Practical Conservation Through Outdoor Education
AN ADVENTURE WITH A PURPOSE
Welcome to Wollangarra, where down-to-earth adventure meets real-world education for young people.
Tucked away in the breath-taking Victorian High Country, Wollangarra offers a hands-on approach to learning about life, leadership, and environmental care. Here, young people find a welcoming community that values hard work, simple living, and connection to the land. Join us for an honest and exciting experience where friendships grow, confidence builds, and the next generation learns to be thoughtful stewards of our environment. The adventure starts here, with you!
HANDS-ON PRACTICAL EDUCATION
Each week a new group of young people will come across our flying fox and get to experience a way of life that has largely been forgotten. They leave behind their mobile phones, watches and timetables. They bake bread, split wood, tend the veggie garden, collect the eggs and feed the sheep. Young people are given opportunities to make decisions and are encouraged to contribute positively and feel like a valued community member. They hike, camp out, cook over open fires, and partake in endless discussion about life, environment and the impacts society has on these things.
Wollangarra's Ethos
Simple and Purposeful
Wollangarra's programs offer young people a chance to slow down and immerse themselves in activities they can grow from.
Connection by Engagement
Meaningful connections are achieved via a shared sense of achievement and purpose.
Education by Nature
We let nature do the talking and aim to inspire an awe and respect of our natural environment by walking in the amazing country that is Wollangarra's backyard!
“Wollangarra was an adventure unlike any other. I laughed more than I ever have, learned skills I never thought I would, and made friends for life. Without stripping things back to the basics, I wouldn't have found these connections and experiences. It's truly life-changing!
Jamie, age 16
What we're all about
Wollangarra's Aims
- To protect and enhance the natural environment through practical conservation, and to provide information and education about the natural environment;
- To educate young people about the beauty and value of the mountains and environment;
- To foster a positive and practical approach to conservation;
- To teach people about living with a minimal ecological footprint;
- To inspire in young people a strong work ethic and sense of community, and;
- To demonstrate and educate about the sustainable use of resources and the value of people and communities through a more simple, less materialistic lifestyle.
What we do
Our programs and events
Wollangarra offers a range of different programs and events throughout the year.
We run programs for schools and additional school holiday programs. We host a number of community events in which we invite the wider community to get involved, contribute and be a part of what makes this place so amazing.
Programs
Wollangarra operates a three stage program. While each stage is completely independent of the others, Stage I is the initial contact for young people. From here, Stages II and III are accessible, however an individual school is not required to commit to the whole program. Attending only Stage I is fine.
Previous hiking experience is not required. A degree of fitness will help, but our Stage I program is designed as an introduction to the mountains, not as a once-in-a-lifetime challenge. We provide all the necessary gear, including backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, rain jackets and even boots!
Community Events
Wollangarra exists because of our wonderful extended community. It stretches all over Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, and even internationally. Throughout the year, Wollangarra runs a number of work parties and events where young people, locals, ex-staff, and all our community members are invited to camp out under the stars, feel fulfilled after a hard days work, eat yummy food, sing plenty of songs, swim in the river, deepen our connection to the countryside, and get to know each other better.
If you’d like to come up to help us out, or just to check the place out, you can check out the events happening here:
WE RECOGNISE AND CELEBRATE THE FIRST NATION PEOPLES OF THIS LAND, THE GUNAIKURNAI AND BUNURONG PEOPLE. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR ONGOING OWNERSHIP OF THIS COUNTRY AND PAY DEEP RESPECT TO ELDERS – PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING.
ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE
Accreditation and Networks
