Outdoor Health Australia
Supporting evidence-informed, nature-based health services in Australia.
Outdoor Health provides cost-effective benefits for our physical, mental, social and cultural health.
After 2 decades of volunteer-led collaboration and leadership, in 2018 the Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy Inc. established a policy unit to advocate for the inclusion of outdoor and nature-based health services within Australia’s health system so that more people can benefit from these approaches. Bush Adventure Therapy is one of 30 forms of evidence-informed outdoor health practices already on offer in Australia.
Outdoor Health australia – our vision
Community & Engagement
A connected sector
A strong community
Shared information
>> Increased access to outdoor health services
Practice & Quality
Effective services
Ethical standards
Training and accreditation
>> Safe, high quality outdoor health services
Research & Evidence
Collaborative research
Connected evidence
Research informing practice
>> Evidence-informed outdoor health services
Policy & Advocacy
Government engagement
Policy advocacy
Representing the sector
>> Funded outdoor health services
AABAT National Forum 2022
Welcome. This year’s theme for the Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy (AABAT) National Forum 2022 is ‘Venturing Out, Journeying Within’, a theme which challenges us to practice what we preach about the practical application of outdoor, nature-based experiences for the purpose of healing and enhancing our health and well-being.
This years forum is nestled into bushland on the banks of the Onkaparinga River (Ngangkiparri – which is Kuarna for Women River), which is a unique location in the Adelaide Hills to the south of Mt Lofty where three aboriginal cultural groups lived in close proximity to each other, co-existing despite their different cultural practices.
A Bigger Tent
“We could stay in isolation, seated on cold damp soil, in a dark lonely cramped cave…. Can’t have fun sulking! So we get up, dust yourself off, move out into the warm sunlight, gather some morning’s wood and light your own comfort fire, cook up a storm. Come on you can do it. Put kettle on, warm your soul.
Now as your add to your circle of real friends and valued mob, you are going to need more room in your sanctuary shelter. Call it a tent, caravan, shack, hut Mia Mia: whatever.. new people in your group will stretch your patience, resources and hospitality. You need to stretch your cords, lengthen your reach to enable more room to accommodate your bigger camp.
Your growing family will enjoy the benefits of your tent and they need to bring more ideas, sustenance, skills, food and valuable resources. We need more fuel, food and water. Be careful who joins tho… Invite only. Drive those pegs in tight, keep an eye on those new ropes”.
– Uncle Ken – Boandik man.
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Become an AABAT Member
We are a member driven organisation with no paid staff. In becoming an AABAT member, you are working alongside us to help more Australians access the health benefits of nature and the proven benefits of evidence-informed nature-based health practices.
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If you want to get in touch, ask a question, make a comment, or collaborate, please Contact Us and an volunteer representative will reply as soon as possible.
