Welcome to Camp Coolamatong
Camp Coolamatong, the perfect camping destination
Camp Coolamatong provides a venue and activity opportunities that guarantees to deliver the ultimate camping experience for your group. Set on the beautiful shores of the Gippsland Lakes near Paynesville in East Gippsland, Camp Coolamatong provides the perfect balance of peace and tranquillity with fun and adventure, all within a 2.5 hour drive from Pakenham.
Camp Coolamatong caters for up to 110 people in fully carpeted and heated rooms with wonderfully appointed facilities and an abundance of recreational pursuits immediately accessible.
School Camping Specialists
With over 30 years experience in delivering fully programmed school camps campo Coolamatong is totally committed to children their teachers and to all relevant governing bodies who are responsible for campers well being. Camp Coolamatong is widely recognised and respected for the intentional relationships they build with school groups to equip, nurture and inspire children of all ages. The camp director has over 10 years teaching experience and understands the demands on school communities and staff as they prepare, organise and run a school camp. That is why Camp Coolamatong liases closely with schools to develop programs and provide resources and support to make the organisation as ‘hassel free’ as possible. Camp Coolamatong is fully accredited under the Australian Camps Association Camping with Confidence Accreditation program.
SEA life
SEA life is an exciting Healthy living program developed by Camp Coolamatong designed to fit neatly within a four or five day adventure camp. SEA life is an acronym for the three major components of the program: S – Self Esteem, E – Eating well and A – Active Life. SEA life utilises the positive environment of a school camp to empower children with the knowledge, experience and desire to actively pursue healthy lifestyle choices. Since its inception in February 2009 over 1500 children have participated in the SEA life program and the feedback from children and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive.
Private Groups
Camp Coolamatong is an outstanding venue for family groups, church groups, sporting groups and special interest groups. Self catering is available with access to all kitchen facilities allowing groups the flexibility to reduce costs and set their own pace. Camp Coolamatong offers a wide range of activities that do not require specialist leadership.
With the opportunity to book a trip on the camp boat, the C.C. Neill, which is licensed to carry 49 passengers, private groups can be treated to a cruise on the Gippsland Lakes with a memorable walk on the 90 mile beach. It’s all within your grasp.
Quick Site Summary
- find what you are looking for fast -
Take our quick website summary to see a short blurb explaining each section...
View Site Summary now
Visual Camp Tour
- photo presentation of Camp Coolamatong -
This flash presentation is a brilliant and fast view into what it looks like to go camping at Coola - check out where you will be staying, the environment, activities to undertake, facilities, and photos of previous happy campers in action... DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS TOUR
Take Visual Tour Now
Latest News
- from camp director Graham Webb -
Hi everyone. Welcome to our brand new web site. This is just one of the many exciting new developments at the camp for 2008. Take a scroll through the various options of the site. We hope you like it. Let us know what you think, we'd love to get your feedback
(click here to email some feedback). Also new for 2008 has been the exiting new activity 'Survivor' that has been added to our program. See the report below for more details. So far it has been an amazing hit with school groups. Also, new for 2008 has been our new roll up blinds in the dining hall and a face lift to the camp boat, the C.C. Neill (she's looking more resplendid than ever!).
Our new staff include two new interns, Romana and Rachel who are loving life leading kids and doing an awesome job. Michael Basley has returned in 08 to take up a traineeship position. Michael continues to inspire young kids through his passion for life and to live it to the MAX.
Camp Coolamatong continues to grow with fully booked school camps for the year and an ever increasing number of weekend camp bookings. Its awesome to see this place fulfilling the dream that caused a farmer and his wife to donate the land over 50 years ago.
For more Coolamatong news view our Newsletter.
Latest Newsletter
- view the latest Coolamatong news -
If you are a supporter of Coolamatong or just want to know more about what has been happening read our newsletter...
Click here to view the latest Newsletter
Building Site
- from assistant director Andy Packett -
The farm camp site is really looking a treat. Our new mower is keeping the lawns and recreational ovals groomed to a state that would make even the fussiest curator smile. Our new basketball play courts are a smash hit, and although the alley-oops aren't often seen amongst the grade 5 campers, they're all having fun.
Work on the animal nursery is continuing and we're looking forward to the final stages being completed in term 2. The donkey, Shetland poney and alpacas command attention and have become as well photographed as Natalie Gouchie on a promo of Aussie Idol.
The boat has been given a facelift with new blinds and is easily one of the nicest wooden boats ferrying happy campers around the Gipsland Lakes.
Survivor
- the new Coolamatong program -
This year has seen the introduction of a totally new and very unique Coola version of Survivor. In groups of about 12 campers pit themselves against a series of tests and trials combining physical challenges, map reading skills and problem solving initiatives. It's a race against the clock to rescue a pilot, traverse swamps, climb mountains, swing across lava pits, work their way through a maze, find ammo dumps, fire arrows to release secured items, solve a puzzle to access a treasure chest and finally sling shot tennis balls over 100 meters at a target to unveil their flag!
Each group appoints tribal elders who have the ultimate say when tough decisions have to be made. In this version of Survivor however no-one gets voted off the island or out of the campsite. This activity is all about team work. And it sure gets everyone up and about as all of the various challenges are tackled head-on together.
2009 Coolamatong Appeal
- investing in tomorrows future, today -
Camp Coolamatong exists to breathe destiny and life into young children by inspiring them to realise the incredible and unqiue people they are created by God to be. Being a not for profit Christian organisation Coolamatong relies heavily on people who share this passion. Coolamatong provides a wonderful opportunity to make an investment into the future of tomorrow by supporting the ministry today. This appeal is your opportunity to seize the moment and help ensure that the mission of Coola remains vibrant and strong.
S.E.A. Life - A new camp program initiative for 2009
- investing in childrens lives -
In 2007 Camp Coolamatong successfully received a Federal Government Grant under the Healthy Active Australia Community and Schools Grants to develop a new program called S.E.A. Life. S.E.A. Life will be a camp based program that uses the natural opportunities that exist within a school camp to empower young children with the knowledge, experience and desire to actively pursue healthy lifestyle choices. The program will engage children through direct participation within a camp setting to address three strategic areas of their life: S - Self Esteem, E - Eat Wise, A - Active Lifestyle.
It is planned that a future addition to this web site will be a designated S.E.A. Life section that will provide a rich and readily accessible resource available to campers. Watch this spot!
Testimonials
- previous happy campers -
'Camp Coolamatong is rated by our kids as one of the best camp experiences ever...'
