Community Service Projects

A community service project adds an important depth to vacations. People engage with their destination while they are simultaneously helping the community. They transition from being a visitor to a contributor, which changes their perspective of themselves and their place in the world.

Small World Journeys partners with respected organisations such as Rainforest Rescue, Treeforce, Free Range Permaculture the Tangaroa Ocean Care Society to contribute to important ongoing projects and provide a true service to the community.

Any of the following can be combined into your custom educational tour in Australia:

Seed Propagation in the Rainforest

In the Barron River riparian zone lives two endangered species, and your help with seed propagation in this area allows this degraded area to be regenerated. Collect seeds, then visit a seed nursery and help "baby" seeds regenerate the rainforest.

Animal Care at a Wildlife Care Centre

At a wildlife park, help sick, orphaned and injured wildlife with the goal of re-releasing them into the wild. Get involved with the animals--such as bottle feeding baby kangaroos or changing bandages on an injured emu—but also do service work that helps keep the wildlife care centre going (like cutting eucalyptus leaves for the koalas' feeding, repairing animal enclosures, or helping build walkways)

Monitor Coral Bleaching at The Great Barrier Reef

At an island research station, help staff monitor the health of The Great Barrier Reef through the Bleach Watch Program. Bleach Watch is a community-based initiative developed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and through the use of cameras, observation and note taking, you can contribute important data to this endeavour.

Alternatively, participate in a coral bleaching survey organised by Coral Watch-- a non-profit research organisation from the University of Queensland--as part of a SCUBA course.

Help out in an Aboriginal Community

Learn more about a unique aboriginal community, a mix of Tjapukai, Ma:Mu, Djiru, Kuku Yalanji and other regional tribes, and participate in service work specifically designed to benefit the community. Projects may include helping the edlers at the aged care facility or planting and maintaining a community garden.

Harvest a Student Permaculture Garden

Join local high schoolers in their permaculture garden. This is a garden designed and created under permaculture principles (agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in natural ecologies) completely by the students themselves. Plant or harvest fruits and vegetables and make new Aussie friends at the school.

Plant Native Trees in Degraded Areas

Give back to the community by planting native trees in areas that have been damaged by agriculture or development. By digging, planting, mulching and watering, you get to meet some local Australians, help the environment, and leave a living memory of your visit.

Contribute to the Ocean Care Society's Research

Clean a section of coastline and collect data at a “marine debris hotspot” and report your findings to the Tangaroa Ocean Care Society. With the help of marine debris identification manuals, you will collect data on what you find, which is then submitted to the National Marine Debris Database. You learn how your data then helps to affect major organisations and companies' policies. An article on the Ocean Care Society's website will recognise your efforts.

Painting or Building at a Local School

Meet local Aussie kids on a school visit while simultaneously helping the school improve its buildings and grounds.

Your Own Custom Educational Tour - Australia

Projects can last from a few hours to several days. Students can receive a certificate for the hours they worked.

With Small World Journeys’ direct involvement in the community, we can match the educational and volontourism objectives of any group. Contact us to learn more about how you can benefit from one of these community service projects on your adventure.