Gutsy Girls Adventure,
Western Australia

Create an Unforgettable Chapter in Your Life Story

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

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

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.

Check out our Info Session for more inspiration about this program

Follow along with this route on our 3D map, here.

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.

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. 

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.

Gutsy Girls runs in the south-west corner of Western Australia, starting and ending in Walpole.

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.

You can see an indicative route on Google Maps, here.

Expect big, fresh, healthy meals of whole foods prepared and cooked on an open fire or stoves as allowed. All meals are prepared and shared as a group.  Meal examples include:

Breakfast most often includes cereal, fruit, and yoghurt.

Lunches typically involve making your own sandwich or wrap with a variety of toppings including protein, tomatoes, beetroot, cheese, corn, and spreads.

Dinners can include Moroccan cous cous, stir fry, nachos, pizza, pasta carbonara, and burritos. It’s sometimes also possible to enjoy a fire-cooked roast meal.

Throughout the day you’ll be treated to a variety of snacks including trail mix, fruit, biscuits, and savoury options.

Outward Bound can cater to most dietary requirements. You’ll get a chance to let us know your dietary needs prior to your adventure commencing.

The Gutsy Girls Adventure starts at $2297 per person, incl. GST.

Outward Bound’s program fees includes return transit from Perth airport on the first and last day, accommodation, national park entry fees, meals, activities and specialised equipment that you may need on the adventure. Small group sizes capped at 16 people for the most enjoyable and epic time of your life!

Your Experience at a Glance

• 10 days fully immersed in your environment with no distractions from technology.
• Two Outward Bound Group Leaders for the entirety of the program.
• Learn to work with your teammates to journey, enjoy, and survive in the Australian bush.
• Walk amongst the tallest hardwood trees in the world, the Karri forests.
• Witness spectacular cliff lines, wildlife and landscapes around every bend.
• Partake in highlight adventure activities including high ropes and multi-day hiking and paddling journeys.

Accommodation and Meals

Sleep in some of Australia’s most remote areas, where few have been before, camping under the stars in lightweight ‘bivvies’. Your backpack, sleeping equipment (bag, mat, shelter) and cooking gear will be provided.

You will be as self-sufficient as possible, carrying your own equipment and food. All food and water are provided with special dietary options catered for.

Cook in the bush each night with a mix of campfires and stoves, with frequent food and water drops ensuring fresh, big, healthy meals.

Transport & Equipment

All safety equipment, maps, and communication devices will be provided, as will any transport throughout the program duration.

Come prepared and leave energised to tackle anything life throws your way!

Click on the image below to see the packing requirements for Gutsy Girls.

It is expected that all participants arrive with the items listed. If you do not own some of these already, consider borrowing from friends or family or buying second hand.

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.

Where am I 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 encourage adult participants to not use technology such as phones, tablets, music players, etc. during your program. If you need to bring these items, 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).

What activities will I be doing?

All Outward Bound programs include a hiking expedition and team initiatives. The program length and location may include abseiling, rock-climbing and high ropes. Programs in Western Australia and Grampians VIC usually include a water-based activity.

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 5-10km every day of your program length, carrying a hiking backpack that weighs a minimum of 6kg. A fully loaded hiking pack typically weights approximately 15kg. We do adjust our programs to meet the capabilities of each group.

Where are the programs held?

All-year-round programs operate from our national base in Tharwa, ACT. We operate seasonally from our Base in Walpole WA, and our remote set-up along the Snowy River, VIC.

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.

The recently released Outward Bound International Global Impact Report 2020 revealed the centralizing theme of CONNECTIONS across all regions and 5 CORE OUTCOMES of Outward Bound programs consistent across the worldwide network of Schools. Connections to:

1. Self
   • Resilience
   • Confidence
2. Others
   • Compassion
   • Social Competence
3. The Natural World
   • Environmental Responsibility