Best volunteer travel destinations in Oceania
Best volunteer travel destinations in Oceania
Great Barrier Reef monitoring zones and island conservation fields in Oceania
Volunteer travel in Oceania tends to center on the natural world, which makes sense given how much of the region's identity is tied to its coastline and wildlife.
Australia and New Zealand both have well established programs built around conservation work, from wildlife rehabilitation centers to reforestation projects in national parks. WWOOFing, which pairs volunteers with organic farms in exchange for room and board, has a long history in both countries and remains one of the more affordable ways to travel here. Marine conservation is a major draw too, especially around the Great Barrier Reef, where volunteers can take part in coral monitoring and reef restoration work. Pacific island programs tend to focus on similar marine projects, given how closely local economies and ecosystems depend on healthy reefs.
Choosing a well established, transparent organization matters more than the specific project, since it usually means your time and money actually go toward the work being done.
Lists by region
Country
Australia
Land of savage beauty
Conservation Volunteers Australia began in 1982 in Ballarat, Victoria and now runs 25 offices. It reports over 10,000 local volunteers and over 2,000 international volunteers every year. Projects include tree planting, weed control, seed collection, track building and wildlife surveys. Revive Our Wetlands launched in 2001 with BHP Billiton.
Country
New Zealand
Land of the long cloud
Dick Roberts opened his Nelson farm to visitors in 1974, which began WWOOF New Zealand. The host booklet had grown to 90 hosts by the mid 1980s. Today the network runs as an online directory where visitors arrange farm stays directly with hosts. It has marked its 50th anniversary.
Country
Fiji
Tropical paradise with diverse landscapes
The Mamanuca Environment Society accepts volunteers for reef surveys and turtle conservation. Divers can help with coral transplanting and removing crown of thorns starfish. In the Yasawa Islands the organisation Vinaka Fiji works in 27 villages on freshwater and permaculture projects. Teachers can help train local teachers.
Country
Papua New Guinea
Last paradise of South Pacific
In 2009 thirteen Australian volunteers worked along the Kokoda Track with the Kokoda Track Authority and Conservation Volunteers Australia. They fixed drainage, dug rubbish pits, cleared litter and repaired the Kokoda airstrip. Work spanned six weeks in villages from Owers' Corner to Kokoda. The programme also aimed to give villagers an alternative to porter income.
Country
Samoa
Tropical paradise with volcanic mountains
When DFAT marked 40 years of Australian volunteers in Samoa, over 400 had served. The first intake had four volunteers. One surf lifesaving trainer worked with the Samoa Tourism Authority and trained 130 people in first aid and water competency. He also wrote a training manual and sourced equipment.
Country
Vanuatu
Tropical paradise with cultural diversity
About 40 to 50 Australian volunteers serve in Vanuatu each year. Placements span health, education, community safety, disaster resilience and local business support. Partners include the Ministry of Health, ProMedical and the Ministry of Education and Training. Cyclone recovery and reconstruction work also features in the programme.
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