While an Outward Bound experience is about the journey as much as the destination, we offer diverse and inspiring locations from alpine wilderness to rainforest and coastal environs. We use National Parks and Private Land in a number of states, following the good weather in order to deliver the best possible experiences to our participants. In each location, we are committed to community and environmental service projects that ensure we minimise the level of impact and create sustainability of these locations for years to come. We pride ourselves on excellent relationships with National Parks and Land Owners. If you know of locations that are not listed here and you think would be good for an Outward Bound course, please contact us.
Discover yourself in one of these exciting destinations.
Oxley Wild Rivers and Willi Willi National Park – 4 Hours North of Sydney
Outward Bounds newest operational area is our Wild Rivers area near Port Macquarie approximately 4.5 hours north of Sydney. The area is a large plot of State Forests that lies north-west of Port Macquarie and east of Willi Willi National Park. With outstanding natural scenery, majestic forests and world class climbing, abseiling and expedition areas this area has to be one of finest educational settings in the country.
Outward Bound's National Base is located in Tharwa, which is on the edge of Namadgi National Park, just south of Canberra. As part of the Australian Alps, the exhilarating Brindabella and Tidbinbilla Ranges, with their variety of wildlife, clear mountain rivers, expansive forests and spectacular rock climbing sites, have proven an ideal location for our courses. This area includes large expanses of panoramic tracked and untracked wilderness and offers a fantastic range of activities including the Challenge Ropes Course; a massive freestanding ropes activity involving more than 30 elements that are up to 15 metres off the ground and is the largest of its kind in the Southern hemisphere .
Running a program around Tharwa also includes the use of the National Base facilities - established campsites and amenities for part of the program. Courses in this area can be especially flexible in both length and difficulty.
Our mobile base camp in this area is located about 40mins from the small town of Buchan in Victoria. This is the country in which Banjo Patterson's famous 'The Man from the Snowy River' was based. It is an area of diverse scenery, which has a rich history and fantastic range of activities including rock climbing, abseiling, expeditions (on track and off track), team ropes, caving (small groups only) and white water rafting on the beautiful Snowy River (depending on water levels). The Snowy River majestically winds and twists its way through some of NSW and Victoria's most awe-inspiring wilderness.
Our nearest operational area to Brisbane is Toonumbar National Park, which is located just outside of Kyogle in Northern NSW. It is a unique mix of dry Eucalypt and sub-tropical rainforest ecosystems. It offers intense multi day expeditions, flat water rafting as well as the Outward Bound constructed ropes course and abseil tree. It is a National Park with low public usage which ensures that groups get a wilderness experience and a very real chance to test their abilities in an unspoilt environment.
Australian's highest mountain forms the backdrop for an adventure through a network of picturesque mountains, rivers and streams and excellent cave systems. The magnificent Cooleman Mountains, Gurrangorambla Range and headwaters of the Murrumbidgee River provide plenty of challenges and the opportunity to explore huts from the pioneering age. Cooleman is generally thought to be more "hard core" than other areas for several reasons; The weather is wild and unpredictable (it can snow in December); There are large distances between activities so there is far more expeditioning (hiking); It is a fairly remote area where brumbies can often be seen.
Towering ancient forests of Tingle and Karri trees contrasting with low-lying coastal vegetation and Peppermint Groves frame your expedition in this awe-inspiring location. Your journey could take you through massive dunes, rugged headlands, hidden inlets and down to the crystal clear aquamarine ocean.
You will be required to be self-sufficient in the natural setting as you bushwalk, raft and take in a few of the sites along the way - ie high and low ropes course site (set amongst some old, and very big Karri trees), solo site, abseil tree and not to mention the endless opportunities for the avid photographer.
It is also a great place to catch a glimpse of some of the marine wildlife - dolphins, occasionally whales, and the huge array of coastal sea birds.
I really do not know where to start. I felt that I had to write a letter because the spoken word would not do you all justice. You are simply and purely amazing. For all the inspiration I have received from my peers around me, along with those beautiful individuals we met on the panel - you were the ones that humbled me the most. You have all worked so hard, and just seem so switched on. This is going to sound somewhat absurd but what really gives away your uniqueness and wisdom are your eyes. You may not realise it, but all of your eyes seem to have this perfect blend of peace and fire within.
It has been through your activities, your support, your kindness and laughter that has made this leadership course what it is, so on behalf of everyone - thankyou. My Dad has always gone on about 'Outward Bound' and how amazing it is, and now I can see what he sees, this organisation is amazing, and that is directly because of all of you. Thankyou.
