An Australian Christmas is often spent outdoors swatting away the flies and trying to not work up a sweat.

School camps are bigger than ever. But there's more to heading outdoors than sending out permission slips and finding a teacher keen on bushwalking, reports Denise Ryan.

In an effort to escape her hectic city life, Wendy Bithell moved to Byron Bay and stepped into the darkness, writes Samantha Day.

A love of the outdoors leads to a big change, writes David Wilson.

* Wild side The Great Australian Bushwalk this Sunday is an ideal way to get some exercise and see the wonderful wildflowers of spring. There are walks all around Sydney and up and down the coast, too. The event is an initiative of the National Parks Association of NSW and..read more