GoAbroad
Contact ProviderProgram Costs
VerifiedProvider
4.7 / 5Student rating
34Reviews
196Programs
2005Year established

Program Overview

Immerse yourself in the unique wildlife of Australia by volunteering at the country's only Heritage Listed wildlife sanctuary. Nestled in natural bushland brimming with native animals, this sanctuary provides a lifelong home for rescued creatures, breeds endangered species to restore wild populations, and promotes conservation through education. Located just an hour by car or two hours by train from Sydney, this opportunity allows you to contribute to wildlife preservation in a convenient and beautiful setting. Volunteers support the daily needs of the sanctuary by maintaining nature trails and enclosures, helping feed the animals, assisting with environmental education activities, and more. They will live in a dormitory-style housing with porter showers, a stocked kitchen, and laundry facilities.

Ready to dive deeper into this program?

Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.

See program details

Program Highlights

Indigenous Australian Wildlife: Work closely with iconic species like koalas, kangaroos, and other indigenous Australian wildlife, learning about their behavior and care.
Heritage Listed Aboriginal Cultural Landscape: Discover the sanctuary's Heritage Listed Aboriginal cultural landscape, boasting 4,000-year-old sites that offer a glimpse into the region's history.
Diverse Animal Species: Interact with over 60 species of animals, including koalas, echidnas, dingoes, wombats, bilbies, bats, birds, and reptiles.
Free Time to Explore: Enjoy weekends and evenings free to explore Sydney and its surrounding areas, experiencing the city's vibrant culture, landmarks, and natural beauty.
Vast Natural Bushland: Explore and work on 170 acres of natural bushland, providing a natural habitat for a wide array of animals.

What's Included

Some Program Activity Costs
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
In-Country Transportation To & From Project
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
In-Country Orientation
Certificate of Completion
Emergency Support
Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration

Quick Details

Location
Sydney, Australia
Availability
Year(s) Offered:Year Round
Duration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
Age Requirement18+
Types & Subjects
Adventure Types:
  • Eco Tours
  • Heritage Tourism
  • Surfing
  • Tours
Focus Areas:
  • Community Service & Volunteering
Fields:
  • Animal Sciences
  • Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Causes:
  • Animal Welfare
  • Conservation
Types:
  • Animals
  • Internships
  • Volunteering
GuidelinesAll Nationalities
Inquire about this program

Updated Aug 27, 2026

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Sydney, Australia

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered: Year Round
  • Duration: 1-2 Weeks, 2-4 Weeks, 5-8 Weeks
  • Intern Duration: Summer, Winter, Short Term, Spring, 1-3 Months, 3-6 Months, 1 Year
  • Gap Year Timing: After College, Career Break / Mid-Career, During College, During High School, Post High School

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities

Education Levels & Language

  • Language: English
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Guest House

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
  • Disciplinary Clearance Form

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

1-2 Weeks, 2-4 Weeks, 5-8 Weeks

Refund Policy

Other

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

4.7
34 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
24
4
10
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Health & Safety
4.8
Volunteer Placement
4.7
Program Administration
4.7
Living Situation
4.6
Day to Day Life
4.5
Community Engagement
4.4

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1-20 of 34 reviews

Elle JonesFebruary 2026

Spend time with the other volunteers and rangers

I loved getting to spend time with the other volunteers and rangers. We all had a lot of fun together while we were working. I also loved getting to walk Gundy the wombat on a leash. He was my favorite animal at the sanctuary

Patricia WaiJanuary 2026

The most remarkable is the care and dedication to the injured animals, Gundi and Gonkey.

Overall, I am extremely satisfied, especially with the support and guidance provided by the owner and rangers of Walkabout Sanctuary. What impressed me the most was their remarkable care and dedication to the injured animals, Gundi and Gonkey. Truly admirable!

Rebecca VerezMarch 2025

My favourite experiences were hanging out with the bilbies.

It was so amazing, I loved being part of the team! My favourite experiences were hanging out with the Bilbies, giving a blue lizard a bath, and seeing so many wild possums on a night tour of the park.

Reagan ThompsonFebruary 2025

Immerse myself in the care of the native wildlife

The most memorable experience during my stay in Australia was probably just being able to immerse myself in the care of the native wildlife in Australia that I wouldn't have gotten to experience being in the states.

AvitalJune 2024

I had one of the most beautiful experiences in my life.

I had one of the most beautiful experiences that i had in my life. You gave me an amazing month.<br>I felt that the tim trust end appreciation me.I could be in anywhere that I wanted. The tim was amazing. I've to go every morning to working.

SaraJune 2024

Learning the place and understanding the animals

The people day in and day out caring for animals and their coworkers. They respected our help and time. My favorite part was learning the place and understanding the animals and their needs over my stay. I loved learning about animals care and all the unique animals in Australia.

AnnaMarch 2024

The personal touch goes a long way because it shows they care.

The most memorable experience is that I was allowed to feed and to hang out with the dingos with a ranger/level 5 volunteer a few times. Another memorable experience was there were a few staff members that took their time to go over and beyond and educate me about the animals , to be able to hold and to touch certain animals, and to get to know me. That personal touch goes a long way because it shows they care and that I am not just another volunteer. I realize they see so many but to show interest, empathy, positivity, energy, and concern goes a long way. To add I appreciated the fact that volunteers were allowed to walkabout the park after hours to check out the animals especially the nocturnal but also to go for a walk on their bush trail.

Sau LanFebruary 2024

Unforgettable experience in working for all these lovely animals.

Friendly hosts and staff of the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary program. The team is so dedicated and knowledgeable which is very impressive. Unforgettable experience in working for all these lovely animals.

KelleyDecember 2023

I was basically living in a Zoo for 3 weeks and I loved every second of it

I was basically living in a Zoo for 3 weeks and I loved every second of it. I got up close and personal with the animals, and there were lots of cool volunteers my age there, so it felt easy to get started.

EmilieDecember 2023

The rangers were so knowledgeable about how each animal interacted with the natural environment

I’ll never forget the novelty and cuteness overload of seeing free ranging kangaroos with baby joeys in the pouch! The rangers were so knowledgeable about how each animal interacted with the natural environment, it’s clear that educating people about maintaining the integrity of the animals’ natural habitat is of utmost importance to this sanctuary.

Madison PfahlMarch 2020

Great experience

Working with the rangers and getting to care for the animals was an incredible experience. I also loved being able to go walk around the park at my leisure after the work was done and hang out with kangaroos and Happy Feet the emu.

Danielle SeelyMarch 2020

Everything was amazing!

Everything was amazing! Right from the start with customer service at GoEco to the team at the park. Everyone was fantastic. I knew exactly what to expect with all the information given to me beforehand. I loved every minute of it.

Elisa MontevecchiMarch 2020

I recommend it to all animal lovers

It was an incredible experience, the staff is very serious and competent. They really need our support to allow animals to live in the best conditions. Every day we learn how to take care of them with dedication and self-sacrifice. Loving animals does not mean stroking and kissing them all day or feeding them, it means making them live in healthy conditions and protecting them from environmental aggressions. I recommend it to all animal lovers.

Elisa SteinmetzFebruary 2020

It was great

It was great to see all the Australian animals in the sanctuary and work with the amazing people working in the wildlife park! We got a good training on how to behave in the bush and how to react towards snakes and spiders. Was a great experience

Pui Yan Chu (6 records)February 2020

feel so good

Actually every single moment in the sanctuary are memorable. Watching them living happily in the park make me feel so good because it shows that our work such as food preparation and cleaning are helpful. Thanks for providing this opportunity to work in the park as well as taking care of our accommodation, food and transport like the back supports that make us just enjoy the volunteer in the park.

Cheuk Hang TseFebruary 2020

most unforgettable one

Rangers and the programme coordinator Sam has share some of the history and development of the wildlife park, and the most unforgettable one is that the park was influenced by the bushfire and have to evacuate around 5 months ago. And that's so touchable. I would like to express my sincerest thanks to GoEco and the sanctuary. Thank you all of you to provide a chance for us to take care about those animals and help to maintain the daily operation that a shelter will face.

Tara GeraghtyFebruary 2020

Made some wonderful friends

Made some wonderful friends which was a massive bonus! Animals were delightful and great to work with. All the rangers were brilliant and so helpful, they knew their stuff and I learned a lot from them!

Hana ReichlFebruary 2020

My most memorable experiences

My most memorable experiences were making new friends whilst living and working with them!! also make friends with people of the team, celebrating new year's eve in Sydney and all the adorable animals.

Kai MccombsAugust 2019

It was wonderful

It was wonderful, meeting the animals and making friends. I loved working with all the Rangers they were all super helpful and informative. I have plans to go on another volunteer trip with the new friends and practically brand new family I made.

Christina MendozaAugust 2019

I absolutely adore the people

I absolutely adore the people I worked with and met. I made life long friends out of this experience. It also helped me determine that a job with animals is exactly what I want. I just can’t believe I got to do work where I felt so helpful and appreciate.

Inquire

Inquire about this program

Have a question? Send us a message and the program team will get back to you.

Step 1 of 4Timing

How long do you want to travel?

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025
Innovative Volunteer Abroad Program
GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Finalist - Intern Abroad Program
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Notable Mention
Innovation in Sustainability Finalist 2022
Innovation in Sustainability 2021 Finalist
Innovative New Program Volunteer Abroad 2020 Finalist
2019 Notable Mentions
GoAbroad Innovative New Program - Volunteer Abroad
GoAbroad Top Rated Organization 2017 (Notable Mention)
Global Youth Travel Awards 2018
GoAbroad Top Volunteer Abroad Organization 2018
World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation

Related Programs

Browse programs you might like

wildlife volunteering
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization logo

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

4.76

41 reviews

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 20...

GoEco Australia - Great Barrier Reef Conservation
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization logo

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

4.89

9 reviews

Australia - Great Barrier Reef Conservation

Gain marine conservation experience by volunteering in Australia. On the first six days of your stay, work toward achieving your PADI Open Water ...

Australia – Welcome to Sydney Tour & Culture Week
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization logo

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

No reviews yet

Australia – Welcome to Sydney Tour & Culture Week

Begin your Australian experience with this fully guided 6-day introduction to Sydney and the South Coast. Explore world-famous landmarks like the...

Have more questions?

We're here to help!

The GoAbroad team is here to support you as you choose the best program for you, and GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization is also happy to answer any questions you have.

Trusted by millions of travelers worldwide since 1997