Held Outside nature connection experiences

24/04/2026

What a difference an hour makes!

Join us for Reconnecting with Nature on Sunday 3rd May for an hour of forest bathing and remembering our whole Earth selves.

🌿 8:30 - 9:30am Sunday 3rd May & every 1st Sunday of the month!
🌿 Maroochy Botanic Gardens
🌿 part of the Healthy Sunshine Coast program, ie. $10pp or $5 concession card holders!
🌿 gentle group activities and solo wanderings to reconnect with nature, relax and resettle your systems
🌿 more details & register here: https://events.humanitix.com/reconnecting-with-nature
🌦️yes we do it in the rain! (unless it's high winds or heavy rain, and I'll send you a text so you can sleep in)

Proudly presented as a part of Sunshine Coast Council's Healthy Sunshine Coast Program.
Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden

22/04/2026

After a group forest bathing walk at Kondalilla National Park in February, I sent out my regular feedback form.

This participant answered:

How was this nature connection session for you? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What was a highlight/s of this session for you?
- Taking my time through the forest, rather than rushing through like I usually would on a hike.

When you think about how you felt after the session, compared to at the beginning of the session, do you notice any differences?
- Calm and more relaxed.

What would you say to your past or future self who was considering joining this session?
- Let yourself go with the flow

How likely is it that you will recommend this nature connection session to others? (1 - 5)
- 5 = Highly Likely

Thanks to all my participants who join me on a walk, and especially those who share feedback to help me improve and share nature connection with others!

17/04/2026

there is much good in planting trees. in planting the 'right' ones, having your hands in the soil, contributing to a future you may not be part of, marveling at how fantastic plants are ... 🌿

and on our nature connection retreat we don't just plant. We get to know the land, the plants, what they yearn for and how we might support them.

and I'm super looking forward to seeing how our first retreat plants have grown!

more info: https://www.heldoutside.com.au/nature-connection-retreat or flick through these highlights.

Bellthorpe Stays

16/04/2026

Dreaming of melting into the forest ...

How many forest lovers can you see?

Check my website or send me a message for upcoming walks, sessions & retreat dates!
Bellthorpe Stays

15/04/2026

Huge chunks of land in SEQ that are *up for grabs* - want them to be national & conservation parks? Go here - https://protectqueensland.org.au/

Lamington National Park has been doing that to people for a long time. But places like this don't look after themselves. Without proper funding and good management, these experiences slowly disappear.

Well managed parks mean more people get to have moments like this one. That's what we're fighting for.

Join Protect Beautiful Queensland and help make sure Lamington is still like this for the next person who needs it.

13/04/2026

Getting out in the world and greeting our family.
We tilt again into cooler mornings and stunning blue skies.
Good morning Earth
What a gift to be in relationship with you, and held outside.

09/04/2026

🌿 Looking for a way to wind down, connect and restore?

Join this small group guided forest bathing bushwalk in the Glass House Mountains National Park next Sunday (19th) afternoon:

https://events.humanitix.com/forest-bathing-bushwalk-glass-house-mountains-trachyte-19-apr-26

From $30pp, includes forest tea ☕️and learning about nature connection in this protected environment.

08/04/2026

Lots of people know they *should* be able to feel better outside.

But they just can't sit still, or all those thoughts keep running through their mind, or they feel kinda silly just stopping on the track.

That's where a guide can help. I can help you set the time and find a good place. I guide in a supportive, casual way that let's you be 'you', chatty or quiet, and providing a structure and ways to truly slow down, open the senses and get to know nature again.

07/04/2026

4 tips for


1. Always have a baggie for rubbish in your pack. Hunt for treasure (ie trash) . Sometimes there is great treasure. I am proud owner of a street towel, forest singlet top, lake tshirt ...
1b. Bring a peg! Then you can peg the bag to your pack strap for two handed forest balance beams and tree hugging

2. Say g'day! Wildlife and forests aren't just backgrounds to your life. They are people too. So are the people walking past.

3. Try the app. It needs an internet connection so not great in the bush, but it helps connect a pic, a map pin of a problem to the council/utilities/trolley owners etc. Because how likely is it you will get home and ring the council about that broken step?

4. Rest. Look up. Appreciate the forest with your relaxed, refreshed body.

07/04/2026

Join us in June (19 - 22nd, yes, the winter solstice weekend!) for four days devoted to our Earth and Earth selves.

Introducing our Winter Nature Connection retreat 4 headlining cohosts:
1. The forests at Bellthorpe Stays (the biodiversity of this place, backing onto the National Park is incredible, thanks to the Eco-certified efforts of Wendy & Dave at Bellthorpe Stays
2. Mon from Heartwood Nature Bathing . Forest therapy guide, fibre weaving artist, adventure seeker. Warm, friendly and unflappable, but definitely the cool one 😎 Believes nature offers each of us a path home.
3. Sara from Essential Nature Connection. Grounded yogi, forest fairy who shares the magic. 🌈 Inspired by the wild and sacred rhythms of nature.
4. Jay from Held Outside nature connection experiences. Conservationist, nature connection guide, bush weeder and gardener. Also the list maker, and science nerd 👩‍🌾 Naps happily under trees.

Once you arrive you may find many other retreat coshosts and mentors - the king parrots, pademelons, sunshine, mists, waterfalls and rocks.

Find out more here: https://events.humanitix.com/winter-nature-connection-women-s-retreat-19-22-june