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Welcome to your program
Get excited to volunteer at the Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga Springs outside Sydney. You'll get to work with koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, wallabies and more! On your off day, you'll spend the day at the beach and visit the world-renowned Taronga Zoo in Sydney Harbor. Students will have one "Free Day", please read more about our "Free Day" policy here!
This page will take you through everything you need to know about your program. You should READ every section. We've linked additional information under each topic as needed.
Program announcements:
Vaccine Information (Optional activity with Flying Foxes- MUST be rabies vaccinated. Read more on Vaccine Information page).
Read about our "Free Day" policy here.
Walkabout has a very strict dress code during working hours. Please read carefully below.
ETA Visas are required for all students.ETA visas can take up to a month to be approved. This is due April 1 with CampDoc. ETA visa directions can be found here.
Housing
Housing at Walkabout Wildlife Park is provided in dorm-style rooms with bunk beds, which are part of a large, shared house. Rooms will be shared with other students of the same gender. WiFi is available but expect slower speeds than in the US. Housing at YAH rooms in Sydney are dorm-style shared rooms. You will share your room only with other Loop Abroad students and/or staff of the same gender. Bathrooms in public areas of the hostel may be shared with other hostel guests.
Food
Breakfast at Walkabout Wildlife Park is continental style. For lunch, you will have “make your own” cold-cut sandwiches, wraps, soup, sausage sizzle, savory pie, etc. Then dinner is made by staff on sight which you can expect food like pizza night, tacos, BBQ, and lasagna.
All your meals in Australia are included in your tuition, except for one day of meals in Sydney on your “free day” and one dinner in Sydney on your “free night.”
We advise against bringing food into Australia. Any food you carry into the country with you must be declared on your customs forms on arrival. Failure to declare food items, even if they are permitted, can have large fines from the customs department at the airport, so please be sure to clearly declare any food you are carrying.
Flights:
Taking the group flight is mandatory unless you live outside of the continental US. Solo fliers are subject to additional fees. If you choose to fly off the group flight, you must first contact admissions@loopabroad.com.
Packing
The only items you are required to bring are those on the “required” lists. General required items (like your passport) are found on the ALL PROGRAMS packing list above. Program specific required items are found below under the REQUIRED section. For the rest of the items, you are welcome to use your discretion. There may be items missing from this list that you’d like to bring, and there may be items on this list that you don’t want to bring. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Required for this program
Long-sleeved dark green shirts with no writing/pictures – logos under 1 inch are permitted (we suggest 2-4) This is another example of an acceptable shirt.
Short-sleeved dark green shirts with no writing/pictures – logos under 1 inch are permitted (we suggest 3-5) This is another example of an acceptable shirt.
Canvas work pants (we suggest 2-3 pairs) or similar (any solid, neutral color)
Hiking boots that cover your ankles (and appropriate socks). You may want to use waterproofing spray to waterproof your boots. Wear your boots for a few days before your trip to make sure they are comfortable!
A pair of work gloves or gardening gloves
Hat for sun (wide-brimmed hat is suggested; baseball cap is okay)
A rainproof jacket (and anything else you need to work in the cold rain, such as rain pants and/or travel umbrella)
Bath towel (one is provided at Walkabout, but not at the hostel in Sydney). (Some students prefer a quick dry or microfiber travel towel.)
Well insulated winter jacket or coat for evenings/mornings (it can be below freezing and previous students often wish they brought warmer clothes)
Gloves, a hat, and other warm gear for evenings/mornings
2 combo COVID/Flu tests. They are still taking COVID quite seriously at Walkabout and they're trying to protect their staff.
Suggested for this program
Padlock (you will need this if you want to lock your locker)
Small backpack or zip-able travel tote that you can pack for day trips (can use your carry on backpack)
Slippers or slipper socks to wear in the house
A second pair of shoes (boots, sneakers, hiking sandals; whatever you find comfortable)
Fleece jacket or similar
Students can purchase mosquito repellant and sunscreen at the Walkabout if prefer.
FAQ
There is no maid or cleaning crew on the Walkabout Wildlife Park staff and you are expected to pick up after yourself. We are living at a wildlife facility, not a hotel! You’ll have days during the week when you need to help with dishes or sweeping up. This is part of what makes it possible for a busy wildlife facility to host a big group like ours right on-site.
Bedding: We will provide you with sheets, pillows and blankets.
Towels: Towels will be provided at the program location but will not be provided at the YAH hostel. It is recommended to bring a washcloth or loofah.
Laundry: Coin-operated laundry is available at Walkabout – it costs about $6 USD to wash and dry a load of laundry. Students are responsible for the cost and their own laundry detergent. You should not plan to do excessive laundry. Housing at Walkabout is close quarters and there is not a lot of room for extra stuff. We ask that you pack lightly.
Outlets: Outlets are different - you will need an adapter. This global one is a popular style and can be used in almost all locations around the world. You can also get a set of these small adapters and just bring the one you need if you prefer
Money: Most students spend around $200 USD on a two-week program. You’ll likely want to buy things like souvenirs, laundry, snacks or drinks. You will only need money for your "free day", but you’ll want to bring enough that you can buy some things to bring home. We HIGHLY recommend contacting your bank and ordering Australian Dollars before leaving for the program. There will be an ATM where students can withdraw money, and there is an ATM transaction fee each time.
Dress Code: On Monday – Friday at Walkabout during the day (not including down-time in the evenings), you will be expected to dress as a Ranger/staff member, as you have staff-level access to the animals and are representing Walkabout to guests and other volunteers. The dress code is rather strict and failing to meet the dress code may make you unable to participate in certain activities. Hiking boots and certain styles of pants are also essential for staying safe in animal interactions and helping to avoid snake bites (no one has ever been bitten by a snake at Walkabout, but we still want to take appropriate safety precautions).
During dress code hours, you must wear:
Hiking boots (with socks; we suggest hiking socks)
Durable pants (any neutral single-colored canvas work pants or neutral work denim, NOT blue jeans; nothing tight and nothing low-rise)
Long-sleeved dark green shirts or short-sleeved dark green shirts (one such shirt will be provided for you for free from Loop Abroad; other Walkabout options are available for purchase for approximately $15 USD if you prefer). Shirts should be without writing or images but may have a logo less than 1 inch.
Hair tied out of your face and nails trimmed short
During dress code hours, you may wear:
Jacket comfortable for work (fleece jackets are suggested)
Hat and gloves (generally not needed during the day)
During dress code hours, you cannot wear:
Leggings or tight pants (such as “skinny jeans”)
Shorts
Shirts with writing (small embroidered or pocket logos are fine)
Bare midriffs or shirts that show your stomach when you lift up your arms
Tank tops or other sleeveless shirts
Shirts with low-cut necklines
Dangly jewelry (small, close-fitting jewelry is fine)
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