Amazing Wildlife Australia

5 amazing animals you can volunteer with Down Under!
We all know that Australia has an abundance of totally adorable and wonderfully unique animals, but did you know that it’s possible to get to know them in depth through volunteering experiences? Here’s a few that you might like to become friends with while exploring the land down under!

Kangaroos

Kangaroos are the unofficial national icon of Australia, and these bouncy animals can be found hopping all over the country. There are over 50 different species of kangaroo spread throughout Australia, from the massive desert-dwelling Red Kangaroo to the smaller and more timid Grey Kangaroo.

Where to volunteer with kangaroos: 

It seems obvious, but Kangaroo Island in South Australia is an excellent place to find kangaroos! The island’s wildlife sanctuary, located just a few hours from Adelaide, monitors the local wildlife on the island including the many kangaroos that frequent the area. You can help out by assisting in the daily running of the sanctuary, preserving the local fauna, and locating the wildlife on the sanctuary’s famous nocturnal walk.

Volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary on Kangaroo Island

Koalas

Possibly the most popular of Australia’s animals is the koala - a slow-moving ball of grey fluff that feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves and sleep up to 20 hours of the day. What could be cuter? These Aussie animals are listed as vulnerable due to habitat destruction, so it’s important that we do everything possible to ensure the species doesn’t become endangered.

Where to volunteer with koalas:

One of the best places to volunteer with these adorable animals is at a koala sanctuary near Brisbane in the sunny state of Queensland. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to assist with the duties of an animal keeper and get up close to the koalas on a daily basis.

Volunteer at a koala sanctuary in Queensland

Tasmanian Devils

Tasmanian Devils (also known as Tassie Devils) look nothing like the Looney Tunes character! They are actually a small animal, black in colour, and sometimes featuring white stripes along their chest and back. In the mid-1990s, a cancerous disease spread throughout the wild population of Tassie Devils and nearly wiped them out, but there are numerous conservation programs that are dedicated to saving the species.

Where to volunteer with Tasmanian Devils:

The southernmost state of Tasmania is the best place to find devils. From the capital city of Hobart, you can spend time volunteering at one of the local wildlife sanctuaries to care for injured or orphaned devils, and assist in their release back into the wild.

Volunteer with Tassie Devils in Tasmania

Sea Turtles

There’s no better place to be around sea turtles than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef! These gentle marine animals love to spend time around the corals and shallow waters that line the coast of Queensland. There are 5 species that frequent the reef, but as they share this space with humans, the turtles are susceptible to harm from ocean plastics and boats.

Where to volunteer with Sea Turtles:

There is a turtle sanctuary located off the coast of Cairns. A sea turtle volunteer experience involves daily travel by boat out to the islands to help care for some of the animals that arrive at the facility with sickness or injuries. You can assist with their recovery before their release back into the ocean.

Volunteer with Sea Turtles in Cairns

Dolphins

Dolphins are one of the world’s most intelligent creatures, and the warm waters surrounding Australia is one of the best places to find dolphins frolicking close to the shore. Studying these marine creatures can teach us a lot about life in the ocean, so there are numerous research projects in Australia focused on discovering more about these wild animals.

Where to volunteer with Dolphins:

In the town of Bunbury, 2 hours south of Perth in Western Australia, you can help out at a dolphin conservation project that studies the local bottlenose dolphin population and educates tourists about this amazing animal. On top of assisting with the daily research tasks, you’ll also get the opportunity to swim with the dolphins and act as a tour guide for visitors!

Volunteer with dolphins in Bunbury

More amazing animals in Australia

Did you know that you can also volunteer with wombats, echidnas, crocodiles, eagles, horses, or bats? Check out our Australian volunteer opportunities to discover all of the animals that you can meet Down Under!

See all volunteer opportunities in Australia

 A few more bonus animal that you can volunteer with in Australia below!