If you love camping, meeting new people and the great outdoors, you now have the chance to take part in an exciting new volunteer program in one of Australia’s most beautiful Parks.

The Northern Territory Department of Tourism and Culture is calling for volunteers to take part in the Campground Host Program pilot at Litchfield National Park from 25 March to 30 September 2018.

Motivated Campground Host volunteers will help with the smooth running of Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek), Wangi and Florence Falls campgrounds.

As a volunteer you will be required for a minimum of 2 weeks and must have strong communication and interpersonal skills, plus demonstrated experience with camping. First Aid certificate and National Police Check are highly desirable.

Department of Tourism and Culture, Parks and Wildlife Volunteer Programs Coordinator, Lucy Smith said this exciting program has been extremely successful in other states.

“The feedback we have seen from other states has been extremely positive, with hosts saying they have loved the chance to travel and meet new people while getting to know a region,” Ms Smith said.

“Campground Hosts will offer support to the rangers by meeting and greeting visitors as they arrive at the campsites, letting people know how to pay their camp fees and also by being a friendly face and providing information about what to see and do at Litchfield National Park.

“Hosts will receive a free campsite and induction and program training will be provided.”

Experienced Campground Hosts Bernie and Joan Park have already signed up, following their time hosting in Western Australia.

“Joan and I are both in our 70’s, retired and are no longer tied to a house. We live in a caravan and for the past four years have spent a good part of each year travelling in Australia, spending the winter months in the northern parts,” Mr Park said.

“We originally signed up as camp hosts in WA in 2015 after the program was recommended by another couple, and since then we have hosted for several months a year across seven different campgrounds.

“We have found it fits in very well with our travel plans. We love the outdoors and the beautiful parks and feel we have a purpose in our role of camp host.

“It is wonderful meeting so many new people as everyone has a story. We also love the interaction with rangers as we get to see things at campgrounds from a different point of view.

“We’re looking forward to hosting in the Northern Territory and seeing a new place we haven’t visited before. Every campground is a new experience.

“We would recommend being a Campground Host to anyone who likes talking to people and is prepared to give some of their time in a voluntary position as the ‘work’ is very rewarding. It is a really special experience.”

For further information and expressions of interest, contact Lucy Smith, Volunteer Programs Coordinator – volunteer.parks@nt.gov.au or (08) 8999 3821.

For media enquiries contact Department of Tourism and Culture Media Manager: 0476844832