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Chase Alive Discovery program

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

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Overview

Join up

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.

Where
Kalkari Discovery Centre, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Grade
Easy
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
Join up

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.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

 

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.

Volunteers planting in Tomaree National Park. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE

 

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.

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a tree. Photo: Courtesy of Taronga Zoo/OEH
Join up

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
See more visitor info

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