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Campaspe Downs camp, Victoria

An hour’s drive from Melbourne, PGL Campaspe Downs is set amid 160 acres of stunning natural bushland in the Macedon Ranges,  an adventure camp close to Kyneton and Hanging Rock.

Situated around a central lake, Campaspe Downs camp accommodates up to 400 guests in cabins and platform tents, and boasts a wide range of exciting adventure activities – from flying fox to canoeing, archery, laser tag and so much more.

All PGL Australia camps focus on developing students’ love for the outdoors and for nature, while also with working with teachers/group leaders to facilitate specific learning outcomes for their students, whether that be resilience, independence, relationship building or fun!

Quick Facts

400 Beds

1 hour from Melbourne

1300 859 895
(booking enquiries)

1302 Kyneton-Trentham Rd, Tylden, VIC 3444

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Accommodation at Campaspe Downs

With several accommodation options on offer, PGL Campaspe Downs can accommodate up to 400 guests on-site at any one time. Guests supply their own fitted sheets, sleeping bags, pillows and towels. Bedding can be hired for a small fee. All rooms have heating. See the PGL Campaspe Downs map for the names and locations of different accommodation options.

Campaspe Downs Cabins

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Campaspe Downs Platform Tents

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Facilities at Campaspe Downs

With indoor seating for 240+ guests, plus a stunning outdoor seating area overlooking the lake, the large main dining hall can be configured to suit the needs of various groups. A secondary additional dining room (The Shearing Shed), complete with self-catering kitchen is a great alternative for weekend self-catering groups.

Other facilities include:

  • Quality full catering – see our menu here
  • 3 Hydration stations throughout camp with water sourced from town
  • Several large indoor spaces for groups, complete with AV equipment
  • Large indoor sports stadium with equipment for free time activities
  • Games room
  • Campfire circle
  • Sports oval
  • Outdoor sports courts for basketball, handball and pickleball
  • Leaders’ lounges
  • Extensive on-site adventure activities

We look forward to working with you to discuss your group’s specific requirements.

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Adventures on offer at PGL Campaspe Downs

Primary Schools

Let us guide your students as they take their first step into a lifetime of outdoor adventure!

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Secondary Schools

Facilitating brilliant breakthroughs and realising students’ full potential through the power of outdoor education.

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Groups

Perfect for your next sport club, youth group, family reunion or corporate event.

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Activities Available at Campaspe Downs

Hover over or tap the images below to find out more about each activity.

See what a day on camp looks like at Campaspe Downs!

 

Man with a beard and glasses, wearing a blue and white checked shirt, smiling in front of a yellow flowering bush.

Stuart Davie
Centre Manager, PGL Campaspe Downs

Meet our Centre Manager

 

“Originally hailing from sunny Scotland, I joined PGL in the UK in 2002 as a Housekeeping Assistant.

I worked at various UK centres then moved to Australia in 2016 to join Campaspe Downs. Myself and the team love hosting guests at our site, as it gives everyone a chance to experience such a wonderful environment. We pride ourselves on making the outdoor as accessible as possible for everyone. From sunrise to sunset every participant has the opportunity to develop and try new things in a safe and supportive environment.

When I’m not at work you will find me spending time with my family, volunteering and doing some home DIY (not always successfully).

I look forward to welcoming you to PGL Campaspe Downs in the future!”

Read what previous visitors had to say about PGL Campaspe Downs in our Google reviews.
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We go above and beyond to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our care.

We have a long-standing dedication to safety and safeguarding.

Everything we do is built on five protective pillars:

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Safe People People are at the heart of all we do. From our ‘safer recruitment’ process (including Working with Children Checks/Blue cards for all centre colleagues) to our in-depth training programmes, continuous development and supervision, we go the extra mile to ensure our guests are in the safest of hands.

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Safe Places Our centres are continuously monitored, maintained and risk-assessed by dedicated teams to ensure our places are safe and secure, always. What’s more, ongoing investment in our locations is powering breakthroughs in guest comfort and satisfaction.

A minimalist drawing shows a hand holding a heart and a star, with the text "Safe Spaces" above.

Safe Spaces We believe adventure is for everyone. We’ve developed our spaces with SEND, accessibility and inclusivity in mind, and can make further adjustments for guests’ individual needs wherever possible – our goal is to deliver enriching experiences for all.

A shield icon and a blue star icon are connected by a single continuous line beneath the word "Safeguarding" on a white background.

Safeguarding As the leader in our industry, we are committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults in our care. Our teams are trained to recognise and report safeguarding concerns and aware of their responsibilities to safeguard guests.

A simple line drawing of a bus and a blue star under the text "Safe Travels.

Safe Travels Our travel partners are carefully vetted to ensure they meet our high standards and are able to demonstrate effective safety management systems – providing transport that is safe, reliable, suitable for children and adaptable to the needs of our guests.

Two sections labeled "Safe People" and "Safe Places." "Safe People" has a blue star and outline of a person. "Safe Places" has a blue star and outline of a house. A continuous line connects the sections.

Safe People People are at the heart of all we do. From our ‘safer recruitment’ process (including enhanced DBS for all centre colleagues) to our in-depth training programmes, continuous development and supervision, we go the extra mile to ensure our guests are in the safest of hands.

Safe Places Our centres are continuously monitored, maintained and risk-assessed by dedicated teams to ensure our places are safe and secure, always. What’s more, ongoing investment in our locations is powering breakthroughs in guest comfort and satisfaction.

Illustration with the text "Safe Spaces," showing a hand holding a blue star connected by a line to a heart scribble.

Safe Spaces We believe adventure is for everyone. We’ve developed our spaces with SEND, accessibility and inclusivity in mind, and can make further adjustments for guests’ individual needs wherever possible – our goal is to deliver enriching experiences for all.

Illustration with the words "Safeguarding" and "Safe Travels," featuring a shield, a blue star, and a bus.

Safeguarding As the leader in our industry, we are committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults in our care. Our teams are trained to recognise and report safeguarding concerns and aware of their responsibilities to safeguard guests.

Safe Travels Our travel partners are carefully vetted to ensure they meet our high standards and are able to demonstrate effective safety management systems – providing transport that is safe, reliable, suitable for children and adaptable to the needs of our guests.

Find out more about our Breakthrough Programs

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UNITE!

Relationship-boosting adventures designed exclusively for secondary schools.

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First-time school adventures for years 3&4

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GROW!

Character-building adventures for upper primary students years 5&6

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PGL Campaspe Downs FAQs

What should my child pack to go camp?

Here’s a link to our handy packing guide which will let you know everything that you need for a school camp adventure!

What food options are available throughout the camp?

We want to inspire children into a healthier lifestyle that includes a tasty, balanced diet. We aim to provide three healthy, high-energy meals per day, with plenty of variety, and we always serve generous portions of fruit and vegetables for a balanced meal. A vegetarian alternative can always be provided, and we can accommodate most special diets required on medical or religious grounds. Still in all cases, we will require full details at time of booking – just let us know! Click here for our sample menu.

Morning and afternoon tea are available for a small supplement.

What activities can we take part in?

We aim to ensure that all children take part in a wide variety of activities. There’s a choice of over 21 different adventure activities all designed to motivate, build confidence and develop their self confidence. Whether they are getting wet canoeing, zipping down the flying fox or testing their nerve on the giant swing, we’ve got it covered!

Is there an evening program of activities at camp?

Your program doesn’t stop after the day time activities! After your action packed day we run a tailored evening entertainment program led by our own PGL staff which is guaranteed to keep you and your group busy and happy until bedtime!

For teachers or parent helpers attending school camps, the evening is a welcome opportunity to relax, as we run a tailored evening entertainment program led by PGL staff. We’ll provide the fun, so you can enjoy it too.

What's the accommodation like on adventure camps?

At Campaspe Downs your group will sleep in rooms that accommodate either 4-8 with en suite bathrooms or 2-12 students with separate purpose-built toilet and shower blocks. As a Party Leader, you’ll enjoy either a single or twin en-suite room.

Our permanent platform-tented camp boasts 6 tents. Bunk beds sleep 8 students per tent. Teachers are accommodated in 3-4 person tents. Bathroom facilities are located close by.

You can view photos of Campaspe Downs accommodation here:

Campaspe Downs cabins

Campaspe Downs platform tents

What types of skills can my child gain from attending camp?

Outdoor adventure camps offer a unique blend of physical activity, social interaction, and exposure to nature. Children benefit from improved physical fitness, enhanced problem-solving skills, increased self-confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. 

An adventure camp provides a foundation for honing a variety of different skills. Children learn to become leaders, solve problems, enhance communication skills and strengthen their decision-making. Through activities like bushcraft, , climbing, and team-building exercises, children develop valuable life skills that extend beyond the adventures they’ll experience during camp.

Does PGL promote activities that enhance mental health and wellbeing?

Nothing helps to stimulate mental health and wellbeing more than the outdoors and lots of exercise! Swap the classroom for an otherworldly outdoor experience, to discover the excitement of bushcraft and our range of amazing activities that leave children truly awe-inspired. 

Outdoor adventures provide a break from screen time to help foster active minds, increase enthusiasm towards exercise and develop focus, which will have a long-lasting impact on the future endeavours of all children who attend camp.

Are the activities at outdoor adventure camps safe for children?

All of our activities are designed with children’s safety as our top priority. Dedicated PGL Activity Instructors lead all sessions and instruct children throughout each activity with carefully planned activities with adherence to our strict safety guidelines. 

We also have a list of risk assessments and activity descriptions available on the link here. Our staff are extensively trained in child safeguarding practices. A copy of our child safeguarding policy is available here.

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