Work

Bush regeneration, weed and pest management

When

Currently accepting applications.

Where

Cudgen Nature Reserve in North Coast

Grade

Medium. You’ll be weeding and doing physical work. Medium level of fitness required.

Please note

• You'll need to provide your own transport to work site
• We'll provide a simple morning tea at each monthly working bee day
• There'll be a barbecue sausage sizzle on the community planting days that take place throughout the year

Help protect and restore vital koala habitat at Cudgen Nature Reserve. You’ll be removing weeds and rubbish and working on fencing and bush regeneration.

A recent study indicated the small population of Tweed Coast koalas could be lost within 20 years unless ongoing action is taken. Friends of Cudgen Nature Reserve works with NSW National Parks, Friends of the Koala and Tweed Shire Council on how to best improve koala habitat. Since 1998 the group has planted approximately 8,000 koala primary, secondary and habitat trees, and restored up to 12 hectares within Cudgen Nature Reserve. The volunteers also hold regular community planting and bush regeneration days.

This is a great opportunity to work with like-minded people, engage with your local community and help protect your local environment. You’ll also build your fitness and make new friends, all while doing worthwhile work.

It’s a good idea to wear closed-in shoes and long-sleeved clothing. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a raincoat, snacks, lunch, drinking water and gardening gloves. Tools and hard hat supplied. No skills or experience needed, and you work at your own pace. All training provided.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Visitor info

Getting there and parking

Maps and downloads

Learn more

A birdwatcher's paradise

Cudgen is home to plenty of birdlife, making it a great spot for bird watching. The lake and surrounding wetlands are a great place to see black swan and waterbirds like the Australian white ibis or the white-faced heron. You'll also see shorebirds including pied oystercatcher, osprey and sea eagles.

Good things come in small packages

For a modest reserve, there is certainly an enormous variety of vegetation, ranging from coastal dunes to heath, swamp forests to rainforests, and the beautiful wetlands on Cudgen Lake and surrounding estuaries. Much of the reserve is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC), including swamp oak, swamp melaleuca forest, littoral and lowland subtropical rainforest, and freshwater wetlands. Cudgen Nature Reserve also provides a great viewing point and stopover point en route to the magnificent rainforest in the World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park.

Water sport playground

With the great expanse of Cudgen Lake, nearby creeks and Cabarita Beach all included in Cudgen Nature Reserve, you'll find loads of water sports to enjoy. Go sailing on the lake, or explore by kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Enjoy swimming on the lake or head to Cabarita Beach for swimming, surfing and fishing in the ocean.