Go on holiday, save some lives!: Australian Traveller looks at some of the volunteer travel options offered by Earthwatch.
The good people at Earthwatch are offering all interested persons the chance to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most fascinating – and vulnerable – creatures, all while immersing yourself in areas of the country you might never experience.
The not-for-profit environmental organisation whose mission it is to engage people in scientific field research is currently supporting more than 120 research expeditions around the globe – a dozen of which are right here on Australian shores. So if you’d like the chance to travel and work alongside some seriously dedicated field scientists and researchers, this could well be for you. So, which would you rather do: help the turtles of northwest WA, or look in on the echidnas of SA’s Kangaroo Island?
Turtles
In WA’sKimberley region, perhaps the least known ofAustralia’s turtles are the freshwater variety. And you’ll be camping out near stunning gorges, spending your days snorkelling and catching turtles, and your evenings measuring and examining them, then helping leading scientists process the data collected. The vital research you’ll be contributing to will help discover exactly how the population of this breed of turtle is managing in the wild, and whether or not measures are required to assist in their conservation.
Nights around the campfire, stunning Aboriginal rock art to contemplate, and a worthwhile cause to support. What could be better?
Echidnas
If you’re more keen to help out these spiky little fellows rather than their hard-shelled turtle cousins to the north, how does hiking aroundKangarooIsland sound?
On this expedition, Earthwatch volunteers will be continuing the work of a valuable 17-year look at the life histories and ecologies of individual echidnas on the island – so you’ll be helping to shed light on the fascinating biology of this species and how best to help protect the island ecosystem.KangarooIslandis teeming with an array of wildlife, so you’ll never be short of something interesting to get involved in there!
Costs range from $280 to $6000 to join an Earthwatch expedition, and each one lasts from two to 19 days. Your entry fee goes towards research costs, covers all lodging levies (accom, food, equipment), as well as on-the-job training – and even the costs of offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from travel. You don’t need any scientific skills at all to participate – just a sense of adventure, a passion for the environment and a willingness to help out.
So if you’re between the ages of 18 and 90, call (03) 9682 6828 or check out www.earthwatch.org.au and find out how you can do your part.
Explore some of Australia’s most stunning coastlines on this epic route.
This scenic, 1800-kilometre Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes, from the wildlife on Bribie Island to the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Our advice? Slow it down, take your time and really get to know this part of Australia.
Day 1: Brisbane to Noosa
Wake up in the luxurious Sofitel Brisbane Central , enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and a swim in the outdoor pool before hitting the road to travel north. Take the exit to Bribie Island to view the abundant wildlife.
Enjoy the beauty and animals of Bribie Island. (Image: TEQ)
In the afternoon, check into Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas hidden near Noosa National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxury Aqua Day Spa. Daredevils can book a seat on an Ocean View Helicopters tour and experience the adrenaline of exploring the Glasshouse Mountains from the air.
Before dinner, head to the Original Eumundi Markets just 25 minutes away or explore the nearby trails in the national park. For dinner, book a table at Park & Cove located just near your hotel and feast on a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons.
Refuel at Park & Cove.
Day 2: Noosa to Bundaberg
Wake up to sounds of the rainforest outside your window and take the opportunity for a quick swim before you dive into a freshly cooked buffet breakfast at Park & Cove. After breakfast and an expertly brewed coffee, stroll down the hill and spend the morning shopping along Hastings Street in the various boutiques, or hire a kayak or surfboard and conquer the waves.
After lunch, head north for the three-hour drive to historic Bundaberg . If you feel like feeding a kangaroo or wallaby, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary . Once in Bundy, head to Spitter’s Farm just outside of town. This 160-acre property offers a unique experience in their deluxe glamping safari tents, where you can listen to the cows mooing as the sun sets.
Say hello to the adorable creatures of Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Jewels Lynch)
Day 3: Bundaberg to Rockhampton
Before getting back on the road, take time to visit the many museums, and, of course, the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour. Then head to the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.
Although, ‘Rocky’ is surrounded by beef cattle farms, your first stop should be to the impressive Rockhampton Museum of Art , which features an art collection valued at over $16 million. Rest your head at the centrally-located Mercure Rockhampton overlooking the mighty Fitzroy River. Grab a quick swim in their outdoor pool before enjoying a steak at their in-house restaurant.
Take it all in at Rockhampton Museum of Art. (Image: TEQ)
Day 4: Rockhampton to Mackay
Grab a strong coffee at your hotel and drive the short distance to the nearby Capricorn Caves for a morning tour of these natural limestone beauties. Then hit the road for the four-hour drive to Mackay.
Reward yourself with a swim in the large, resort-style pool at the Mantra Mackay . Overlooking the marina, it’s the perfect location from which to explore the city, before enjoying a sundowner and dinner at the popular Latitude 21 on the hotel terrace.
Explore the Capricorn Caves. (Image: TEQ)
Day 6: Mackay to Townsville
Grab your breakfast to go, then head just out of town to Finch Hatton Gorge. Here, spend the morning ziplining 25 metres above the rainforest floor with Forest Flying . Head to Airlie Beach for lunch and a swim in the famous Airlie Beach Lagoon , before heading north to Townsville.
Hop on a 20-minute ferry – they leave regularly – and check into the stunning Peppers Blue on Blue Resort . Spend the evening swimming in their two pools with views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park, before feasting on fresh seafood at their on-site restaurant, Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar.
Dive into the crystal clear waters around Airlie Beach. (Image: TEQ)
Day 7: Townsville to Cairns
After a morning swim on one of Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches, hop back on the ferry and travel north to the sleepy Mission Beach for lunch. You’ll be sandwiched by rainforest on one side, and the beach on the other.
Continue on to Cairns and check in at the centrally-located Novotel Cairns Oasis, where the lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar alone is worth the visit. Or continue north for 25 minutes to the coastal village of Palm Cove.
No matter where you spent the night, your journey to Port Douglas will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever experience. Following the coastline, travel past champagne-coloured beaches, offshore islands and submerged reefs, before rolling into town at Port Douglas.
Although you’ll be spoilt for choice with hotels, two of the best are Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, which is closer to town (think stunning pool and walking distance to Macrossan Street) and the famous, five-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa , located a little further down the beach. If the 3000-metre-squared lagoon-style pool isn’t enough at this hotel, you’ll also find the exclusive Vie Spa and popular restaurant, Aluco Restaurant & Bar , widely known as being one of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas.
Revive from road-tripping in one of the best pools in Port Douglas.
