Gutsy Girls Adventure

This video is of the 2024 pre-program briefing. View to learn more about the program.

Outward Bound’s Gutsy Girls Adventure is a 10-day journey through some of the most spectacular coastal wilderness Australia has to offer.

Journey through towering Karri trees and paddle the wild coastline of the Southern Ocean. Meet others who share a spirit of adventure and self-discovery.

This stunning landscape is the perfect place apart for reflection, growth, and adventure, where you’ll grow in confidence and discover more about yourself than you thought possible.

This adventure will be an unforgettable chapter of your life story. It’ll be one of the most inspiring, challenging and rewarding expeditions you’ll ever undertake.

After ten days, you’ll see and appreciate life differently. You’ll be ready to take on the world.

Watch out info session to learn more about this amazing program

Start your journey at Walpole Visitor’s Centre. Meet your new fellow team-mates, Outward Bound Group Leaders, and receive instruction on navigation and safe group management. Undertake two hiking and paddling expeditions with an extended overnight Solo experience in the middle. We will all then celebrate the final evening with a grand bush feast before heading back to Walpole early on the final day for showers, ensuring you are ready to catch the coach back home.

Start and End times:

A bus transit will be provided from Perth Airport to Walpole, leaving at 11am on Day 1.

Alternatively, please meet us at Walpole Visitor’s Centre by 4:30pm on Day 1.

You program concludes at Walpole Visitor’s Centre at 9:30am on Day 10, with a bus transit back to Perth arriving at the airport at 4:30pm.

Getting to and from program:

If you are making your own way to Walpole, the program start and end times have been designed to match the Transwa GS3 Perth to Albany coach timetable. You are required to book a seat in advance for this service. For more information, please click here.

You can see an indicative route on a 3D map, here.

What to expect each day

Days 1 and 2—Ready for Adventure 

You’ll be welcomed by friendly Group Leaders and be given the personal and group equipment you’ll need for your journey. 

Camping on the Deep River, the first two days are a chance to get to know your group and get oriented to the adventure. Engage in team activities and learn about leadership. You’ll discover more about your own values and personal style. 

By the end of the two days, you’ll be ready to embark on your first expedition.

Days 3 and 4—Coastal Expedition 

The first two-day hike will go from Conspicuous Beach via Blue Water Hole to reach the Frankland river. You’ll camp on route and experience the beautiful coastal landscape and sand dunes of Western Australia. 

Upon arriving on the banks of the Frankland River on Day 5, you’ll raft as a group across the Walpole Inlet to camp on the coast for a night. 

Day 5—Amongst the Towering Karri Trees 

A morning rafting trip will bring you back amongst the towering Karri Trees. In the afternoon you’ll get to experience real connection with the majesty of the forest through a High Ropes activity. 

Moving amongst the trees will inspire awe and build confidence. It’ll be a memory to carry for a long time.  

Day 6—On the edge of the Great Southern Ocean 

Continue your expedition to Long Point and find yourself on the doorstep of the Great Southern Ocean. Experience the breathtaking power of the coastal landscape. 

Days 7 and 8—Renew and Reflect through Solo 

After a short hike in the morning to Breast Hill, you’ll be up in the hills amongst the trees and wild grasses. 

This where you’ll embark on an overnight solo experience—one of the most special moments in your Outward Bound experience. You’ll be set up in a solo campsite—a safe and comfortable place for personal renewal and reflection. 

You’ll reconnect with the group at the end of your solo experience and enjoy a warm shared meal before your final hike. 

Day 9—Expedition and Prepare for Return  

The final expedition will take you through the Meadows—rolling hills full of wildflowers in the coastal heathland. 

This expedition is about integrating all the lessons and discoveries of your Outward Bound journey. 

The final night camp at Crystal Springs will be a time of reflection and celebration before heading home. 

Day 10—Celebration and Acknowledgment 

All journeys must end. This is where your Outward Bound journey truly begins. You’ll have a chance to acknowledge how far you’ve come and celebrate that in others. You’ll walk away with immense appreciation for the experience and have more energy and verve for what is ahead of you in life. 

Click the images to see the recommended gear and clothing list for your program.

It is expected that all participants arrive with these items. If you do not own some of these already, consider borrowing from friends or family or buying second hand. We also have an arrangement with CampList, where you can hire or purchase many of the items on the packing list. To see what they have available, go to www.camplist.com.au and in the central search bar type “Outward Bound Australia”.

Outward Bound is the world leader in outdoor education. This global presence has enabled us to develop the most comprehensive  Safety and Risk Management Policies and Procedures. 

We balance risk, reward and responsibility as core tenets of our mission. Our programs are facilitated and supported by a network of qualified, highly trained and experienced instructors, with a clear understanding of this risk/reward balance.

Safety first, always.

We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have over the phone (1800 267 999). Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions.

Is this program right for me or my young person?

Outward Bound provides a safe and supportive environment for your young person to thrive, regardless of their prior experience on an adventure like this. Outward Bound’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity means programs cater to people of different ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities. However, the Outward Bound team are not trained disability support workers or trauma informed, and OB programs are not for everyone.

Programs are delivered in a group setting, with two staff members facilitating up to 18 participants. We are unable to provide 1-on-1 ongoing support throughout the program for individual participants with complex additional needs.

Participants need to:

• Be respectful: physical or verbally abusive behaviours will not be tolerated.
• Co-operate and partake in the fundamental elements of the program, without deliberately disrupting group activities.
• Self-manage living skills in an outdoor camping environment.

Participants may be removed from the program if they fail to meet these standards.

Please read the full Public Program Participant Behavioural and Personal Competency Expectations before committing to this Outward Bound program.

Where will I be sleeping?

Our programs are expedition-based. You will be hiking to a new expedition campsite every night where you will share a bivvy (A-frame tarp, with waterproof groundsheet and sleeping mat.)

What will I eat?

We value fresh food and endeavour to organise regular food drops for you to enjoy throughout your program. Participants will learn to cook a variety of group-based meals, including pasta, rice, burritos, and perhaps even a roast dinner. We are able to cater for most dietary requirements. We will request your specific dietary needs before the program.

Can I bring technology on program?

An Outward Bound program is your opportunity to ‘disconnect to reconnect’. We will not permit technology such as phones, tablets, music players, etc. on your program. If you need to bring these for your journey before and after your program, we can securely store these while you are out in the bush.

Do I have to wear hiking boots?

We recommend hiking boots for all our programs. If you are unable to source these, you will need to find a suitable pair of lace-up, fully enclosed footwear, that has a rigid sole and provides ankle stability.

Do I have to bring the wet weather clothing?

We use the rain jacket and waterproof overpants as a heat-trapping layer in the evenings, just as much as a waterproof cover in the case of rain. For the majority of situations, we continue with our program when it is raining, and so very strongly encourage participants to provide these items.

Do I have to bring the thermals?

For programs running May – September, yes you do need to bring the thermal top and bottom to program. For programs running at other times, you can choose if you want to bring these or not. Overall, we recommend bringing thermals for any time of year, as they can act as a lightweight jumper in the evenings, or as a pair of pyjamas (which are not a part of our packing list).

Do I have to be very fit to come on a program?

An Outward Bound program is an expedition in the natural environment, so you need to feel confident enough to manage walking on uneven ground for about 6 hours every day of your program, while carrying a hiking pack weighing a minimum of 6kg, or a maximum of up to one third of your total body weight. We do adjust our programs to meet the capabilities of each group.

Do participants come with friends, or as individuals?

Most participants arrive on their own, and depart with a set of new friends.

What are the toilet facilities?

Due to environmental reasons, we don’t regularly use pit toilets while camping out. As an alternative to this we have a hygienic, private toileting system that we assemble for use each day of each program.

I’m over/under the age limits in my preferred program, can I still enrol?

Our programs are carefully constructed to suit specific age levels. Because of this we rarely allow anyone into a program that they do not qualify for. If you would like to join a program outside of your age bracket, please contact us to discuss your situation.

Can I bring a camera?

You can bring a non-phone camera on program. However there are times when you will not be permitted to use it, such as roping activities, group debriefs etc. If you do bring a camera, please ensure it is well protected and waterproofed. Before you take photos that have other people, you must gain the consent of everyone visible.

I follow cultural routines; can I follow them during a program?

Yes, as long as the cultural routines are permissible within our Safe Operating Procedures and insurance policies. Our staff will do their best to provide time and space for your cultural practices, please disclose your needs to our staff as soon as possible so that we can do our best to accommodate them. Participants who are unable to wear a helmet will not be able to undertake activities where a helmet is required. Safety must come first at Outward Bound Australia.

What gear does Outward Bound Australia supply?

Unless you are advised otherwise, Outward Bound Australia supplies essential items such as backpack, sleeping mat, sleeping shelter, food, cooking and specialist activity equipment. You are required to bring your own sleeping bag, clothing, personal camping equipment (eg. head torch), personal hygiene items and any medication you may require on program.

We want as many people as possible to experience the advantage of a wilderness program in Australia. Through our charity arm, the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund, we can offer financial scholarship opportunities to those participants who would otherwise not be able to afford to come on a program.

There are three scholarship tiers available on every program. At the time of application, you will be asked to select which Scholarship Program Fee you can afford.
The amount selected is the total Program Fee you may be asked to co-contribute. Scholarships do not include any costs associated with clothing, equipment, or transport to and from program.

• $1,607.90
• $1,148.50
• $459.40

We accept applications for all programs throughout the year. First-round notification of your success for any given program will be advised 16-weeks before program start date. For Gutsy Girls Adventure 2025, this is Monday 23 September 2024.

To apply for a scholarship please go to our Scholarship Application Form.

Fundraising with Prezentbox

Prezentbox is a digital platform that enables family and friends to contribute to your Outward Bound program. Read more about Outward Bound’s partnership with Prezentbox and how it works.