Volunteer on a Koala research project in Queensland, Australia

Global Vision International

Live and work in a unique environment in central Queensland, and visit the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and Eungella National Park. A unique opportunity for adventurous individuals to experience the nocturnal behaviour of koalas - there has been limited previous research on their nocturnal activities. Learn a number of field ecology sampling techniques used to identify both plant and animal ecological characteristics. Conduct both diurnal (day) and nocturnal (night) surveys to monitor the relative density of koalas occurring within defined sampling areas. If you are interested in plants, you will have ample opportunity to sample and learn about the plant species that live in these rugged landscapes, and conduct extensive sampling surveys. Prior ecological knowledge and a good level of fitness would be useful.

The project area is located in a State Forest between the towns of Collinsville and Bowen in central Queensland, Australia. The area is roughly 22 thousand acres, with a number of unique plant communities, ranging from open and closed woodlands to rainforests occurring in the gullies and rock outcrop formations. There are three ephemeral creeks located on the property, each of the headwaters originate from the higher elevations and are either contained on the property or flow southward off the property boundary.

Living conditions will be remote bush camping. Meaning that tents will be provided for volunteers, with two volunteers per tent, and individual cot type beds provided.

Solar showers provide warm water and laundry is done by hand. There will be limited electricity as at this point there is no generator. Only car chargers are available, these will be used to charge lights, GPS, laptops, mobile phones and any other items which will be needed for the research project. Electricity will not be available for ready use by volunteers.

Cooking will be done by gas camping stoves. Food provided for the trip will be purely vegan (with the exception of boxed milk for breakfasts), as there is no way to store perishable items for extended times, items such as fruit and vegetable will be replenished on a weekend basis, to provide an adequate variety.