Wildlife Conservation Program

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

PROGRAM

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

PROGRAM

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

PROGRAM

conservation program FNQ

Join our unique Far North Queensland wildlife conservation program immersing you into wildlife, rainforest and reef. As a wildlife conservation volunteer undertaking this program you will venture deep into the North Queensland rainforest where you will become a member of the Australian Quoll Conservancy team. You will also visit the turtle rehabilitation center on Fitzroy Island and support a local marine conservation organisation with hand-on tasks which may include taking part in a beach clean-up or marine debris sorting. By being a part of this program you are supporting various organisations fighting for the perseverance of our natural playground, whether it be in the rainforest, the beach or the ocean.

Our voluntourism program will have you involved in three important areas in the Far North Queensland region – wildlife, rainforest and the reef, with all three closely connected. You will be intimately involved in learning about and collecting data related to Spotted-tailed Quolls living in North Queensland, helping out with turtles on Fitzroy Island and assisting with the war on plastic pollution in our oceans. You will be working alongside scientists, tourism staff and other devoted conservationists, who have dedicated their lives to protecting endangered species, the rainforest, our Oceans and the Great Barrier Reef.

The Australian Quoll Conservancy (AQC) is a non-profit organization responsible for educating, creating and supporting conservation efforts on all quoll species in Australia. The AQC is actively undertaking various quoll conservation projects including mapping, monitoring and researching existing population of the endangered Spotted-tailed Quoll, particularly in North Queensland. Only 350 animals are estimated to be left in the wild in North Queensland, making the Spotted-tailed Quoll a critically threatened species. Your support of this program will assist the AQC species recovery team in gaining valuable data on the movements, numbers and welfare of the species in the region.

You will also have the opportunity to assist a local marine conservation organisation raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of our oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction. In Far North Queensland, their efforts are predominantly focused on community and corporate education to avoid using single-use plastics, and on marine debris interception by removing washed up rubbish from beaches, mangroves, Cape York Clean Up, Parley beach clean up rivers and creeks.

By being a part of the team you will learn hands-on about marine debris, where it is coming from, why it is a problem for our eco-systems and what we can do to end it by finding solutions to resign the material itself. Your tasks will depend on the staff on the day, but may involve helping with a beach clean-up or sorting some of the tons of plastic collected during previous clean-ups at their base in Cairns.

Your support, contribution and energy is a great help to the individuals, organisations and tourism operators, with a high commitment to environmental sustainability, in their ongoing struggle for environmental sustainability of wildlife, rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland. Join us for an in-depth and intimate small-group wildlife conservation and reef voluntourism experience in Far North Queensland.

and-on tasks which may include taking part in a beach clean-up or marine debris sorting. By being a part of this program you are supporting various organisations fighting for the perseverance of our natural playground, whether it be in the rainforest, the beach or the ocean.

conservation program FNQ

Our voluntarism program will have you involved in three important areas in the Far North Queensland region – wildlife, rainforest and the reef, with all three closely connected. You will be intimately involved in learning about and collecting data related to Spotted-tailed Quolls living in North Queensland, helping out with turtles on Fitzroy Island and assisting with the war on plastic pollution in our oceans. You will be working alongside scientists, tourism staff and other devoted conservationists, who have dedicated their lives to protecting endangered species, the rainforest, our Oceans and the Great Barrier Reef.

You will also have the opportunity to assist a local marine conservation organisation raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of our oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction. In Far North Queensland, their efforts are predominantly focused on community and corporate education to avoid using single-use plastics, and on marine debris interception by removing washed up rubbish from beaches, mangroves, rivers and creeks. Cape York Clean Up, Parley beach clean up

https://youtu.be/c6PtGxGCsps

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAM ITINERARY

Welcome to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and oldest rainforest in the world.

Transfer to you hostel and enjoy your day discovering Cairns on foot. Points of interest include a stroll along the Esplanade, the Botanic Gardens, a swim in the Lagoon, the port and the CBD. Wildlife conservation group briefing late afternoon at a time TBA.

Note: Day 1 is a Sunday. Participants should arrive at the hostel by 15:00 in time for the briefing. Briefing time to be confirmed by your local host.

Cairns – Rainforest location/ Quoll Conservation

This morning after breakfast, a scheduled transfer will take you out of Cairns to the designated research region, where you will meet the field team from the Australian Quoll Conservancy. You and your gear will then travel on vehicles (4×4) to the remote AQC rainforest field survey site. Please note; due to the severity of remoteness there is no phone reception. However, the AQC can schedule some digital comms with the outside world if this is requested earlier, as it will mean travelling several kilometers back to mobile tower reception. The AQC Field Survey Teams are fully equipped with recovery gear, remote first aid kits, including emergency EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) in case of a critical eventuality. (Travel Insurance is a must)

AQC base camp is rustic, but cosy and will bring you up close to the world’s oldest cloud rainforest. Upon setting up camp a brief on safety and field operations including the upcoming week of wildlife conservation work ahead will be presented. You will then spend the next four nights off-the-grid in tune with nature – enjoy! (B,L,D)

Note. Research location will be assigned by the AQC Supervisor and location may change without notice.

Rainforest location/ Quoll Conservation

Over the next three days, you will be assisting AQC Team members in their efforts to collect data and monitor the Spotted-tailed quoll population in this specific area. Your tasks will vary and will be assigned by the AQC staff on hand. Tasks will be accordingly to the seasonal month of your trip, i.e. identifying individuals sex, collecting automated weights, monitoring breeding status. Activities will give you a great insight on the secret lives of these cryptic creatures revealing more than you ever expected. (B,L,D)

Rainforest location – Cairns

This morning it is time to farewell the AQC field team, pack up and head back to the “big smoke”, Cairns. After another bush breakfast, you will make your way back to civilization. Your local Cairns-based contact will pick you up and take you back to Cairns. Once back in Cairns enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Cairns/ Fitzroy Island & Turtles

Your wildlife conservation adventure continues with two consecutive day trips to the turtle hospital on Fitzroy Island. Transfer by ferry to Fitzroy Island in the morning, 45 minutes from Cairns, where you will meet the volunteers working at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on the island. You will learn about the work done by this organization, meet some of the patients and, possibly, go behind the scenes to lend a helping hand. Tasks may include feeding turtles, cleaning tanks as well as a beach clean up. Return to Cairns at midday or alternatively stay on the island for the afternoon. If the latter enjoy free time. Do one of the walks on the island, relax on the beach or swim and snorkel. The afternoon ferry returns to Cairns approx. 17:45. (B)

Note: no snorkeling equipment provided. You can hire equipment at your own expense or bring your own.

Note: amount of tasks and the opportunity to do hands-on work at the Turtle Rehab Centre are subject to number of volunteers present at the centre on the day.

Cairns/ plastic sorting

This morning you join the team of a local marine conservation organisation, where you will be given the task of sorting and segregating rubbish collected at organised beach clean ups. It is one thing to clean the beaches, but the next task is to get the ball rolling with the upcycling process and this is what your manpower will provide today. If the weather permits and the dates align, you might also be part of a local beach cleanup. Here you can expect a day of fun, education and feel-good action. Learn about the impact of marine debris on our oceans, ask the expert conservation coordinators where the rubbish originates from and find out what steps we can take to fight the war on plastic. (B)

Cairns – End of your adventure

Today is the end of your tour. Check out and transfer to the airport for your onward or homeward journey. Safe Travels! (B)

End of program.

Tasks (subject to change):

Assisting AQC with monitoring and data collection of Spotted-tailed quoll population in Far North Queensland
Hands on help with everyday tasks while camping remote in the rainforest with ACQ
Undertaking Rapid Monitoring surveys on the Great Barrier Reef while snorkelling under the guidance of a Master Reef Guide
Hands on support at the Cairns Turtle Rehab Centre on Fitzroy Island
Sorting plastics for a local marine conservation organisation, possibly take part in a local beach clean-up (pending event happening on this day)

“Saving one animal won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that animal”

Accommodation:
- - 5 nights accommodation in dorm-share (share facilities) at Gilligans Backpacker Resort (or similar)
  - Camping in remote rainforest with AQC (4 nights) incl. camping equipment
Meals as per itinerary (B,L,D)
Private land transfers to/ from AQC rainforest camp
Private transfer to/ from rubbish sorting or beach clean-up site
2 x day trips to Fitzroy Island and visit at the turtle hospital, with hands-on activities (subject to availability on the day)
Conservation program participant certificate and Parley for the Oceans t-shirt
All volunteer fees
Program coordination and assistance by No Limit Adventures

International and domestic flights
Visa fees to Australia (if applicable)
Airport transfers (see Note)
Travel insurance (Comprehensive insurance compulsory)
Sleeping bags, pillows, bed sheets (sleeping bags and bed sheets available for hire – see note)
Reef taxes and levies ($20/ day with Passions of Paradise. TOTAL Reef Fees: AUD$40)
Costs of personal nature
Optional activities

This offer is valid until the end of 2020 pending availability of spaces
Comprehensive Travel Insurance is compulsory
Optional scuba diving courses (pre or post program)
2/ max. 6 persons per placement – small group, intimate voluntourism experience, low impact on nature.
Please note the weather in the tropics can be very wet and humid at all times of the year.
Basic bedding is provided, however you need to bring your own sleeping bag, bed sheet and pillow. We can provide a sleeping bag and bed sheet for hire @ $35.
Gilligan’s offers all guests a free one way airport transfer from Cairns airport to the hostel between the hours of 8am to 8pm. For those wanting to take the FREE airport transfer please go to bus bay 6 outside the domestic and international terminals. A booking is required – to do this please go to https://cairnsairportshuttle.com.au/bookings/ and use discount code gilarr57 to ensure you are not charged for the transfer. Maximum of 7 passengers per booking. Please remember to print or save your ticket to present to the bus driver.
Single room upgrades available at the hostel, pending availability and at extra cost (approx. AUD$100 per night)
There is no guarantee of any wildlife encounters whilst working with AQC, hands on support at the turtle rehabilitation centre etc. We cannot guarantee you will take part in a Parley beach clean-up as this will be subject to an event happening at the same time. We will endeavour to make the project as interesting and educational as possible taking into account the conditions at the time.

30% deposit required to secure place
Full payment must be made no later than 42 days before program commencement
No refunds inside 42 days of program commencement
Cancellations made within 42 – 60 days will incur a 50% cancellation fee of total price
Cancellations made outside 61 days will be charged an administration fee of AUD$150
No shows will incur 100% cancellation fee

Operator Cancellation:

No Limit Adventures reserves the right to cancel any departure up to 30 days before the commencement date.

Deposits will be refunded in such an instance.

No Limit Adventures takes no responsibility for any travel arrangements made outside of the inclusions of the Far North Queensland conservation program.

Price

^AUD
3100
_{per person}

based on min. 2/ max. 6 pax

Enquire
Parley beach cleanup. wildlife conservation