Food, Lodging and Travel
During your programme, you will stay in our partner accommodation, Cairns YHA. This YHA is in a brilliant central location, just a few minutes walk to the marina as well as right in the centre of town. You will have shared dorm style rooms (same sex) with the option for a private single for extra. The accommodation has a really nice large communal spaces that you can use for gathering with the other interns as well as a swimming pool and pool table, a laundry room, games room and a kitchen will full cooking facilities.
The YHA is also directly across from Cairns largest shopping centre with every shop you might need located inside. It is also 2 blocks and a short walk from the office.
The accommodation provides breakfast every morning consisting of cereal, toast, muffins, croissants, yogurt, juice and coffee or tea and is booked from the Sunday before your project start until the Sunday when your project ends. Lunch is included on days at the reef. Any activities you wish to do at the weekend are not included, but we are happy to help point you in the right direction for things to do around Cairns. There is also a kitchen, so you can prepare your own meals too.
Travel in Australia
Interns should fly to Cairns airport, arriving on Sunday before their project start date. When you arrive to the airport, someone will meet you at the arrivals for either domestic or international flights, ready to take you to your accommodation, and you will start your project the following Monday. Around Cairns, in the city, everything is accessible by foot and the bus system is very good for weekends if necessary.
Free Time
Scuba diving is always an option but will need to be charged separately. If you are already certified and wish to dive on the weekends, this can also be arranged but it is dependent on logistics at the time. If you wish to do dive certifications during your stay this can also be arranged at an additional cost. Please let us know if you have any questions about diving options.
Other than diving, there is also much to do around Cairns and Queensland. If you wish to book some activities or trips during your weekends, please talk to us first as we have relationships with some local companies and may be able to get you some discounts, and we are happy to offer advice on things to see and do.
Internship Requirements
You should be aged 18+ and speak English. You don’t need any previous experience in marine biology or a similar field. This project is designed to offer everyone from complete novices to qualified marine biologists a fulfilling experience, so as long as you are flexible, self-motivated and interested in helping to protect coral reefs you would be welcome to apply. You should however have moderate to good swimming abilities, as all Reef monitoring data collection is done by snorkelling, so ideally you should be able to complete minimum 50m unaided. A dive certification is not required as all underwater activities are done by snorkelling. All interns will need to be fully Covid vaccinated to join the programme.
