20 Jun 50 years – History of Willow Creek camp

Posted at 13:58h in Uncategorised by

Willow Creek Adventure Camp, originally known as Willow Creek Camp, was established in 1974 on the Koolah property. The Walter family who have owned the property for 4 generations, are involved in agriculture, and decided to build a camp to showcase the property and generate additional income in lean farming times.

October signifies 50 years of Willow Creek Adventure Camp, and what an adventure it has been. The Walter family have always retained ownership, with the family running the camps for many years, with times the camp also being leased or managed externally too.

Over the years, the camp offered a variety of activities such as horseback riding, butter and rope making, cart rides, and bushwalking. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the camp shifted its focus to hosting youth groups and occasional school camps.

In 2020, Beyond the Classroom teamed up with the 3rd generation Walter family, leased the camp and surrounding land, and began renovating and making improvements to the site. A new kitchen was constructed, the entire camp was painted, floors were polished, landscaping was done, new fences laid, and new infrastructure like a driveway, carpark, and septic system were installed.

The camp became the home of “Beyond the Classroom” and the team from “Surf & Sun“. Beyond the Classroom then built a mountain bike track, bocce court, volleyball net, giant chess/checkers and installed a projector, table tennis, orienteering course, bushwalking track, and full commercial kitchen.

Willow Creek Adventure camp is aiming to be Australia’s premium group accommodation and outdoor education centre during the week and term time. Then on the weekend and in school holidays the camp becomes a fun adventure centre for families, youth/church groups, sporting groups, and corporate groups.

To date, renovations are ongoing as the property evolves into a premier outdoor education centre in South Australia. Future plans include expanding accommodation, dining areas, and more onsite activities.

Beyond the Classroom are really proud to be the current custodians of Willow Creek Adventure Camp. We look forward to our ongoing partnership with the Walter family and we are excited to see further changes roll out at the site in the coming years.