15–17 October 2027 | Budja Budja (Halls Gap), Gariwerd/Grampians, Western Victoria.
Imagine a conference where the town is your venue, the landscape is your classroom and every experience offers an opportunity to connect with nature, community and wellbeing.
Welcome to the Outdoor Health Forum 2027!
Hosted by Outdoor Health Australia (OHA), our national gathering heads to the spectacular Gariwerd/Grampians region, on Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali Country, for two and a half days of connection, inspiration, learning and exploration.
Our theme, Resilience, Recovery, Renewal, invites us to explore how Outdoor Health supports people, communities and landscapes to navigate change, recover and thrive.
More than a conference – an experience shaped by place
Recent bushfires have significantly impacted the Grampians region, affecting communities, livelihoods and local businesses, while national park closures for restoration have also impacted tourism.
Recovery is about more than rebuilding. It’s about reconnecting people with place, supporting local economies and recognising the relationship between healthy landscapes and healthy communities.
That’s what makes the 2027 Forum different!
We’re embracing a village model, where Budja Budja (Halls Gap) becomes the venue, with local businesses, community spaces and the surrounding landscape all contributing to the Forum experience.
“The town becomes the venue, the landscape becomes the classroom, and the Forum becomes an opportunity to practise the resilience and renewal we’re coming together to explore.”
This is Resilience and Recovery in Practice – not just talking about it, but living it.
What makes this Forum special?
🌱 The town is our venue: Connecting participants with local businesses, spaces and people.
🌏 The landscape is our classroom: Experiential learning and outdoor health practice immersed in Gariwerd’s extraordinary environment.
🤝 Community is at the heart: Supporting local businesses and actively engaging with our host community.
Together, we’ll demonstrate how outdoor health can foster connection and resilience through place-based experiences.
What to expect …
Two and a half days of:
- Immersive, experiential workshops.
- Inspiring presentations and keynote speakers.
- Evidence-informed nature-based health knowledge and practice.
- Collaboration, fresh perspectives and professional development.
- Opportunities to connect with our national outdoor health community.
- Village life – gather for presentations and workshops, with the freedom to choose your own accommodation.
OHA National Forums are Aboriginal-informed and supported. On Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali Country, we’ll explore diverse knowledge systems, practices and experiences shaping outdoor health in Australia, welcoming people from all walks of life.
🌟 Meet our first keynote speakers!
We’re thrilled to announce two outstanding voices helping shape the conversations at Outdoor Health Forum 2027.
Clare Reilly – adventurer, author, podcaster and disability advocate – brings a powerful perspective on adventure and inclusion in the outdoors.
Dr Rob Gordon OAM – clinical psychologist and disaster recovery pioneer – brings extensive insight into the psychological and community dimensions of resilience and recovery. (Image credit: Nathan Hollis)
Together, their lived experience and professional knowledge offer compelling perspectives on our theme, Resilience, Recovery, Renewal.
And this is just the beginning! More inspiring keynote announcements are coming soon.
📣 Calling all presenters – share your knowledge and shape the program!
We’re inviting outdoor health practitioners, researchers, academics, educators and community leaders to contribute to a diverse and engaging program.
Have an innovative practice, research findings, community initiative or experiential workshop to share? We’d love to hear from you!
Expressions of Interest open 28 January and close 28 February 2027.
There will be just ONE round of Expressions of Interest, so start developing your ideas and keep an eye on the OHA website for updates.
Come for the Forum. Stay for Gariwerd!
Make a trip of it! Explore Gariwerd’s spectacular waterfalls, lakes, walking trails and mountain landscapes. Connect with colleagues, discover new ideas and experience the power of place alongside a national community passionate about outdoor health.
Two and a half days. One incredible place. A shared vision for resilience, recovery and renewal.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Budja Budja (Halls Gap) in October 2027!
Find out more: outdoorhealthforum.com.au
