Chase Alive Discovery program
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Overview
Are you passionate about the natural environment and want to introduce others to its wonders? Volunteer to guide Discovery tours in national parks around the northern Sydney area.
- Work
- Visitors, events, education, tour guides
- When
The program runs 364 days a year, and each volunteer has their own individual schedule.
- Grade
- Easy
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
Are you comfortable with public speaking and working as part of a team? If so, you may want to join up as a volunteer with the NSW Chase Alive Discovery program, where you’ll become a tour guide in the northern Sydney area.
The NSW Discovery program covers a range of NSW national parks, including Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Lane Cove, Garigal, Marramarra and Berowra Valley national parks and Muogamarra Nature Reserve. Opportunities include tour guiding at Barrenjoey Lighthouse or staffing Kalkari Discovery Centre. Other possibilities for Discovery tour guides involve leading:
- 4WD tours
- Aboriginal culture and history tours
- Wildlife activities for kids
- Whale watching tours
As a volunteer, you’ll receive a full induction, training tailored to your specific role, and plenty of support from NSW National Parks staff and experienced volunteers.
Volunteer for bushfire recovery
Following this season's unprecedented bushfires, you can register your interest to help the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Saving our Species program rehabilitate and protect our threatened animals and plants.

Saving Our Species program
Australia is home to more than 500,000 animal and plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Saving our Species is a statewide conservation program that addresses the growing number of Australian animals and Australian native plants facing extinction.

Park info
- in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- The entrance to Bobbin Head and Appletree Bay is closed from 8pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 5.30pm to 6am the rest of the year.
- Gates to West Head are closed from 8.30pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 6pm to 6am the rest of the year.
-
Park entry fees:
$12 per vehicle per day. You can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.
Vehicles over 8 seats: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day). Students on educational programs: $1.10 per student. Teachers/educational supervisors: free (1 adult per 10 students).
Other fees:
A $3 per adult, $2 per child landing fee may apply for day visitors to The Basin campground. Please pay at the campground wharf. Landing fees are included in your camping fees.
Group bookings:
Under the Plan of Management for this park, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 20 or more people planning to visit this park. Contact the park office before your visit.
Buy annual pass
What's nearby:
Things to do (209)
- Aboriginal culture (27)
- Adventure sports (1)
- Beach (4)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (41)
- Cafes and kiosks (7)
- Canoeing/paddling (24)
- Cultural heritage (4)
- Cycling (15)
- Educational activities (1)
- Environmental appreciation/study (3)
- Fishing (15)
- Geotourism (1)
- Historic heritage (52)
- Horse riding (6)
- Other experiences (6)
- Photography (4)
- Picnics and barbecues (51)
- Sailing, boating and cruises (14)
- Sightseeing (82)
- Snorkelling and scuba (4)
- Swimming (17)
- Visitor centres (3)
- Walking (101)
- Waterfalls (6)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (16)