YOU, A 'ROO & AUSTRALIA ZOO
Come and join a team of students at Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo! Do you have a love for animals and a desire to volunteer at a wildlife park? Or are you considering studying or working in zoology, veterinary science or wildlife conservation? If you have a genuine interest in volunteering with animals and working at a real zoo, this is a rare and exciting opportunity you won’t find anywhere else!
Crikey!
The Rustic Pathways Base House in Australia is set on 50 acres of bush and rainforest in the Glasshouse Mountains of the Sunshine Coast. Just down the road is the home of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin’s world-famous Australia Zoo. With beautiful grounds, spacious enclosures and hands-on wildlife experiences, the zoo attracts animal lovers from across the globe.
Part of the Team
Through this program, you will spend five days at Australia Zoo. After training and orientation is complete, you will receive your official uniform and spend the next four days working around many different animals in the zoo. Each morning will bring new wildlife experiences, such as working with the native mammals, birds, koalas, kangaroos, or even the baby animals in the Kids Zoo! Spend time working directly with zoo keepers before being given tasks to work on independently. Mornings generally begin with animal enclosure cleans, before guests start to arrive. In the afternoons, your tasks may vary from food preparation and helping with enclosure maintenance to assisting with crowd control and public relations at the afternoon show in the Crocoseum. Along the way, experience exclusive rewards for your efforts through hands-on interactions with some of the world’s most unique wildlife!
Not Just a Vacation!
This program is much more than just an exciting summer travel program to Australia. You will have an important, official role at Australia Zoo. Zoo volunteers have important responsibilities, and you should treat your time at the zoo like a job. The program is about much more than just playing with animals! You will need to work diligently, show initiative, behave professionally and take pride in fulfilling the tasks you are given. If you are be prepared to get your hands dirty and put in your best efforts, then this opportunity will have incredible rewards and experiences that will stay with you for life. Please note that applicants will be required to have a friendly phone interview with Sam, Rustic’s Australia Director, prior to being confirmed onto this program.
Wildlife Conservation
Worldwide, thousands of animal species are endangered or on the brink of extinction. Destruction of habitats, clearing of forests, poaching, and illegal trade are just a few of the issues threatening wildlife. Australia Zoo believes that if you can foster people’s love for animals, they will become active in protecting them. By becoming a part of their team, you will contribute to the zoo’s education and conservation mission. Throughout the trip you’ll focus on learning about wildlife conservation issues, organizations that are working to protect wildlife, and what you can do to help. Rustic Pathways is proud to be a sponsor of Wildlife Warriors, and proceeds from your program will contribute to their global conservation projects.
Add Some Adventure…
When you’re not volunteering at Australia Zoo, you’ll be out exploring all this region has to offer. Visit beautiful waterfalls, relax on stunning beaches, walk through rainforest and head out for dinner in cosmopolitan beach towns. Spend a day at a theme park, such as Sea World, Movie World, or Wet ‘n’ Wild, where the latest rides are guaranteed to get your heart pumping. In the evenings, relax with your new friends at the Rustic Base House, try the famous Aussie Tim-Tam slam, and finish the program with two nights in Brisbane.
This program links well with our other trips in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.
