Forest Therapy Session | Ballarat Botanical Gardens | Sunday 4th May 2025

FOREST BATHING | SUNDAY 4th MAY | 9AM-12PM | BALLARAT BOTANICAL GARDENS | MEETING POINT CLAXTON MEMORIAL | FRONT OF FERNERY

                                                                    UNWIND | RECHARGE | CONNECT WITH NATURE

Join Amanda for this three-hour guided session while exploring the calming benefits of Forest Therapy in the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

This free public session will help you connect with nature through sensory exploration and guided activities designed to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing. 

As you wander through the shaded canopies of the garden discover the therapeutic benefits of Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing. Supported  by scientific research, this immersive experience invited you to slow down, embrace the present moment and rejuvenate your mind and body.

We will conclude with a Japanese inspired tea-sharing ceremony. 

*Please note this session is a practice session for Trainee Forest Therapy Guide Amanda Collins.

- Please arrive 10 minutes early to the session

- Phones and cameras are to be turned off during the session

- The session is not designed for children or pets

- Toilets are available nearby t the commencement and conclusion of the session

- The length of the walk is around 1.5km at a slow pace on natural and formed surfaces and grassy areas.

What to wear:

- Please dress appropriately for the forecast weather conditions. Comfortable pants and layers work well.

- We recommend wearing comfortable closed toed walking shoes or similar

- Carry a lightweight day pack or similar and bring along a raincoat, drinking water, insect repellent and any essential personal medication

- You may also like to bring along something to sit on like a lightweight stool, chair or blanket.

How to get there:

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens is located on west side of Lake Wendouree. The meeting point for this session is the Claxton Memorial(water fountain) at the entrance to the Fernery.

Nurtured in Nature acknowledges the traditional owners of the land, waterways and skies of the Wadawurrung people and pay their respects to their elders past and present and any Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islander peoples who may be attending this session.

Please read the below the Participant Agreement, release and assumption of risk form.

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT, RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge The International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance, The Institute of Forest Therapy, and In My Nature and the individuals who are acting as guides on this walk, on behalf of myself, my spouse, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns,
personal representative and estate as follows:

1. I acknowledge that outdoor activities in natural areas entail known and unanticipated risks that could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property, or to third parties. I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the
essential qualities of the activity. 

The risks include, among other things: Slipping and falling; falling objects; water hazards; exhaustion; exposure to temperature, UV light and radiation and weather extremes which could cause, hyperthermia (heat-related illnesses), heat exhaustion, sunburn, dehydration, skin cancer; and exposure to potentially dangerous wild animals, insect bites, and hazardous plant life; accidents or illness can occur in remote places without medical facilities and emergency treatment or other services rendered; consumption of food or drink; equipment failure; improper lifting or carrying; my own physical condition, and the physical exertion associated with this activity.

Furthermore, guides have difficult jobs to perform. They seek safety, but they are not infallible. They might be unaware of a participant's fitness or abilities. They might misjudge the weather or other environmental conditions. They may give incomplete warnings or instructions, incorrect information, and the equipment being used might malfunction.

2. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks.

3. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the guide from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or my use of equipment or facilities, including any such claims which
allege negligent acts or omissions of the guide.

4. Should the guide or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.

5. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition I may have.

6. In the event that I file a lawsuit against the above named, I agree to do so solely in this jurisdiction. I further agree that the substantive law of the land shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict of law rules of that state. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.

By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against the above named on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein. I
have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms.