June and July 2026
Our First Community Hike — 1000 Steps, Dandenong Ranges
28 June 2026
Eleven Ooters laced up their boots and headed into the fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges for our first ever community day hike. The 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Walk gave us fresh mountain air, towering tree ferns, and exactly the kind of easy, unhurried conversation that happens when you're moving through nature together.
It was a simple day — and that was exactly the point.
Photographer: Leon J.
Our Third Camp — Doon Reserve Caravan Park, Yarra Valley
18-19 July 2026
Our third community camp brought 14 Ooters to the Yarra Valley for an overnight stay surrounded by bush, fresh air, and a campfire that nobody wanted to leave.
We kicked things off with Rose, Bud and Thorn — a simple reflection game that opened the door to something unexpectedly real. People shared genuinely, listened deeply, and arrived into the weekend already knowing each other a little better.
Photographer: Tim L.
Some soaked it all in from the riverbank. Others took the plunge — all 11°C of it.
As the day wound down and the temperature dropped, we gathered around the fire — the kind of evening where conversations run long and nobody wants to be the first to call it a night.
Every single attendee said they met and connected with new people and would come back for another Oot & Aboot event. As one Ooter put it: "Meeting new people and sharing experiences." Another simply said: "The fire time."
Photographer: Tim L.
And when the fire died down, the sky took over. Away from the city lights, the stars and the Milky Way stretched out above us — one of those moments that reminds you why getting out of Melbourne is always worth it.
Photographer: Diego P.
A few told us they'd love a planned walk or hike added to future camps — and we heard you. Watch this space.
Community Hike — Lerderderg Gorge Circuit
Saturday 8 August 2026
Next up we're heading to one of Victoria's most dramatic landscapes — the Lerderderg Gorge. Expect river crossings, ancient rock formations, towering cliffs and around 8km of stunning bushland trail. It's a challenging walk but we'll keep the group together and take breaks along the way. This is the next in our growing community hiking series — more to come after this one.
It’s free for all Oot & Aboot volunteers to attend!
Community Camp Daylesford
15-16 August 2026
Our fourth community camp is heading to Daylesford — 1.5 hours from Melbourne and exactly the kind of place you go to properly switch off. Same relaxed, low-pressure Oot & Aboot vibe. Maximum 14 spots so get in early.
Volunteers receive a 30% discount on all camping events. Thank you for everything you do!
A new way to connect before you arrive:
We've launched an opt-in WhatsApp group for each event so you can say hi, get to know a few faces, and share photos before and after. The link will be shared closer to each event date — joining is completely optional.
Community Hike — Cape Woolamai Circuit
Saturday 3 October 2026
We're heading to Phillip Island for a hike around one of Victoria's most spectacular headlands. The Cape Woolamai Circuit takes in sweeping surf beaches, dramatic pink granite cliffs, the iconic Pinnacles rock formations and 360-degree views from the island's highest point. Approximately 8.5km with some steep sections — good fitness recommended.
It’s free for all Oot & Aboot volunteers to attend!
Volunteer Appreciation Picnic & First Anniversary
Saturday 12 December 2026
We're celebrating our first year and the incredible volunteers who made it possible. Save the date — details to follow soon.
Celebrating Our Volunteers
At Oot & Aboot, we believe every contribution deserves to be seen. We're excited to share that we're launching a milestone-based recognition program — a way of celebrating the moments that matter, not just the time served. More details coming soon.
First Step — The courage to show up
Imagen — for joining us on the trail at the 1000 Steps hike, her first Oot & Aboot event as our Adviser for Inclusion, Community Wellbeing and Safety.
Deep Roots — Six months of showing up
Brylee — giving Oot & Aboot a visual identity we're proud of since day one.
Long — building and shaping our digital home behind the scenes.
Elham — showing up faithfully behind the scenes, ready and waiting for the moment our website comes to life.
Gemma — showing up consistently and going above and beyond for our community.
Prakash — keeping our books balanced and our finances in order every single month.
Tharani — telling Oot & Aboot's story through her writing since January.
In Their Element — Finding your footing in your role
Brylee — event flyer, sponsorship flyer and The Oot Post logo.
Tharani — three blog pieces that help our community feel seen and understood.
Lekha — five grant applications submitted, having never written one before.
Campfire Keeper — Creating warmth for others
Roma — for creating the volunteer WhatsApp group and making our community warmer, closer and more like a team.
Thank you all. Oot & Aboot would not be what it is without you.
Welcome to Our New Ooters!
A warm welcome to our newest volunteers who joined us in May, June and July 2026:
Sang — Grants Officer
Roma — Volunteer Experience & Engagement Volunteer
Lani — Donor Recognition Volunteer
Imagen — Adviser - inclusion, community wellbeing and safety
Sian — Volunteer Recruitment and Coordination Volunteer
We're so glad to have you on board!
Thank You to Our Donors!
We are so grateful to everyone who has supported Oot & Aboot in May, June and July 2026. A heartfelt thank you to:
Leon J. — Sleeping bags, website hosting and a cash donation to our Nature Access Fund
Lim — Portable heaters and a heavy duty cable reel, keeping our campsites warm and well-equipped
Tim L. — Camping cleaning supplies, keeping our shared spaces clean and comfortable for everyone
Clayton F. — Cash donation in support of our operations
Sal K. — Cash donation to our Nature Access Fund
MPL Signage — Pro bono laser engraving and signage printing for our charcuterie board and campsite signage
Diego P. — Air Sofa 3 Seater, portable camping bin and anti-trip tent lights
Gemma K. — A projector that will bring our first outdoor cinema event to life
St John Ambulance Victoria — A First Aid Kit to help keep our community safe at every event
Justice Connect — Pro bono legal referral connecting us to specialist legal support
Sparke Helmore — Pro bono legal support in finalising our Event Terms and Conditions and Refund Policy, and reviewing our constitution
Nick L. — Cash donation to our Nature Access Fund
Brylee H. — Cash donation to our Nature Access Fund
Every contribution, big or small, helps us create more inclusive outdoor experiences for our community. If you'd like to support us, visit our Chuffed campaign or reach out to us directly.
We’ve Been Awarded Three Grants
We're thrilled to share that Oot & Aboot has received funding from three incredible organisations this year. Their support will help us deliver more events, reach more people, and continue making the outdoors feel like a place that belongs to everyone.
To each of these organisations — thank you for believing in what we're building:
Greater Western Water — Funding our Outdoors for All: Inclusive Camping Experience in Ballan — coming January 2027
SIAG Frankston — Funding our Connect Outdoors in Frankston — coming March 2027
Metro Trains — Funding our Belong Outdoors: LGBTQIA+ Wellbeing Camping Pilot in Ballan — coming May 2027
Every grant we receive is a vote of confidence in this community. Details for each of these events will be announced soon — stay tuned!
Outdoor Cinema is Coming
Gemma K. recently donated a projector to Oot & Aboot — and yes, that means an outdoor cinema event is in the works. More details to come, but watch this space.
We’re Now on Google
Oot & Aboot is now live on Google Business Profile, appearing in Google Search and Maps. If someone in Victoria searches for LGBTQIA+ outdoor activities, they can find us. If you haven't already, search for us and leave a review — every one helps.
Help Get More Ooters Outdoors
Our community fundraising campaign on Chuffed is still going — and every contribution counts. We're raising $3,000 to build our gear loan bank and help cover transport costs, so that cost is never a barrier to joining an Oot & Aboot event.
We've raised $90 so far. [Hear from Sal on why this campaign matters]
If you'd like to support us, share our Chuffed campaign with someone who might.
Help Us Grow!
We're now at 237 followers on Instagram, 97 followers on Facebook, 30 on LinkedIn, 65 on TikTok and 44 on Meetup! You are our biggest champions and the best way to help Oot & Aboot reach more people is simple — follow us, like our posts and share them with your networks.
Every follow counts. Every share reaches someone who might need exactly what Oot & Aboot offers.
Follow us here:
We're Looking for More Ooters!
We have some exciting volunteer opportunities available and would love your help spreading the word. If you know someone who might be interested, please share these opportunities with them.
Event-based Volunteer:
Event Photographer based in Frankston
Event Videographer and Editor based in Frankston
Visual Artist / Illustrator based in Frankston
Event Day Volunteer based in Frankston
Community Outreach Volunteer based in Frankston
Camp Photographer based in Ballan
Camp Videographer and Editor based in Ballan
Event Day Volunteer based in Ballan
Community Outreach Volunteer based in Ballan
Organisational Volunteers:
Event & Camp Photographer
Social Media Volunteer
Newsletter Volunteer
Fundraising Campaigns Volunteer
Board & Governance Volunteers:
Board Director
Secretary
Know someone who'd be perfect? Ask them to apply on Seek Volunteer — just search Oot and Aboot Outdoors.
A Message from One of Our Co-founders
G’day all, I'm Tim, one of the co-founders of Oot & Aboot.
I believe that stepping out into nature offers a rare kind of magic. A profound sense of release and serenity that you simply can't find anywhere else. Recently, that connection has become my absolute lifeline.
As I navigate the difficult cycles of cancer treatment, the beacon of light that pulls me through the hardest days is the promise of the outdoors. It's the thought of pitching a tent, breathing the fresh air, and sharing a campfire with my chosen family, lifelong friends, and the new friends I have yet to meet.
That shared time in the wild means everything to me, and it's exactly why we built this space. My greatest hope is that you find your own peace, your people, and a true sense of community here at Oot & Aboot. Welcome to our campfire.
Photographer: Jesse B.