Veterinary Academy: Australian Wildlife
This immersive two-week program takes place at Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga, just outside Sydney, where you’ll live and work alongside professional veterinarians caring for over 200 captive animals across 80 acres of protected bushland. Unlike traditional zoo programs, this experience places you directly in the Australian wilderness, working with species found nowhere else on Earth.
Prepare for the future
- Participating in clinical lab rotations to practice skills like using a microscope, suturing, and necropsy
- Wildlife research and enrichment to provide proper care for the reptiles, birds, and mammals that call the park home
- Anatomy and handling labs, including understanding the biology of marsupials such as kangaroos and koalas
By attending Veterinary Academy: Australian Wildlife, you can earn up to 80 veterinary hours, a required part of every vet school application.
2026 Program Dates & Tuition
- 14 Days
- July 26-August 8
- $7,199
What’s Included
Most Meals
Accommodations
10:1 Teaching Vet-to-Student Ratio
Up to 80 Veterinary Hours
College credit is included with tuition. Students attending high school Veterinary Academy programs are eligible to receive college credit(s) through George Mason University. Credits are included in the cost of tuition and are awarded for successful completion of the program and credit requirements. Learn more.
Program Highlights
Clinical Lab Experience
In hands-on clinical lab rotations, you’ll practice essential skills including using a microscope to examine specimens, suturing techniques, necropsy procedures, and conducting physical exams.
Wildlife Conservation
Your work at Walkabout Wildlife Part will directly support conservation efforts at a ZAA-accredited facility that participates in critical breeding programs for endangered species like Tasmanian devils and Eastern quolls.
Exotic Animal Medicine
You’ll gain knowledge in specialized areas of exotic animal veterinary practice, including marsupial anatomy, wildlife handling and restraint, animal enrichment design, and zoo medicine in a unique international environment.
Behind-the-Scenes at Taronga Zoo
You’ll spend the day at the world-renowned Taronga Zoo in Sydney Harbour, where you’ll experience a behind-the-scenes hospital tour and learn how they provide daily care for over 5,000 animals.
Your Adventure, Day by Day
Day 1
Arrive in Sydney
Day 2
Welcome to Walkabout Wildlife Park
Day 3
Animal Care Rotations
Day 4
Learning Rotation I
Day 5
Learning Rotation II
Day 6
Learning Rotation III
Day 7
Field Class Enrichment
Day 8
Conservation in Practice
Day 9
Terrigal Day Trip
Day 10
Diagnostics
Day 11
Walkabout Wildlife Park Final Day
Day 12
Taronga Zoo
Day 13
Sydney Exploration
Day 14
Departure Day
Image Gallery
What some of our students and staff are saying…
This trip was truly life changing. I loved the people and staff and connected with them in a way I didn’t see happening.”
My son was able to have a wonderful experience learning meaningful things while having fun with his new friends.”
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For the safety of students, staff, and animals, not all animals may be touched or handled by participants. The teaching veterinarian and other professional staff members will advise students of the proper time, place, and method to handle animals when it is safe to do so.