Kangaroo Island Koalas and Conservation Contribute to the conservation of Koalas and other native Australian species on beautiful and isolated Kangaroo Island. Travel to isolated and incredibly bio-diverse Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and contribute to the conservation of koalas and other native Australian species. Spending some time on this reserve will allow you to become fully immersed within this unique island ecosystem. You will become familiar with the sights and sounds of the many native species that you will encounter daily. The conservation reserve is bordered on one side by 100,000 acres of protected primary forest and wilderness lands and by the Great Southern Ocean on the other. You won't be bothered with air, light or noise pollution, but only the sounds of the bush and the glimmer of the milky way. You could be working within old growth maritime bushland and forest and spectacular coastlines and beaches, as well as with native species such as koalas, goannas, kangaroos, wallabies and countless bird species. The island is unquestionably one of Australia's most awe inspiring locations. Project Highlights Visit one of Australia's most beautiful wilderness areas Assist in the conservation of some of Australia's endangered species Help to maintain an important eco-tourism operation Visit some iconic Australian sites in your spare time Project Requirements Minimum age of 20 years Intermediate level of English ability Book early to avoid disappointment
FAST FACTS Location Kangaroo Island, South Australia Activities Transport Assist with re-vegetation efforts Monitoring koalas and other species Assisting with visitors Shuttle bus from airport (AUD$20) Pick-up/drop-off in Kingscote Transport to the centre Accommodation Shared accommodation at the centre WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO? Once a 10,000 acre grazing property, this protected reserve is now recognised as one of the most biodiverse and pristine ecosystems remaining in Australia and is home to countless Australian native flora and fauna. Australian wildlife is predominantly nocturnal so it is most active between dusk and dawn. During your time volunteering you will encounter species such as koalas, kangaroos, tammar wallabies, possums and echidnas. It has possibly the world's largest populations of the Rosenburg goanna, short-beaked echidna and bush stone curlew. The introduction of the domestic cat to Kangaroo Island has resulted in some of our smaller species of native Australian mammals being threatened. It is estimated that feral cats consume 1500kg of native animal flesh a day. A fully fenced feral-free area of 250 acres has been set aside to protect these native animals from extinction. The fenced area has a variety of good vegetation and open grasslands where native animals can thrive in their natural habitat and environment without the pressures of introduced feral species. The property is maintained and conservation efforts funded through eco-tourism, with koala spotting walks and nocturnal wildlife tours on offer. The Koala Walk is open every day to tourists for koala
viewing and is recognised as one of the best places on Kangaroo Island to observe a sustainable population of Koalas in the wild. The sanctuary is also a bird watchers paradise, with resident blue wrens, scarlet robins, lorikeets, crimson rosellas, black cockatoos, scrub wrens, bush stone-curlews, crescent honey-eaters, banded plovers, and endangered cape barren geese. WHAT WILL I BE DOING? Your duties will vary according to the needs of the project at the time and also the season. You will be monitoring koala numbers and other species in the area and surveying, photographing and recording wildlife. As part of re-vegetation efforts, you will participate in tree planting and seed collection, propagation and dispersal as well as the identification and cataloguing of native plants. You could be maintaining paths and checking fences to ensure feral species are kept out. Beekeeping is also an option as the sanctuary produces and sells quality natural and organic honey. As the eco-tourism aspect of the sanctuary is so important to the sustainability of conservation efforts, you will assist with tours and participate in day and nocturnal guided tours. You will walk ahead of the main tour group and spot animals. You will then communicate with tour leaders the location of the wildlife so that participants are able to see the animals. You will be up close and surrounded by countless animals! However, you should keep in mind that you will not hold or work directly with the animals, in keeping with good conservation practices. The reserve is located 100km from Kingscote. It is isolated and volunteers are only able to go to Kingscote once a week. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE? You will need to fly into Adelaide International Airport, where you can get a connecting flight to Kingscote, the main township on Kangaroo Island. From here, you will take the shuttle bus (AUD$20) into Kingscote where you will meet local staff, before being taken to the project site. You can also make your way overland and then by ferry from Cape Jervis. WHERE WILL I BE STAYING? You will be staying in the Farmhouse in shared accommodation with same gender rooms. There is a maximum of four people per room and linen is provided. It is a comfortable, roomy house with a large kitchen, living area, separate dining room and large snooker/games room. There are plenty of DVD's, books, and magazines to entertain you (the DVD player has a USB option should you want to bring your own). The house has two large, shared bathrooms. There is also an outside BBQ and dining area for a good ol' fashioned Aussie BBQ with staff and other volunteers.
WHAT WILL I BE EATING? Food is provided, lunch and dinner, while volunteers prepare their own breakfast together in the house kitchen, as well as sharing cleaning responsibilities. Shopping is done once a week and volunteers can choose together what they will eat for the week. For lunch, sandwiches are prepared for volunteers and usually eaten together with staff. If you have any special dietary needs, please let your advisor know. COSTS 2 weeks 799 Extra week 450 DEPARTURE DATES The project begins weekly. Please arrive in Kingscote on Thursdays. The project is not available during the period 20th December 2018-3rd Janaury 2019 and Februady 2019. DURATION 2 weeks + WHAT'S INCLUDED Before you go Pre-departure support Travel &medical advice &documentation Kit advice Discounted medical kit Free Frontier t-shirt In-country 3 meals a day
Accommodation Kingscote pick-up &drop-off Ground transfers to project Project orientation In-country emergency support 24-hour international HQ backup AIRPORT INFORMATION Nearest airport(s): Kingscote (SA) (KGC), Adelaide (SA) (ADL) CONTACT INFORMATION Call us on 020 7613 2422 (UK) / 1 949 336 8178 (US) Mail us on info@frontier.ac.uk Check out our social media here: Project details were correct at the time this document was generated. Price, dates and other details are subject to change. Please see our website for current details for this project.