The Great Aussie Bush Camp Expands Nationally with Acquisition of PGL Adventure Camps
The Great Aussie Bush Camp (GABC), one of Australia’s leading outdoor education providers, has announced the acquisition of PGL Adventure Camps, marking a major step in the company’s national expansion.
The deal sees GABC take ownership of three additional sites, Campaspe Downs (Kyneton, VIC), Camp Rumbug (Gippsland, VIC) and Kindilan (Redland Bay, QLD), growing its portfolio from four to seven locations and entering the Victorian and Queensland outdoor education markets for the first time.
For over 25 years, The Great Aussie Bush Camp has been at the forefront of outdoor education in New South Wales, delivering life-changing experiences across its Tea Gardens, Kincumber, Lake Macquarie and the recently acquired Camp Wombaroo in the NSW Southern Highlands.
With the acquisition of PGL Adventure Camps, The Great Aussie Bush Camp expands its reach and will now deliver unforgettable outdoor education experiences to more than 110,000 young people and teachers each year, cementing its position as Australia’s largest outdoor education provider*, with seven centres across three states.
The acquisition was an obvious choice for GABC, with both organisations sharing a passion for transforming young lives through the power of outdoor education.
Graham Ward, CEO of The Great Aussie Bush Camp, said the acquisition represents an exciting new chapter for the business.
“We’re thrilled to bring The Great Aussie Bush Camp to new states in Victoria and Queensland and deliver the exceptional camps we are known for in NSW. We’ve admired the PGL business for many years and this acquisition is a perfect alignment.
“We’re excited to welcome the PGL Adventure team into our organisation and can’t wait to host schools, groups and communities at these amazing sites.”
PGL Adventure Camps was formerly owned by PGL Beyond, the UK’s largest outdoor education provider. The sale follows a strategic decision by PGL Beyond to focus on its European operations and portfolio of brands, with the Australian business transferred in strong financial health.
PGL Beyond CEO, Anthony Jones said, “We have been delighted with the growth in the Australian business over the last couple of years. This growth will put the camps’ new owners, The Great Aussie Bush Camp, in a fantastic position to continue to spark breakthroughs and transform the lives of many young Australians.”
The acquisition secures 150 jobs across the three centres. The centres will continue to trade under the PGL brand for a transitional period of up to six months as systems and licences tied to the European operations are finalised.
* By participant volume, 2025.
