealand, run in conjunction with the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand's pre-eminent conservation and resource management organization (the equivalent of the US Forest Service and National Park Service). Project work may include species preservation and monitoring, controlling introduced pests, managing visitor impacts, trail building etc. Participants will get a hands-on introduction to strategies initiated to protect and care for these eco-systems and the plants and wildlife they contain.

"I think the work we did was instrumental in making my time in New Zealand a life-changing experience. I feel so much more connected with the country, having spent so much time working to maintain its beauty. Volunteering with DOC gave me a unique first-hand experience that such a small percentage of the population will ever be so fortunate to participate in." A Richardson

2. Four multi-day outdoor activities including a four-day surfing camp, a five-day canoeing journey, a three-day backpacking trip and a five-day multisport journey. The purpose of these activities is to teach participants the hard-skills needed to overcome the natural challenges specific to each activity and more importantly to teach soft-skills...including lateral thinking, initiative, leadership, decision-making, and teamwork. Participants will experience a great deal of personal growth, gaining confidence in themselves and their abilities in the outdoors.

"Throughout this adventure I have discovered a new side to myself. It is a more adventurous, self reliant and courageous individual. I really like this new person and I thank you for helping me discover her." A Beckerman

3. Overland travel component. Travelling through New Zealand and Australia's stunning mountain, forest and beach environments, engaging in a number of activities from sea kayaking on spectacular Milford Sound, to the annual Waitangi Day concert in Wellington celebrating cultural unity; from evenings around the campfire, to swimming in crystal clear lakes and rivers; participants will gain insight into local indigenous cultures, examine historical and contemporary society, discover some of the world's most livable cities, and experience firsthand the legendary Australasian welcome.

"Traveling with Pacific Discovery has been one of the most personally rewarding things I have ever done. The program's small group sizes and focus on responsible travel allows you to interact with a country's local culture, customs, and environment on a much deeper level. I had the time of my life on the trip!" M Lowrey

Highlights:
* Three week-long rewarding volunteer conservation projects in National Parks and wildlife reserves, partnering with New Zealand's Department of Conservation.

        - Week One: Based from Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands Historic and Maritime Park.
        - Week Two: Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park. Working on an island in beautiful glacier carved fjords.
        - Week Three: Nelson Lakes National Park. Working amidst mountains, lakes and forest.

* Four multi-day adventure expeditions:
        - Expedition 1 Waitomo. 5-day self-sufficient journey involving caving, rappelling, tramping (backpacking), canyoning and canoeing, from Waitomo to the Tasman Sea.
        - Expedition 2 Whanganui National Park. 5-day self-sufficient canoeing journey down the Whanganui River
        - Expedition 3 Fraser Island National Park 3-day self-sufficient tramping trip.
        - Expedition 4 Surfari's surf camp. Learn to surf on Australia's west coast.

* Enjoying culture in the friendly cities of Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Queenstown, Christchurch and Sydney.
* Enjoying Wellington's annual Waitangi Day 'One Love' roots music festival.
* Soaking in natural hot springs
* Wellington daytrip New Zealand's vibrant capital Parliament tour, NZ's National Museum, beaches and cafes.
* Mountain biking in Nelson.
* Traveling down the West Coast of the South Island one of the top-ten road trips in the world stopping overnight at Punakaiki and Okarito/Franz Josef Glacier with an eco-canoe trip on Okarito lagoon.
* Queenstown the worlds adventure capital and the birthplace of Bungy.
* Overnight trip to Milford Sound including sea-kayaking on the Fjord.
* Swimming in the most amazing freshwater lakes on Fraser Island.
* Enjoying some serious beach time in Byron Bay.
* Series of informal lectures from local conservation experts
* Very personalized small group experience (compare with other programs of up to 40 students).
* Fantastic New Zealand program leader/s

Qualifications: The three projects will be run in conjunction with the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand's pre-eminent conservation and resource management organization. Project work may include species preservation and monitoring, controlling introduced pests, managing visitor impacts, trail building etc. You do not need any experience to undertake this work - just an interest in conservation and some enthusiasm!

Cost in US$: 5550

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: An interest in conservation, enthusiastic, adventurous and open to new experiences.

Age Range: 18-30

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-12

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Pacific Discovery's Mission Statement: Through meaningful and challenging experiential travel, we aim to provide and assist participants in gaining the skills, confidence and insight to realize their potential in an increasingly global society; develop empathy for other cultures; further understanding of international issues; and heighten appreciation for the earth's wilderness and diversity.

Year Founded: 2001