JOIN is an Australian Owned, Norther NSW Based company created to facilitate Outdoor Journeys so that you, regardless of your experience level, age or background can:

• Experience the joys of Living Simply
• Reconnect with your surroundings and let Nature Nurture you
• Feel the benefits of eating Local, Sustainable, Organic foods
• Create communities of like-minded people
• Venture beyond your comfort zone
• Revitalise your Mind, Body and Soul

We love the energy and power that is hidden within the natural world and the unpredictability that comes with exploring it. It reminds us to:

• Be in the Moment
• Go with the Flow
• Be Spontaneous & Creative
• Have No Expectations
• Trust our Intuition

As leaders, we love that there are so many dynamics beyond our control in the wild, and will do our best to ensure that you are safe and still have that smile on your face, wherever our path may lead.

On our Journeys Outdoors In Nature we value the health of people and the natural world over increasing our profits. Hence we invest in and prioritise sourcing Organic, Local and Sustainable produce and products wherever possible. We search low and high for the best solution and to think outside the box, to maximise the health benefits of our participants, and minimise our impact on the natural world. We welcome your suggestions on how we can continue to set the benchmark in sustainable practices. So come experience a different way of being, eating and consuming, when you Journey Outdoors In Nature with Us!

We believe that a little bit of time in nature is the best remedy for everyone, a great stress reliever and beneficial for overall mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing.
We have seen first hand the overwhelming benefits that regular wilderness immersion can have on people from all walks of life, but in particular those who previously suffered from depression, anxiety, ADHD, asthma and allergies. The feeling of connection to the world and people around you, the opportunity to use, trust and experience being in your body, breathing in fresh air and getting away from the constant stimulation of technology, are often underrated. So if you want to take a natural approach to managing your ailments, and explore a new perspective, come JOIN us today!

To read more about how our journeys help you move well, feel more connected and unplug from the hectic pace of modern life - checkout our listing on Well Traveller - the hub for all experiences that enhance your wellbeing.

We are passionate about fueling our bodies with REAL food. We endeavour to source seasonal, organic, spray-free, fresh produce, that nature has created with love. We gather our food from small, local farms and community gardens that incorporate mindful farming practices and work with the seasons and elements to grow delicious produce.
We believe the natural world provides an abundance of all the nutrients our bodies need, so prioritise finding food sources that limit sugar, preservatives, colours, additives, animal products, gluten & dairy to give you pure and natural energy you deserve.
We take the time to source ingredients that have minimal waste or packaging. We value knowing the story of the ingredients and enjoy eating seasonally. We believe having a conscious connection with your food enhances the experience that food can provide. Want a nut? Crack it from the shell. Feel like orange juice? Squeeze some fresh today!
We love sharing with others about being conscious of what you are putting inside your body and appreciating the energy it provides and where it came from.
We are proud to source our locally grown, spray-free fruit and vegetables from Sprayfree Farmacy, Conscious Ground, DEOSA Wholefoods, The Tabulam Coop and our bulk Organic produce from Honest to Goodness. It’s great to collaborate with these local small businesses that are working hard to provide healthy food that’s good for us and the planet.

We have all learnt so much by taking risks. It is what allows us to extend our comfort zones and continue to evolve. At Join we believe teaching people the ability to identify, manage and take risks is a valuable life skill. We avoid blanket rules of not doing this or that, instead choosing to assess the abilities of our participants and give them skills to take risks that match their own level of competency . If we come across a rock to jump off or a rope swing, we teach people how to participate in these activities safely, and integrate strategies to weigh up the benefits versus the risks involved. We believe it is worthwhile to have a lot of fun without needing to wrap ourselves in bubble wrap.

In a society where two year olds are told not to have tantrums, and boys and girls are often discouraged from crying, we are trying to create a space where people feel safe to connect with their feelings and let them free. For anyone who has ever admired the intensity and transparency of a storm, we believe interacting in the natural world, through all its moods and weather systems, is a great way for kids and adults a-like to accept and find beauty in the every-changing moods of their own selves.

We believe in supporting and collaborating with, other like-minded business and are very grateful to work alongside Mt Barney Lodge, Blue Peter Sailing School and Clarence River Canoes, to provide some of our most amazing Journeys Outdoors In Nature. We wouldn’t be the company we are today, if it weren’t for the inspiration gained from working for and alongside these outstanding companies in environmental & eco-tourism and adventure therapy.

We are also thankful for the support of some of our Australian owned gear suppliers: Snowgum, Neve Gear and Terra Rosa. We have tested their gear in all conditions, from tropical thunderstorms to frostbitten mornings, and always come through with a grin. Great to see them producing hardy, sustainable products close to home.

Founder, CEO & Program Director

Laura has been a water baby since before she could walk - camping, paddling, and exploring any river or ocean she could get to. After a life-shaping family expedition down the Orange River in Southern Africa, her love of multi-day whitewater journeys was sealed, and she’s been sharing that magic with others around the world ever since.

When she’s not sailing a remote stretch of the Pacific on a one-dollar boat, paddling the Upper Amazon or Snowy River with barely any gear, cycling across Asia, or walking unsupported through the Australian desert, she’s usually somewhere else deep in the wilderness - testing her limits, finding new perspectives, and gathering stories that inevitably become part of JOIN’s unique flavour.

With a background in Outdoor Education, Laura designs and facilitates JOIN programs with warmth, clarity, and a deep respect for nature as teacher. She’s passionate about using immersive, self-powered adventures to help people meet themselves, understand fear, and learn how to move through uncertainty together.

A Wilderness First Responder, Surf Lifesaver, SES/RFS volunteer, and Zenthai Shiatsu therapist, Laura brings an uncommon blend of calm, capability, and creativity to every situation. If something unexpected happens on a trip, she’ll flash her trademark grin and improvise a solution before most people have taken a breath- because unpredictability is half the fun.

Laura is also a Paddle Australia Trainer/Assessor, qualified to deliver Whitewater, Rescue, and Flatwater trainings.

Qualifications

B.Ed (Phys Ed) & Grad Dip Outdoor & Environmental ed

NSW teaching accreditation

Wilderness First Responder

Paddle Aus Whitewater Instructor, Trainer & Assessor

Swiftwater Rescue 3 Technician

LR bus licence & 4WDrive safety certificate

Mental health first aid & Nonviolent communication training

River God... we mean guide!

Qualifications

Past Director of JOIN
Owner-operator of Clarence River Wilderness Lodge & Clarence River Canoes

Steve has been living on the Clarence River for almost 40years, starting out growing peaches and kiwifruit and raising his family near the headwaters. He first decended the section of whitewater below his house on a surfboard, and after sensing the enjoyment when he took his volunteer farmhands (wwoofers) down by canoe, Clarence River Canoes was born. Having operated multiday wilderness trips on the Clarence and Nymboida rivers for over 20 years, Steve knows these rapids and the rivers moods like the back of his hand. He has kindly supported Laura while navigating the ways of the water, over the years

Co-founder of JOIN & Holistic Program Support

Tegan is one of the three co-founders of JOIN. After many years guiding on the river, her path eventually flowed toward the sea, but she still keeps one foot in the canoe - supporting JOIN behind the scenes and joining trips when the moment feels right. She’s passionate about self-powered adventures, and about helping people connect deeply with their inner and outer nature. And if you’re lucky enough to have her on your trip, you’ll know one thing for sure: you’re going to be fed very, very well.

ZAMBEZI

DJANGO
Adventure dog extraordinaire. Django joined JOIN in our second year and never stopped moving — 500km on the Bicentennial Trail, months on a sailboat, rock-hopping, canoeing, SUP’ing, even hammock-sleeping. Losing his sight at 8 didn’t slow him down; he still came on our whitewater journeys, leading with courage and joy. He taught us as much as we taught him — kindness, intuition, rest when you need it, and letting your excitement show (his bum wiggle was iconic). Django passed in 2023, a day after his final river trip, but he’s still with us in spirit every time we step onto the water.