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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
9 Oct 2024
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Description
We are a Wildlife Sanctuary for orphaned and injured native animals in the Northern Territory of Australia (approximately 120 km southwest of Darwin). My husband (Malcolm) and I (Nina) initially purchased 400 acres of virgin bushland in 1995, built our home and numerous outbuildings on the property, and now provide food and care to hundreds of wallabies, kangaroos, possums, birds and other native wildlife throughout the year. Our location is quite isolated, a distance from people and roads, so is an ideal place to rehabilitate native animals and release them back into the wild.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Volunteering at the sanctuary provides a unique opportunity to experience the real Australian bush and to interact with some of its amazing, native wildlife. As well as obtaining new skills.
Help
We operate the refuge ourselves with the help of many volunteers from around the globe. Volunteer tasks include helping to prepare food and feeding animals daily (including giving bottles to baby wallabies), cleaning animal areas, and working on special projects that arise (for ex. building or repairing fences or caging - no prior experience or skills needed). We also operate a smal eco friendly educational tour to booked clients and school groups . So assistance in this is expected. You will be an expert on Australian Animals by the time you leave.
Note: we seek volunteers for a minimum stay of 2 weeks, and have an initial 3-day trial period to make sure it’s a good fit for both host & volunteer. We don’t accept volunteers during the wet season (Dec-March) or for calendar months that are blocked, so please don’t email to request an exception. Please only fit volunteers apply. Many tasks are quite physical so if you haven't done outdoor work before please do not apply. We will not be able to keep you if you can not preform the tasks given.Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
On the homestead Two small cabins with 2 beds each and a fan; flush toilet in main house and private outdoor shower
Host provides 3 meals/day in the main house.What else ...
We are located 2 hours from Darwin and 20 min. from Batchelor, but there is no local transport available. You will need to work with us to arrange a pick-up location and date/time near Darwin as we only drive into the city once per week. It is advisable to arrive the day before pick up as i have limited time in Darwin.
We are fairly close to Litchfield National Park but it is not accessible by foot from our property. To visit, you would need to schedule transportation and a tour either before or after your stay at the sanctuary. We do not accept volunteers whom have their own transport .As there are many animals laying about and are not accustom to vehicle's. That is the reason we transport all volunteers in ourselves. If you wish to keep in contact with friends and family . Then we do have wifi in some areas . We are very remote .A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours per day 5 days a week
Feedback (31)
Spent a month at Nina's and Malcolms place and it was a once in a lifetime experience.
Nina knows so much about her land, her animals & birds and it's vegetation, I couldn't start my Australian experience better.
I learnt many things about the animals. Helped out with feeding the Joeys… read more
Being at Nina’s Ark was certainly one of the most memorable times of my life with Nina being one of the best people i have ever met.
My days consisted of feeding the little Joeys, (😍) some of whom where only a few months old,… read more
I also enjoyed the… read more
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Spent a month at Nina's and Malcolms place and it was a once in a lifetime experience.
Nina knows so much about her land, her animals & birds and it's vegetation, I couldn't start my Australian experience better.
I learnt many things about the animals. Helped out with feeding the Joeys… read more
Being at Nina’s Ark was certainly one of the most memorable times of my life with Nina being one of the best people i have ever met.
My days consisted of feeding the little Joeys, (😍) some of whom where only a few months old,… read more
I also enjoyed the… read more
I stayed at Nina’s Ark for nearly two months and fell in love with the place. There are so many animals, beautiful nature all around and of course Nina and her husband Mal.
As a woman with a lot of experience Nina knows exactly what she wants and she’s not afraid to stand up for herself and others if needed. But she is… read more
Sometimes understanding was a bit hard but it always worked out for us both. Thank you Maureen for all you did here on the Sanctuary.
Wish him All the best in the future.
Living in the bush was an amazing experience, even thou I have never sweated as much as I did :). The work varied a lot, some times… read more
How to make sure if the place is a worth to go? Check if the… read more
I stayed for just more than three weeks and I learned a lot about wildlife and how it is to live on a remote place in the bush. The animals and the landscape are just amazing and really unique! Bottlefeeding Joeys and taking care for Possums and Sugar Gliders was daily business. I… read more
The work was varied and it was a pleasure working here, from… read more
Nina really does a wonderful job, we admire everything she does for all kinds of animals. She really makes a difference, there should be more people like her.
Nina showed us some photos of the place before all the cages and shelters, what a huge difference, all that hard work out of… read more
What a lovely girl. I enjoyed having her so much. She was a great help on the Sanctuary and to me. She was respectful to my animals and her love for them shown through. She was quick to learn that it can be quite a challenge to work with Kangaroos as they are flight animals. All movement and chores must be completed with a steady pace… read more
Sleeping in a room outside on the property with a wallaby guard on my doormat, so cool!
We did lots of different chores like feeding animals, gardening, painting, fencing, helping… read more
Wow what to say? What a wonderful couple. Hard working ,caring, honest and lots of fun! We completed so many projects . They never once complained about anything and let me tell you the heat can be trying even for us locals. They were always excited to tackle any job ask of them. Michelle raked the joeys cage so well even the… read more