AFSA Approved Provider: Bush Magic Adventure Therapy
Bush Magic Adventure Therapy
Bush Magic Adventure Therapy is an inclusive, nature-based therapeutic program supporting children of all abilities through play, exploration and connection to Country.
While our origins began in 2022 under the banner of Bush Magic Adventures, in July 2024 we rebranded to incorporate more of what we do well and Bush Magic Adventure Therapy is now focused on the therapeutic, developmental and inclusive aspects of bush school and nature play, specialising in working with children who struggle to fit into mainstream school and assisting them to find a place where they belong and where their skills and interests are valued.
Our main base is Don’s Farm at Avondale (managed by the Rotary Club of Dapto), with additional sessions running from our original home at Mt Keira Girl Guide Camp and the Wollongong Botanic Gardens. From these sites, we offer:
- Bush School programs (ages 4–14)
- After-school nature immersion sessions
- A Community Program for parents and young children to attend together
- Nature-based play therapy and tailored 1:1 support
A cornerstone of our work is inclusion. Many children who attend access the program using NDIS funding, and families tell us that our approach allows their children to be authentically themselves while building skills, confidence and friendships. Our philosophy is that diversity strengthens community: every child has something valuable to offer, and all deserve to be recognised as contributors.
How We Work
Our programs are child-led, with facilitators offering optional guided activities that spark curiosity and expand skills, while also allowing time for free play. Children choose their own balance of structured and unstructured experiences, encouraging self-motivation, leadership and a love of learning.
Our team brings together teachers, counsellors, outdoor educators, psychologists and other skilled practitioners who share a belief in the power of play, community and connection. This mix of expertise means we can offer both therapeutic depth and adventurous fun.
We focus on building children’s confidence in the outdoors, from survival skills to teamwork and social–emotional development. Many children who struggle in mainstream classrooms thrive as leaders in this environment when given respect, choice and responsibility.
Connection to Community and Country
Bush Magic Adventure Therapy is committed to justice and equity. Following our involvement in the inaugural Allyship Conference at the University of Wollongong, we continue to deepen relationships with First Nations Elders and community members. We acknowledge that our programs run on Dharawal Country and we value the opportunity to learn from Indigenous knowledge and to embed respect for Country into all that we do.
We have also developed strong links with local community organisations and we are proud to be an approved provider with Wollongong Council. Working in partnership with other organisations is a key part of our philosophy, as collaboration allows us to share resources, strengthen community connections and create richer opportunities for the children and families we support.
We also care deeply about our environmental footprint. We reuse and repurpose resources wherever possible and involve children in practical conservation activities. In partnership with Rotary, our Bush School children are becoming caretakers of the gardens at Don’s Farm—planting trees, learning about native bees, monitoring waterways, and developing everyday ways of living more sustainably.
Why Families Choose Us
Families are drawn to Bush Magic Adventure Therapy because it blends the joy of bush school with the therapeutic depth needed by many neurodivergent children. Our programs offer:
- A safe, inclusive community where difference is valued
- A flexible, child-led approach that fosters independence and resilience
- Skilled facilitators who know when to step back and when to step in
- Opportunities to connect with nature, community and culture in meaningful ways
Our vision is simple: to support the whole child—socially, emotionally and developmentally—through authentic play and connection with nature.
We are proud to embody the values of the Australian Forest School Association and to be part of a growing network of providers committed to child-led, nature-based learning.
