The Wilderness Program

Who we are

The Wilderness Program is a government business unit that is committed to the principle of community development and funded by Sport and Recreation Tasmania (SRT). The Wilderness Program office is based on Hobart's eastern shore in a beautifully restored Georgian-style manor situated on the Wirksworth property in the heart of Bellerive. It is equipped with modern communications and meeting room facilities. Staff, clients and referral agents are welcome to drop in at any time

A team of four full-time personnel manage the operations with the assistance of sixteen casual staff who serve the organisation as Operational Facilitators on our field programs.

The work of the Operational Facilitator is clearly demanding (24 hours in the field for up to 6 days in succession) and a means to initiate self-care both on the program and afterwards is of utmost importance. The role requires a balance of outdoor instructional skills (kayaking, abseiling & rock climbing, caving and bushwalking) and group facilitation expertise (counselling, group-based reflection and a sound knowledge of human development). In addition, Facilitators are required to hold current first aid qualifications appropriate for working in remote environs. Facilitators require significant life experience to work with our client groups (offenders, drug and alcohol clients, school students, Aboriginals and mental health clients). Each Facilitator is a graduate of the Wilderness Therapy program and regularly undertakes in-house and external professional training relating to the issues faced by our clients.

The program venues vary according to where people who attend the program, actually reside. Typical venues for southern participants include the Tasman Peninsula and the Esperance region. For northern programs, the Mersey River, Freycinet Peninsula and Douglas Apsley national park are used. Care is taken in the choice of venues, to ensure the natural heritage values of the area are not compromised through operation of activities that are environmentally unsustainable. To access these venues, the Wilderness Program uses a pair of LandCruiser 11-seat Troop Carriers and equipment trailers. The outdoor equipment provided for participants meets industry standards and is purchased to handle the rigours of the Tasmanian environment.

The Wilderness Program is fundamentally a personal development program, that uses wilderness activities that support the ambitions of people contemplating change in their lives. Whilst some participants who attend may be disadvantaged by personal circumstances or economic conditions, the program has been designed intentionally to include a whole-of-community approach. The value of the Wilderness Program experience for marginalised populations is not in doubt, however the personal growth opportunities it provides for participants from normative backgrounds highlights the program’s efficacy and its commitment to community development within a uniquely Tasmanian context.

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Home Who we are Programs Training Opportunities Methods Publications Events Calendar Photo Gallery Useful links	Who we are The Wilderness Program is a government business unit that is committed to the principle of community development and funded by Sport and Recreation Tasmania (SRT). The Wilderness Program office is based on Hobart's eastern shore in a beautifully restored Georgian-style manor situated on the Wirksworth property in the heart of Bellerive. It is equipped with modern communications and meeting room facilities. Staff, clients and referral agents are welcome to drop in at any time A team of four full-time personnel manage the operations with the assistance of sixteen casual staff who serve the organisation as Operational Facilitators on our field programs. The work of the Operational Facilitator is clearly demanding (24 hours in the field for up to 6 days in succession) and a means to initiate self-care both on the program and afterwards is of utmost importance. The role requires a balance of outdoor instructional skills (kayaking, abseiling & rock climbing, caving and bushwalking) and group facilitation expertise (counselling, group-based reflection and a sound knowledge of human development). In addition, Facilitators are required to hold current first aid qualifications appropriate for working in remote environs. Facilitators require significant life experience to work with our client groups (offenders, drug and alcohol clients, school students, Aboriginals and mental health clients). Each Facilitator is a graduate of the Wilderness Therapy program and regularly undertakes in-house and external professional training relating to the issues faced by our clients. The program venues vary according to where people who attend the program, actually reside. Typical venues for southern participants include the Tasman Peninsula and the Esperance region. For northern programs, the Mersey River, Freycinet Peninsula and Douglas Apsley national park are used. Care is taken in the choice of venues, to ensure the natural heritage values of the area are not compromised through operation of activities that are environmentally unsustainable. To access these venues, the Wilderness Program uses a pair of LandCruiser 11-seat Troop Carriers and equipment trailers. The outdoor equipment provided for participants meets industry standards and is purchased to handle the rigours of the Tasmanian environment. The Wilderness Program is fundamentally a personal development program, that uses wilderness activities that support the ambitions of people contemplating change in their lives. Whilst some participants who attend may be disadvantaged by personal circumstances or economic conditions, the program has been designed intentionally to include a whole-of-community approach. The value of the Wilderness Program experience for marginalised populations is not in doubt, however the personal growth opportunities it provides for participants from normative backgrounds highlights the program’s efficacy and its commitment to community development within a uniquely Tasmanian context.