Outdoor Recreation Activities
Outdoors Victoria, as the umbrella Outdoors sector peak body, is committed to advocating and supporting outdoor recreation activities in nature across Victoria. If you are interested in any of these activities, these are the websites that you can head to to learn more, meet up at a Come and Try session, join a club or embark upon a career in the outdoors sector. The outdoor recreation activities are listed in alphabetical order. Additionally, if you would like to learn more about an activity that is not listed here, please contact info@outdoorsvictoria.org.au
The world of outdoor recreation activities in Victoria is growing, and we will constantly be updating this part of the website with more information to get Victorians more active in the great outdoors.
Abseiling & Climbing
Sport Climbing Victoria represents the Victorian chapter of Sport Climbing Australia. With many years of experience, their board members aim to develop and foster climbing within Victoria. Additionally, SCV started in 2018 a special project, Adaptive Climbing Victoria (ACV), which offers people living with a disability the opportunity to participate in the sport of rock climbing, both competitively and socially, no matter their ability.
Climbing Victoria Advisory Council (CVAC)
Sport Climbing Victoria represents the Victorian chapter of Sport Climbing Australia. With many years of experience, their board members aim to develop and foster climbing within Victoria. Additionally, SCV started in 2018 a special project, Adaptive Climbing Victoria (ACV), which offers people living with a disability the opportunity to participate in the sport of rock climbing, both competitively and socially, no matter their ability.
Angling
Victorian Recreational Fishing
Vrfish is the peak body representing the voice of recreational fishing in Victoria.When decisions are made that affect fisheries, they advocate for recreational fishing interests. They love fishing, just like you. Whether it’s fish habitat, water security and quality, fishing access and infrastructure or best practice, they aim to work in partnership to ensure Victoria’s fishing experiences continue to improve, be sustainable and more enjoyable for all Victorians.
Bushwalking
As Victoria’s peak body for bushwalking, they represent all bushwalkers and bushwalking clubs in the state.
They work to unite members of Victoria’s diverse walking community – bushwalking club members, people from organisations with similar interests and individuals.
Victoria Walks is an evidence-based health promotion charity, leading the move for walkable communities in Australia since 2009.
They work primarily in Victoria, but increasingly nationally and internationally, to enable all types of walking – recreational, incidental and transport related.
Their work builds on their history and strengths and they prioritise activities that will have the greatest influence on walking and walkability. We aim for scalable, systemic impact: anything we do on a small-scale or local neighbourhood level has potential for wider application.
They offer leadership and independent expertise and make timely and evidence-based contributions to influence policy and practice. In everything we do, we demonstrate the critical role walking plays in our health, well-being and economic productivity.
Camping
The following information is for schools or organisations looking into residential camps. For camping information in National Parks, please visit the Parks Victoria Camping section.
Australian Camps Association (ACA)
The ‘for purpose’ Australian Camps Association (ACA) is the national peak body for camps and associated providers. ACA helps you find the best camp or outdoor activity provider for your group and to help members across the country provide your group with the best possible experience outdoors.
Christian Venues Association (CVA)
As a member-focused organisation, CVA was created to serve and support Christian venues and service providers across Australia. CVA strongly advocates for their members and provides representation and a collective voice to the government and the outdoor sector. Since 1974, Christian Venues Association (CVA) has grown to serve more than 160 members across Australia. This national membership comprises campsites, conference centres, retreats, and activity providers who host and serve community, charity, church, and school groups in all Australian states.
Canyoning and Caving
Australian Speleological Federation
Australian Speleological Federation Inc. (ASF) is an Environmental Organisation, registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) , with the primary objective of advancing the natural environment, specifically, protecting the cave and karst environment of Australia.
The ASF is also the national body that represents the interests of 23 caving clubs with over 800 members and which represents Australia in the International Union of Speleology.
Cycling, Cycling Touring and Mountain Biking
AusCycling is the National Sporting Organisation responsible for the development, facilitation and growth of all forms of cycling in Australia, formed by an amalgamation of Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), BMX Australia (BMXA) and Cycling Australia (CA) and the 15 State Sporting Organisations (SSO’s).
Established in November 2020, AusCycling is uniquely positioned to represent the sport for the future and to provide enhanced services to clubs, riders, officials and volunteers.
Diving
PADI: Professional Association of Diving Instructors
PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is the world’s largest ocean exploration and diver organisation, operating in 186 countries and territories, with a global network of more than 6,600 dive centres and resorts and over 128,000 professional members worldwide. Issuing more than 1 million certifications each year, and with over 29 million certifications to date, PADI enables people around the world to seek adventure and save the ocean through underwater education, life-changing experiences and travel.
Scuba Schools International (SSI)
Scuba Schools International (SSI) was established in 1970 with the vision of making it possible for anyone to learn how to dive safely. Today, SSI is the world’s largest professional business-based training agency, with 3,500+ Training Centers and over 100,000 SSI Professionals in 150+ countries.
For over 50 years, SSI has provided high-quality training programs and materials for Recreational Scuba, Extended Range, Freediving, Mermaid, Swim, and Lifeguard programs from beginner to Instructor Trainer levels. With digital and printed materials available in more than 40 languages in over 3,500 international SSI Training Center and Resort locations, SSI enables people to experience the underwater world across the globe.
Horse Trail Riding
Australian Horse Trail Riding Association
Australia’s premier representative body for Trail Horse Riders.The association has grown significantly over the years and is recognised by Government at all levels and the equine industry as Australia’s Premier Representative Body for Trail Horse Riders.
ATHRA has a national structure that supports the needs of clubs and members in all states and territories. Being part of a national body means their members have the ability to ride anywhere that permits horse access and with any other club Australia-wide. This effectively opens up the whole of Australia to our members and wherever they travel with their horse, they are sure to be welcomed by the local club and enjoy the hospitality of that area.
Inland waterways, enclosed and coastal waters paddle-craft
Their mission is to grow the Victorian Paddling community, and it is the State body responsible for the management, coordination, development and promotion of paddling in Victoria. It represents the interests of its members, the public and the national body (Paddle Australia).
Paddle Victoria is committed to the provision of the highest standard of competition, safety, coaching, instruction, education and the creation of opportunities for participation in the following sports and activities: Sea Kayaking, Canoe Polo, Slalom, Marathon, Sprint, Downriver/Wildwater, Freestyle, Ocean Racing.
Nature Play – Early Years
Play Australia is the peak national advocacy organisation for PLAY. They support outdoor play by way of inspiration, advice, access to information and professional services.
As the Australian branch of the International Play Association (IPA) we protect the human rights of all children to play, as recognised within Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
ECOLN (Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Network
The Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Network is a forum for educators to share their experience of providing early childhood education outdoors, learn from each other, and promote outdoor learning for young children.
The ECOLN runs an annual Pedagogy & Practice Conference, Gatherings to visit nature kindergarten sites, and training for services wanting to get a nature program off the ground.
Orienteering
Orienteering Victoria is the governing body for orienteering in Victoria and actively supports the many forms of this popular sport, enjoyed in a wide variety of locations across the State.
Rafting
The Mitta Mitta river in Alpine National Park is renowned for having some of the best rafting & kayaking. Friends of the Mitta provides an interactive resource for anyone interested in the wonderful river environment and region that is the Upper Mitta Mitta River, as well as the people, past and present that have loved and shaped it.
Ropes courses
Challenge ropes courses may include activities such as log balances, walls and flying foxes. Hundreds of ropes courses around Victoria exist on camps or stand-alone ropes course businesses. For more information, you can visit https://auscamps.asn.au/
Sailing
Australian Sailing is the governing body for the sport of Sailing in Australia. We are responsible for the administration, promotion and development of sailing. We are a member-based organisation that represents the interests and provides services & support to over 360 clubs across Australia as well as more than 160 accredited Discover Sailing Centres.
Sea Kayaking
The Victorian Sea Kayak Club (VSKC)
The Victorian Sea Kayak Club (VSKC) was formed in 1979 and aims to bring together local sea kayakers and create opportunities to meet, organise trips, and promote sea kayaking as a sustainable sport.
Club members have done some marvellous and sometimes very challenging trips by sea kayak around the coasts of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, along rivers and in lakes – and even further afield, such as Greenland and Antarctica.
Their mission is to grow the Victorian Paddling community, and it is the State body responsible for the management, coordination, development and promotion of paddling in Victoria. It represents the interests of its members, the public and the national body (Paddle Australia).
Paddle Victoria is committed to the provision of the highest standard of competition, safety, coaching, instruction, education and the creation of opportunities for participation in the following sports and activities: Sea Kayaking, Canoe Polo, Slalom, Marathon, Sprint, Downriver/Wildwater, Freestyle, Ocean Racing.
Snorkelling
Australian Underwater Scuba Instructors (AUSI)
Australian Underwater Scuba Instructors (AUSI) was established in 1994 and is an internationally recognised certification agency. AUSI’s goal is to provide the diving industry with affordable, quality education services aimed at ensuring that trainee divers and instructors receive the highest quality diver eduction.
AUSI provides standards, course notes and teaching guidelines for both scuba and snorkel trainees. AUSI Standards meet appropriate International and Australian Standards and Codes of Practice, where relevant.
Snowsports
Scouts Australia provides fun youth development activities, building resilient and confident children, adolescents, and young adults aged 5 to 25 in the Joey Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, Venturer Scout and Rover Scout sections. They also welcome adult volunteer Scout Leaders. Scouts have opportunities for the whole family to be involved.
MSC is a not-for-profit association that supports winter backcountry recreationalists in both Victoria and NSW. Our Backcountry Conditions Reports align to international standards, providing daily observations and forecasts of all likely alpine hazards including weather, ice and avalanche, throughout the Australian snow season.
MSC is Australia’s first winter alpine safety advice that is regularly provided across the snow season, supported by Parks Victoria.
Australian Professional Ski Instructors (Association)
The Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors Inc. (APSI) is a not-for-profit association representing roughly 1000 members. Alpine, snowboard, nordic, telemark and adaptive instructors, coaches, examiners and other snowsport industry professionals make up their membership.
In 1976 the APSI received government and international recognition as the Australian industry leaders for providing training and assessment to snowsport instructors.
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)
Stand up paddle-boarding Victoria (SUP Victoria)
Stand up paddle-boarding Victoria (SUP Victoria) is a not-for-profit sports club offering social, racing and surf SUP events and activities.
Surf
Surfing Australia is a National Sporting Organisation that was formed in 1963 to establish, guide and promote the development of surfing in Australia.
Surfing Australia is the representative body on the International Surfing Association (ISA) of which there are 86 member countries and is recognised by the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Olympic Committee and is a member of the Water Safety Council of Australia.
Surfing underpins an important part of the Australian coastal fabric. It forms part of a lifestyle in which millions participate with a mystique in which millions more have a documented interest.
Peak body for surfing in Victoria.
Life Saving Victoria (est. 2002) is an initiative of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Victoria Branch (est. 1904) and Surf Life Saving Victoria (est. 1947).
LSV employ more than 500 staff, and their lifesaving clubs have more than 37,000 members. Together, they work with communities, educational institutions, government agencies, businesses and the broader aquatic industry, to achieve their vision and mission.
Youth Outdoors
Girl Guides Australia
Empowering girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world.
At Girl Guides, they believe that girls of every age have the capacity to be actively involved in and ultimately take ownership of all aspects of their Girl Guide Experience. Girls develop curiosity through hands-on learning and engage in relevant activities based on their own interests.
When given the opportunity and support they need, girls enthusiastically take charge of all aspects of their Girl Guiding Experience. Girls desire to be more involved and have time and space to revel in the possibilities available to them.
Empowering girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world
Scouts Australia provides fun youth development activities, building resilient and confident children, adolescents, and young adults aged 5 to 25 in the Joey Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, Venturer Scout and Rover Scout sections. They also welcome adult volunteer Scout Leaders. Scouts have opportunities for the whole family to be involved.
Scouting is everywhere and Scouts Victoria is part of a global phenomenon! In Victoria, we have 17,000 youth members and 5000 adult volunteers.
