Bush Navigators 1-Day Course
Build confidence reading maps, understanding terrain, and navigating in the bush during this practical day of hands-on navigation and bush safety skills.
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Introduction
Build confidence navigating the backcountry with this practical, hands-on day in beautiful Peel Forest. Learn how to read terrain, make good decisions, and move through the bush safely. Whether you’re planning your next tramp, preparing for Te Araroa, or simply wanting to feel more capable outdoors.
This course focuses on real-world skills you can apply immediately, guided by experienced Peel Forest Outdoors instructors in a supportive learning environment.
Programme Overview
$150 inc gst
1 Days
Location:
Start and finish at the Peel Forest Outdoors Centre base located 20 minutes outside of Geraldine.
Time:
9:00am – 4:00pm
Age requirements:
Suitable for adults and older teens (16+).
What you’ll learn
Navigation Skills
Reading Topo50 maps, terrain features and contours
Map orientation and route planning
Taking and following a bearing
Distance estimation and travel time planning
Route-finding in real environments
Using GPS and smartphone navigation tools.
Bush Safety & Planning
What to pack and how to pack it
Trip intentions and emergency communication
Understanding weather forecasts and decision making in the field
What to expect
This is a practical, outdoor-based course. You’ll spend the day learning through movement, discussion, and scenario-based activities in the forest.
Our focus is not just on technical skills, but on building judgement and confidence so you can make safer decisions in real situations.
Who this course is for
This course is ideal for:
Recreational trampers and hunters
People preparing for multi-day trips or Te Araroa
Adventure racers or rogainers wanting stronger navigation skills
Anyone wanting to feel more confident navigating in the outdoors.
Accommodation (optional)
If you’d like to stay overnight before or after the course, off-grid cabin accommodation is available at Peel Forest Outdoors. These insulated bunk-style huts offer a warm, simple DOC-hut style experience with solar shower and composting toilets.
Contact us to enquire about availability.
Food
Please bring your own lunch, snacks and water for the day.
Our Guarantee
No cancellations. We have many sites to choose from to help make our courses resilient. We’ll do our best to run no-matter the conditions. In the unlikely event we have to postpone due to extreme weather, we’ll find a date that works for you.
Please note we require a minimum of 10 people to run this course effectively.
No stress. Feel like you need a bit more time to soak in the learning? We can arrange private instruction at a discounted rate to help you get that bit further – so you don’t need to pay for another identical course.
Look at some of our participants in action!
Ready to book!
Book through our Rezdy booking site
If we have an active course you can book here.
Group bookings are welcome.
Otherwise contact us or look below for our other upcoming courses
Compulsory:
Day pack (~30L) with pack liner
Suitable active clothing for the weather (no cotton)
Waterproof raincoat and over-trousers
Thermal top and bottom
Fleece layer
Tramping boots (worn in)
Water bottle (minimum 2L)
Compass
Hat, beanie, sunscreen and sunglasses
Gear hire available:
Let us know if you need to borrow:
Pack
Raincoat
Fleece layers
Compass
Optional Gear:
Tramping poles
Puffer jacket
We are registered as an Adventure Activity Operator (AAO) with WorkSafe NZ. The Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2016 established a safety audit and registration process. The regulations aim to enhance professionalism and ensure consistent good practices across the sector.
Get in Touch
Peel Forest Outdoor Centre
1222 Peel Forest Road, RD22, Geraldine, South Canterbury, New Zealand
Call us: 03 696 3832
Linkedin: peel-forest-outdoor-centre
YouTube: Peel Forest Outdoor
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