This special, one-off event is for all the wonderful dads (& Grandfathers, Uncles, brothers) out there. A chance to connect with your child in nature, to slow down and enjoy the simpler things in life; camping under the stars, learning traditional bush crafts skills, sitting around a campfire sharing stories and toasting marshmallows are just a few of the activities on offer.

Come and join us for a weekend like no other! Set along the Plenty River, Nioka Camp is located in South Morang at Plenty Gorge Park and just 20 kms North of Melbourne. It is home to an abundance of wildlife and kangaroos can be often seen in the park, as well as echidnas, lizards,  and a huge variety of birds including cockatoos, galahs, eagles, kookaburras, magpies, rosellas, and ibis.

Imagine spending a relaxing yet adventurous and FUN weekend with your child? Just the two (or three!) of you. Dads need adventure and this is a great opportunity to learn some bushcraft skills and get hands-on with some amazing workshops on offer.

The full weekend camping runs from midday Saturday to midday Sunday and includes the following;

• Three facilitated workshops by trained and experienced leaders.
• Camping one night with campfire, full kitchen, hall and bathroom facilities available.
• Saturday night dinner and Sunday breakfast.

The workshops on offer will include the following activities and skills; bush cubby building, play some traditional Indigenous games, ropes, and construction, introduction to fire lighting, how to use a flint, prepare and care for a fire, make your own damper, bushwalking,  bush foods, local wildlife, tracking, navigation & bush survival skills. Learn how to use a compass and read a map for our challenge. 

Dinner will be provided and the kids will get a chance to cook some delicious damper over the fire, as well as some marshmallows and hot chocolate for dessert and some bush tea for the dads.

On Sunday, we’ll enjoy breakfast together with our new found camping tribe, then head out for a morning bush walk learning all about the plants and wildlife that live by the Plenty river and learning bush survival skills.

The weekend is facilitated by Adam and Lee.

Adam spent his entire childhood in the bush, living off-grid, climbing mountains, playing in rivers, learning to fish, track, make fires and simplify ‘being’ in nature. He now hopes to share his childhood experiences with the next generation to inspire a deep connection to nature. He has a background in Outdoor Education and enjoys camping, rock climbing, and meditation.

Lee lives and breathes the bush where he lives and works as an arborist, spending his working life up in trees. He is highly skilled in a variety of bushcraft skills, fire lighting, ropes, camping and has extensive knowledge of plants and their uses. He has also taught and facilitated a wide variety of classes and workshops specifically for men and in natural movement therapies, nutrition, and well-being.

Not only does this make the “perfect’ Fathers Day gift, it gives our lovely mums a well-earned break and rest! Win-win!

*Please note that spaces are strictly limited so please book early to avoid missing out.

BYO tent and all camping equipment and snacks. There is also a camp kitchen and fridge for any additional cooking or meal preparation required. Eco Explorers is committed to ensuring that our environmental impact is kept to a minimum and that we adhere to sustainable practices so we ask you to take your rubbish home and bring no plastic waste.

Ages: 4 – 12 years