Forest Therapy Victoria

Forest Therapy Victoria Health and well-being in nature

Yesterday, Forest Therapy Victoria ran its second professional development workshop for 2026. “Using Nature in Your The...
23/04/2026

Yesterday, Forest Therapy Victoria ran its second professional development workshop for 2026. “Using Nature in Your Therapeutic Practice” is a four-hour workshop involving an hour of theory, followed by three hours of practical experience outdoors.

We cover some of the science behind forest therapy, the theoretical concepts supporting it, how it can be used alongside commonly used counselling modalities, practicalities for incorporating it into your practice, and a series of nature-based interventions and how they can be used with different presenting issues that clients bring.

As far as professional development goes, this is one of the most fun, and relaxing learning experiences you can have!

We run the workshop six times a year. Yesterdays sold out six weeks before the event, so if you’re interested it’s worth reserving your spot soon.

For more information, visit: https://www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au/programs-and-activities/professional-development/

To book, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/cc/forest-therapy-professional-development-115019

With the beautiful Autumn weather providing crisp mornings and spectacular sunny days, we’ve got a bunch of nature-based...
20/04/2026

With the beautiful Autumn weather providing crisp mornings and spectacular sunny days, we’ve got a bunch of nature-based activities coming up in the next few weeks around Melbourne.

This coming Sunday (26th April) we have a three-hour Forest Therapy event happening at Warrien Reserve in Croydon North. Some tickets are still available for this experience.

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1984212349551?aff=oddtdtcreator

The following Sunday (3rd May) our first Nature Play 4 Kids event is happening, also at Warrien Reserve. Led by Laura Cox, the Forest Family event caters for families with children from toddler age right through primary school. It’s fun, interactive, and teachers families to connect with nature in a new way for their health and wellbeing.

Link: https://events.humanitix.com/forest-family-event

Then on Sunday May 10th, led by Liza Costello, we have our Forest Therapy Mother’s Day experience at Coburg Lake. Buy yourself and mum and spot and treat mum to three hours of stillness and calm.

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1987799549964?aff=oddtdtcreator

See you under the trees!

Matt and the team from Forest Therapy Victoria.

If you’ve recognised the positive benefits of time in nature on your health, and you have kids, come and join us at Com...
17/04/2026

If you’ve recognised the positive benefits of time in nature on your health, and you have kids, come and join us at
Combiningbthe experience and resources of and , NP4K offers individual support, family programs, excursions, incursions, weekend and holiday programs! See you under the trees!

Kids and families – this one’s for you 🌿It’s time to get outside.After a full year of dreaming, shaping, and bringing it...
15/04/2026

Kids and families – this one’s for you 🌿

It’s time to get outside.

After a full year of dreaming, shaping, and bringing it to life, we’re so pleased to share that *Nature Play 4 Kids* is now live.

This program has grown out of our work in the counselling space, our years of running Forest Therapy, and our own experiences as parents. It’s gentle, playful, and deeply grounded in the belief that kids thrive when they’re connected to nature.

We’re offering:

🌱 Nature-based therapy for kids (one-on-one)
🌿 Outdoor family therapy sessions
🌳 Incursions for kinders and schools
🍃 Excursions in local parks and natural spaces

And our public programs:

🌼 *Seedlings* (ages 3–6)
🌿 *Saplings* (primary school age)
🌳 *Forest Family* (for families of all kinds)

If your child could benefit from slowing down, building confidence, and reconnecting with the natural world, we’d love to welcome you.

👉 Book a program or learn more: https://www.natureplay4kids.com.au/
👉 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nature_play_4_kids/
👉 Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natureplay4kids

We can’t wait to see you under the trees.

Matt, Laura, Liza & Melanie 🌿

It’s six months since the Forest Therapy Journal was published.Orders have been received from every state in Australia, ...
09/04/2026

It’s six months since the Forest Therapy Journal was published.

Orders have been received from every state in Australia, with the initial print run of the ‘Deluxe’ version selling out before Christmas.

With half a year having elapsed since publication and folk taking the journal into nature on a weekly basis, feedback is starting to trickle in.

I had hoped a few people would buy it.

I had hoped that a few people would use it.

I had hoped that some would find it helpful.

I had hoped it would make a difference.

We’re hearing stories of people taking their journal into nature and experience healing.

Experiencing wholeness.

Stress being reduced.

New directions being discovered.

Even conflict being resolved.

And nature being encountered in a new way.

The journal has become more than a project I worked on for three years. I’m not quite sure what that “more” is just yet, but I think I just need to sit back, get out of the way, and let it do it’s thing.

Thank you to my social media family that have purchased a copy and supported all that we are trying to achieve through Forest Therapy Victoria.

If you have any stories of your own or comments about the journal, please send them through. I get inspired by hearing how you are using the journal and the difference it makes for you.

I hope to see you under the trees some time soon.

Matt x

PS: Journal is available here: https://www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au/the-forest-therapy-journal/

Went for a night walk in the mountains last night. The stars out here are breathtaking, even when the moon is blazing. I...
05/04/2026

Went for a night walk in the mountains last night.

The stars out here are breathtaking, even when the moon is blazing.

I waved to the astronauts and hoped they would get home safely.

When my parents brought me to the Grampians as a child, the first “big walk” we did was ‘The Pinnacle’. I’d never seen a...
04/04/2026

When my parents brought me to the Grampians as a child, the first “big walk” we did was ‘The Pinnacle’.

I’d never seen anything like this.

The rock formations of Wonderland.

The Grand Canyon.

Silent Street.

The Fallen Giant.

The Nerve Test.

And the Pinnacle itself. Sweeping views through the valley, with Halls Gap to the left, Lake Bellfield to the right, and the Wimmera Plains stretching into the distance.

Every year we went back I wanted to do ‘The Pinnacle’.

Every time we drove the main road, or walked one of the tracks in the valley, I’d look up to see if I could find ‘The Pinnacle’.

Every time I could see it, I’d squint my eyes to see if anybody was standing in the top, secretly wishing I was there too.

We’re staying in Halls Gap this Easter while my youngest competes in the Stawell Gift. Out the kitchen window you can see that familiar, triangle shaped rock - The Pinnacle.

It’s 45 years since that first visit.

The magic doesn’t fade.

And as I type this, and squint my eyes, I think I can see somebody up there now.

Sigh.

There’s something encouraging happening in the wellbeing space right now.More and more community groups, schools, and or...
31/03/2026

There’s something encouraging happening in the wellbeing space right now.

More and more community groups, schools, and organisations are choosing to step outside and reconnect—with themselves, each other, and the natural world as part of their wellbeing and team days.

Yesterday, Kara and I had the privilege of guiding the video and media team from Melbourne University through a three-hour Forest Therapy experience in the Dandenongs.

We had the mountain to ourselves.

A gentle wander along the Eagles Nest Track.

Moments of stillness.

Creative, sensory invitations.

And that quiet, steady presence of the forest holding it all.

As always, nature did what it does best. By the end of our time together, there was a noticeable shift—more calm, more ease, more connection.

If your team or organisation is curious about what a Forest Therapy experience might look like, we’d love to create something with you.

Each session is shaped around your group and your needs, including the location.

Come and join us under the trees!

Forest Therapy Victoria

Lots of profoundly moving stories emerge when we take people into nature for Forest Therapy. It’s not just our guides th...
25/03/2026

Lots of profoundly moving stories emerge when we take people into nature for Forest Therapy.

It’s not just our guides that create a safe space to be vulnerable.

The trees themselves hear and contain our stories. And keep those stories safe.

Deep emotion is common.

We never ask folk to share their stories at a public event. But when they do it’s hard not to feel the sacredness of the moment.

Our next Forest Therapy event is 9:30am this coming Saturday (28th March) at the Urban Forest in East Malvern.

One of the most profound stories I’ve ever heard in Forest Therapy happened here.

I’ll be sharing that, and other stories from our years doing Forest Therapy in the weekend.

Join us under the trees!

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/forest-therapy-experience-urban-forest-reserve-malvern-east-tickets-1977350932869?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

There are days when the forest seems to open itself just for you.This week at Grant’s Picnic Ground in the Dandenong’s w...
20/03/2026

There are days when the forest seems to open itself just for you.
This week at Grant’s Picnic Ground in the Dandenong’s was one of those days.
With Kara stepping into the assistant role, we found ourselves with the mountain to ourselves.
A gentle breeze moved through the canopy
Sunlight streamed softly through the trees
The kookaburras laughed along with us as we wandered.
For three hours, we slowed down.
We noticed.
We breathed.
We reconnected with the natural world.
We reconnected with ourselves.
These are the moments that remind me why this work matters.
Nature doesn’t rush us or fix us. It simply invites us back into relationship.
If you haven’t experienced Forest Therapy before, why not join us under the trees?
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/forest-therapy-victoria-26777657619

Our midweek Forest Therapy events have become popular with those who like to avoid the tourist crowds on the weekends. T...
16/03/2026

Our midweek Forest Therapy events have become popular with those who like to avoid the tourist crowds on the weekends.

The mountain on a Wednesday afternoon is often deserted.

Which makes the sounds of nature more prominent and the stillness all encompassing.

Join us this coming Wednesday afternoon in the Dandenongs!

Link for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1977338316132?aff=oddtdtcreator

Can I introduce you to some new friends?This is Chris and Stella. They run a start up called exists to promote as many...
09/03/2026

Can I introduce you to some new friends?

This is Chris and Stella.

They run a start up called

exists to promote as many outdoor events as possible to get as many people outside as possible.

After both surviving a traumatic journey through the corporate world, they found healing in nature. And in the time away from screens, deadlines and kpi’s they found new purpose.

Getting people outside for their wellbeing became the new goal.

Sounds familiar…😊

Recently they joined me under the trees in the Dandenongs for three hours of Forest Therapy. We had a fabulous time and i came away even more impressed by who they are and what they are trying to achieve.

So, if you’ve got some spare time and you’re looking for an outdoor experience, head over to their website and sign up to something!

Website: www.epyic.com

Note: currently experiences are limited to Victoria but will be expanding to Australia wide soon.

Address

148-150 Yarra Street
Warrandyte, VIC
3113

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