Marine Conservation - Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Volunteer on a Marine Conservation project to return the islands on the Great Barrier Reef to their natural state.
Marine Conservation Volunteering in Australia with Smaller Earth
As a volunteer on this project you will contribute to the long-term objective of returning Brampton Island National Park to its natural state. The island is a part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Work includes eradicating invasive vegetation, collecting and analyzing marine debris, and conducting surveys and health checks on the coral reef. You'll also be able to snorkel the reef, explore the island and see local wildlife including koalas, possums, goannas, kangaroos and more. Your home will be a camp on the tropical beach of Brampton Island.
Volunteering on The Great Barrier Reef
Our partners on the ground recognize that there are many issues affecting the islands and that there aren't enough resources to concentrate on all of them. Therefore, conservation work performed by volunteers has a direct and lasting impact on the island’s plants and animals. Brampton Island is considered one of the most critical areas surrounding the Great Barrier Reef, and there are three major issues that threaten both the island and its native species’ long-term outlook.
Project Details
Invasive Species
The large influx of tourists to the Great Barrier Reef has resulted in newly introduced species of plants and animals that have unbalanced the natural habitats on the island and threatened native species. Volunteers have the opportunity to help in the removal of invasive weeds which in turn helps regenerate the island to its natural state as native flora is able to grow.
"We want to avoid using dangerous pesticides on the island so our volunteers help us with a very manual process of eradicating these weeds on the island foreshores. The weeds collected are placed in bags and put in the sun so the seeds die and are unable to repopulate. National Parks collects these bags and disposes of them."
Marine Debris
There are a number of secluded beaches on Brampton Island that are not accessible by the general public but still have trash and waste products washed up on shore. This marine debris is very dangerous to marine animals, such as turtles who frequent these beaches to lay eggs. Animals can get easily tangled in the debris or mistake it for food and eat it.
Our volunteers help to collect the waste on these beaches and then classify it into different groups and record the information. This data is sent to Dr. Kathy Townsend, a scientific researcher from the University of Queensland’s Moreton Bay Research Station. Dr. Townsend investigates the effects of plastic and other rubbish on sea turtles and has found that over 35% of stranded turtles die as a result of eating marine debris.
Pollution Prevention
One of the project’s partners is working closely with the government, the tourist industry and the local farmers on the island to implement pollution prevention strategies to reduce toxic run-off finding its way to the Great Barrier Reef. In order to convince the government that this money is well spent and their efforts are effective, they need long-term evidence of water and coral quality in the areas most affected. The data collected by our volunteers from the reef surveys provides an ongoing source of information to gauge the impact their strategies are having on the coral reef.
The Brampton Island Conservation Project is continually evolving and may include work on neighboring islands and data collection for other research projects, so volunteers can expect a variety of work. Once again, this is an excellent opportunity for those interested in a career in marine biology, nature conservation, or other environmental industries.
There are also plenty of program highlights outside of work time! Available leisure activities include:
- Sail to and from a secluded tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef on a catamaran
- Camp on the beach right by the water
- See the direct result of your conservation efforts
- Learn about native wildlife such as turtles, kangaroos, possums, manta rays and birds of prey
- Enjoy a sunset hike to Point Lookout where you may spot kangaroos and koalas
- Snorkel the reef at high tide
- Witness the wonderful corals and stunning marine life found on the island’s reef, and explore the white sandy beaches, forest plants and rocky headlands
- Learn about marine environments from our experienced staff.
Location & Accommodation
You set up camp at Western Bay, a secluded bay surrounded by a large coral reef, much of which is exposed during low tide. Volunteers get the opportunity to view the reef via snorkel during high tide, or by foot on a guided tour during low tide.
Volunteers live in tents on the beach of Western Bay ensuring all volunteers wake up to the beautiful ocean on their doorstep. There is a BBQ and camp area for cooking, and all volunteers pitch in and help with cooking and cleaning duties. Volunteers will be camping in 3-man tents (sleeps 2). Sleeping bags with clean inners and thin camping mats are provided. Meals are basic but nutritious. The shower provided is a bush shower. Water restrictions lead to a limited number of showers volunteers can take. Volunteers can also keep fresh by bathing in the sea. One composting toilet is provided.
Age & Required Experience
Staff in the field will provide training on the skills required, but you may benefit from learning more about local history, culture and customs before you travel. You must be at least 18 years old at time of departure.
Orientation
Staff in the field will provide training on the skills required. Throughout your stay you will have the support and guidance of experienced field-workers and coordinators. They are part of our Smaller Earth support team, and will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance. Living conditions on the project are basic and offer volunteers an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature. It’s a chance for volunteers to escape the stresses of everyday life and enjoy the sun and surrounds.
Volunteers are met at the Mackay Marina and given a safety briefing on board ‘Wild Cat’ on the 2-hour journey over to the island. Once you reach Brampton Island, volunteers help set up camp, which includes putting up tents and setting up the common area around the BBQ.Getting There
Getting There & Further Travel
Volunteers need to book flights to Mackay Airport (MKY) to arrive either before or on the start date.
Australia is a major tourist destination. Here are just a few things which should not be missed:
Sunset Walk – hike to ‘Point Lookout’, which is the best vantage point from the island to watch the sunset over the Great Barrier Reef.
Snorkeling – snorkel Western Bay’s the coral reef at high tide.
Hikes – hikes to other bays or beaches on the island can be arranged upon request.
Swim -- with Whale Sharks in Ningaloo Marine Park
Explore -- the sculpted land forms of the Bungle Bungles
See -- the iconic Uluru (Ayres Rock)
What's Included?
- All meals and accommodation
- 24 hour emergency phone line
- Pre-departure support
- Transfer to and from the island by catamaran
- A sunset Walk to ‘Point Lookout’
- A lecture on Marine Environments during a guided tour of the coral reef at low tide
- All equipment required for the work
- An introduction to a practical environmental and conservation education.
What's Not Included?
- International flights to and from Mackay (MKY) Airport*
- Insurance
- Visa**
- Personal kit
**Field staff advise that you enter the country using a tourist visa.
Get Connected
Latest Tweet