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The mission of this course is to survey and participate in Australian wildlife conservation efforts while developing a hands-on understanding of the relationship it shares with Aboriginal culture. This is a cultural immersion experience where we will live, explore, and work with a diverse array of Australian communities. We will volunteer at several wildlife conservation programs, ranging from grass-roots community-based, to larger non-profit wildlife sanctuaries, to University-based global outreach programs. We will also visit and explore Aboriginal cultural sites in order to gain an appreciation of and witness how the Aboriginal people are contributing to the wildlife conservation movement. Across all of these experiences, conservation professionals, park rangers, environmentalists, biologists, and Aboriginal leaders will provide us with educational and engaging opportunities about how to better understand and be more effective at conserving native Australian wildlife and culture. 

Australia is one of the most important nations on Earth for biodiversity as it is home to more animal species than any other developed country. Most of Australia’s wildlife is found nowhere else in the world, making its conservation even more important. Sadly, Australia is facing an extinction crisis. It has the planet’s worst mammal extinction rate and a high proportion of their surviving animals (over 1,700 species) are listed as endangered! Over the centuries, Indigenous Australians (Aboriginals) have suffered a similar fate as Australian wildlife. They have been mistreated and forced out of their native lands where they had lived and thrived for millennia. Currently, however, a quiet revolution is growing where Aboriginals are working to preserve their culture and the natural environment through work with conservation programs throughout the country. This symbiotic relationship is helping bring Aboriginals back to their native lands while playing a critical role in the wildlife conservation movement. 

Our journey begins in the ecologically and culturally diverse state of New South Wales where we will explore rainforests, eucalyptus forests, coastal wetlands, and beaches. A five-day volunteering experience at the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park, a unique animal sanctuary that combines wildlife conservation with Aboriginal traditions will highlight the tour of this region. We will also experience a Dreamwalk with Djiribi Waagura Aboriginal elders in the Shoalhaven and explore the white sand beaches of Jervis Bay during this part of the trip. The second half of our journey brings us to the city of Cairns, known as “the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef” in tropical north Queensland. While there, a full-day will be spent on the Great Barrier Reef with marine biologists and Aboriginal Rangers to provide us a unique education on the status of one of the worlds’ quickly diminishing natural wonders. We will visit the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest on earth, and experience a Dreamwalk led by Aboriginal Elders. 

Our trip will conclude with three days on the tropical, rainforest-covered National Park of Fitzroy Island. This pristine island sits on the outer boundary of the Great Barrier Reef and will provide ample opportunity to experience marine wildlife both in and out of the water. We will volunteer with the Save Our Sea Turtles organization as well as the Reef Restoration Foundation on the island and will also work with their marine biologists to gather data for an ongoing marine-life research project. Other activities and opportunities during this course include ample hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and visiting cultural sites during free time. Accommodations will include fully-equipped self-contained cabins, and some hotels. Throughout the course students should expect to participate in regular, moderate to heavy physical activity, especially during volunteer experiences.

• Friday, Jan. 2: Depart from SFO

Week 1

• Sunday, Jan. 4: Arrive in Sydney, Travel to Bulli Beach Holiday park
  We will spend the day in and around town acclimating to our new environment and time zone. Beach time, grocery shopping, and relaxing are all on the agenda.
• Jan. 4-6: Bulli Beach Holiday park
  Acclimatization and Exploration Days
  Some planned activities will be scheduled Jan. 5
• Wednesday, Jan. 7: Blue Mountains
  Grand Canyon Hike (2.5 hours), Dinner in Katoomba
• Thursday, Jan. 8: Blue Mountains
  Aboriginal-led hike
• Friday, Jan. 9: Fitzroy Falls
  After breakfast we will drive to Fitzroy Falls. We will spend the day volunteering with the Native Animal Rescue and Rehab organization in Robertson
• Jan. 10-11: Bundanoon
  After breakfast, we will drive to Bundanoon to volunteer with Wombat Care Bundanoon for the day

Week 2

• Monday, Jan. 12:  Jervis Bay
  After breakfast we will drive to St. Georges Basin at Jervis Bay. (2 hours)! Jervis Bay/St. Georges Basin. We will visit Bendalong Beach and feed the giant sting rays! A large pod of kangaroo resides at this beach as well.
• Tuesday, Jan. 13: Nowra
  After breakfast we will take a Dreamwalk with the Djiribi Waagura Aborignal leaders in Nowra.
• Wednesday, Jan. 14: Huskisson, Boderee National Park
  Free Day to explore. Visit the town of Huskisson - Boderee National Park - or stay at cabins
• Jan. 15-18:  Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park
  After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park (4 hours). We are spending the week volunteering as ‘park rangers’ and working with wildlife conservationists and Aboriginal leaders.

Week 3

• Monday, Jan. 19:  Depart from Sydney, Arrive in Cairns
• Tuesday, Jan. 20: Great Barrier Reef
  EARLY departure (6:30am) for full-day on the Great Barrier Reef! Dreamtime Dive experience, Scuba dive and/or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef with Marine Biologists from James Cook University and Aboriginal Rangers. This is a seriously awesome opportunity and may be one of the last chances we have to dive the reef due to its accelerated destruction. =(
• Wednesday, Jan 21: Hartley’s Croc Farm
  After breakfast –we will travel north to Hartley’s Croc Farm at the edge of the Daintree Forest. We will take a long waterfall hike before entering the park.
• Thursday, Jan. 22: BatReach, Agile Wallaby Project
  Volunteer work with either BatReach or Agile Wallaby Project (or both)
• Saturday, Jan. 24: Fitzroy Island
  After breakfast, catch early ferry (9:30am) to Fitzroy Island, Save Our Sea Turtles organization presentation and volunteering, HIKE TO SUMMIT, Free time to snorkel, kayak, SUP, etc.
• Sunday, Jan. 25: Fitzroy Island
  Reef Restoration Foundation education and service activities, Free time to snorkel, kayak, SUP, etc.

Week 4

• Monday, Jan. 26: Fitzroy Island
  AUSTRALIA DAY
  FINAL EXAM at Nudey Beach!
• Tuesday, Jan. 27: Take ferry to Cairns, Flight to Sydney
• Wednesday, Jan. 28: Depart from SYD, Arrive at SFO

Course Fee: TBD
Learn about the Jan Term Travel Scholarship for additional funding.

This fee includes:
Airfare, Local Transportation, Lodging, Excursions (e.g., museums, tours, etc.), Gratuity, Travel Insurance ($35/student - international classes only), Miscellaneous, A per-day meal stipend is included in the course fee. This is not enough to cover all meals, however.

Estimated cost outside of course fee:
$600 (some meals, some personal transportation)