Chase Alive Discovery program
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Affected by closures, check current alerts
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.
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
Are you comfortable with public speaking and enjoy working as part of a team? If so, you may like to volunteer with the NSW Chase Alive Discovery Program. As a volunteer, you can provide visitor centre support and, if you wish, serve as a tour guide, helping visitors discover the natural and cultural highlights of the Northern Sydney area.
The Chase Alive program covers a range of national parks and reserves across Northern Sydney, including Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Garigal National Park, Berowra Valley National Park and Muogamarra Nature Reserve. We welcome volunteers with a wide range of interests and experience to help across 2 key work areas:
- Kalkari Discovery Centre and tour guiding: You’ll support visitors at the Kalkari Discovery Centre by providing information about the local environment, wildlife, history and attractions. You'll help ensure visitors have a safe, enjoyable and informative experience while exploring the region. You’ll assist with the Muogamarra Nature Reserve Open Season and have opportunities to lead guided walks and tours on sections of the Great North Walk, the Hawkesbury to harbour series and in Muogamarra Nature Reserve.
- Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour guiding: As a Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour guide, you'll work alongside a dedicated team of volunteers to welcome and guide visitors at the iconic Barrenjoey Lighthouse in Palm Beach. This rewarding role involves sharing the lighthouse's fascinating history, heritage and significance, while helping visitors enjoy one of Sydney's most spectacular coastal landmarks.
There are opportunities for volunteers with a range of physical fitness levels. Tour guides need a high level of fitness, but Discovery Centre guides don't need to be as physically fit. 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.
Find out more about volunteering with us
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 always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- 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.
- Gates to Sphinx Memorial carpark are closed overnight from 7pm.
-
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).
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 40 or more people planning to visit this park. Contact the park office before your visit.
Buy annual pass
What's nearby:
Things to do (225)
- Aboriginal culture (23)
- Adventure sports (1)
- Beach (4)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (41)
- Cafes and kiosks (6)
- Canoeing/paddling (25)
- Cultural heritage (4)
- Cycling (16)
- Educational activities (1)
- Environmental appreciation/study (4)
- Fishing (15)
- Geotourism (1)
- Historic heritage (58)
- Horse riding (6)
- Other experiences (4)
- Photography (4)
- Picnics and barbecues (52)
- Sailing, boating and cruises (14)
- Sightseeing (87)
- Snorkelling and scuba (4)
- Swimming (17)
- Visitor centres (3)
- Walking (96)
- Waterfalls (7)
- Waterhole (2)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (18)