Wild Play - Family Nature Play Gathering July 2026 - Castlemaine / Djaara Country

Bush time.

Rest.

Family. Friends. Community.

Nature play.

Fireside.

Bushcraft.

Adventures.

Shared food.

Songs.

Stories.

Caring for land.

Caring for each other.

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WHAT

Join us for 'Wild Play' - a winter family nature play camp-out at Open Field Co-Living, near Castlemaine on Djaara country.

We will be running this low-key gathering as a participatory 'blackboard style' festival.
 
This means that the facilities and a suggested structure will be provided, but we will all co-create the experience. We want to create a culture where we all take care of each other and the spaces that we are sharing.

If you imagine it's a colouring book, we are providing the pages and the lines - but you (we all) choose the colours and fill out the page together!

If you have activities that you would like to facilitate or offer, skills or knowledge you want to share relating to nature connection, bushcraft, survival skills, ecology, wildlife, or related themes, either let us know beforehand or just jump in and sign up on the day via the whiteboard/blackboard. We ask that each adult with capacity volunteers 2 hours of their time to pitch in and help this gathering run smoothly.

What you offer can be as silly or serious as you like. Perhaps you'd like to lead a log-balancing competition? Or, team up to build a raft to traverse the dam with? Maybe share some skills with eco-printing, spoon carving, or animal tanning? Or, lead a group of children on a curious bush wander? Events aimed towards adults are also very welcome, this may include discussion topics, etc. Dotn worry, we wont be too picky or purist about what you'd like to offer as an activity. Something naturey or nature-adjacent is good enough! You dont have to be an expert, just willing to give it a go.

MORE INFO:

WHO
- This is a small, low key, participatory event. There are no paid facilitators, we all play a part in creating this experience. Please share this event with friends who you know will understand the participatory culture of this event and enjoy it.
- All ages welcome, from newborns to elders. There'll be something for everyone! Children under 2 attend for free.

WHERE
- 27 Muckleford School Rd, Muckleford (Castlemaine / Djaara Country).
- This is a private property on an open flat paddock, 5kms from Castlemaine train station, and 1.5 hours from Melbourne.
- Neighbouring the property there is 50 acres of bush reserve to explore with plenty of wildlife, birds and critters
- Camping is recommended in the partially shaded 'sapling grove' on the east side of the property, or along the dam wall at the south end

WHAT TO BRING

- Camping equipment: tent, mat, sleeping bag. You may want to bring additional shelter
- Food for breakfast, lunch and dinner and snacks and an eski to store it in - cook your own breakfast and lunch whenever you wish. We will eat dinner all together at 6pm each night. You can choose to team up with friends to cook communally, or make your own separate food to bring to the gathering place to eat
- Cooking equipment, eg. stoves, pots, cutlery and bowls, table
- Chairs, picnic blankets, cushions
- Your own extension cord and power board if wishing to use your own powered appliances (eg. kettle, toaster, rice cooker)
- Bushcraft & art materials, musical instruments, bushcraft tools, flint & steel, whittling knives, weaving materials, boardgames, paper, paints, etc.
- Acoustic musical instruments, poetry, stories, etc. for evening entertainment
- Clothing for messy, or wet outdoor activities including swimming: hat, sunscreen, drink bottle, rain jacket, waterproof boots, backpack for adventures
- Caravans and campervans are welcome, but the flat parking area is unshaded

WHAT NOT TO BRING
- Please don't bring alcohol, awareness-altering drugs or cigarettes.
- No smoking on the property.
- No amplified music of any kind

FACILITIES PROVIDED

The entire property and house will be available for us to use during the event.

- Filtered rainwater
- 2 x indoor hot showers - please be aware we are on rainwater which is a limited resource
- 1 x indoor flushing toilet
- 2 x outdoor composting toilets
- Dam, paddock, 'bushcraft zone', woodworking area, swings, trampoline, paddock and forest
- Powerpoints for charging devices and appliances
- Communal fire area and fire safety equipment
- Sheltered outdoor kitchen including washing up tubs, some tables, large camp cooking pots, boards & knives
- Large sheltered outdoor area for gathering
- Full indoor kitchen facilities including induction stove, 2 x ovens, 2 x sinks, large fridge, freezer, serving bowls. However, please be aware that in a large group these facilities may not be available for your exclusive use at the time that you expect them. So we recommend also bringing your own cooking equipment
- Large indoor living area & play area

- Bedrooms are available to book in addition to your event ticket, if camping in the cold feels a bit much! The rooms are very warm and cosy. If you book a room, it will be available for your exclusive use during the camp (not shared or bookable by others). It it is a flat fee per room, not per person. So, please select the room that suits your or your group's needs when booking. You may like to team up to share with a friend! When you arrive, please find Nicola to receive your room key. Please strip the sheets on your bed and bring them to the laundry on the day you leave.

NO rubbish service is provided. You MUST take your own rubbish & recycling home.

WHEN
From Fri July 3rd 12pm to Wednesday 8th July 2pm.

- You are welcome to arrive and leave at anytime, if you arrive by bike or if you park your car in the designated parking area (unshaded).
- If you park your car in the camping area and intend to sleep in your car, you must stay put until 9am Wednesday, for traffic management and safety reasons
- If you live locally or are not able to camp, we ask that you still commit to being part of the full experience as much as you can. This helps to create a feeling of togetherness and cohesiveness, in that we are all present and creating this camp together.

CONTRIBUTION

We are offering this as a low-key largely self-organised community event. However we are asking for a small financial contribution to cover the costs involved in providing facilities eg. house facilities, land, shelter, water, electricity, toilet paper, firewood, insurance, and event organisation.

- $50 per person - adult or child >2 years old
- It is the same simple, affordable price for adults, children or concession.
- We want to keep this gathering intimate and manageable, so tickets are limited to 100 people. Get in quick!
- No day tickets are available. For the sake of creating a cohesive 'village' atmosphere, we hope that you will make an effort to be present for the full event (as much as reasonably possible). If you need to leave a day or two early that's ok. But if you can only come for one day, it probably wont be ideal.

Local folks can sleep at home if they wish, but camping is strongly encouraged for a full immersive experience.

FIRE SAFETY
- Fires only permitted in the designated stone circle areas on the property
- Cooking on open flame gas stoves is permitted only if safe, away from tents, trees and vegetation
- We are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, but please take responsibility for your own safety and those under your care.

SAFETY & FIRST AID
- The dam is unfenced. All children under 16 must be actively supervised by an adult at all times near or in the dam.
- Snakes have been seen on the property, please tread carefully and supervise children.
- A fire management plan is in place. If there is a fire risk we will evacuate as soon as possible to Castlemaine town centre
- A first aid kit and a person with First Aid & CPR training (Nicola and/or others) will be on site at all times, but your safety is your responsibility. Urgent medical care is available at Castlemaine Hospital just a 5 minute drive away.

PETS
- Dogs are welcome if safe, on lead and supervised at all times.
- No cats or other pets.

Proposed Schedule

FRIDAY
4pm onwards - Free time. relax, play, nap, set up camp
5:30 - 7pm - cooking and eating dinner, washing up

7pm onwards - gathering around the fire for music, stories, etc.

SATURDAY
8am - 8:30am - Morning gathering, perhaps over breakfast. Talking about our plans and activities for the day.

9am-10:30am - Activity Session 1 (Co-created by you/all of us. Would you like to facilitate an activity?)

10:30am-12pm - Activity Session 2 (Co-created by you/all of us. Would you like to facilitate an activity?)

12:30pm-2pm - Lunch

2pm onwards - Free time. relax, play, nap, chat, tidy up.

5pm-6pm - Cooking dinner - cook dinner together at the communal kitchen OR make your own food to bring to eat together at our gathering place at 6pm


6pm - 7pm - Eating dinner together at our gathering place, washing up

7:30pm onwards - Gathering around the fire for music, stories, etc.

10pm onwards - quiet time

SUNDAY

8am - 8:30am - Morning gathering, perhaps over breakfast. Talking about our plans and activities for the day.

9am-10:30am - Activity Session 1 (Co-created by you/all of us. Would you like to facilitate an activity?)

10:30am-12pm - Activity Session 2 (Co-created by you/all of us. Would you like to facilitate an activity?)

12:30pm-2pm - Lunch

2pm onwards - Free time. relax, play, nap, chat, tidy up.

5pm-6pm - Cooking dinner - cook dinner together at the communal kitchen OR make your own food to bring to eat together at our gathering place at 6pm


6pm - 7pm - Eating dinner together at our gathering place, washing up

7:30pm onwards - Gathering around the fire for music, stories, etc.

10pm onwards - quiet time

MONDAY

8am - 8:30am - Morning gathering, perhaps over breakfast. Talking about our plans and activities for the day.

9am-10:30am - Activity Session 1 (Co-created by you/all of us. Would you like to facilitate an activity?)

10:30am-12pm - Activity Session 2 (Co-created by you/all of us. Would you like to facilitate an activity?)

12:30pm-2pm - Lunch

2pm onwards - Free time. relax, play, nap, chat, tidy up.

5pm-6pm - Cooking dinner - cook dinner together at the communal kitchen OR make your own food to bring to eat together at our gathering place at 6pm


6pm - 7pm - Eating dinner together at our gathering place, washing up

7:30pm onwards - Gathering around the fire for music, stories, etc.

10pm onwards - quiet time

TUESDAY

8am - 8:30am - Morning gathering, perhaps over breakfast. Talking about our plans and activities for the day.

9am-10:30am - Activity Session 1 (Co-created by you/all of us. Would you like to facilitate an activity?)

10:30am-12pm - Activity Session 2 (Co-created by you/all of us. Would you like to facilitate an activity?)

12:30pm-2pm - Lunch

2pm onwards - Free time. relax, play, nap, chat, tidy up.

5pm-6pm - Cooking dinner - cook dinner together at the communal kitchen OR make your own food to bring to eat together at our gathering place at 6pm


6pm - 7pm - Eating dinner together at our gathering place, washing up

7:30pm onwards - Gathering around the fire for music, stories, etc.

10pm onwards - quiet time

WEDNESDAY

8am - 9amam - Morning gathering, over breakfast. Reflections, stories, closing camp.

10am onwards Packing up camp, ready to go home. Rest, nap, play, tidy up.

12pm - optional shared lunch

2pm onwards - Gathering is concluded and all guests go home.

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We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people, the custodians of this Djaara country on which we gather. Sovereignty was never ceded. As settlers, we will try our best to honour and respect the land as we gather, and be awake and aware to this complex and painful history.