Volunteer at a Wildlife Sanctuary in Australia

Help care for rescued and endangered animals on this GoEco volunteer trip. Located at one of Australia’s highest regarded animal sanctuaries, travelers will spend quality time with koalas, kangaroos and other local wildlife. Days are split between mornings focused on animal care and afternoons spent working on bush restoration and habitat rehabilitation. After volunteering at the sanctuary all day, nights and weekends can be spent exploring nearby Sydney and its beautiful Bondi Beach or Australia’s famous Blue Mountains, which can be visited on a scenic train journey with fellow volunteers. 

This trip begins at $1,240 for one week, but volunteers are encouraged to spend up to four weeks at the sanctuary, with the fourth week free. Meals, in-country transportation, accommodation and cultural activities are all included in the trip price.

Build and Renovate Schools in Fiji

Fiji is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, and is home to a large Indigenous population. Despite having suffered under the yoke of British colonialism and the devastation of the Atlantic slave trade, the Republic of Fiji gained independence in 1970 and now boasts of one of the most developed economies in Oceania. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a number of natural disasters and negative effects from foreign conflicts, have placed an unprecedented strain on the country’s economy. Many schools currently lack the necessary funding to build, maintain, and improve their infrastructure. Volunteers will work alongside local project coordinators to complete various tasks, including painting, demolition, landscaping, repair and cleaning. After arriving in Sigatoka, volunteers will attend a one-day orientation, during which they will learn about the volunteer program, the culture and history of Fiji, and rules and regulations, as well as meet the other volunteers. Alternatively, volunteers can participate in “Introduction Week” and spend their first week participating in a variety of activities and traveling around Fiji. While the weekdays will be spent participating in various projects, volunteers are free to spend the weekends exploring the island’s beaches and rainforests, or participating in other organized activities. Volunteers will live in dormitory-style houses near the communities where their projects are located, and will enjoy traditional Fijian cuisine during their stay.

This 1-12 week experience starts at $525/week per person and includes accommodations, meals, airport pickup and all tools and guides necessary for their projects.

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INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER HQ

Volunteer in Environmental Restoration in New Zealand

Punakaiki, a small island on the South Island of New Zealand, is home to the famous Pancake Rocks – layered rock formations that resemble stacks of pancakes – and a wealth of other topographical wonders. However, rising pollution levels and increased tourism over these past decades have caused significant damage to the natural terrain, necessitating dedicated conservation efforts. During this experience, volunteer travelers will work on projects in a number of locations in the Punakaiki area that aim to maintain and restore the diverse native flora and fauna ecosystem. Building on a decade’s worth of work in the area, volunteers will work in groups of  four to ten people under the guidance of a trained and experienced Team Leader. Tasks for volunteers include planting trees, eradicating pests, constructing walking trails, conducting wildlife rescue and surveys, collecting seeds and cleaning up beaches and rivers. Volunteers will work 4 to 6 hours per day, 4 to 5 days per week. On the weekends, they will have the opportunity to learn more about the people, land and culture of New Zealand while exploring the beautiful natural landscapes of the Punakaiki area. 

This minimum 1-week and maximum 6-week experience starts at $459 per person for 1 week and $2,729 per person for 6 weeks. Accommodation and meals are all included.

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LOVE VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer in Coastal Conservation in Auckland

As one of the cleanest and most environmentally friendly countries in the world, New Zealand is home to a stunning array of beaches, waterways and islands. Local organizations and charities have expended great efforts in maintaining the cleanliness and biodiversity of these ecosystems, but limited resources have necessitated a greater number of volunteer helpers. During this trip, volunteer travelers will spend the majority of their time outdoors, partaking in activities such as beach clean-ups, water quality testing, habitat restoration for marine wildlife and invasive species removal. As one of the primary focuses of this project centers on the restoration of important Māori land, travelers may also get the opportunity to volunteer with members from a local iwi (Māori community), gaining valuable cultural insights while learning about New Zealand's history. The other side of this project concentrates on environmental education, offering volunteers an opportunity to help run sustainable events and workshops with schools and members of the public while collecting vital data needed to engender meaningful change within global environmental policies. 

This minimum 2-week and maximum 12-week experience starts at $935 per person for 2 weeks and goes up to $5,275 per person for 12 weeks. Accommodation, breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday, airport pick-up and 24/7 in-country support are all included. 

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IVHQ

Help Conserve the Great Barrier Reef

Regarded as one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and comprises over 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays, as well as hundreds of picturesque tropical islands. However, an influx of tourists and commercial activities over these past few decades has resulted in heavy coral bleaching and an increased number of endangered species. Through this 12-day trip, volunteer travelers will become PADI Open Water certified and PADI Project AWARE Specialty certified, work alongside a professional team of marine experts and Master Reef Guides and visit and volunteer at a turtle rehabilitation center. After three days of rigorous diving training in both the classroom and the pool, volunteers will live on a boat for three days, doing up to nine dives. Then, volunteers will transfer to Fitzroy Island via ferry to help out at the Turtle Rehabilitation Center. Finally, volunteers will embark on a sustainability cruise, conducting activities under the supervision of a designated eco-guide and then join a team of marine conservationists to assist with a unique marine debris up-cycling project.

This 12-day, 8-person volunteer trip starts at $2,450 per person and includes accommodation, food, airport transfers, and 24/7 GoEco support.

Experteer Around the World

Are you interested in helping global communities and travel, but want more than a two-week volunteer trip that may or may not help the community you visit? Check out this organization that offers “experteering” experiences. You will be selected for your existing professional skill-sets and placed in a role where they can be maximized with an international social enterprise.

MOVINGWORLDS

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Volunteer With Marine Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, located just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is considered to be one of the most diverse and spectacular marine features in the world. However, the Great Barrier Reef is also under immense threat. Climate change is threatening the future of the reef, and all the species that call it home. Yet, there is still a lot that humans can do to protect this pristine underwater environment. This volunteer opportunity brings travelers to Cairns in the north of Queensland. Once there, volunteers begin their marine conservation project where they will collect data on the reef, gather marine debris and help rehabilitate sea turtles. All these efforts contribute to research on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as help to protect Earth’s great wonders. 

This volunteer opportunity is offered by International Volunteer HQ. Packages are offered at either 1 or 2 weeks of volunteering, with one week costing $1,010 per person. Volunteers must be adept at swimming in the ocean. International Volunteer HQ focuses on providing volunteer travel opportunities around the world by partnering with local community organizations focused on long-term positive impacts.  

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IVHQ

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Tour New Zealand's Nature

New Zealand is known by travelers all over the world for its natural landscape, where nature enthusiasts can see glaciers, lakes, mountains, forests and beaches all in close proximity to each other. Beginning in Christchurch, travelers are greeted with a chance to immerse themselves with Māori culture, including learning a traditional dance and song of the Māori people. A tour of New Zealand’s natural landscape brings travelers across the country to visit its diverse yet temperate landscape. Travelers can see the Waimakariri River on a scenic train ride, hike by the icy tips of the Franz Josef glacier and explore the crystal blue waters of Wanaka Lake on the country’s South Island. A Trip Leader will accompany travelers and guide them throughout the journey. 

The trip is booked through Under30Experiences, which offers travel experiences for people between the ages of 21 to 35. This package costs $2,695 per person for 10 days of travel, and $2,495 for early booking. 

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Under30Experiences

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Join One Day School Visits with Room to Read in Southeast Asia and Africa

Room to Read is a global organization that seeks to increase educational opportunities for low-income students in the developing world. Room to Read has impacted students all over the world, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa. Specifically, Room to Read has either partner schools or a literacy program in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Grenada, Indonesia, Rwanda, Jordan and Myanmar. By working with individual communities and the local government, Room to Read hopes to develop literacy skills among primary schoolchildren while additionally supporting girls as they complete secondary school. Room to Read has field trip opportunities to visit their worldwide literacy programs. The trip consists of a visit to the school to learn more about the program and meetings with students to participate in learning activities and discussions. The trip lasts for one day and requires a $25 donation to Room to Read. These trips are ideal for those that are already visiting countries with Room to Read schools and programs. 

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Room to Read

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Help Out With Cyclone Relief Efforts in Fiji

Fiji is a South Pacific nation made up of more than 300 islands. It is known for its rugged landscapes, palm-fringed beaches, amazing coral reefs and clear lagoons. The “Fiji Construction and Renovation” trip is a long-term project that develops infrastructure for the local community and its children. Potential projects include renovating or building parks, playgrounds, classrooms and other essentials that the area currently lacks. This supports the local community by providing stability and shelter for those in need, especially after the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Winston in 2016 and Cyclone Yasa in 2020. The project is based in the town of Sigatoka on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu. This trip provides an opportunity to give back to a hurting community for up to six hours each day. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and need at least a basic knowledge of English. The trip costs $879 for one week or $1,269 for two.

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GeoVisions

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Experience Papua New Guinea’s Famed ‘Goroka Show’

Papua New Guinea is an intriguing destination that mixes cultural experiences with hiking opportunities and beautiful beaches. The “Classic Goroka Show Tour” allows travelers to experience the Goroka Show, one of the most exciting sing-sings in Papua New Guinea. A “sing-sing” is a lively gathering of different tribes and villages set up to show off each group’s particular dances and music. Additionally, visitors will have firsthand encounters with Papua New Guinea’s traditional Sepik people. Other highlights include traveling to the Waghi Valley, seeing Mount Hagen and journeying along the Sepik River, the longest river in the country. The trip lasts for 13 days and land costs come out to $8,180 per person. An additional $3,000 should be added to account for necessary flights within the country.

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Journeys International

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