Where to Volunteer While Travelling in Australasia

Taking the first big leap into a new journey is an experience imbued with both excitement and uncertainty. For those travelling to Australia or New Zealand, whether for a gap year or an indefinite period, this blog explores the benefits of volunteering as a means of acclimating to a new environment. Through volunteer work, one can engage with local communities, uncover diverse opportunities, and foster personal growth. This approach not only enriches the individual but also contributes positively to the host country, creating a mutually beneficial experience. 

Now, the prospect of travelling abroad, particularly to a distant destination like Australia, often brings forth one emotion in particular, anxiety. The anticipation of a gap year can be daunting, with concerns about adapting to a new culture, finding a community, and navigating unfamiliar territory. However, it is important to remember that such anxieties are a common part of the journey, and these emotions can be utilised to benefit you. Platforms like WorkingAbroad offer a variety of trips designed to help travellers feel more settled and supported. These programs provide structured pathways for volunteering work, facilitating a smoother transition into the country as well as allowing you to create a pretty cool headline for your CV! 

I have complied a few WorkingAbroad projects to help you feel more settled when figuring out what you would like to do whilst in the land down under!

Volunteering and Travelling in Australia

From lush tropical rainforest to endless stretches of winding white sand beaches, from picturesque rolling hills to red stained mountains and from sandy deserts to pristine lakes, Australia truly has some of the world’s most inspiring landscapes.  And that’s even before you dive below the surface off the coast – characterised by the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef where we run a Great Barrier Reef volunteer programme.  The vastness of empty space across the country is contrasted with bustling cityscapes – each with its own unique blend of people and lifestyle.

Whilst volunteering in Australia, you will discover the spirit of adventure that runs through Australia, though, at the same time, enjoying the laid back nature of the people.  This makes it the perfect place to sit back and fully enjoy the show that nature puts on – right before diving headlong into the multiple outdoor adventures on offer of course.

Great Barrier Reef Conservation Project 

This project places you in the heart of Cairns, a city filled with amazing possibilities to explores from the Great Barrier Reef to the World Heritage Rainforest. During your time here you will engage with hands-on marine conservation research experience with the intention to help conserve and protect the iconic Great Barrier Reef. Accompanied by international interns and marine biologists you will not be short of gaining one-of-a-kind insight into how to protect the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms.

Check out this opportunity! 

What’s more, why not make the most out of your travels to Cairns and discover the East Coast. It is very popular to travel from Sydney – Cairns or Melbourne – Cairns. This iconic stretch offers an array of experiences, from the bustling city vibes of Sydney and Brisbane to the serene beaches of the Whitsundays and the lush rainforests of the Daintree. By travelling the east coast first , you’ll not only soak up the jaw-dropping landscape and vibrant culture, but you’ll also arrive in Cairns with a deeper appreciation for the natural wonders you’re about to help protect, making your volunteer experience even more rewarding.  

Volunteering and Travelling in New Zealand

Moreover, while spending a gap year in Australia, consider extending your adventure across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, where unique volunteering opportunities also await. New Zealand offers the chance to make a meaningful impact while immersing yourself in its rich Māori culture and stunning natural beauty. Volunteering in New Zealand not only complements your Australian experience but also allows you to gain diverse skills, build international connections, and contribute to preserving one of the world’s most pristine environments. I have thus included a few if our opportunities below, hoping they’ll inspire you to consider volunteering in New Zealand. Whether you’re drawn to conservation efforts or want to experience more of the Oceanic region, Working Abroad has you covered. 

With the potential for some of the most iconic road trips, the darkest skies and some of the planet’s tallest trees, New Zealand is home to many perfect dreamy landscapes.  In fact, land and place are central to the Māori people’s identity and as a consequence, nature and the environment has settled at the heart of Kiwi society.  But with such natural beauty this is not altogether too surprising: soaring mountain scapes, mysterious lakes and rivers, dramatic volcanic plateaus, fjords, ancient forests, glaciers, miles of farmland and even more miles of glorious coastline with sandy beaches.

This just gives you a taste of the sites to embrace when you come to volunteer in New Zealand.  In fact, if you’ve seen the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Narnia Chronicles or the Piano you already have a sense of what the country has to offer – though nothing compares to the marvel of the landscapes in person.  Because of this, New Zealanders share a strong sense of guardianship (kaitiaki-tanga) for the environment and balance is a cornerstone of society.

Kiwi Conservation Volunteer and Internship Project, New Zealand 

The Kiwi Conservation Volunteer and Internship Project allows you to actively participate in the preservation of New Zealand’s native forests and endangered kiwi birds. This hands-on experience allows you to work directly in forest and bird conservation, where you’ll learn vital skills such as habitat restoration, predator control, and bat monitoring techniques. By joining the project, you’ll play a crucial role in protecting New Zealand’s wildlife whilst also gaining valuable insight in one of the world’s most ecologically diverse environments. 

Find out more!

Conservation Volunteering in New Zealand

On this project you can become a conservation volunteer in locations across New Zealand – perfect for any traveller! Volunteers will have the opportunity to carry out tree planting, wetland restoration, wildlife surveying, trail creation and a range of other environmental volunteer projects.

Conservation volunteers can work in several different locations all across New Zealand. Volunteers will need to arrive at the nearest major city for their chosen placement, and will then travel to the specific conservation area to begin their project. This project will enable you to experience the stunning landscapes of New Zealand, work alongside a team of like-minded volunteers from all over the world, and help to protect important habitats and conserve local flora and fauna.

Find out more!

As your adventure Down Under draws near, remember that volunteering in Australia and New Zealand isn’t about lending a helping hand – it’s about diving into life’s most extraordinary experiences. Whether you’re saving the Great Barrier Reef or helping Kiwi birds thrive, every moment spent in these incredible surroundings will leave you with unforgettable memories and a few good stories to share. So pack your sense of adventure (and maybe some extra sunscreen), because this journey is bound to be one for the books! 

Written by WorkingAbroad Blogger Adele Baker