tour of amazon warehouse sydney

The News Of Tomorrow, Today

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Now you can get the top stories from Gizmodo delivered to your inbox. Enter your email below.

By subscribing you agree to our  Terms of Use  and  Privacy Policy.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Amazon’s Sydney Fulfilment Centre Tour is a Heavily Curated Look Behind Closed Doors

The fulfilment centre tours are a bizarre offering, but Australia isn’t the only location they’re offered. Worth noting, too, Amazon started doing these virtually from Sydney last year when COVID was still making its presence known, but now they’re IRL and….I get it. For a few reasons. The first is that robots are cool, supply chains are cool, and Amazon packs and ships a shitload of gear. But, the U.S. warehouse working condition-sized elephant in the room is also another reason the company would open its doors up.

There has been no shortage of news emerging from Amazon’s U.S. fulfilment centres. By almost all accounts, Amazon warehouses are  not pleasant places  to work. People face  dangerous conditions , difficult  quotas , and near-instant retaliation for failure to meet expectations.

As I wrote when covering the announcement of the virtual tours back in August last year, it isn’t just overseas Amazon is making headlines for the wrong reasons.

A few years ago, the ABC ran an exposé on the shopping giant’s local operations, the Sydney Morning Herald ran something similar , too. The SMH reported back in 2018 that some of Amazon’s Australian workers had described how they were being monitored and analysed every second of their workday. The ABC piece, meanwhile, described how a public-facing video of Amazon’s Melbourne warehouse didn’t represent what really goes on inside the fulfilment centre.

Naturally, with all this in mind, plus the promise of robots, I took them up on the offer to attend the tour, with about an hour spent on the warehouse floor, looking at kilometres of conveyer belts, boxes, and a few people here and there that were allowed to speak with me.

It really is overwhelming

The first thing you’ll notice upon entering the fulfilment centre floor is just how big this place is. Per my tour host, the warehouse spans 200,000 square metres across four levels – as they put it, about the land mass of Taronga Zoo. Inside, Amazon stores up to 20 million items sold on Amazon.com.au, smaller ones that can fit into something that looks like this (you’re looking at the yellow shelving in the background):

But more on that in a second.

As my tour started, hosted by a man who clearly loves his job, I met another staff member who was friendly and had a lot of nice things to say about the people he worked with. I was then told about what each conveyor belt ‘shoot’ was for – ie, sending poorly packed items back to be reboxed, or boxes that weren’t scanning correctly, etc.

There’s no denying this place is so meticulously organised. Every second of the process is accounted for, it comes as no surprise reports would say this goes for people, too.

Marketplace sellers can send products they are selling on Amazon.com.au to the fulfilment centre. It’s received, then unpacked and scanned and sent upstairs to the set up you can see in that pic above. The easiest way to think about this is that those yellow things each have numbers, each of those shelves within that yellow thing have numbers, and the system knows exactly where X item from X supplier has been loaded. When a customer orders that product, that yellow thing comes forward for packing. How? You may ask? Well, they are robotic.

So, when you order a product from Amazon.com.au, it’s found, boxed, sent downstairs to be packed, then it heads out for shipping. There’s minimal intervention from humans here, but they do oversee the process – from what I was shown.

Objectively, it’s cool. The whole thing is one giant, scheduled and structured movement where it seems everything has been thought of. You want something delivered merely hours after you order it, this is how it’s done. At the cost of people-power.

It will come as no surprise to you reading this that I am a nerd. I love a robot. And the fulfilment centre is full of them. It’s also full of a lot of exceptional innovation, the culmination of which is on show for everyone to see.

The Amazon staff I was allowed to chat with, film, and write about as part of the tour were all kind, were all from diverse backgrounds, and all undertaking a range of roles within the fulfilment centre. I asked about the conditions being presented in various reports in the media and that wasn’t something they could speak to. Not that I’d expect that, the staff I spoke to were trained to host tours, not answer global PR questions.

The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

It’s the most popular NBN speed in Australia for a reason. Here are the cheapest plans available.

• Publications
• Request Media Kit
• Newsletter Sign up
• Subscribe Now

Amazon Australia has opened its doors to the public for the first time, and is offering free in-person tours of its robotics fulfilment centre in Western Sydney four times a week.

Launching just in time for the school holidays, in-person tours are available to people six years old and over, and will run four days a week at Sydney’s Kemps Creek Fulfilment Centre – the largest warehouse ever built in Australia holding up to 20 million smaller items. Led by an expert guide, visitors will get to go behind the scenes to see how the products they order are stored, see some of the 2,000-plus robotic drives in action and meet a few of the 1500 people who help pick, pack and ship Amazon orders around Australia.

The introduction of in-person tours follows the successful launch of live virtual tours in August 2022, with over 4000 people signing up for the online experience so far. Those who are not in Sydney will still be able to join virtual tours twice a week on Mondays and Fridays and will get a look at the Sydney fulfilment centre, as well as crossing live to sites in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.

Amazon Australia Director of Operations Mindy Espidio-Garcia says, “Tours provide customers with an opportunity to learn how their orders are fulfilled and meet some of the team who make it happen. Australians who joined virtual tours said they found the tours insightful and had a deeper appreciation of what happens behinds the scenes of their orders. We’re excited to be able to open our doors and welcome our local community to visit in person to see some of the technology and people who make it all happen. For our talented workforce, we’re really excited to give their local community a glimpse of how the magic happens!”

The   Tour Guide based at Amazon’s Sydney robotics fulfilment centre and Kemps Creek local, Joshua Dawe is looking forward to hosting not only members of the public, but also his five children on a tour of Amazon Australia’s largest site.

In-person tours will operate four days a week in Kemps Creek and run for 60 – 90 minutes from 1:15pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 11:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Registration is essential for the tours.

Tours will operate in groups of 15 pax, with kids from the age of six years being able to attend with an adult. “The safety of our guests is our priority, and will be asked to wear flat, closed-heel shoes and long hair must be pulled at or above shoulder length. And for any guests with hearing impairment, sign language support is available.”

Australians can book an in-person tours via  https://amazontours.com/au/onsite . Or for virtual tours, bookings can be made via  https://amazontours.com/na/virtual .

• Amazon Australia
• fulfilment centre
• Mindy Espidio-Garcia

Related Articles

Salute to life with sprio spritz, naturally good announces 2024 award finalists, bibigo launches australian made fresh kimchi, stay connected.

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.

© Copyright - Retail Media 2022

• Privacy Policy

• Subscribers

Amazon now offering behind-the-scenes tours of its robotic fulfilment centre

Amazon Australia is inviting Australians into its robotic fulfilment centre in western Sydney to take a behind the scenes tour and see how their online orders get to their doorstep.

Launching just in time for the school holidays, the free in-person tours are available for people six years and older and will run four days a week at Sydney’s Kemps Creek fulfilment centre.

This is the largest warehouse built in Australia and holds up to 20 million items.

The tour is led by an expert guide so visitors can see more than 2000 robotic drives in action which help the 1,500 staff pick, pack and ship orders across the country.

“ Tours provide customers with an opportunity to learn how their orders are fulfilled and meet some of the team who make it happen,” says Mindy Espidio-Garcia , Director of Operations at Amazon Australia.

“Australians who joined virtual tours said they found the tours insightful and had a deeper appreciation of what happens behinds the scenes of their orders.

“We’re excited to be able to open our doors and welcome our local community to visit in person to see some of the technology and people who make it all happen.

“For our talented workforce, we’re really excited to give their local community a glimpse of how the magic happens.”

The tours will operate four days a week in Kemps Creek and run between 60 and 90 minutes from 1:15pm on Mondays and Fridays and 11:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Tours will run in groups of 15 with kids from the age of six able to attend with an adult.

The site is the largest warehouse ever constructed in Australia and the first robotic fulfilment centre in the southern hemisphere.

It spans 200,000 square metres across four levels and around the size of 24 rugby league fields.

Robotic drives work together with employees and reduce the time and effort to stow and pick items.

This system also saves space and allows for up to 40 per cent more items to be stored.

This allows for faster production selection which helps the small and medium-sized businesses using Amazon to better service their customers around Australia.

Tours can be booked at https://amazontours.com/au/onsite

Related Posts

Stephen is the Tech Guide editor and one of Australia's most respected tech journalists. He is a regular on radio and TV talking about the latest tech news, products and trends.

Kobo’s latest Elipsa 2E eReader provides a new reading and writing experience

DJI to release new professional Inspire 3 drone on April 13

Amazon launches virtual tours of its warehouses

Amazon Australia is opening up its fulfilment centres in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to customer tours – well, virtually, at least.

Customers will be able to take free live virtual tours of the sites four days a week, and see how the contents of their online shopping cart make it from the warehouse to their door, as well as get “up close and personal” with Amazon’s fulfilment technology. Virtual guides will introduce some of the people who pick, pack, and ship orders throughout Australia and customers will be able to see the vast quantities of products stored at the fulfilment centres, ready to ship.

“At Amazon, our promise is all about providing great value and fast delivery for our customers,” said Mindy Espidio-Garcia, director of operations at Amazon Australia. 

“In order to do that, we’ve hired talented employees from right across the country, and invested in the systems and technology to support them. With online shopping now a part of everyday life, this is the perfect opportunity for customers to join us for an hour to see what happens after they place their order.”

The free tours will last one hour, and Australians can reserve them online via the Amazon website . 

In April, Amazon Australia opened the doors to its Sydney Robotic Fulfilment Centre, Australia’s first and largest robotics warehouse, spanning 200,000sqm across four levels.

Recommended By IR

Online alcohol retailer BoozeBud appoints administrators

Pull&Bear launches in Australia, New Zealand with The Iconic

Revlon exits bankruptcy, assures of ‘strong financial footing’

Pet Circle launches insurance for cats and dogs

LinkedIn cuts over 700 jobs, exits China app as demand wavers

This is for ir pro members only..

Log in below or subcribe.

By continuing, you agree to Octomedia Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

• SYDNEY, NSW
• MELBOURNE, VIC
• HOBART, TAS
• BRISBANE, QLD
• ADELAIDE, SA
• CANBERRA, ACT
• Three bodies found in search for Australian tourists in Mexico

Inside Amazon's high-tech robotic warehouse tackling Australia's online shopping boom

Send your stories to [email protected]

Auto news: The BMW badge you used to know will soon look different.

Top Stories

Bodies discovered in Mexico near campsite of missing brothers

World's most notorious gangster bullied mercilessly in prison

'Outstanding' Crichton primed for Origin return

A wild orangutan used a medicinal plant to treat a wound, scientists say

Amazon offering free tours of warehouse

Amazon Australia has opened its doors to the public for the first time and is offering free in-person tours four times a week at its robotics warehouse in Western Sydney.

Launching just in time for the school holidays, in-person tours are available to people six years old and over at Sydney’s Kemps Creek Fulfilment Centre – the largest warehouse ever built in Australia holding up to 20 million smaller items.

Led by an expert guide, visitors will get to go behind the scenes to see how the products they order are stored, see some of the 2000-plus robotic drives in action and meet a few of the 1500 people who help pick, pack, and ship Amazon orders around Australia.

“Tours provide customers with an opportunity to learn how their orders are fulfilled and meet some of the teams who make it happen,” Mindy Espidio-Garcia, Director of Operations at Amazon Australia, says.

“Australians who joined virtual tours said they found the tours insightful and had a deeper appreciation of what happens behind the scenes of their orders.”

The introduction of in-person tours follows the successful launch of live virtual tours in August 2022, with more than 4000 people signing up for the online experience to date.

Those who are not in Sydney can still join virtual tours twice a week on Mondays and Fridays and will get a look at the Sydney fulfilment centre, as well as crossing live to sites in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.

In-person tours will operate four days a week in Kemps Creek and run for 60-90 minutes from 1:15pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 11:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays – registration is essential.

Tours will operate in groups of 15 pax, with kids from the age of six being able to attend with an adult.

Amazon Australia says the safety of its guests is its priority, and will ask them to wear flat, closed-heel shoes and long hair must be pulled at or above shoulder length. It will also provide sign language support for guests with hearing impairments.

Australians can book an in-person tours via  https://amazontours.com/au/onsite Or for virtual tours, they can book via  https://amazontours.com/na/virtual

For more information on Amazon Australia, click here .

Appliance Retailer

Amazon offers free tours of robotics fulfilment centre

Amazon Australia has opened its doors to the public for the first time, offering free in-person tours of its robotics fulfilment centre in Western Sydney.

In-person tours are available to people six years old and over and will run four days a week at the Kemps Creek Fulfilment Centre – the largest warehouse ever built in Australia holding up to 20 million smaller items.

Led by an expert guide, visitors will go behind the scenes to see how the products are stored, see some of the 2,000+ robotic drives in action and meet a few of the 1,500 people who help pick, pack and ship Amazon orders around Australia.

The introduction of in-person tours follows the successful launch of live virtual tours in August 2022, with over 4,000 people signing up for the online experience so far. Those not in Sydney can still join virtual tours twice a week on Mondays and Fridays and will get a look at the Sydney fulfilment centre, as well as crossing live to sites in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.

“Tours provide customers with an opportunity to learn how their orders are fulfilled and meet some of the team who make it happen,” Amazon Australia director of operations, Mindy Espidio-Garcia said.

“Australians who joined virtual tours said they found the tours insightful and had a deeper appreciation of what happens behinds the scenes of their orders. We’re excited to be able to open our doors and welcome our local community to visit in person to see some of the technology and people who make it all happen. For our talented workforce, we’re excited to give their local community a glimpse of how the magic happens.”

The Tour Guide based at Amazon’s Sydney robotics fulfilment centre and Kemps Creek local, Joshua Dawe is looking forward to hosting not only members of the public, but also his five children on a tour of Amazon Australia’s largest site.

“I can’t wait to give Australians the chance to experience our site in person. I think they will be blown away by the sheer size of the building and enjoy the chance to see how the robotics and our people work together to get their orders processed quickly.”

In-person tours will operate four days a week in Kemps Creek and run for 60 to 90 minutes from 1:15pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 11:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays – registration is essential. Tours will operate in groups of 15, with kids from the age of six being able to attend with an adult.

Feature image: Amazon tour guide, Joshua Dawe leading a tour group including the families of Amazon staff members around the Amazon BWU2 facility at Kemps Creek in Western Sydney.

Amazon Australia opens the doors of its massive Sydney warehouse

4.3 hectares of fulfilment

It was only in May that Amazon Australia began work on its second fulfilment centre in Sydney’s south-western suburb of Moorebank. Within months, the warehouse has become operational and officially opened its doors for business.

With 43,000 square metres of indoor space, the Sydney fulfilment centre is nearly twice the size of the one in Melbourne, making it easier for the online marketplace to keep its promise of fast delivery times, especially for Amazon Prime members.

The large space also makes room for a wider product range, allowing “thousands of small and medium-sized Australian businesses” to use Amazon’s fulfilment program “to more easily access customers across the country”.

"This is an exciting milestone for Amazon in Australia,” said Robert Bruce, Amazon’s Director of Operations. He added that "the Sydney facility in Moorebank will help Amazon ensure that customers enjoy fast and reliable delivery across more areas of the country," and "builds on the capabilities of our first fulfilment centre in Dandenong South in Victoria, and expands our ability to service the growing customer demand".

Stiff competition

Given Amazon’s popularity in other international markets, retailers and online marketplaces in Australia needed to step up their game if they wanted to be able to compete with Amazon.

In a bid to compete with Amazon, online auction site eBay recently launched its eBay Plus subscription service in Australia, which provides subscribers with free shipping and returns on eligible products.

It’s similar to Amazon Prime, which is priced very aggressively in Australia at just $59 a year, half the cost than the US service. eBay Plus – which is available in only Germany and Australia at the moment – has an annual fee of $49. However, Amazon’s Prime service comes with other perks, like free access to Prime Video and Prime Reading.

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.

• The best Amazon deals and sales in Australia for May 2018

Sharmishta is TechRadar's APAC Managing Editor and loves all things photography, something she discovered while chasing monkeys in the wilds of India (she studied to be a primatologist but has since left monkey business behind). While she's happiest with a camera in her hand, she's also an avid reader and has become a passionate proponent of ereaders, having appeared on Singaporean radio to talk about the convenience of these underrated devices. When she's not testing camera kits or the latest in e-paper tablets, she's discovering the joys and foibles of smart home gizmos. She's also the Australian Managing Editor of Digital Camera World and, if that wasn't enough, she contributes to T3 and Tom's Guide, while also working on two of Future's photography print magazines Down Under.

Huge weekend sale at Amazon - 17 best deals I recommend

Boston Dynamics put a dog costume on its Spot robot and it's downright adorable

Sony Xperia 1 VI leak reveals new camera app and more features borrowed from Alpha cameras

Most Popular

• 2 A researcher compared Android and iOS for app security, and there’s a clear loser
• 3 The retro Nokia phone everyone owned 25 years ago will get a reboot soon – and yes, it has Snake
• 4 Lenovo's new ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 weighs less than 2Kg and is powered by a Core Ultra 9 185H CPU
• 5 Another major pharmacy chain shuts following possible cyberattack
• 2 Take a trip down macOS memory lane with these web-based retro versions of Apple's operating system - and yes, they can run Doom
• 3 Another major pharmacy chain shuts following possible cyberattack
• 4 Cameras are back – why they’ve grown for the first time in 13 years, despite the power of iPhone and Android phones
• 5 Angry Netflix UK and Canada fans threaten to close their accounts over permanent Basic tier removal in early June

• About Amazon (English)
• About Amazon (日本語)
• About Amazon (Francais)
• About Amazon (Deutsch)
• About Amazon (Italiano)
• About Amazon (Polskie)
• About Amazon (Espanol)
• About Amazon (Español)
• About Amazon (Français)
• About Amazon (Português)

Learn about Amazon Australia’s plans to invest in two new Western Sydney fulfilment centres, creating 1,000 jobs

• Facebook Share
• LinkedIn Share
• Twitter Share
• Email Share
• Copy Link copied

Amazon Australia reinforced its commitment to Western Sydney, announcing plans to invest $490 million in opening two new fulfilment centres (FC) in Horsley Park by early 2026, creating 1,000 jobs.

New South Wales Premier, The Hon. Chris Minns; Planning Minister, The Hon. Paul Scully MP; The Hon. John Graham, MLC; Amazon Australia Country Manager, Janet Menzies; and Goodman General Manager, Western Sydney Developments, Stephanie Partridge broke ground on one of the new fulfilment centres on 9 April 2024, at Goodman and Brickworks’ Oakdale East Industrial Estate in Horsley Park.

The purpose-built FC will be around four and a half times the size of the Opera House (80,000 square metres)

Targeting completion in early 2026, the purpose-built FC has capacity to hold up to 1.6 million large items sold on Amazon.com.au such as garden equipment, furniture and flat screen TVs. Construction of the site has commenced, which will generate an additional 3,000 jobs during construction and fit out.

The second FC site will span around 33,400 sqm - equivalent to around 4.5 rugby league fields

The second FC, located also in Horsley Park is a fit out of an existing building. It will have the capacity to hold up to 600,000 larger items - is set to open later this year and will have created an additional 500 construction jobs upon completion.

Sandra McNeil, Amazon Australia Operations Manager, says “Amazon Australia’s investment in two new facilities in Western Sydney will expand our operational footprint in this area which will provide customers with wider selection and faster delivery. We’re committed to improving selection and delivery speed as demand continues to grow, as well as being dedicated to giving back to the communities in which we operate. We are proud to be able to provide more local job opportunities and look forward to working with the NSW Government to continue our investment in the Western Sydney area.”

  All kinds of jobs will be created from Amazon’s investments

At the new sites, Amazon Australia will offer a diverse range of job opportunities in a high-tech, industry-leading workplace ranging from IT, HR and technology professionals, to associates who will pick, pack and ship items to customers. The majority of jobs will be permanent full-time roles, with leading pay and comprehensive benefits such as subsidised private healthcare and up to 20 weeks of maternity pay.

“The opening of these two brand new fulfilment centres in Horsley Park will be responsible for thousands of jobs in construction and over a thousand more jobs once operational – this is much needed capital investment from Amazon and we’re thrilled it is taking place in Western Sydney. This corner of Sydney will be one of the most exciting additions to job creation and economic development in the entire country.”

Both of the new fulfilment centres will be equipped with advanced technology to assist Amazon’s team as they pick and pack items, serving Australian shoppers on Amazon.com.au - contributing to the company’s efforts to deliver a smarter, faster and more consistent experience for customers in Sydney around Australia.

These two additional sites will expand the capacity available to the Australian sellers who use Fulfilment by Amazon, enabling those with larger items to more seamlessly service customers around the country.

Since opening its first Sydney fulfilment centre in Moorebank in 2018, Amazon has invested more than $1.5 billion to Western Sydney, additionally opening a robotics fulfilment centre in Kemps Creek in 2022 and a logistic site in Regents Park - resulting in over 3,000 current local jobs being created.

^Includes all capital expenditure associated with the construction and fit-out of sites, equipment for launch and all associated lease costs.

Learn more about our facilities and operations in Australia

Amazon.com.au small business sellers recap their 2022 Prime Day

Amazon’s continued investment in Aussie jobs and businesses

Construction of the largest warehouse ever built in Australia is well underway, creating jobs for Western Sydney

Amazon Australia invests in a new Melbourne fulfilment centre

Amazon Australia announces a new fulfilment centre

Creating new jobs for locals in Australia

• Your job application
• Amazon culture & benefits
• Diversity at Amazon
• Job categories
• Interview tips
• Disability accommodations
• About Amazon

About Sydney

A thriving hub of beauty, culture, and opportunity.

Sydney is located on the east coast of Australia. It was built on low hills that surround its famous harbor, with the iconic Sydney Opera House standing against the skyline. The city offers a blend of natural wonders, cultural treasures, and economic prosperity.

From its rugged cliffs to golden beaches, the stunning scenery is ideal for all kinds of outdoors activities. Climb the Blue Mountains, catch some waves at Bondi Beach, or take a stroll through the Royal Botanical Garden. Art, theater, and music are also a major part of the city’s identity, with a wide range of events.

We have a strong network of facilities and office space in the Sydney area. With a talented workforce and a strategic position, Sydney is a key hub for our operations. From entry level to specialized roles in a range of tech and non-tech areas, we have the career you’re looking for. Ready to join us?        

Find jobs in Sydney, Australia

Find careers.

• Job Categories
• US and EU Military recruiting
• Warehouse and Hourly Jobs

Working At Amazon

• Amazon Newsletter
• Our leadership principles
• Review application status
• EU background checks

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

Amazon warehouse locations: NSW - New South Wales

There are warehouse operative roles available in various Amazon locations in NSW

Sydney-Moorebank

23 Centenary Ave, Moorebank NSW 2170

Sydney-Kemps Creek

3 Emporium Avenue, Kemps Creek NSW 2178

Sydney-Botany

30 Sir Joseph Banks Street, Botany NSW 2019

Sydney-Glendenning

138 Glendenning Road, Glendenning NSW 2761

Sydney-Regents Park

391 Park Road, Regents Park NSW 2143

Sydney-Bella Vista

2-8 Lexington Drive, Bella Vista NSW 2153

Newcastle - Mayfield West

8 Laurio Pl, Mayfield West, NSW 2304

Still have a question?

A Utah couple accidentally shipped their cat with an Amazon return. A week – and 3 ‘miracles’ later – they were on a plane to meet a stranger

T he Amazon returns employee wasn’t at work the day one of her colleagues at a California warehouse found  a small, furry stowaway in a box mailed six days earlier from Utah.

But Brandy Hunter got the call anyway.

“Everyone knows I love cats,” she recalled. “I was not on shift but went to the facility with cat food and a carrier to see if I could help.”

When she got there April 16, the small calico had emerged from the 3-by-3-foot cardboard container. But the feline was frightened and wouldn’t eat anything.

“She eventually warmed up to me and let me pet her,” Hunter said in her statement from Amazon. “I could tell she belonged to someone by the way she was behaving, so I took her home that night.”

Hunter planned to feed and cuddle the wee hitchhiker , she said. She also would take her the next day to a vet for an exam – and to check for a microchip that might hold the secret to her identity.

Meanwhile, some 630 miles away in Lehi, Utah, Carrie Stevens Clark had been eagerly searching for her lost cat , then missing for nearly a week, she told CNN. Galena, a 6-year-old indoor shorthair, tended to be quiet and often froze in uncomfortable situations.

She also loved boxes.

And Clark’s family loved her.

They had prayed for her swift return, Clark said, even undertaking a one-day fast, a regular practice during challenging times within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

But still, no Galena.

A not-so-micro discovery

Back in California, Hunter took her new foster to the vet. An exam revealed she was not injured, had a regular temperature and was only mildly dehydrated, the Amazon worker posted on  Facebook .

The vet also made a key discovery: The cat was, in fact, microchipped.

Soon, another phone – in Lehi, Utah – was ringing.

Clark initially thought it was a prank, she said: The caller – in Jurupa Valley, California, west of Los Angeles – had found her lost cat. And the vet sent proof: all the information from Galena’s microchip.

“I knew at that point she really had my cat,” Clark told CNN.

“We literally had emotions of laughing hysterically to crying hysterically,” she said. “They were so intense. It was just the strangest emotion feeling both of those at the same time.”

Galena, Clark soon learned, had been found in the Amazon return box.

That’s when she put it all together.

Boxed in before a trio of ‘miracles’

“The box is Galena’s absolute favorite place to play in, and she’s pretty chill and happy when she’s in a box,” Clark told CNN.

On April 10, Carrie, with her husband Matt Clark, had been packing up work boots to ship. “What happened was my husband had packed up the shoes, and he kept one pair and put the other five back in the box.”

Then, Matt closed the flaps of the box before leaving the room to get tape and scissors.

“Galena must have snuck into the box without him seeing and without us knowing, and then he came back and taped the box back up,” Carrie Clark said. “She loves to hide in boxes, so she was pretty happy in there. She didn’t make any noise.”

UPS then ferried away the box, Amazon representative Alisa Carroll told CNN.

That’s when, by Clark’s estimation, a trio of “miracles” started kicking in.

One of the box’s seams wasn’t completely sealed, allowing Galena enough oxygen to breathe, Clark said. Also, the weather was perfectly stable – not too hot or too cold – so Galena did not freeze or get overheated.

And then she arrived in Jurupa Valley, where Hunter, who rescues cats  as a side hustle, picked up her phone. She was “the only person at that warehouse who knew how to handle the situation” and recognized it was an accident and “wasn’t malicious by any means,” Clark said.

Soon, the Clarks were on a plane.

Galena’s grand greeting

“We were so nervous,” Clark said of the flight. “I was so anxious to see her and just get to her. That’s the only thing I could think of was, ‘I just want to get to my cat.’”

Still, “we didn’t know what kind of shape she would be in,” she said.

Eight days after Galena was unwittingly packed up and two days after the warehouse discovery, Clark and her husband stepped into an exam room at the California vet’s office.

Clark began to coo, as Hunter recorded video she later posted online .

“It’s Mommy,” she said, her eyes locked on Galena, crouched on a blue exam table.

“Hi … Hi, my baby.”

“My darling,” Clark said, curling Galena into her chest and rocking back and forth.

“This is my baby.”

“This moment,” Hunter posted of the reunion, “was absolutely amazing (full of happy tears!!).”

Then, Galena – after days of being too scared to eat and still rapt with exhaustion and stressed to the point of shedding – let Clark feed her by hand.

A purr-fect ending

For the whole 10-hour drive back to Utah, Clark stared at Galena as she slept. And soon, Clark said, her furry companion was back to her usual self.

“We’re really pleased Brandy was able to help Galena reunite with her family,” Amazon’s Carroll said.

Galena will likely continue to be a massive box lover – hopefully without again taking off in one. And now, with their beloved cat back safe and sound, the Clarks want to emphasize the importance of microchips for pets.

“The main reason we were able to be reunited back with her again was because of her microchip, so we encourage all pet owners to microchip their pets,” she said. “It’s a really, really easy procedure. It’s just a tiny microchip that goes in the back of their shoulder blades.”

For Clark, though, the biggest takeaway runs much deeper.

“God’s hand is in the details of our lives. Like, he’s really the one who can control it all. And if he wants something to happen, he can easily make it happen,” she said. “And that’s honestly my main purpose.”

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com