Emu Gully Adventure Education offers a unique and transformative approach to education that takes students out of the classroom and into the great outdoors, using adventure and challenge as powerful tools for personal growth and development. This innovative outdoor education provider has been a key partner since 1984 for schools looking to give their students an experience that not only complements their academic learning, but also nurtures essential life skills.
Emu Gully operates two stunning sites that offer unique experiences for participants. The original site at Helidon, just east of Toowoomba, provides a spacious and natural environment, perfect for a variety of outdoor activities that promote teamwork and personal growth. In addition to Helidon, Emu Gully is excited to open a new site at Tamborine in July 2025. This location will offer even more opportunities for adventure and exploration, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and the tranquil atmosphere of the Tamborine Mountain region.
Our philosophy
At its core, Emu Gully Adventure Education is about much more than just outdoor activities or thrilling challenges. Their philosophy integrates three key values: adventure, character, and education.
Adventure is seen as an opportunity for exploration and growth. The carefully designed activities push students beyond their comfort zones, enabling them to face fears, build confidence, and discover new strengths. These adventures range from physical challenges to mental problem-solving activities, all designed to stretch students in ways they might never experience within the confines of a traditional classroom setting.
Character is foundational at Emu Gully, where students are encouraged to develop qualities like perseverance, teamwork, and leadership. Through these challenges, students learn to rely on each other, collaborate, and build trust - skills that are essential not only in their school lives but also in their future personal and professional endeavours.
Education is deeply tied to experience and character formation. Emu Gully understands that learning doesn’t just happen through textbooks and exams; it’s the application of knowledge in real-world scenarios that helps solidify a deeper understanding. The hands-on nature of the programs encourages reflection and self-awareness, which leads to lasting knowledge and personal development.
Emu Gully’s programs are carefully crafted to foster growth in multiple dimensions of a student’s life. Unlike traditional classroom environments, outdoor education taps into a student's ability to solve problems, work as part of a team, and adapt to new situations—all while experiencing the great outdoors in a safe and supportive environment.
One of the most profound aspects of Emu Gully’s programs is the emphasis on teamwork and communication. In a world increasingly dominated by technology and digital communication, these fundamental interpersonal skills are often overlooked. Through group challenges, students are forced to communicate clearly, listen actively, and collaborate effectively to achieve their shared goals. These experiences not only enhance their academic performance but also help them navigate relationships, whether with peers, teachers, or future colleagues.
The physical nature of many of the activities also encourages resilience. It’s easy for students to get discouraged when things don’t go according to plan, but Emu Gully’s carefully designed challenges are aimed at teaching students how to push through discomfort, manage their emotions, and come out stronger on the other side. This resilience is something that students carry with them throughout their lives, in both personal and professional contexts.
Our range of programs
Emu Gully’s range of programs is tailored to different age groups and school needs. Whether you’re a teacher seeking a one-day experience or a multi-day adventure camp, Emu Gully offers options that can be customised to fit the specific goals and objectives of your class.
- The Challenge – This is the flagship program, designed for students of various ages, where they take part in a series of outdoor activities that test both physical and mental endurance. From obstacle courses to problem-solving tasks, each activity is carefully constructed to teach lessons in perseverance, teamwork, and leadership. Students are guided through these activities by skilled facilitators who help them debrief and reflect on their experiences.
- The Adventure – Groups from year 6 and older embrace the experience of sleeping in swags and preparing their own meals. The Adventure activities typically are based on a wide range of historical campaigns from WW1 through to current conflicts. Participants delve into history, gaining real skills and knowledge to apply to life. Each activity is delivered independently and designed to focus on a specific element of teamwork, communication, leadership and character.
The Adventure provides an authentic camping experience that invites people out of their comfort zone, developing resilience and providing opportunities to develop independence.
- The Explore (Ernie’s Journey) - A one-day program designed for years 3 & 4 – a ‘YES’ day of exploration. At Emu Gully, it’s ‘You-Choose-Day’. Whether it’s splashing barefoot in a creek, climbing hills, crawling through tunnels, walking trenches, or wandering through forests, it’s a day of freedom and exploration.
This isn’t just a journey – it’s a story. With Ernie’s Journey, a beautifully illustrated storybook as their guide and as take-home reminder of their adventure, participants will follow Ernie’s footsteps, making their own discoveries along the way.
- Choose your own Emu Gully Adventure - Emu Gully’s custom programs cater to a wide variety of interests, fostering resilience and building relationships while promoting personal growth. Whether for schools, community groups, or families, these tailored experiences are designed to meet specific needs and guide participants through transformative milestones. These can include Rites of Passage, Campout Experience, Retreats, Team-Building Experiences and Family Bonding Experiences.
The benefits of taking part
While the primary focus is on the students, Emu Gully’s programs also provide significant benefits for teachers. By facilitating an outdoor education experience, teachers can break down barriers, foster deeper connections with students, and support their personal growth in new ways. In these non-classroom settings, students often reveal sides of themselves that teachers may not see in the usual school environment. This provides a unique opportunity for educators to understand their students better and to offer support where it’s needed most.
Additionally, teachers who accompany their students on these outdoor programs can benefit from professional development opportunities. Emu Gully staff are experts in managing groups, facilitating outdoor activities, and creating positive learning environments, and many of these skills can be transferred back to the classroom. Teachers can also bring back valuable insights into how to support students’ emotional and social development, which will benefit the entire school community.
Numerous schools have reported that students who participate in Emu Gully’s programs return to the classroom more engaged, confident, and willing to take on challenges. They develop greater self-awareness, resilience, and leadership skills, which help them not only in their schoolwork but also in their social relationships and personal growth.
In terms of academic outcomes, students often return to their studies with renewed energy and a more proactive attitude. The teamwork and problem-solving skills they practice in the field translate directly into their classroom work, leading to more effective collaboration with peers and a deeper understanding of course material.
Perhaps most importantly, Emu Gully fosters a love for learning. Through their programs, students experience firsthand the value of stepping out of their comfort zone, learning by doing, and overcoming challenges. This experiential approach to learning has the power to reignite a student’s passion for education and inspire them to continue exploring and growing throughout their lives.
For teachers, the programs provide a valuable opportunity to foster personal connections with students, gain insights into their development, and develop skills that can be brought back to the classroom. The benefits are clear: improved teamwork, resilience, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to learning that will last a lifetime.
In a world where educational pressures continue to rise, Emu Gully reminds us of the importance of stepping outside, embracing challenge, and experiencing education in its most dynamic and engaging form. It’s a reminder that the best lessons in life often happen when we least expect them—and often, in the great outdoors.
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