The Great Aussie Bush Camp (GABC), one of Australia’s leading outdoor education providers, has announced the acquisition of PGL Adventure Camps, marking a major step in the company’s national expansion.

The deal sees GABC take ownership of three additional sites, Campaspe Downs (Kyneton, VIC), Camp Rumbug (Gippsland, VIC) and Kindilan (Redland Bay, QLD), growing its portfolio from four to seven locations and entering the Victorian and Queensland outdoor education markets for the first time.

For over 25 years, The Great Aussie Bush Camp has been at the forefront of outdoor education in New South Wales, delivering life-changing experiences across its Tea Gardens, Kincumber, Lake Macquarie and the recently acquired Camp Wombaroo in the NSW Southern Highlands.

With the acquisition of PGL Adventure Camps, The Great Aussie Bush Camp expands its reach and will now deliver unforgettable outdoor education experiences to more than 110,000 young people and teachers each year, cementing its position as Australia’s largest outdoor education provider*, with seven centres across three states.

The acquisition was an obvious choice for GABC, with both organisations sharing a passion for transforming young lives through the power of outdoor education.

Graham Ward, CEO of The Great Aussie Bush Camp, said the acquisition represents an exciting new chapter for the business.

“We’re thrilled to bring The Great Aussie Bush Camp to new states in Victoria and Queensland and deliver the exceptional camps we are known for in NSW. We’ve admired the PGL business for many years and this acquisition is a perfect alignment.

“We’re excited to welcome the PGL Adventure team into our organisation and can’t wait to host schools, groups and communities at these amazing sites.”

PGL Adventure Camps was formerly owned by PGL Beyond, the UK’s largest outdoor education provider. The sale follows a strategic decision by PGL Beyond to focus on its European operations and portfolio of brands, with the Australian business transferred in strong financial health.

PGL Beyond CEO, Anthony Jones said, “We have been delighted with the growth in the Australian business over the last couple of years. This growth will put the camps’ new owners, The Great Aussie Bush Camp, in a fantastic position to continue to spark breakthroughs and transform the lives of many young Australians.”

The acquisition secures 150 jobs across the three centres. The centres will continue to trade under the PGL brand for a transitional period of up to six months as systems and licences tied to the European operations are finalised.

* By participant volume, 2025.

For 40 years, Action Learning Initiatives (ALI) and Bungarra Alpine Centre have set the standard in outdoor education in the Snowy Mountains. We have officially combined our strengths and joined forces under a new name: Venture Outdoors Co.

This merger brings together the best of both worlds: ALI’s decades of experience delivering exceptional outdoor programs, and Bungarra’s trusted alpine accommodation and facilities in the heart of the Snowy Mountains. Together, we’re building on a proud legacy to create even more opportunities for young people and groups to connect, grow, and thrive in the outdoors.

The Outdoors NSW & ACT Prospectus for 2026–2027 is now available for potential, current, and past partners to explore. It highlights the many ways to get involved in our growing calendar of events, from the Outdoor Industry MasterClass, Industry Awards and the Outdoor Learning Mini Conference.

We invite you to review the Prospectus to identify the partnership opportunities that align with your organisation’s goals and values. Whether you’re seeking visibility, collaboration, or direct impact within the outdoor, tourism, or education communities, now is the perfect time to secure your involvement before key opportunities are filled.

Email ceo@outdoorsnswact.com.au to receive your copy.

Australia remains the only continent currently free from the H5 strain of avian influenza (Bird Flu), despite its recent detection in seals on Heard Island. While the risk to humans is extremely low, the situation highlights the need for ongoing vigilance among outdoor operators, wildlife professionals, and adventure tourism providers—particularly those working in coastal and marine environments. Maintaining strong biosecurity practices, reporting unusual wildlife behaviour, and staying informed through official wildlife health channels will help protect our unique ecosystems and ensure early detection should circumstances change.

There is also increasing discussion around the threat of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), a devastating fungal disease affecting bats overseas. Australia has no recorded cases; however, the greatest risk of introduction comes from human activity—specifically from cavers or adventure travellers who have accessed caves internationally and may unknowingly carry the fungus on clothing, boots, or equipment. The disease poses no risk to humans, but the consequences for Australian bat populations would be severe. Outdoor professionals and caving groups play a critical frontline role in prevention by following strict decontamination protocols, using dedicated or disinfected gear, and ensuring they do not enter Australian caves with equipment previously used overseas. For more details, see the Wildlife Health Australia fact sheet on WNS.

2026 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) Survey will once again open soon. 

This is an important opportunity to contribute your insights on labour market trends. Your feedback will help strengthen the accuracy and relevance of the 2026 OSL.

The survey will open on Tuesday 20 January 2026 and close on Wednesday 18 March 2026. 

Start looking at your employment data to provide to the 2026 Outdoor Industry Census and you can also add it to the Occupational Shortage List Survey when it opens in January! 

Blue Mountains Climbing School took the GOLD away at the NSW Tourism Awards for the Accessible Tourism operator of the year. They will now compete against all other states and territories in this category at the Australian Tourism Awards in March 2026. 

Well done Hugh, Bridie & team, and good luck in Perth! 

The Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of its Board for 2026 following the Annual General Meeting. Lori Modde has been elected Chair, with Andrew Knight appointed as Deputy Chair. They are joined by Directors Graeme Janes, Dr David Hills, Dr Kelsie Prabawa-Sear, Carol Giuseppi, Meredith Kelly and Daniel Waters—bringing together a strong mix of experience across outdoor recreation, education, industry development and governance. This Board will oversee the continued implementation of national priorities and strengthen the OCA’s role as the peak body representing outdoor organisations across Australia.

The AGM also acknowledged the departure of Director Neil Le Febvre, who leaves the Board after his 12-month tenure as Chair, with proactive and strategic leadership. During his tenure, Neil played a key role in progressing the AAAS Review Project and leading the review of the OCA Strategic Plan, culminating in the establishment of the new 2025–2028 Strategic Plan. His contribution has been greatly valued, and the OCA extends its sincere thanks for his dedication and thoughtful guidance over the past year.

Young Australians are struggling. Almost three in 10 are experiencing high psychological distress, nearly a quarter feel lonely most of the time, and around 60 percent face some form of social exclusion.

A groundbreaking Victorian trial suggests that group-based ‘nature prescriptions’ – where health practitioners prescribe nature-based activities for patients – can deliver compelling results and value for money.

https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/Nature-prescriptions-deliver-mental-health-benefits-worth-more-than-four-times-their-cost 

The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) is consulting on the uncommenced provision in the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 that would bring ‘providers of overnight camps’ into the Reportable Conduct Scheme. 

MEMBERS, please review the Connect & Share from 28 November for all the information and provide your feedback before 5 December - https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/providers-overnight-camps-and-reportable-conduct-scheme 

Review our Connect & Share forum from 14 November to hear from Fieldbook about their new product and offer for ONSWACT members... 

If you are in need of a technology solution for your backend, Fieldbook provides a customer and logistical interface that makes coordination of trips that much easier. 

Finding solutions to make your life easier. 

For all the information go to https://outdoors.kartra.com/page/fieldbook 

The NSW Government introduced a new Community Services Industry portable long service leave scheme on 1 July 2025.

Workers become eligible for long service leave after 7 years of service to the industry with 1 or more employers. This long service leave will allow eligible workers to claim up to 6 weeks’ long service leave. Employers with 1 or more workers in the Community Services Industry in NSW are required to register* with the Long Service Corporation and begin recording worker service. This involves anyone providing services of Community Recreation or amongst 30 other services. *Employers are required to pay a quarterly levy calculated at 1.7% of the gross ordinary wages of employees.

Go to https://www.longservice.nsw.gov.au/ for more information.

ONSWACT are awaiting the result of our continued advocacy on the new legislation that takes effect 1 February. 

The current ruling disadvantages all e-bike hire businesses and could render their inventory obsolete and illegal. We are expected to have a ruling before Christmas that will assist our hiring businesses — stay tuned, we will release the information as soon as it becomes available.