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Home About Who we are

Heart and Heritage of Outdoor Education

Step into open spaces where life is simplified, nature abounds and new experiences and adventures flourish.

Giving everyone a Chance

As an independent, not-for-profit outdoor educator, Outward Bound Australia inspires Aussies of all ages and circumstances to take a journey of self-discovery.

Our impactful experiences help develop the tools to thrive in everyday life whether at school, at work, with family, or in your community.

Leaders in outdoor education

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The original provider of outdoor education, we’ve impacted the lives of countless Aussies since 1956. Part of the Outward Bound International network, our programs are shaped by contemporary global expertise.

Authentic wilderness

Where adventure meets genuine connection. Explore the wild, embrace new challenges, and rediscover yourself while building a deeper bond with nature and those around you.

Educating, differently

Here, nature does the teaching. It inspires, challenges, and connects- engaging heart, mind, and body in new ways to create learnings for life.

Highly qualified staff

Skilled and experienced staff with outdoor leadership and wilderness first aid training. Carefully chosen for their care and compassion, leading groups in nature is what they do best.

Inclusive & supportive

We value diversity and inclusion and make everyone feel welcome on an OBA program. We serve disadvantaged communities by providing care and support when it is needed.

Trusted

Our crew are warm, engaging educators, as passionate about human development as they are about outdoor adventure. They are highly skilled, expertly trained professionals committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and risk management.

“The program has been so incredible, the wildlife and nature we hiked through was so incredible. Having cliff dinners, bush bashing, seeing pods of dolphins, camping under the stars – it has been such a special experience surrounded by the most inspiring, positive women.”

Charlotte, Gutsy Girls Participant 2025

“Students who have participated in Outward Bound programs consistently highlight the profound impact these experiences have had on them. Many describe these programs as pivotal moments where they learned critical life skills, developed resilience and responsibility, and thoroughly enjoyed the challenges they faced.” 

Tom Gleeson, Academy Director at Queanbeyan Clontarf Academy

“The program was a real running point in my life. The content and the delivery were both outstanding and I felt not only encouraged but supported and cared for all along. The facilitators made it safe for us to stretch out of our comfort zone, and at times fail. I feel like I left a good part of my old self somewhere out in the bush and I’m going home with a renewed sense of who I am and what I can achieve.“

TRAIL Corporate pogram participant

“Our challenge is to hear these voices, listen to these cultures, and to seek ways of acknowledging their existence and importance in our relationships, in our work, in our programs. We accept the invitation issued in the Uluru Statement to walk with First Nations people in a movement of the Australian people for a better future”

Dr Loren Miller, Co-Chair and CEO

“I love the encouragement from my peer group and the genuine relationships it helped me feel. It left me feeling capable.”

Karralika Participant

Where we started

Outward Bound Australia began 70 years ago, inspired by the global movement founded by Kurt Hahn to develop resilience and leadership through outdoor adventure. The first Australian programs were delivered in the 1950s, with the establishment of a permanent base in Tharwa, ACT, in 1968.

Over the decades, Outward Bound has expanded and adapted, running programs in diverse locations across Australia, including Fisherman’s Point Sydney, Uki, Northern NSW, the Snowy River, Walpole Wilderness, and the Northern Territory.

Throughout its history, the organisation has evolved to meet changing needs, adjusting program length, difficulty and growing with the industry.

Where we are now

Outward Bound Australia is the heart and heritage of outdoor education in this country. We have weathered bushfires, floods, and the challenges of COVID, yet we have emerged stronger than ever.

Our team is the best in the field, with a culture so strong that a third of our alumni return to work with us during peak seasons, drawn back by their love for the outdoors, the company and its mission.

Through every challenge, we’ve remained true to our purpose connecting people with the outdoors through transformative experiences. People come to us because our expedition skills are unwavering, built on decades of experience and a deep understanding of outdoor leadership.

Our international family

Check out Outward Bound International

Outward Bound Internationally has grown to more than 30 countries across six continents, impacting over 2 million people globally and welcoming 150,000 participants each year.

Outward Bound International’s Global Impact Study found that 92% of participants reported increased confidence in overcoming challenges, and 88% felt more connected to nature after their program. From the UK, to Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Dubai, the Outward Bound International family is an incredible network for OBA to be apart of.

PATRON - Her Excellency the Honourable Ms. Sam Mostyn AC

Outward Bound Australia is honoured to have Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC as our Patron. Sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General in July 2024, Ms. Mostyn brings to the role a deep commitment to equity, leadership, and environmental stewardship—values that strongly align with the mission of Outward Bound.

Learn more here

AMBASSADOR - Dr Beau Miles

Dr Beau Miles is a modern-day adventurer, storyteller, and advocate for unconventional learning—and Outward Bound Australia is proud to have him as our Ambassador. With a PhD in Outdoor Education and a knack for turning everyday experiences into meaningful adventures, Beau embodies the Outward Bound spirit of challenge, curiosity, and personal growth.

Learn more about Beau

Get to know our crew

They’re the friendly faces, expert guides, and passionate adventurers who make it all happen.

Meet the team dedicated to bringing the thrills, analysing risk and delivering the memories.

Meet the Crew

Our Foundation

Giving everyone a chance

Our registered charity arm, the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund (AOBDF), helps fund opportunities for those experiencing disadvantage or life challenges, to access our experiences.

Through donations, partnerships and other financial contributions, the fund aims to make outdoor adventures accessible to more Aussies

I'd like to make a donation

Our Industry Memberships

JOIN US IN MANAGING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN AUSTRALIA, FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Our aim is: to build capacity & capability; to be able to predict, prepare for, mitigate & respond to events; to learn & adapt to become more resilient & safer in the face of a changing climate; so that all Australians and visitors, wherever they live and whatever their age, ability and cultural background, are able to enjoy and benefit from being in the outdoors and feel safe in doing so.

Head to the NatCORR website for more

Born from 2020 Bushfires

In 2020, Outward Bound lost 3 operational areas to bushfires with devastating impact – the clean-up was a massive job; insurance under-delivered and accessing government support was time consuming and resource-demanding.

Future Focused

Working in the outdoors means we feel the effects of a changing climate firsthand. So, we're taking action to keep the outdoors sustainable and accessible for the future.

Outdoor Risk Intelligence

Developed through extensive industry consultation, ORI delivers two cutting-edge tools: ORI HEAT for heat management and forecasting, and ORI TRACK for incident analysis and reporting.