ISV - Volunteer Conservation Projects in Australia

I know it sounds cliche, but I had the best time of my life in Australia by traveling with ISV. I'm a very shy person and was originally terrified of travelling alone and spending four weeks with strangers. However, I was amazed to discover that the 10 people in my volunteer became close friends that I still talk to even a year later. On the adventure tour, I met even more people and challenged myself to do extreme activities such as surfing, snorkeling, absailing and white water rafting. ISV gave me the opportunities to better myself as a person and the people that they paired me with gave me the courage to go through with them. Sure, it is cliche, but ISV honestly gave me one of the best experiences of my life that I will cherish for the rest of my life and shaped the person that I am today.

I went to Australia July- August of 2010 and I have to say it was the most amazing and unforgettable experience of my life. The two week volunteer project was the most fun I had doing volunteer work ever. The people I worked with and shared in this experience have become life long friends and companions in my life today. There are so many memories, pictures, and journal entries that I think back on and automatically I am there with them all again enjoying and remembering our good times. For the first two weeks I spent in Lithgow with my group was a good time working with all sorts of animals, cleaning cages,and interacting with the animals at the animal habitat. We did so many tree planting you would think you'd be sick of it, but on the other hand we actually had a lot of fun singing songs, goofing and finding a rhythm to our daily work. It was a sad day to leave our project leader Alex, but with the next two weeks ahead of all of us we were just as excited. The next two weeks were unforgettable and full of adrenaline, and just amazing views and experiences. Basically every day for the next two weeks we were in the water, be it snorkeling, white water rafting, scuba diving, ocean rafting of learning how to surf, we were always near the clear blue and beautiful water. I wouldn't ever trade my experiences that summer for anything in the world. I made a thousand memories and good friends to share a wonderful experience, and nothing can ever replace that summer.

For 4 weeks, you get to meet like-minded people who you can work with to help the environment, explore new places, see emus running about in the fields, make friends with dingo pups, and see wallabies hop about in the fields you are working in. Amazing program!

The summer of 2010 I traveled to Australia with International Student Volunteers. My mission: complete projects with the Department of Sustainability and Energy. Each day involved something new. I worked along side the local old-time forest rangers learning about the area and ways they are conserving. One day I installed cameras in a forest to determine whether or not the DSE would conduct a controlled burn of the area based on the animal movement in the area. Other days I surveyed land for endangered plants. Other tasks involved building fences, weeding noxious plants, planting, and eating local treats.

The trip encompassed more than volunteering--I got to know a group of college students from across the country. We spent the first two weeks in secluded areas surrounded by wildlife. In the mornings we woke up to kangaroos eating outside our doors. In the evenings we went on hikes, nature walks, and to the small local pub (we met a reporter and made it on the front page of their paper!)

Following the two weeks of volunteering, we embarked on the greatest adventure of our lives. We met up with other volunteer groups to travel the east coast of Australia. Along the way we surfed, rappelled, snorkeled, shopped, hiked, swam, four-wheeled, encountered native animals, experienced native culture, and bungy jumped. The bonds we made will last a life-time.

Following that month long journey, a few of us opted to travel to Fiji for a week of relaxation in the sun.

Leading up to the trip, I solicited everyone I knew for donations. Donations are tax deductible; therefore many people are inclined to donate! The money was well-spent as I returned with great friends, amazing pictures, and a new sense of the world.

I have always wanted to visit Australia, and ISV gave me an affordalble way to do just that! Not only did I get to go on the trip, but everything was planned out so I didn't miss anything. I also felt good about myself when I can home, because I really felt like I made a difference in the sustainable development in Australia, as well as learned about responsible tourism! I worked at a winery planting trees to help wild kangaroo and local birds as well as working on the ferel proof fence to help keep out non-native animals. Truely a great experience! Going again this year!

Going on ISV was the best decision I've ever made. I had the most amazing 4 weeks of my life! The first 2 weeks of volunteering were so great. I learned so much about conservation and nature, what it means to live simply, and things about myself. I overcame my fears of animals and insects, and realized I am capable of making a difference in this world. It was such an eye opening experience, and I wouldn't of traded it for anything. The host organization was so amazing, and they treated us so well. Everyone was so nice and friendly; the friendship that grew from this experience will last a lifetime. We were all so sad when the two weeks ended, we didn't want to leave our volunteer site. Also, my project leader was so awesome and made everything so much easier and more fun for us!
The next 2 weeks were the most fun filled, adventurous, adrenaline rushing time of my life! All the activities from scuba diving, snorkeling, bungy jumping, white water rafting, ocean rafting, sky diving, Sydney Harbor cruise, and many more were the most exciting, fun, and amazing experiences. I would go to bed every night saying that was the best day of my life, and then the next night I would be saying the same exact thing. I met so many amazing people and had the best time of my life! Like my project leader, my adventure tour leader was super cool and helped us have the best possible time. I saw some of the most beautiful sceneries ever, pictures never did any of it justice. I never felt unsafe or in danger with ISV and I would go back in a heart beat!

Participating in an ISV program was, and probably will still be, one of the best experiences of my life! The volunteer portion of the program really integrates you into the country and teaches you about the culture and environment you are working in. I traveled to Australia and we got to stay in A-frame tents in the mountains of the rain forest! The scenery was spectacular and we saw more wildlife on our site than we would if we took a tourist vacation, including wild koalas bears, wallabies, parrots and a python! Our daily schedule wasn't too strenuous, yet we worked hard to make a positive impact on the environment. Some days were tiresome like when we weeded out large, tree-like weeds, but the social aspect of being around your fellow volunteers made times fun and entertaining. During our free time, we took hikes to a waterfall, had fires at night, and even were taught how to knit beanies and make hand made jewelry. Our host organization and leaders were great! They were all friendly, fun to be around, and our cook made amazing food with our help!
The second part of the ISV program is the adventure tour, which is the most fun and adrenaline pumping two weeks you will have in your entire life! Everyday had some kind of amazing activity like white water rafting, snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, visiting an Aboriginal park, and free days where you can relax, explore, or participate in offered activities in the area. At times the schedule can wear you out because you are having action packed days and late nights out on the town. The free days give you time to relax and take it easy if you want, or if you’re me, go bungee jumping and keep taking in all the excitement! We took a large coach bus from town to town and sometimes they were overnight rides. These were for further destinations so we weren’t wasting time driving much during the day. Accommodations for the trip were all pretty nice. I didn't know what to expect staying in hostels, but some were really nice and exceeded my expectations! Overall, this trip is worth every penny and you will have the experience of a lifetime! I think if someone were to plan a trip like this for themselves, they would end up paying even more and not do as many amazing things and see the culture and environment like we did! The volunteer portion allows you to see the wildlife and scenery better than any tourist ever would, and the adventure tour takes you more places and offers you more activities than you could ever imagine! I will remember this trip for the rest of my life and suggest it to anyone interested in traveling and making a difference overseas!

To start the trip off, we got to volunteer for a full two weeks- food and board were completely provided for this portion of the trip. I was placed in an Educational Facility called Wild Mountains. We helped rehabilitate part of the rain forest by planting trees and weeding- and not your typical garden weeds- these weeds were the size of trees- they were trees! We also helped with building maintenance- bathroom repair and oiling etc, as well as little odds and ends like building new shelves in the pantry and a new garden seat for a new amphitheater we helped build. A group of 12 strangers showed up, and a group of 12 friends left- with a new respect for life- this was the heart warming part.

We then got to meet up with all the travellers for ISV in Australia and travel down the coastline from Cairns to Sydney- and this is where the Adrenaline began! We went bungee jumping, sky diving, snorkling on the great barrier reef, white water rafting, ocean rafting, ocean kayaking, hiking, swimming, clubbing- everything you could want to do- we did.

Breakfasts were always included at the hostels, some dinners were covered, and other nights our tour leaders got us really good deals, and lunches were almost always up to you.Food is slightly more expensive in Australia than in Canada and the US- please keep this in mind when budgeting.

The project was run very smooth and both my project leaders as well as my tour leaders were amazing people who helped the trip run very smoothly!

After the main trip is done, there is also an option to go to FIJI for a very low added cost, which was another amazing adventure in itself.