Oot & Aboot
About
Oot & Aboot Outdoors is a volunteer-run charity based in Melbourne that creates inclusive, nature-based experiences for LGBTQIA+ people and allies. Through community camping weekends and monthly hikes, we bring "Ooters" together to build genuine connection in the outdoors — with a strong focus on low-pressure, opt-in participation so everyone can engage at their own pace. Our Nature Access Fund also lends camping gear to participants who might not otherwise be able to join, because we believe access to nature and community shouldn't come down to what gear you own. At its heart, Oot & Aboot is about slow, steady community-building: helping people feel safe, seen, and welcome under the stars.
Oot & Aboot Outdoors is recognised as a 100% volunteer-run, ACNC-registered charity creating inclusive outdoor experiences for LGBTQIA+ people and allies across Victoria. Founded by a gay married couple who recognised the lack of safe and welcoming outdoor spaces for queer people, the organisation brings the community together through regular hikes, camping trips and nature-based activities. By addressing barriers such as cost, transport, access to equipment and the anxiety of attending alone, Oot & Aboot helps LGBTQIA+ people build friendships, improve their wellbeing and experience the outdoors in a space where they can feel comfortable being themselves.
What makes Oot & Aboot special is its combination of lived experience, thoughtful planning and consistent community care. Rather than simply organising outdoor events, the organisation has built accessibility into its approach through free or low-cost activities, transport support and a nature access gear library for people who may not have the equipment to participate. Behind every event is a dedicated volunteer team managing everything from logistics and governance to fundraising and grant writing. With 19 volunteers helping sustain the organisation, Oot & Aboot demonstrates that meaningful community impact is not always about one major event, but about continually showing up and creating opportunities for people to connect.
The impact of Oot & Aboot is reflected in the experiences of the people who attend its events. Post-camp surveys across three recent camps in Blackwood, Point Leo and the Yarra Valley found that 100% of respondents said they had met or connected with new people, and 100% said they would attend another event. One participant described the camp as “a very welcoming group” where they had found a community that can be “difficult to find.” Another shared how they had experienced “socialising after feeling lonely earlier in the week.” These responses demonstrate the value of creating spaces where people can find connection and feel less isolated. Through its ongoing commitment to inclusive outdoor adventures, Oot & Aboot is helping build a stronger, more connected LGBTQIA+ community, one hike, one camping trip and one friendship at a time.