Environment Volunteering in Brisbane, Australia

The most amazing and quickest 7 weeks in Australia! My highlights have to be Fraser Island and the Whitsundays Sailing as both places were absolutely stunning, and I had never experienced something like those places before. I was worried that the trip may feel like a school trip however this was not the case as you are given a fair degree of independence and free time. Our two leaders were very friendly, easy to talk to and knowledgeable about the trip. My only criticism with the trip is that you do spend a long time in Cairns which isn't the most exciting of places. Overall, I would highly recommend this trip, especially to new travellers mainly due to its amazing itinerary and it being well organised.

Taking a gap year was one of the best decisions I have made. Initially excited and, as my first time out of the country, a bit nervous, my worries quickly faded away as my group and I explored Sydney together. Still in contact with almost every member of the group, we all became very close during our time together. This was also helped by the fact that we had an amazing program leader. All of my expectations were surpassed. The conservation projects were engaging, interesting, and the people we worked with were knowledgeable and passionate. From planting trees for koalas to working with school kids to walking trap lines for invasive species, exploring Australia and New Zealand off the beaten path was spectacular. Though the projects were incredible, my favorite memories of ones in with the group were enjoying some free time together. We explored cities and countrysides, learning about the culture and histories of the places we visited. A few highlights included a canoeing trip, white water rafting, abseiling, sleeping next to a glowworm infested waterfall, and seeing all of the different wildlife (which are crazy cool). I highly recommend this trip to any and all!

At the start of the trip, I was most excited about the traveling in a new and different place. The culture and land were so amazing to learn about and see. Getting to do things like help restore animal habitats, maintenance for a youth camp, rock climb, and do a multi-day trek was fun and rewarding. The unplanned outings are also high lights, like a spur of the moment Wallaby v. All-Blacks rugby game, or going paint-balling. What I ended up enjoying the most though, and learning just as much from, was the connections I made with the people I traveled with and met along the way. Things I value, like how to work and communicate effectively with different people, letting go of an issue or how to resolve it. We lucked out with Kim Kenyon as our guide, who was instrumental in facilitating our personal and group growth. Coming out of high school, these were the learning experiences I needed to grow as a person. I highly recommend Pacific Discovery, the volunteer projects are engaging with the community, the adventures are fun and challenging, and the people and experiences are unforgettable.