Melbourne's Best Outdoor Adventures | Week 30 · July 2026

Winter has been beautiful the last few days. The sun has been shining gloriously, the t-shirts are out, and we’re revelling in it.

At the same time, we know many are doing it tough right now. And when the cold sets in, the pull to stay in is strong. But the best days of our winter have happened when we’re with others, outside.

The buzz of human connection. Nature nourishing us and reminding us we’re part of something bigger. This week’s lineup is all about that: getting outside, breathing in the crisp air, and finding that connection again.

See you out there,
Stella & Chris

If you’re rushing through your day and can’t name a single thing you walked past, this one’s for you. Another Way Adventure Club (led by Pete, pictured left) has teamed up with Dilly Dally in Nature (led by Emma, pictured right) for two slow, grounding hours at Greenwood Reserve to focus on connection. With yourself, with each other, and with the world around you. These are two communities who believe that good things happen when people come together in nature.

They’re exactly our kind of people and they will be yours too.

📅 Sat 25 Jul, 10am to 12pm 📍 Greenwood Reserve, Macleod
🎟️ Book your spot now

Camping in nature is great. Camping in nature in the snow is a memory you’ll come back to for years. The TSA team runs this overnighter on Mount Stirling as a proper alpine experience made accessible: challenging enough to feel earned, social enough that you're grinning through it, and guided the whole way so you don’t have to worry about following the wrong tree. They'll loan you the rucksack, tent and sleeping mat, and sort the food and cooking. You just need to hunt down a sleeping bag and bring your sense of adventure.

Not many people can say they've camped in the snow. This weekend, you could.

📅 Sat 25 to Sun 26 Jul (other dates available) 📍 Merrijig
🎟️ Book your spot now

One of the best parts about winter in the Northern Hemisphere is the Christmas festivities that come with it. Just because we like ours with a barbie doesn’t mean we should miss out. Maria will kick off the celebration with an easy stroll through the city at dusk before the group heads for Hofbräuhaus, where an Oompah band, Glühwein, giant pretzels and carols with a Bavarian twist are waiting.

Most people come solo, so if you've been meaning to meet some new faces, walking into a beer hall with the silliest Christmas jumper you own is a strong way to do it.

📅 Sat 25 Jul, 5 to 9pm 📍 IMAX Melbourne, Carlton
🎟️ Book your spot now

🥾 Werribee Gorge Loop Walk | Pride Adventures Victoria

Pride Adventures Victoria brings a love for the outdoors and a desire to help the LGBTQ+ community connect, have fun and make new friends. This Sunday, they’ll be heading to one of the most fun day hikes you can experience just an hour out from Melbourne.

Douglas is taking the crew through the full 15km loop: rugged climbs, two river crossings, off-trail sections for that added sense of adventure, and gorge views to make it worth getting outside for. It's a great workout for the legs at 674m of climbing. You’ll be taking your time on the steep stuff, with good chats to forget the burn.

📅 Sun 26 Jul, 8:30am to 2pm 📍 Ingliston (Carpool option if you need a lift)
🎟️ Free to join but please RSVP

Three hours in the forest where the pace slows, the noise drops, and something in you starts to settle. Laura (pictured right) brings her outdoor adventure therapy background to this gentle afternoon at Eagles Nest Picnic Ground: creative and sensory activities under the trees, and thanks to a newly installed fire pit, campfire warmth to gather around and make the most of winter. No experience needed, just a willingness to slow down.

Prefer a Sunday morning? Matt (pictured left) is guiding a forest therapy experience at Warrien Reserve in Croydon North, on Wurundjeri country, with a scarred tree at its heart.

📅 Sat 25 Jul, 1:30 to 4:30pm 📍 Eagles Nest Picnic Ground, Olinda
🎟️ Book your spot now: Sat · Sun

Often, the best conversations happen at walking pace. This one's a leisurely 6km loop along the Yarra trails from Studley Park Boathouse, golden hour light on the river, before landing back at the boathouse for a drink or meal as the evening sets in.

A gentle pace and a chance for easy chats as you stretch your legs around the parklands.

📅 Sat 25 Jul, 4 to 7pm 📍 Studley Park Boathouse, Kew
🎟️ Book your spot now (only 3 spots remaining as we write this)

Training for something big is better with company. Deb from Getaway Trekking leads this 15km group walk from Doongalla Homestead in the Dandenongs foothills, five to six hours of solid time on legs to get you ready for the trek that’s on your horizon. Whether you've got an adventure booked or just want a proper long walk with good people, you're welcome to fall into step.

Big goals are built one Saturday at a time.

📅 Sat 25 Jul, 7:45am 📍 The Basin
🎟️ Free to join but please RSVP

Times are tight for a lot of people right now, and the cost of getting outside can feel like the first thing to cut. But connection and fresh air are possible regardless of budget.

At the start of the year, we researched and shared local clubs across Victoria that can get you outside with a community. Many of these are free to join or cost a gold coin or less a week. They have weekly or monthly sessions and social events in between. Many are beginner friendly, so you can join in even if you’ve never been on a hike, run or paddle before.

The hardest part is taking the first step, and it only gets better from there.

Bushwalking Clubs · Run Clubs · Cycling & MTB Clubs (many clubs do both) · Paddling Clubs (not a full write up but you’ll find a list of clubs with locations)

Disclaimer: We do our best to curate accurate and helpful information but we can't guarantee there won’t be errors. Event details can change so please confirm directly with the organiser. All bookings are with the organiser and participation is at your own risk. We accept no liability for any issues arising from booking and attending any of these activities.