THREE-WEEK COURSE
This is the classic Outward Bound experience, offering the perfect balance of adventure, reflection and self-discovery. You'll spend three weeks in the Marlborough Sounds with a crew of strangers, no phone, and new challenges that you'll rise to.
You'll find out what you're made of and you'll leave Anakiwa with greater confidence, new connections, and a better understanding of yourself and the world around you. You'll know, there's more in you!
Your twenties are full of big changes and new beginnings, and plenty of noise to go with them: what to study, where to work, who you’re meant to be. Our three-week adventure for young adults gets you away from all of it, so you can find out what you’re capable of and reconnect with what really matters to you.
You’ll paddle, tramp, sail and explore your way through some of the best country in Aotearoa, sleep out under the stars, and take on things you’d normally talk yourself out of. Nobody here knows who you were last week. That’s kind of the point. By the end, you’ll have a stronger sense of who you are, what you value and where you want to go next.
Many call it life-changing but you'll have to take the leap to find out for yourself!
A small taster of your days
We don't hand out the full plan and that's on purpose. Not knowing what's next and being okay with uncertainty is part of it. But here's a sample of what some of your days might look like from a recent three-week course.
Day 3
Off down the river
Early run and a dip in the sea, breakfast, then assembly and a check-in with your watch. By lunch you're on the Pelorus River for a two-day kayak journey. Dinner over a campfire, a reflection session as it gets dark, and a night at kayak camp.
Day 4
Paddle home, then dig in
Day two on the water, then back to Anakiwa for dinner and a debrief on the last 48 hours. The evening workshop gets into fear, self-doubt and the limits you've set for yourself.
Day 5
Up in the ropes
Run and sea dip, breakfast, a quick clean of the watch house, then high ropes. The afternoon is about working out your own values. You'll help cook and clean up dinner, then crash in the watch house.
Course Outcomes
Every activity on this course is designed to build transferable real-world skills and attitudes that you can carry into life, study and work.
This course helps you build focus and perspective to decide on your future direction. You'll learn to stay focused under pressure, work with others through uncertainty and reflect on what really matters to you.
At a time when big decisions and change are starting to take shape, the clarity, confidence and resilience you will gain is invaluable. You'll leave with a stronger sense of direction and the tools to take on whatever comes next.
According to independent research by Research NZ:
You'll walk away with:
More confidence in yourself and your decisions
New mates and shared experiences you won't forget
Experience of leading and influencing
Increased resilience and determination
A calmer attitude and approach when under pressure
Better relationship-building and communication skills
A collaborative and team-based approach to challenges
Appreciation of diversity and the value of others around you
A better ability to deal with change
A clearer idea of what matters to you
Course Dates & Fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, you can expect to be challenged and that might be physically, mentally or emotionally. It is very real - at times you may get dirty, tired and wet, yet at the same time, you may feel refreshed, exhilarated and triumphant.
It is the challenge of overcoming the perceived impossible as a team that makes a course special. Through being with people 24/7, talking about what is really going on for you, and hearing what's really going on with them, you get a better appreciation of yourself, others and how you deal with the world.
The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it! With that being said, Outward Bound is not a bootcamp. In fact, our instructors are experts at creating an environment where the most powerful challenges are mental and emotional, not just physical. The goal isn't to be the fastest or strongest. It's to learn what you're truly capable of.
As you'll be on your feet a lot, we do require a basic level of fitness to ensure you can safely and confidently participate: to run or walk 3kms within 25 minutes and to be comfortable in water with a life jacket. It's much more achievable than you think and we have a guide to help you!
Check out our guide to getting fit and healthy for OB.
No, you don't need to have any experience of outdoor activities or spending time outdoors.
You simply need to be willing to give the activities a go. The more you get involved, the more you will get out of your course.
Outward Bound New Zealand is a non-profit organisation. As a registered charity, our courses are run at cost price.
SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES YOUR COURSE FEE COVER?
All meals and snacks, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for all students
Two highly trained instructors whose competence is verified in all areas of course delivery: whitewater kayaking, sailing, driving launches, rock climbing, high ropes, bush, first aid, facilitating group processes
Transport – water taxi, passenger trucks, launches
Accommodation – our main base provides bunkhouse accommodation for 154 students and we have three satellite camps located around the Marlborough region
Equipment – Sailing cutters, kayaks, waka ama, tents, packs, sleeping bags, clothing, wetsuits, safety equipment including helmets, life jackets, booties, harnesses, ropes, rescue equipment for specialised activities
Curriculum resources, quality assurance programme and our programme evaluation system
Maintenance of all our delivery buildings
Compliance & Insurance – all our activities involve risk management. As an outdoor education and commercial food / accommodation provider we are required to meet rigorous compliance responsibilities. Similarly insurance and liability cover are part of our overheads
Pre-course and on-course support – personal and medical screening, onsite medical advice, course reflection materials
Many of our courses are subsidised by the Outward Bound Trust Foundation which is made possible by generous New Zealanders who support OBNZ. Every full-fee paying student ensures that these funds can be better utilised for young New Zealanders who do not have the means to fund their own course.
Depending on which course you choose, your group will be a mix of ages. Your watchmates will come from all over NZ, from a range of social and cultural backgrounds. Many find life-long friends at Outward Bound.
There will be up to 14 people in your group and you will have two Outward Bound instructors leading you through the activities. Our watches are mixed gender (unless specified).
We keep you well fed with healthy and delicious food. This includes all meals and snacks. We also cater to a variety of dietary requirements. Just make sure you tell us about any dietary requirements when you enrol. If you request a particular diet, we ask that you please consume the meals that have been specially prepared for you.
We can cater for vegetarians and vegans, for halal and kosher diets, and for gluten or dairy free diets. We may also be able to accommodate some other restrictions or specific allergies, but not all – for example we can’t do 100% peanut-free (or most other life-threatening allergies), paleo, low-carb, whole-food only diets. As we regularly use wheat flour in our kitchen we are unable to guarantee no traces of gluten. We are also unable to provide facilities for you to cook your own food.
In some cases, we will suggest bringing your own snacks for when out on expeditions.
We strongly recommend that you do not start any new diet for your Outward Bound course. We also recommend against any optional diet that restricts your choices or energy intake – a course is busy and physically demanding, not the best time to cut down your fuel options!
Outward Bound is the leading outdoor learning and development provider. We aspire to make our programmes as genuinely adventurous as possible in order for participants to gain maximum benefit.
To support this aspiration, we have robust systems of safety and risk management in place. From internal and external safety audits to a dedicated advisory committee, we believe we have the right measures in place to assure the safety of your group.