Tasmanian Fresh Air Company

Presented at the Australian Outdoor Recreation Conference on community wellbeing

Who: National outdoor sector

How this helped: Shared our community-first model with 200+ industry professionals.

Hosted a cultural immersion walk for CALD communities

Who: Culturally diverse families

How this helped: Shared Tasmanian landscapes with families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Ran a Men’s Shed bush walk series in Scottsdale

Who: Older men at risk of isolation

How this helped: Provided regular social connection and physical activity in a relaxed setting.

Achieved carbon neutral certification for all guided walks

Who: All programs

How this helped: Offset remaining emissions through verified Tasmanian carbon credit purchases.

Sent two guides to a national outdoor leadership conference

Who: Senior trail guides

How this helped: Brought back best-practice techniques now embedded in our programs.

Engaged local accountant and solicitor for all business services

Who: Launceston professional services

How this helped: Kept professional service spend within the community.

Coordinated 35 regular volunteers across all programs

Who: Community volunteers

How this helped: Built a reliable volunteer network that delivers over 3,000 hours of support annually.

Developed a proprietary trail condition monitoring app

Who: Guide team and park managers

How this helped: Created real-time trail reporting used by three land management agencies.

Supported the Deloraine Craft Fair with free guided heritage walks

Who: Fair visitors and locals

How this helped: Drew visitors into the natural surroundings and shared local history.

Created a quiet reflection space at Launceston base for staff

Who: Staff

How this helped: Gave team members a dedicated space for rest and decompression.

Designed a sensory trail experience for neurodiverse children

Who: Families with neurodiverse children

How this helped: Created a low-stimulus nature trail with visual guides and quiet zones.

Installed rainwater tanks at Cradle Mountain base

Who: Field operations

How this helped: Reduced mains water consumption by 80% at our busiest location.

Sourced uniforms from a Launceston embroidery business

Who: Local manufacturer

How this helped: Supported local manufacturing with consistent annual orders.

Delivered wilderness first aid training for all staff

Who: All guides and support staff

How this helped: Ensured every team member holds current first aid and CPR qualifications.

Hosted work experience for two Launceston College students

Who: Year 11 students

How this helped: Provided first-hand exposure to careers in outdoor recreation and tourism.

Opened a small retail presence at Deloraine visitor centre

Who: Deloraine economy

How this helped: Added foot traffic and product range to the visitor centre.

Partnered with City Mission for monthly wellbeing walks

Who: People experiencing homelessness

How this helped: Provided regular, stigma-free outdoor experiences for vulnerable community members.

Provided sun protection kits for all summer walk participants

Who: All summer participants

How this helped: Reduced UV exposure risk with hats, sunscreen, and hydration packs.

Partnered with Colony 47 on youth re-engagement through adventure

Who: Disengaged young people

How this helped: Used outdoor challenge to rebuild confidence, routine, and social skills.

Partnered with Landcare for Tamar Valley weed removal days

Who: Local Landcare volunteers

How this helped: Contributed 150 volunteer hours to removing invasive species along the Tamar.

Implemented a zero-waste catering policy for all events

Who: Event attendees

How this helped: Diverted 95% of event waste from landfill through composting and recycling.

Recruited a part-time operations coordinator from Scottsdale

Who: Regional jobseekers

How this helped: Extended employment opportunities beyond Launceston into smaller towns.

Co-invested in a shared booking platform with four other operators

Who: Regional operators

How this helped: Reduced individual costs while improving visitor access to Northern Tasmania experiences.

Sponsored the Launceston Rotary Community Fun Run

Who: Launceston Rotary Club

How this helped: Contributed $2,000 and volunteer marshals to support a community fitness event.

Conducted a community health needs survey before designing 2026 programs

Who: Community members

How this helped: Ensured programs responded to actual community health priorities.

Provided free outdoor programs for women escaping family violence

Who: Women and children in crisis accommodation

How this helped: Created safe, restorative outdoor experiences during a period of transition.

Delivered a nature connection program for newly arrived migrants

Who: Migrant and refugee families

How this helped: Helped families build place attachment and social connection through shared outdoor experiences.

Created open-source risk assessment templates for small operators

Who: Small outdoor businesses

How this helped: Lowered the barrier to safe operations for new and small operators.

Used only FSC-certified timber for trail infrastructure

Who: Trailhead construction

How this helped: Ensured all new shelters and signage use sustainably sourced materials.

Developed a micro-credential in nature-based facilitation

Who: Staff and community members

How this helped: Created a portable skill credential recognised across the Tasmanian outdoor sector.

Procured all safety equipment from Tasmanian retailers

Who: Local outdoor retailers

How this helped: Spent $12,000 annually with Launceston outdoor shops.

Donated 200 hours of guided walks to community groups at no cost

Who: Community groups across Northern Tasmania

How this helped: Made nature experiences accessible regardless of financial circumstances.

Partnered with Diabetes Tasmania on active living walks

Who: People managing diabetes

How this helped: Provided regular group walks tailored to participants managing chronic conditions.

Created an online resource library for Tasmanian outdoor educators

Who: Outdoor education community

How this helped: Shared route guides, risk assessments, and activity plans freely with the sector.

Introduced flexible work arrangements for all outdoor staff

Who: Guide team

How this helped: Reduced burnout by allowing guides to manage their own seasonal workload.

Ran adaptive bushwalking sessions for people with mobility challenges

Who: People with disability

How this helped: Designed trail experiences using all-terrain wheelchairs and modified routes.

Contributed to the Tasmanian Government’s outdoor recreation strategy consultation

Who: State Government

How this helped: Brought a community-first perspective to state-level policy development.

Switched the entire vehicle fleet to hybrid

Who: Operations

How this helped: Reduced fleet fuel consumption and emissions by 40%.

Designed a career pathway from volunteer to paid guide

Who: Long-term volunteers

How this helped: Gave three volunteers a structured path into paid outdoor recreation roles.

Contributed to the Northern Tasmania tourism brand through cross-promotion

Who: Destination Northern Tasmania

How this helped: Shared visitor reach and marketing resources with the regional tourism body.

Employed a local Indigenous elder as cultural guide for heritage walks

Who: First Nations community

How this helped: Created meaningful cross-cultural employment and brought Indigenous knowledge into programs.

Engaged a local Launceston web developer for all digital work

Who: Local freelancer

How this helped: Supported local tech talent with ongoing work rather than outsourcing interstate.

Provided cultural awareness training for all staff with local Aboriginal organisations

Who: All staff

How this helped: Deepened understanding of Country and respectful engagement with Indigenous heritage.

Ran a sunrise yoga and bush walk series in Cataract Gorge

Who: Community participants

How this helped: Combined physical movement and nature for holistic wellbeing.

Hosted a knowledge-sharing forum for Northern Tasmania outdoor operators

Who: Regional operators

How this helped: Facilitated peer learning on safety, marketing, and community engagement.

Recruited and trained five new event-day volunteers for the season

Who: Community members

How this helped: Expanded volunteer capacity to meet growing program demand.

Ran 12 community trail maintenance and revegetation days

Who: Volunteers and walkers

How this helped: Restored 3km of degraded trail and planted 400 native seedlings.

Eliminated single-use plastics from all guided experiences

Who: All participants

How this helped: Replaced disposable cups, cutlery, and packaging with reusable alternatives.

Hired all casual event staff from within Northern Tasmania

Who: Local workers

How this helped: Kept employment dollars circulating within the regional economy.

Used a Longford print shop for all signage and marketing materials

Who: Local print business

How this helped: Kept $8,000 per year within the regional economy.

Ran a Leave No Trace educator course for local scouts

Who: Scout leaders

How this helped: Trained 8 scout leaders in environmental ethics and minimal-impact practices.

Delivered a “Walk and Talk” series for GPs to prescribe to patients

Who: Patients referred by GPs

How this helped: Created a structured outdoor prescription pathway for social isolation and mild depression.

Co-hosted the Longford Twilight Market nature walk

Who: Market visitors

How this helped: Added a unique outdoor element to a popular community gathering.

Introduced online booking with real-time capacity management

Who: Participants

How this helped: Made booking seamless while preventing overcrowding on sensitive trails.

Partnered with Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania on bush adventure days

Who: Neighbourhood house members

How this helped: Made outdoor adventure accessible to people who would not normally seek it out.

Developed an AI-powered weather risk assessment tool for walk planning

Who: Operations team

How this helped: Automated weather monitoring to improve cancellation decisions and safety.

Installed solar panels on our Launceston base

Who: Operations

How this helped: Reduced grid energy consumption by 60% and cut carbon emissions from building operations.

Trained volunteers in advanced bushcraft and group facilitation

Who: Community volunteers

How this helped: Upskilled 12 volunteers who now lead community walks independently.

Expanded operations to include Scottsdale and George Town

Who: Regional communities

How this helped: Brought tourism revenue and employment to areas outside Launceston.

Mentored a Deloraine youth group leader in facilitation skills

Who: Community youth leader

How this helped: Built confidence and capability for running independent community programs.

Organised a staff mental health first aid course

Who: All staff

How this helped: Ensured every team member can recognise and respond to mental health concerns.

Hosted a professional development day on trauma-informed outdoor practice

Who: Staff and partner organisations

How this helped: Equipped guides to better support participants with lived experience of trauma.

Ran forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) sessions in the Tamar Valley

Who: Stressed professionals

How this helped: Delivered evidence-based nature immersion for stress reduction.

Donated raffle prizes to three school fundraisers

Who: Local primary schools

How this helped: Contributed guided walk vouchers worth $1,500 to school fundraising efforts.

Shared our volunteer management framework with five community organisations

Who: Community sector

How this helped: Helped others replicate our approach to recruiting and retaining volunteers.

Partnered with Salvation Army on a family adventure day

Who: Families supported by the Salvos

How this helped: Gave 30 families a free outdoor experience with lunch and transport provided.

Ran a workforce readiness program for young people interested in eco-tourism

Who: Youth aged 16–20

How this helped: Built job-ready skills including navigation, group leadership, and risk management.

Helped establish the Northern Tasmania Outdoor Operators Network

Who: Outdoor recreation businesses

How this helped: Brought together 14 operators to share resources and cross-refer clients.

Partnered with TasTAFE on a Certificate III outdoor recreation traineeship

Who: TAFE students

How this helped: Gave students real-world field experience across Northern Tasmania.

Invested $120,000 in a new Tamar Valley trail network

Who: Regional infrastructure

How this helped: Created a new walking asset that attracts visitors and locals alike.

Completed advanced rope rescue certification for the team

Who: Guide team

How this helped: Raised safety capability for canyon and cliff-based programs.

Partnered with the Heart Foundation on guided walks for cardiac rehab

Who: Cardiac rehabilitation patients

How this helped: Provided safe, monitored outdoor exercise for people recovering from heart events.

Ran a volunteer appreciation day with a guided Cradle Mountain experience

Who: Volunteers and their families

How this helped: Recognised the contribution of volunteers with a memorable shared experience.

Led the formation of the Tasmanian Nature-Based Wellbeing Alliance

Who: Cross-sector group

How this helped: Brought together 20 organisations to advocate for nature-based health interventions.

Provided sign language interpretation for a summer walk series

Who: Deaf and hard-of-hearing participants

How this helped: Made guided nature interpretation accessible to the deaf community.

Created a “First Time Outdoors” program for people with no bushwalking experience

Who: Anxious and inexperienced adults

How this helped: Built confidence through gentle, guided introduction to being in nature.

Purchased all catering from local Launceston bakeries and cafés

Who: Local food businesses

How this helped: Directed $35,000 annually to local food producers.

Took on three outdoor adventure apprentices through TasTAFE

Who: Young Tasmanians aged 18–24

How this helped: Provided hands-on training and qualifications in outdoor leadership and wilderness first aid.

Delivered nature journaling workshops in three primary schools

Who: Primary school students

How this helped: Connected 120 children with their local environment through observation and writing.

Launched an employee wellbeing allowance for outdoor activities

Who: Staff

How this helped: Gave each staff member $500 annually for personal outdoor recreation.

Provided logistics support for the George Town Australia Day event

Who: George Town community

How this helped: Loaned marquees, tables, and volunteer time to make the event run smoothly.

Piloted drone-based trail surveys in partnership with UTAS

Who: Research and operations

How this helped: Used aerial mapping to plan trails with minimal environmental impact.

Partnered with Headspace Launceston for nature therapy sessions

Who: Young people aged 12–25

How this helped: Created a non-clinical outdoor space for conversations about mental health.

Published a best-practice guide for trauma-informed outdoor programs

Who: Outdoor sector

How this helped: Made our approach freely available to other operators nationally.

Ran doorknock outreach in George Town to invite isolated seniors to group walks

Who: Isolated older residents

How this helped: Personally invited residents who might not hear about programs through normal channels.

Created a seasonal bushwalking guide position

Who: Local tourism workers

How this helped: Gave seasonal employment to a Tamar Valley local during peak visitor season.

Sourced all merchandise from Australian sustainable suppliers

Who: Retail stock

How this helped: Ensured branded clothing and gear met ethical and environmental standards.

Ran a mentoring circle for emerging outdoor recreation leaders

Who: Young professionals

How this helped: Paired five early-career guides with experienced mentors over six months.

Completed comprehensive workplace safety audit and upgrades

Who: All staff

How this helped: Implemented 14 safety improvements across vehicles, trails, and equipment.

Co-designed a bushwalking module with UTAS School of Education

Who: University students

How this helped: Created curriculum content used by future teachers across Tasmania.

Delivered weekly parkrun support walks in City Park

Who: Community walkers

How this helped: Encouraged regular physical activity in a social, non-competitive setting.

Sponsored a local under-12 mountain bike team

Who: Junior riders

How this helped: Helped cover registration and safety gear costs for 15 young riders.

Trialled GPS-enabled safety beacons for all guided walks

Who: Participants and staff

How this helped: Improved emergency response capability across remote walking routes.

Offered concession pricing for all Health Care Card holders

Who: Low-income community members

How this helped: Removed financial barriers to participation in outdoor programs.

Hired two full-time trail guides from the local community

Who: Local residents and job seekers

How this helped: Provided stable employment and career pathways in outdoor recreation for Launceston locals.

Installed energy-efficient LED lighting across all facilities

Who: Office and base operations

How this helped: Cut lighting energy use by 75%.