On Country Before Conference

A Northern Journey of Listening, Wellbeing & Relationship

Before the National Outdoor Education Conference begins, the listening starts.

Designed specifically for outdoor educators, this premium pre-conference experience offers a held, small-group journey that centres wellbeing, relationship, cultural respect, and learning through Country.

Participants will travel north of Cairns alongside respected First Nations knowledge holders and experienced facilitators through Country holding deep cultural, historical, and living stories.

Over five days, participants will engage in walking on Country, storytelling, reflective practice, and culturally grounded learning experiences across:

Ellis Beach
Hope Vale or Wujal Wujal
Elim Beach
Cooktown
Laura region

This experience intentionally moves at a slower, considered pace — creating space to listen deeply, reflect meaningfully, and reconnect before the intensity of conference days begin.

Evenings are facilitated by Ash Dargan, a We Al-li trained facilitator,and experienced outdoor leaders supporting participants through gentle debriefing, campfire storytelling, wellbeing practices, and integration-based reflection.

This experience is not about acquiring content.

It is about learning how to be — on Country, with others, and with yourself — in ways that can inform ethical outdoor education practice long after the conference ends.

Experience Highlights:

Small-group experience capped at 12 participants
Guided by respected First Nations knowledge holders
Walking on Country experiences
Cultural and historical storytelling
Campfire reflection and wellbeing practices
Supported by We Al-li trained facilitators
Intentionally paced experience focused on connection and integration
Premium pre-conference immersion for outdoor educators

Journey Overview:

Thursday — Cairns to Ellis Beach

Participant pick-up from Cairns
Travel north
Overnight stay at Ellis Beach Caravan Park

Friday — Hope Vale / Wujal Wujal to Elim Beach

Participants will travel either to:

Wujal Wujal for a Welcome by Aunty Kath Walker OR
Hope Vale for a walk on Country with Willie Gordon

Followed by travel to Elim Beach for the evening.

Saturday — Cooktown

Participants will explore cultural and historical sites including:

Reconciliation Rocks
Grassy Hill
Endeavour River
Cooktown Museum (likely included)

Sunday — Laura Region

Visit Split Rock Art Gallery with respected cultural guide Johnny Murison.

Monday — Return to Cairns

Return travel to Cairns in time for the commencement of the National Outdoor Education Conference.

Evening

Facilitated by Ash Dargan, one of We Al-li’s Elder Facilitators, the focus will be on a gentle debrief of the day, reflection and wellbeing-based practices that support integration rather than overload.

Investment: $2,200 per person (including GST)

Includes:

Facilitated cultural immersion experience
Wellbeing and reflective practice sessions
Transport throughout the journey
Campsites and meals provided,
- BYO tent and sleeping gear
Guided experiences with cultural knowledge holders

Participant Capacity: Maximum 12 participants only.

This experience is designed for:

Outdoor educators
Experiential learning practitioners
Community leaders
Educators seeking culturally grounded practice
Professionals wanting a slower, reflective beginning before conference participation

Places Are Limited

This is an intentionally small-group experience with only 12 participant places available.

Contact the host of On Country Before Conference: A Northern Journey of Listening, Wellbeing & Relationship

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