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
- people who may face gender-related barriers to participation.
The program - which is now in its second year - 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
Discover our forests activities
Yarra, Marysville and Toolangi state forests
Licensed tour operator: Halls Outdoor Education Group
More than 25 Gembrook seniors experienced the Ada Tree, Steavenson Falls and Wirrawilla walks. They shared meals, learnt about the forests and enjoyed being active in nature. All abilities were catered for and they walked as little or long as they felt able to.
Mount Disappointment State Forest
Licensed tour operator: Edmund Rice Community Services and Geelong Adventure Specialists
Eighteen Afghan mothers and Macedon Ranges mothers came together for a day of connection and culture. They enjoyed a peaceful walk along Sunday Creek, basket weaving, storytelling, laughter and sharing food at Mount Disappointment.
Otway Forest Park
Licenced tour operator: Edmund Rice Community Services, working with Geelong Activity Specialists
Young people from Laverton Youth Foundation and Apollo Bay College enjoyed days of fun and adventure, with many challenging themselves riding mountain bikes on the Forrest mountain bike trails.
Wombat State Forest
Licensed tour operator: Edmund Rice Community Services and Geelong Adventure Specialists
Fifteen walkers from the Aintree Seniors Group - aged from their 60s to 93 - enjoyed a scenic day of walking, talking, and sharing a meal, including exploring the Whipstick Loop walk through the forest.
Britannia Creek Caves Geological Reserve
Licensed tour operator: Each Wild
Groups of young people, carers and participants from disadvantaged backgrounds enjoyed days out at Britannia Creek Caves in the Yarra State Forest cave climbing and creek scrambling.
'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.
The video below captures the group canoeing along the Thompson River, highlighting the enjoyment and connection to nature experienced as part of the program.
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.
'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 4 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.
Page last updated: 29/05/26