Location
  • Australia
    • Cairns
Length
1 to 4 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
17
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15)
Travel Type
Budget Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
1035
Price Details
Includes accommodation, daily breakfast and weekday lunches, orientation and 24/7 support
What's Included
Accommodation Some Meals Transportation Wifi
May 01, 2024
Jul 12, 2023
85 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Australia and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Australia.

Our affordable project starts from $1035 for 1 week which includes your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-4 weeks. Join a Marine Conservation volunteer project which focuses on the protection of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. Based in Cairns, you’ll be accommodated in a volunteer house, with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world.

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Join a variety of important conservation efforts focused on the protection of Great Barrier Reef ecosystem
  • Coral reef surveying and marine data collection training is provided to volunteers in Australia
  • Volunteer for 1-4 weeks, year round start dates on the first Monday of each month.
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization.
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy.

Program Reviews

4.86 Rating
based on 7 reviews
  • 5 rating 85.71%
  • 4 rating 14.29%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.6
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Default avatar
Sophie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IVHQ - Volunteering in Australia

IVHQ was a great company to volunteer through and I particularly loved how IVHQ aligns their programs with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals! This meant I was comforted knowing that I was making a genuine difference with my work (which can be a problem with other volunteer organisations). My program manager Scotia was so lovely and I had full support from her the whole way through the process. I emailed her any questions I had and she always followed up my questions or worries. To anyone considering to volunteer IVHQ is definitely a great place to go through! I would suggest to firstly research the organisation you are working with at your destination as I was a little unsure about this during the process, and find out what they suggest to bring compared to your other list as I found I went out to buy things that I didn't actually need. I also found that I had less free time than my 'typical day guide' stated so keep in mind you are doing some work. Thanks IVHQ!!

Pros
  • Learning about how my volunteering was helping and about the area
  • Meeting new people
  • Making an impact
Cons
  • Spending money on things I didn't actually need to buy
  • Less free time stated than I actually had
76 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
talin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience Volunteering with O2E!

I loved my experience volunteering with O2E so much that I wish I had stayed longer. I am 54 years old and was a little nervous about volunteering, but Helen and Timmy from O2E were so supportive and helpful with answering all my questions I felt like I was completely in the right place. I think that meeting Helen and Timmy is what made this trip so unique. Timmy was so full of amazing Aboriginal history and Helen's expertise on marine life and coral was amazing. I learned a lot and actually missed them when I got home. I will never forget what I saw and learned on this trip and hope to return again soon.

Pros
  • location
  • education
  • activities
89 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jorja
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Such a valuable experience

I could not recommend IVHQ more, they were very organised and kept me up to date with the planning of my programme as well as tips on things to bring with me too. On my programme I had an amazing time, I had never done anything in the field of marine conservation so it was all new to me, but the Oceans2Earth team in Australia were the best! The cultural knowledge that I have gained as well as the approachable and friendly nature of Helen and Timmy could not have been improved. I am so happy to have been able to volunteer my time and efforts to play a small part in keeping the reef healthy. I would definitely consider this programme again in the future.

Pros
  • Amazing staff.
  • Clean and safe hostel accommodation.
  • Ability to sightsee during downtime.
92 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Antonio
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spectacular!

I volunteered for one week in Cairns Australia. Because IVHQ isn't based in Australia, I worked with one of their partners "Oceans 2 Earth". During my time with O2E, we surveyed coral reefs on two sites, Fitzroy Island and Green Island. (Both are beautiful by the way!) The week was broken down into one day of training, two days of coral surveys, one day of beach cleaning, and one day of sea turtle surveying. I really enjoyed all the days we volunteered but I have to say that surveying sea turtles were by far my favorite part of the trip! I lived in a region of the world that doesn't experience this kind of nature. So surveying sea turtles makes this part of the trip alone worth it.

Pros
  • This trip is for anyone who is mission driven
  • Hostel is included in program expenses
  • This is a chance for you to bond with other like-minded travelers
Cons
  • Flight tickets aren't covered. Plan 6+ months to get the best flight rates.
  • Food on the program doesn't cover the evening.
  • Traveling around Cairns is minimal.
99 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Anna Christina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience!

Amazing experience! I volunteered with Oceans2Earth in Cairns, Australia. The hostel where we stayed was lovely and lively. The program was super informative, fun, and valuable. All of the people were wonderful. I cannot recommend it enough!

The program run in one week increments between 1-6 weeks. Our typical day involved making breakfast in the hostel (food provided), walking down to the marina, and catching a boat to an island. We would then spend a few hours snorkeling, doing coral health surveys and marine life data collection. Lunch was also provided (and impressively good!). We would then get the rest of the day free.

Pros
  • Fun
  • Valuable impact
  • Wonderful accommodations
Cons
  • Pick the right season since you will be in the water-- consider weather, stinger season, etc
  • Be aware that unless you pay extra you will be in a dorm style hostel
  • You need to be comfortable in the water
100 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Johnny
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Marine conservation project in Australia

IVHQ provides this decent program to allow me to participate in protecting the ocean in Australia. This is an excellent opportunity to take part in the conservation of Great Barrier Reef and the ocean. I did coral surveys, cleaned marine debris, camped at the Aussie bush and enriched my cultural knowledge. During the weekends, I also got chances to explore Cairns and the natural environment of Queensland. It was also the first time I went diving and I found it awesome. Highly recommended without doubt!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Camping in the Aussie bush with all the wide life was nerve-racking yet exciting.
156 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Hadas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a lifetime!

Volunteering with IVHQ was one of the most memorable experiences in my life. I was so nervous prior to the program but they were so supportive along the way and made sure that you never felt alone. Especially throughout the program, they made sure you were always comfortable and secure with your surroundings and activities. This is the most reliable program organization and I especially recommend it to anyone who has never volunteered overseas before. It is an amazing program to meet new people since you are staying in a hostel as well, you will be meeting people from outside your program, for example, other travelers from different countries traveling by themselves or with volunteer groups as well. You get to as well explore the area which you are staying in.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The first day we were on Fitzroy Island it was raining and cold. We got in the water to start practicing snorkeling before completing the surveys. I was so nervous because I haven't snorkeled in a while and due to the wind and rain it was making it even harder. I look down for a second and I see a sea turtle, from that moment, I was so calm and forgot how cold and rainy it was, it was like being in another world.
162 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers