Wild Mob is a not-for-profit organisation working alongside Australia’s Natural Resource Managers to help save and protect some of Australia’s most unique habitats.

We need volunteers to help with environmental conservation work on Brampton Island. The island has a large infestation of invasive fauna, which is threatening the native ecosystems on the island. We want to avoid using dangerous pesticides on the island so our volunteers help us with a very manual process of eradicating these weeds on the island foreshores.

There are also a number of secluded beaches on the island that are not accessible by the general public. As a result, a lot of rubbish and waste has washed up on these shores and litters the sandy beaches. This marine debris is very dangerous to marine animals, such as turtles who frequent these beaches to lay eggs. These animals can easily get tangled in the rubbish or mistake it for food and eat it. Our volunteers help to collect the waste on these beaches, we then classify it into different groups and record this information. This data is sent to a scientific researcher who is studying the effects marine debris on the turtle population.

Lastly, our volunteers help with coral surveys on the coral reef surrounding the island. The Natural Resource Managers are working hard to implement pollution prevention strategies to help reduce the pollution affecting the Great Barrier Reef. Our volunteers conduct on-going surveys and health checks on the coral. This data helps the Natural Resource Managers to determine if their efforts are successful over a period of time.

While we do not guarantee any direct contact with animals, volunteers will see and learn about a large array of native wildlife on the island such as turtles, kangaroos, koalas, possums, mantarays, birds of prey and much much more! Our experienced leaders provide are a great source of information about the local animals, plants and the coral reef.

Volunteers travel to the island on our 50ft catamaran ‘Wild Cat’. The trip takes about 2 hours and volunteers often spot whales, dolphins and turtles during the trip.

Western Bay boasts a large coral reef, much of which is exposed during low tide. Volunteers get the opportunity to view the reef via snorkel during high tide, or by foot on a guided tour during low tide.

Our volunteers camp on Western Bay. Tents are set up on the beach of Western Bay ensuring all volunteers wake up to the beautiful blue ocean on their doorstep. There is a BBQ and camp area for cooking and all volunteers pitch in and help with cooking and cleaning duties for the week.

Accommodation
Volunteers will be camping in 3-man tents (sleep 2). Sleeping bags with clean inners and thin camping mats are provided.

Meals
All food and snacks are provided by Wild Mob. Volunteers are responsible for preparation of meals. Rosters will be set up for cooking and cleaning duties.

Showers and Toilets
The shower provided is a bush shower. There are restrictions on the amount of water available for each shower. Volunteers also keep fresh by bathing in the sea.

One composting toilet is provided. This is not a flush toilet.

What’s Included:

• All meals and accommodation
• 2 hour boat ride to and from the island on our 50ft catamaran ‘Wild Cat’
• All equipment required for the work
• Practical environmental and conservation education

Location
Brampton Island is located about 32km north-east of Mackay. It takes about 2 hours by boat to reach the island. Brampton Island boasts a number of attractive, secluded beaches and bays and supports an extensive range of Australian native fauna and flora.  Favourites include koalas, grey kangaroos, flying foxes, green tree frogs and reptiles including green tree snakes and sand goannas

Sunset on the island is a sight to behold with the sun disappearing over the ocean at dusk leaving an eerie quietness over the beach. Volunteers also get the chance to hike to a mountain peak on one evening to view it from the best vantage point on the island.

On the boat trip to and from the island, volunteers often spot migratory species, including the Humpback and Minke whales, which come through during winter.  The island also reports sightings of dugongs, dolphins and basking turtles. Flat back and green turtle rookeries are known on these islands, with laying occurring towards the end of November until around January.

Average temperature in June: 22°C

Numbers
Minimum: 8
Maximum: 12