Protect Penguins in Australia - Combine Volunteer Projects and Adventure Tours Down Under

  Australia

• Melbourne: 
Melbourne
• Sydney: 
Sydney
• Adelaide: 
Adelaide
• Gold Coast: 
Gold Coast
• Perth: 
Perth
• Brisbane: 
Brisbane
• Canberra: 
Canberra
• Great Barrier Reef: 
Great Barrier Reef
• New South Wales: 
Wollongong,  Lismore,  Armidale,  Newcastle,  Byron Bay,  Wagga Wagga,  Bathurst,  Albury-Woodonga,  Brunswick Heads,  Maitland,  North Ryde NSW,  Crescent Head,  Lennox Head,  Gerroa,  Hornsby,  Katoomba,  Blue Mountains,  Coffs Harbour
• Queensland: 
Rockhampton,  Toowoomba,  Townsville,  Cairns,  Yungaburra,  Hervey Bay,  Queensland,  Fraser Island,  Noosa,  Port Douglas,  Douglas Shire,  Goomeri,  Proserpine,  Atherton,  Capalaba,  Cape Tribulation,  Gatton,  Hawthorne,  Gladstone,  Mackay,  Bundaberg
• Northern Territory: 
Alice Springs,  Darwin,  Kakadu,  Ayers Rock
• South Australia: 
Warramboo,  Kingscote
• Western Australia: 
Broome,  Fremantle,  Exmouth
• Victoria: 
Geelong,  Bendigo,  Ballarat,  Latrobe,  Central Highlands,  Torquay
• Tasmania: 
Hobart,  Tasmania,  Port Arthur
• Sunshine Coast: 
Sunshine Coast

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Programs depart regularly throughout the year

Description: Protect and teach Australian kids and tourists about how to best care for their unique landscapes and animals in a hands on conservation programs that will let you experience the real Down Under.

International Student Volunteers (a non-profit organization) offers you the chance to volunteer in a conservation program for Australia's unique and fragile ecosystems. You could be volunteering in the world famous Daintree Rainforest, the stunning island of Tasmania or even in the Aussie outback. After your project you will follow it up with an amazing two week adventure tour of Australia's expansive east coast with activities such as: a Sydney Harbor cruise, surfing lessons in Byron bay, snorkeling and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, aboriginal encounters and much much more!

:About ISV's Habitat Projection Projects
Get involved to help develop or operate existing outdoor education facilities that teach others about sustainability. The goal of these projects is to facilitate understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the importance of taking care of it. Opportunities exist for volunteers to be involved in facilities design and development. Other volunteer tasks vary by project and can include weeding, planting, light construction, nature trail building and property maintenance.

Other Volunteer Programs in Australia
penguin protection, wetland management, flying fox (bat) research, habitat rehabilitation, eco-trail building, bushland regeneration, habitat restoration, environmental education.

Adventure Tour
You will travel throughout Australia's beautiful east coast between Sydney and Cairns, exploring the World Heritage Areas of the Blue Mountains, Fraser Island (which is the world's largest sand island), the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropic areas, in addition to primary rainforests, wild rivers, pristine beaches and the cultural attractions of Sydney and Cairns. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

* Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
* Whitewater rafting the Tully River
* Discovering Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world
* Visiting a traditional Aboriginal cultural center
* Ocean Rafting to the famous Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands
* Surfing at the eastern most point of Australia, Byron Bay
* Rappelling down sandstone cliffs in the Blue Mountains
* Visiting an Australian Wildlife Park
* Taking a sunset cruise on Sydney Harbor
* Experiencing the true Aussie night life of Sydney and Cairns
* Visiting an Australian wildlife park

Highlights: Key achievement from last year:
Built several new shelters for endangered fairy penguins.

Optional Fiji Excursion: After your stay in Australia, you'll have the opportunity spend five days on the beautiful tropical islands of Fiji! You will have the chance to relax and unwind after your amazing adventure as you snorkel, scuba and sail around this island paradise. Details about this trip will be sent to you by ISV once you are confirmed on the ISV Australia Program.

Why Travel with ISV?!
* Combine meaningful volunteer projects with exciting adventure travel
* ISV has support offices in every program country we operate in
* Trained staff to guide your project and tour
* Group travel you will make friends from across the globe and not be alone
* Educational learn a lot and possibly receive academic credit (if applicable)
* ISV is not a sending agent we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible.

Qualifications: No qualifications are necessary; ISV will give you all the training you need. To maximize your experience it is preferable you can speak English fluently. You do not need to speak the language of your host country, as you will have bi-lingual project and tour leaders to guide your experience. Minimum age is 18 years old by the time of departure. This program is open to everyone, not just students.

Cost in US$: Program prices vary. Please see website for details.

The program cost also goes towards the equipment or building materials needed for your projects, your in-country support, your adventure activities, your amazing trained project and tour leaders, AND towards the ongoing sustainability and training of each project. We give you and our projects the support and structure many other volunteer organizations cannot, as we have an office in each country to look after your entire experience and develop lasting relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Cost does not include: passport costs, insurance, international flights, in-country domestic flights (if required), vaccinations, spending money, extra activities on tour (available through Optional Activity Package).

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Despite our name, any person may volunteer with ISV as long as they are over 18 years old. The majority of our participants are 18 to 30 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference. You do not need any special skills to volunteer with ISV. We just ask that you are willing to give back to your host country; you are willing to learn as much as you can about the people, environment and issues facing your host country, and are ready to make the best friends along your adventure of a lifetime.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Australia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement: To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded: 1981