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The Discover our forests program is creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to experience state forests and enjoy the outdoors.

Outdoors Victoria, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and licensed tour operators are working together to support people who may face barriers to participating in outdoor recreation, including:

  • people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • people with a disability
  • people with mental health challenges
  • adults over 65 years of age
  • individuals who may face gender-related barriers to participation.
A person in a yellow life jacket putting on a helmet with canoes in the background.

The program engages licensed tour operators to host community groups on supported days out in state forests to try activities like bushwalking, mountain biking, nature education, bush skills, orienteering and more.

The program is designed to create opportunities that educate and enable people to better connect with the forest through outdoor recreation.

For more information, visit Outdoors Victoria.

'Many of our young people come from socially disadvantaged and isolated backgrounds and this program provides access to nature often for the first time, opening a world that has previously been out of reach'
- Community Coordinator

Program days

Britannia Creek Caves Geological Reserve

Licensed tour operator: Each Wild

Sixteen participants from disadvantaged backgrounds spent a day out at Britannia Creek Caves in the Yarra State Forest cave climbing and creek scrambling.

A group of young people in caving gear walking along a forest trail with a guide.

'Being surrounded by the natural beauty and quiet of the forest offers our young people a sense of freedom and space, and a break from the pressures they may face at home, school, or within their communities.'
- Community Coordinator

Steavenson Falls, Marysville State Forest

Licensed tour operator- The Outdoor Education Group

Ten people from non-for-profit organisation Menzies Support Services enjoyed a fun day out in the forest undertaking activities like:

  • forest discovery
  • bushwalking
  • bush arts and crafts
  • waterfall visit
  • orienteering at Camp Marysville.

'This program provides our young people with access to invaluable experiences in State Forests, often for the first time, opening up a world that has previously been out of reach.'
- Community Coordinator

Coopers Creek to Brunton's Bridge, Erica State Forest

Licensed tour operator: Halls Outdoor Education Group

Halls led 2 groups over 2 days on a rafting adventure along the Thomson River from Coopers Creek to Brunton's Bridge in Gippsland. Sixteen women from Escaping Your Comfort Zone—a business focused on body-positive hiking and adventures for women and non-binary people—and 5 children from the Cire school's teen holiday program took part.

An aerial shot the forest with a river running through it with orange rafts dotted along.

Toorongo Falls and Noojee Trestle Bridge, Yarra State Forest

Licensed tour operator: Halls Education Group

Seniors groups from Gembrook and Cockatoo spent the day exploring the Yarra State Forest. The group of 32 explored the 2.25 km loop trail to Toorongo Falls and then the Noojee Trestle Bridge.

A group of people standing in front of a wooden trestle bridge.

'My Gembrook Seniors Group have now decided to further our involvement with Halls Outdoor Education to look at other events and activities we can arrange and tailor that will generate wider community participation and involvement in the future'
- Community Coordinator

Yarra State Forest

Licensed tour operator: Belgravia Outdoor Education

Belgravia ran four bush skills sessions for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds from the Cire Community School. Located in the Yarra State Forest, they participated in tarpology, ponding, navigation and map work, and camp cooking activities.

A group of young people participating in a bush skills program in the forest.

Page last updated: 27/08/25