ISV - Volunteer Projects in Australia

I personally had a great experience with ISV and would recommend them to everyone. The first two weeks are spent volunteering in smaller groups of about ten doing some kind of conservation work. In those first two weeks my group bonded so much and we had a blast every day. A lot of our work was habitat restoration and removal of invasive species (aka weeding) but it also included trail maintenance as well. We stayed in two very different houses that were both beautiful in different ways. What I loved most was that we got to see a part of Australia that tourists don't normally see, I mean we went to Sydney and Cairns but we got to see Pretty Beach, Murrurundi and other beautiful places that you won't normally find foreigners. The second two weeks are the adventure tour which is a lot of fun but it's also a lot of traveling too. Overall I think if you wanna see Australia and make a difference too, ISV is the way to go!

I went to Australia July- August of 2010 and I have to say it was the most amazing and unforgettable experience of my life. The two week volunteer project was the most fun I had doing volunteer work ever. The people I worked with and shared in this experience have become life long friends and companions in my life today. There are so many memories, pictures, and journal entries that I think back on and automatically I am there with them all again enjoying and remembering our good times. For the first two weeks I spent in Lithgow with my group was a good time working with all sorts of animals, cleaning cages,and interacting with the animals at the animal habitat. We did so many tree planting you would think you'd be sick of it, but on the other hand we actually had a lot of fun singing songs, goofing and finding a rhythm to our daily work. It was a sad day to leave our project leader Alex, but with the next two weeks ahead of all of us we were just as excited. The next two weeks were unforgettable and full of adrenaline, and just amazing views and experiences. Basically every day for the next two weeks we were in the water, be it snorkeling, white water rafting, scuba diving, ocean rafting of learning how to surf, we were always near the clear blue and beautiful water. I wouldn't ever trade my experiences that summer for anything in the world. I made a thousand memories and good friends to share a wonderful experience, and nothing can ever replace that summer.

The summer of 2010 I traveled to Australia with International Student Volunteers. My mission: complete projects with the Department of Sustainability and Energy. Each day involved something new. I worked along side the local old-time forest rangers learning about the area and ways they are conserving. One day I installed cameras in a forest to determine whether or not the DSE would conduct a controlled burn of the area based on the animal movement in the area. Other days I surveyed land for endangered plants. Other tasks involved building fences, weeding noxious plants, planting, and eating local treats.

The trip encompassed more than volunteering--I got to know a group of college students from across the country. We spent the first two weeks in secluded areas surrounded by wildlife. In the mornings we woke up to kangaroos eating outside our doors. In the evenings we went on hikes, nature walks, and to the small local pub (we met a reporter and made it on the front page of their paper!)

Following the two weeks of volunteering, we embarked on the greatest adventure of our lives. We met up with other volunteer groups to travel the east coast of Australia. Along the way we surfed, rappelled, snorkeled, shopped, hiked, swam, four-wheeled, encountered native animals, experienced native culture, and bungy jumped. The bonds we made will last a life-time.

Following that month long journey, a few of us opted to travel to Fiji for a week of relaxation in the sun.

Leading up to the trip, I solicited everyone I knew for donations. Donations are tax deductible; therefore many people are inclined to donate! The money was well-spent as I returned with great friends, amazing pictures, and a new sense of the world.

Going on ISV was the best decision I've ever made. I had the most amazing 4 weeks of my life! The first 2 weeks of volunteering were so great. I learned so much about conservation and nature, what it means to live simply, and things about myself. I overcame my fears of animals and insects, and realized I am capable of making a difference in this world. It was such an eye opening experience, and I wouldn't of traded it for anything. The host organization was so amazing, and they treated us so well. Everyone was so nice and friendly; the friendship that grew from this experience will last a lifetime. We were all so sad when the two weeks ended, we didn't want to leave our volunteer site. Also, my project leader was so awesome and made everything so much easier and more fun for us!
The next 2 weeks were the most fun filled, adventurous, adrenaline rushing time of my life! All the activities from scuba diving, snorkeling, bungy jumping, white water rafting, ocean rafting, sky diving, Sydney Harbor cruise, and many more were the most exciting, fun, and amazing experiences. I would go to bed every night saying that was the best day of my life, and then the next night I would be saying the same exact thing. I met so many amazing people and had the best time of my life! Like my project leader, my adventure tour leader was super cool and helped us have the best possible time. I saw some of the most beautiful sceneries ever, pictures never did any of it justice. I never felt unsafe or in danger with ISV and I would go back in a heart beat!

To start the trip off, we got to volunteer for a full two weeks- food and board were completely provided for this portion of the trip. I was placed in an Educational Facility called Wild Mountains. We helped rehabilitate part of the rain forest by planting trees and weeding- and not your typical garden weeds- these weeds were the size of trees- they were trees! We also helped with building maintenance- bathroom repair and oiling etc, as well as little odds and ends like building new shelves in the pantry and a new garden seat for a new amphitheater we helped build. A group of 12 strangers showed up, and a group of 12 friends left- with a new respect for life- this was the heart warming part.

We then got to meet up with all the travellers for ISV in Australia and travel down the coastline from Cairns to Sydney- and this is where the Adrenaline began! We went bungee jumping, sky diving, snorkling on the great barrier reef, white water rafting, ocean rafting, ocean kayaking, hiking, swimming, clubbing- everything you could want to do- we did.

Breakfasts were always included at the hostels, some dinners were covered, and other nights our tour leaders got us really good deals, and lunches were almost always up to you.Food is slightly more expensive in Australia than in Canada and the US- please keep this in mind when budgeting.

The project was run very smooth and both my project leaders as well as my tour leaders were amazing people who helped the trip run very smoothly!

After the main trip is done, there is also an option to go to FIJI for a very low added cost, which was another amazing adventure in itself.

Volunteering in Australia with ISV was the most amazing experience of my life to date. The scenery was spectacular, getting to work outside in it every day was so amazing. Everyone we met was so welcoming and warm. The ISV staff were so helpful and taught me a lot about myself and the world we live in. I felt so wonderful to be making a difference in the world. It was really special to meet and get to know people from all over the world and get to experience a new world down under together. It was definitely a trip that left me with memories and friendships that will last me a lifetime. Making the choice to go on this trip was the best decision I ever made.

If you're thinking about travelling with ISV to Australia, I only have one thing to say to you: just do it! You're probably worried about being so far away from home, and I don't blame you. Before my trip I was so anxious I couldn't sleep at night. That all disappeared once I landed in Australia. The staff was friendly right from the moment I met them at the airport. These strangers that you're assigned with for your volunteer program become some of the best friends in your life with memories you will never forget. Our group is getting together for New Years this year !
For your volunteer trip, you get to work with local Australian programs. I worked with Conservation Volunteers of Australia where we did conservation work around Townsville, QSLD, Australia. It was a great learning experience.
For your adventure tour, you get to do so many amazing things you never even imagined being able to do in a lifetime, let alone in two weeks. I went scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, Night bungy jumping, rafting and so much more.
I give ISV a 10/10. I had such an amazing time.

I had had some fun family vacations before travelling with ISV, but I never knew what a 'trip of a lifetime' was like. I found out in Australia with this group. Everything about the trip is perfect, from the format and planning of volunteering for two weeks and adventuring for two more. Tony the bus driver was the man and our tour leader Joe reminded me of my brother. I did my voulunteer aspect of the trip in a small town of 70 people. A group of 8 of us were there for two weeks so imagine how much we were able to help these people who just didn't have the time to do it themselves. The town was 6 hours north of Melbourne so not many people venture that way, we visited the school kids (all 12 of them) and played games and talked a couple times while we were there.
So after helping the community out for two weeks we headed back to Melbourne for our flight to Sydney where we met up with the rest of the groups to become a huge group of around 50! Now we were ready to take Australia by storm! We started in Sydney and made our way up the East Coast, all the way to the tropics and the Great Barrier Reef. We had stops along the way at the world's largest sand island (Fraiser Island) and Byron Bay (my favorite), just to name a few. So the adventure aspect was great, we all had so much fun, but the part I like best about the trip was the planning and ISV's reputation. Everything was planned out perfectly, Joe was on top of his game. We sat on the bus while Tony got us to our destination safely. We got off the bus, went to the front of the line, did what we were there to do, and got discounts all over the place. We were checked into the hostels before we even got there, dinner was waiting for us multiple nights. I don't know how much more I can say, you're gonna have to believe me and find out for yourself!

It was amazing! Every day was a new adventure. I learnt so much from this. I made a bunch a lifetime friends. I will never forget this. I would do this again. The program leaders made sure you had the best time and did what you wanted to do. It was very organized.