Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy

Bush Adventure Therapy Timeline

This timeline highlights recent key gatherings of people and ideas. If you would like to see additions to this timeline, please feel free to let us know through the site contact form.


Pre – 1788 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of this pre-Australian country sustained healthy communities for millenia through intricate systems of knowledge and relationship with country/ land/ place.

1990 – National Symposium – Outdoor/Wilderness Programs for Offenders (ACT)

1995 – Adventure Therapy Pre-O.Ed. Conference Workshop (QLD)

1997 – 1st International Adventure Therapy Conference (WA)

2000 – 2nd  International Adventure Therapy Conference (Germany)

2002 – 1st South Pacific Wilderness Adventure Therapy Forum (Vic)

2003 – 3rd IATC (Canada)

2004 – 2nd SPWAT – Bush Adventure Therapy Terminology (Tas)

2005 – Australian Bush Adventure Therapy Network (BATNet) Forum (QLD)

2006 – 4th IATC (NZ)

2007 – Australian BATNet Forum (SA)

2008 – Australian BATNet Forum (NT)/ Incorporation of AABAT

2009 – 5th IATC (Scotland)/ AABAT Forum (Vic)

2010 – AABAT Forum (Tas)

2011 – AABAT Forum (NSW)

2012 – AABAT Forum (QLD)/ 6th International Adventure Therapy  (Czech Rep)

2013 – AABAT Forum (VIC)

2014 – AABAT Forum (ACT)

2015 – 7th International Adventure Therapy Conference (Colorado, USA)

2015 – AABAT Forum (NT)

2015 – Networking events take off in NSW, SA, TAS, WA & VIC

2016 – AABAT Forum (SA)