New Zealand & Australia Semester: Conservation Volunteering & Adventure Expeditions

  Australia

• Sydney: 
Sydney
• Brisbane: 
Brisbane
• New South Wales: 
Byron Bay,  Crescent Head
• Queensland: 
Hervey Bay,  Fraser Island,  Noosa
• Sunshine Coast: 
Sunshine Coast

  New Zealand

• Other Cities in New Zealand: 
Rural Areas
• Auckland: 
Auckland
• Wellington: 
Wellington
• Christchurch: 
Christchurch
• All Other Areas in New Zealand: 
Nelson,  Taupo,  South Island,  Whangarei
• Queenstown: 
Queenstown

Term: Fall, Spring, Winter 
Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Jan - Mar and Oct - Nov every year

Description: Escape winter for an amazing summer down under on our experiential semester program combining challenging multi-day adventures, hands-on volunteer conservation work and insightful overland adventure travel through New Zealand and Australia. This travel-study abroad semester or gap year program is suitable for students, graduates and non-students, ideally 18-25 years.

"Traveling with Pacific Discovery has been one of the most personally rewarding things I have ever done. The program's small group sizes and focus on responsible travel allows you to interact with a country's local culture, customs, and environment on a much deeper level. I had the time of my life on the trip!" - M Lowrey

Highlights:
* Three week-long rewarding volunteer conservation projects in National Parks and wildlife reserves, partnering with New Zealand's Department of Conservation.

- Week One: Based from Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands Historic and Maritime Park.
- Week Two: Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park. Working on an island in beautiful glacier carved fjords.
- Week Three: Nelson Lakes National Park. Working amidst mountains, lakes and forest.

* Four multi-day adventure expeditions:
- Expedition 1: Waitomo. 5-day self-sufficient journey involving caving, rappelling, tramping (backpacking), canyoning and canoeing, from Waitomo to the Tasman Sea.
- Expedition 2: Whanganui National Park. 5-day self-sufficient canoeing journey down the Whanganui River
- Expedition 3: Fraser Island National Park 3-day self-sufficient tramping trip.
- Expedition 4: Surfari's surf camp. Learn to surf on Australia's west coast.

* Enjoying culture in the friendly cities of Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Queenstown, Christchurch and Sydney.
* Enjoying Wellington's annual Waitangi Day 'One Love' roots music festival.
* Soaking in natural hot springs
* Wellington daytrip New Zealand's vibrant capital Parliament tour, NZ's National Museum, beaches and cafes.
* Mountain biking in Nelson.
* Traveling down the West Coast of the South Island one of the top-ten road trips in the world stopping overnight at Punakaiki and Okarito/Franz Josef Glacier with an eco-canoe trip on Okarito lagoon.
* Queenstown the worlds adventure capital and the birthplace of Bungy.
* Overnight trip to Milford Sound including sea-kayaking on the Fjord.
* Swimming in the most amazing freshwater lakes on Fraser Island.
* Enjoying some serious beach time in Byron Bay.
* Series of informal lectures from local conservation experts
* Very personalized small group experience (compare with other programs of up to 40 students).
* Fantastic New Zealand program leader/s.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: The three projects will be run in conjunction with the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand's pre-eminent conservation and resource management organization. Project work may include species preservation and monitoring, controlling introduced pests, managing visitor impacts, trail building etc. You do not need any experience to undertake this work - just an interest in conservation and some enthusiasm!

Cost in US$: 5,550

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: An interest in conservation, enthusiastic, adventurous and open to new experiences.

Age Range: 18-25 ideal

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-12

Scholarships are Available. Pacific Discovery does not provide scholarships, but we are happy to support you with any information required if you would like to pursue your own indepdent scholarship application.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Pacific Discovery's Mission Statement: Through meaningful and challenging experiential travel, we aim to provide and assist participants in gaining the skills, confidence and insight to realize their potential in an increasingly global society; develop empathy for other cultures; further understanding of international issues; and heighten appreciation for the earth's wilderness and diversity.

Year Founded: 2001