Outdoors Queensland is the peak body for the outdoors and outdoor activities in Queensland. We understand the value of being outdoors and the opportunities for outdoor activities to make real differences in people’s lives. Our tagline is Live Life Outdoors: A life lived in the outdoors makes you happier, healthier, and more fulfilled; and in Queensland we have amazing places to get outdoors and wonderful outdoor activities to enjoy.
The outdoors is a place Queenslanders use every day, whether to make a living, to learn or for leisure, health, lifestyle or play. The outdoors is a sanctuary that everyone deserves to access. Outdoors Queensland understands the connections that people want to make with the outdoors and works to ensure safe and equitable access for all.
We endeavour to provide the best information possible on outdoor activities. Through conversations and partnerships with the outdoor industry and Queensland residents, we identify barriers, and solutions, to participation, facilitate a mutual understanding about how to sustainably use the outdoors, and work together to improve our health and lifestyle.
Outdoors Queensland represents the diversity of opinions across the outdoor sector on any issue, and does not, in most cases, seek to achieve consensus. Outdoors Queensland is committed to diversity and inclusion so provides opportunities for outdoor recreation users at all levels to share ideas, discuss issues, network, influence policy and promote outdoor recreation.
WE GIVE PERMISSION
We encourage every Queenslander to experience the outdoors on their own terms. If you are just starting your outdoor journey, we create pathways for you to find and connect with the outdoors that best suits you. We help people to understand the possibilities of using the outdoors and make connections with information, providers and communities that help new participants take the first step.
WE FOSTER HABIT
We help participants take their outdoor adventures to the next level, by providing information and other resources, connecting them to suitable providers and showing the way to new locations. Our commitment is to develop and provide tailored pathways to the outdoors, enabling participants to discover and seamlessly integrate into the outdoors community creating a network of like-minded individuals and resources throughout Queensland.
WE CREATE COMMUNITY
Most importantly, Outdoors Queensland is a community. We bring together people, outdoor recreation providers, and outdoor advocates who all have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! We are the only organisation in Queensland that has created a meeting place between outdoor businesses and the Queensland community. We are a facilitator of conversations, provide advice on best practice in the industry, and an ear to listen to concerns and to celebrate successes.
HISTORY
Formerly known as QORF, the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation, the organisation was formed in 1996 as a not-for-profit association representing a coalition of outdoor recreation groups to advocate on behalf of the industry. A key reason for establishing QORF was to assist communication between different user groups and levels of government on outdoor recreation-related issues.
In 2021, the name was changed to Outdoors Queensland as it better represented the breadth of the outdoor sector in Queensland and more immediately described who we are and what we do. Along the with the name change, we also changed our legal structure to become a public company limited by guarantee.
POSITIONING STATEMENT
“Meaningful ‘connections’ are made by experiences in the outdoors”
Meaning of ‘connection’
- Connection to self
- Connection to well-being
- Connection to family/friends
- Connection to community
- Connection to nature/land/Country/culture
- Connection to change-makers
- Connection to Industry/business owners
Outdoors Queensland helps create, develop, and promote connections.
We believe that the connections we make in the world around us and to those in it, influences/ contributes to the quality of our lives. Everyone should have the chance to connect with all that is around us regardless of time, place, age, race, culture, experience, and limitations.
We advocate to give a voice and a platform to all of those who want to join, lead, or change these connections for the better – including industry, our members and everyone across Queensland. We believe that anyone can be and should be part of the outdoors.
Knowing what we know about ‘switching off’ and giving back to ourselves, we can’t stand by and watch the residents of Queensland burn out and lose their connection to the amazing outdoor places and spaces that Queensland has to offer. Taking a break and allowing ourselves to truly connect to the outdoors enables us to rejuvenate our mind and body to better manage the world we live in.
Outdoors Queensland has the knowledge to be the trusted voice and advocate for outdoor activities. We work directly with a diverse group of people, businesses, and organisations who, like us, advocate for the benefits of being outdoors. Together, we can make the change to incorporate the outdoors as part of everyone’s everyday life.
We want to help change the lives of every single Queenslander – whether they are an avid rock climber, the owner of a pony club, or someone who hikes on the weekend. We represent each and every one and give them a voice and a platform to amplify their message for the outdoors.
Our Vision
The world we want to create:
A world where everyone can enjoy the health and well-being benefits of Queensland’s outdoors.
Our Mission
The outcome we are striving for:
That ALL people have the opportunities to make connections with Queensland’s outdoors.
We believe that the connections we make in the world around us and to those in it, influences and contributes to the quality of our lives. Everyone should have the chance to connect with all that is around us regardless of time, place, age, race, culture, experience, and limitations.
Our Values
Explore – the unknown
Courage – take on daunting challenges
Connect – communities in the outdoors
Trust – credibility and integrity
Unite – empowering outdoor organisations
Objectives
Outdoors Queensland’s primary purpose is to raise the profile of the outdoors in Queensland, and the capacity and opportunity for more people to participate in outdoor activities. Live Life Outdoors, our logo tag line perfectly encapsulates our primary purpose .
The key role for Outdoors Queensland is to represent the views and needs of the outdoor community with the primary objectives being :
- To represent the views and needs of the outdoor community to other industries and all levels of government.
- To facilitate communication between stakeholders within the outdoor community and external interest groups.
- To raise awareness of the value and benefits of participation in outdoor activities.
- To develop strategies and actions on key issues affecting participation in outdoor activities.
- To encourage and facilitate protection of the full diversity of outdoor recreation settings.
- To identify and communicate the needs of the outdoor community and facilitate access to natural resources that meet those needs.
- To encourage planning and management for ecologically sustainable outdoor activities.
- To promote safety and quality experiences within the outdoor community.
- To encourage organisational development to enhance the delivery of services that are appropriate, equitable and of a high standard.
- To promote best practice in the standard and quality of leadership and instruction through the support of quality training; and
- To promote Outdoors Queensland and its objectives.
Reconciliation Action Plan
The Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the first step on our reconciliation journey enables Outdoors Queensland to deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and the unique contribution it can make to lead progress across the five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance. Getting this first step right ensures the sustainability of our future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and provides meaningful impact for the part we play in Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Partners
Outdoors Queensland partners with a number of organisations to deliver a variety of initiatives and programs across Queensland.
CLICK to learn more about the amazing organisations we are privileged to work with.
Staff
Outdoors Queensland is run by small team of staff members consisting of a full-time Executive Officer, 3 full-time staff members and 2 part time Project Officers. Additional project staff are employed as required.
Board
Outdoors Queensland is a limited liability company administered by the Board which consists of seven directors; two elected by the members, two representatives of Ordinary Members elected by the members and three appointed by ordinary resolution of the Directors.
Annual General Meeting
The Outdoors Queensland Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held on the second Wednesday in March. The Agenda includes a review of the previous AGM Minutes, officer reports, financial audit report (and election), Board member election and general business.
Make a Bequest
By leaving a bequest in your will to Outdoors Queensland, you will continue to support the outdoors, the environment and outdoor recreation far into the future. Your support will help ensure that generations of Queenslanders to come will be able to get outside and enjoy the benefits of a healthy outdoor lifestyle. Learn More
Documentation
Policies
Acknowledgement of Country
Outdoors Queensland respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land, their elders past, present and emerging, for the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to play in Queensland and most especially on the land, air and waterways used for outdoor recreation.
The ancestors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have walked this country for generation upon generation and we acknowledge their special and unique place in our nation’s historical, cultural and environmental identity.
Artwork: ‘Journey along the Riverbank’ by Stephen Hogarth
Journey along the Riverbank
It’s about camping by the River.
The Green is the trees and the grass on the banks. The circles are the camps with people sitting around them. The circles in the outer sections are the hills and mountains with people climbing them.
Stephen Hogarth
0438 159 175, www.hogartharts.com.au
