For Peace of Mind: Volume 7 - Memories

Northern Territory desert parks lay out the welcome mat for volunteers

If you've seen and done it all before holiday-wise why not try something completely new? Hop in your caravan and blaze a volunteering trail across Australia's amazing outback

More and more people are discovering the delights of packing up their caravan and travelling around Australia. If your travel plans include a stint in Central Australia, perhaps you should consider becoming a caravan volunteer with the Parks and Wildlife Service of the Northern Territory.

As a ‘vollie' you can stop at desert parks and participate in park life for a few weeks or even longer, giving you time to absorb all the wonders of the natural world in some of the Territory's most amazing – and often remote – locations. You will also be able to experience first-hand the unique lifestyle of Territory park rangers.

The Caravan Volunteer program is best suited to those with time up their sleeves, such as semi-retired and retired couples. The program is not limited to those with caravans, as there may be basic accommodation available at some locations, as well as opportunities for camping. In exchange for your volunteer work, you will enjoy a genuine Outback adventure and the reward of giving something back to the landscape.

As well as campground hosting, volunteers can help with track maintenance, weed programs, hazard reduction burning and lots more. Rangers will also help vollies find other activities to suit their interests, experience and fitness. For instance, in the Central Australian region caravanners can make their way around the Mereenie Loop from King's Canyon to Palm Valley, or opt to spend time in the MacDonnell Ranges, both east and west of Alice Springs.

Finke Gorge National Park (Palm Valley) is one example of a park desperately in need of vollies, in particular to help rangers look after the tranquil campground on the banks of Palm Creek. Campground facilities include power, water, hot showers and fireplaces.

In your spare time you could explore the oasis of Palm Valley and the Desert Rivers environment of the Finke River. Boggy Hole, on the Finke River, is an excellent place for spotting water birds or just to relax. As the park is 4WD-access only it also has the feel of an isolated bush setting with the convenience of a store at the nearby Hermannsburg community.

Watarrka National Park (King's Canyon) is another location always in need of extra hands. Also situated on the Mereenie Loop Road, Watarrka is about 500km by bitumen road from Alice Springs and provides space for vans with on-site power, toilets, hot showers and a spectacular desert sunset across the dunes. While there, enjoy some great walks including the spectacular Rim Top Walk. This location also offers the convenience of a resort nearby for supplies and meals.

Ormiston Gorge, situated in the heart of the West MacDonnell Ranges approximately 140km west of Alice Springs, is also keen to recruit caravan vollies. There are a variety of walks and great opportunities for bird watching. Ormiston Gorge is also a good base for those wanting to walk sections of the Larapinta walking trail and has a resort nearby for meals and basic supplies.

Those planning to visit the East MacDonnell Ranges should consider spending time at scenic Trephina Gorge (80km east of Alice), where the small team of rangers is in regular need of vollies to help them manage visitor facilities. Trephina Gorge is an ideal base to explore other parks and reserves in the East MacDonnells including Arltunga Historical Reserve and Ruby Gap Nature Park. Both Trephina Gorge and Arltunga can provide limited basic facilities for volunteers and camping options also exist when working in remote locations like Ruby Gap.

For more information about caravan volunteer opportunities in Central Australia, please call the rangers of the respective parks for further information. Parks in the Territory's Top End also operate volunteer programs. For more details on all the programs or to obtain volunteer registration forms, contact Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Carter on (08) 8999 4555 or email kathryn.carter@nt.gov.au. Registration forms can also be obtained from the individual parks or downloaded from http://www.nt.gov.au/ipe/pwcnt/docs/Interest_and_Registration_Form.pdf.

Similar volunteer activities are also available in other States, with parks organisations in South Australia and Western Australia offering Campground Host programs.

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• Fax: +61 2 9403 7776
• Email: info@forpeaceofmind.com.au