O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse Retreat

Lamington National Park, Queensland | Australia

Australia-004

Live the dream of wildlife interpretive guiding at a guest house retreat in the subtropical rainforests of Australia!

Internships Details

About the Organization

O'Reilly specializes in eco-tourism. For over 90 years the O'Reilly family has hosted guests in their home in the World Heritage listed Lamington National Forest. The guest house, opened in 1926, enjoys a rich history and is dedicated to innovative guest services and activities. The family is still a major part of the hospitality and operations, and the site still a pristine, protected and untouched rain forest with unique flora and fauna, particularly bird life. O'Reilly practices and experiments with approaches in sustainability, responsible tourism and eco-tourism. Their specialties include discovery programs, package tours and family experiences.

Job Description

This is a six-month internship position. The training to be provided is closely aligned with each intern's current education and career goals. Internship activities include rotating through various management and operations aspects of the guesthouse, including: hospitality and hotel management, restaurant management, conference planning, operations, accounting, maintenance (including grounds), waste management, recycling, and activities planning and promotion for families, groups and children. The intern may be allowed to guide and facilitate Discovery Tours following sufficient demonstration of local environment, history, flora and fauna knowledge.

O'Reilly's is a guest service-oriented organization. All employees are required to comply with identified conduct, dress and service codes.

# of Positions per term

2

Start Dates

Any term

Duration of Internship

6 months

Qualifications

Academic Background

Experience or background in any one or a combination of: Tourism; Hospitality; Management; Guest Services; Eco-Tourism; Recreation; Event or Activities Planning or Coordination.

Skills/Experience

Good communication skills and previous work in hospitality and guest services is required. Naturalist skills and eco-tourism knowledge are assets. Japanese, or another foreign language skill, is also an asset.

Language Ability

English

Other Requirements

All applicants must conduct a secondary phone interview with the O'Reilly's Human Resources Manager. Because of the family resort nature of O'Reilly's, a uniformed dress code is enforced while working at O'Reilly's. Tattoos, piercings and/or hairstyles must be discreet or tactfully concealed while at work. If accepted, interns will be required to complete a police background check. Interns working in the Discovery Center will be expected to assist with a children's outings club (the "Scrub Club") during the school holidays. A willingness and ability to work with children periodically is therefore important.

Internship Costs

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE3 Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE3 page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type Price
International Travel AIrfare: $1500
Visa Fees $180 USD
Recommended Immunizations Recommended Health Check $100

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type Price/month
Housing Proided free of charge
Food Proided free of charge
Local Transportation $150 USD
Recreation $250 USD
Personal Expenses $150 USD

Compensation

Possibility of earning credits through resort that will pay for intern recreation and activities through additional service work available but not required.

Additional Information

Website: OReilly's Rainforest Guesthouse Retreat The Intern will be provided with an Employee Handbook, O'Reilly's organizational information and any needed equipment for the internship activities.

Intern will be required to work with the IE3 Regional Director for Oceania to obtain an Occupational Trainee visa for Australia.

Click here to see photos of O'Reilly's and the Lamington National Forest.

Last Updated on Jun 10, 2008