Surf Life Saving NSW’s flagship educational program, Beach to Bush, hits the road again on 3 November for the 2025 instalment, with a host of volunteer lifesavers heading inland to promote surf safety to primary school students across regional and rural NSW.
Over the coming fortnight, more than 8,600 students will attend a Beach to Bush session with 72 schools slated to participate in what is the 32nd year of the program.
For many, this will be their first interaction with the iconic red and yellow surf lifesavers.
Last year the program achieved a major milestone, surpassing 300,000 students engaged since 1994, across more than 3,500 presentations. This year nearly two dozen volunteer lifesavers continue the mission, with 10 tours to various regions.
Students attending the program learn about the role of surf lifesavers, why they should always swim between the red and yellow flags, how to spot a rip current, what to do if they get into trouble at the beach and the different types of marine life along the coast. Lifesavers also talk about the hazards of inland waterways.
Children from regional and rural areas of NSW are often at higher risk than those from coastal locations because they are less familiar with the beach and unaware of potential surf dangers.
The key aquatic safety messages from the program can also be applied to rivers, dams, pools and other inland waterways.
“It is Surf Life Saving NSW’s vision that every student has access to important coastal safety information,” SLSNSW Community Education Manager, Anika Ferrari said.
“Every year more and more families are heading to the coast for holidays. Educating young Australians in safe beach practices is vital. Some children who attend a session have never actually been to the coast or swum in the ocean, let alone learned about rip currents and dangerous marine species.
“We have 10 tours this year with our lifesavers meeting students from Old Bonalbo and Mummulgum in the north-west, to Merriwa in the Mid North and out to Wakool and Jerilderie in the Western Riverina in southern NSW.”
The NSW Government (through the Dept of Regional NSW-Primary Industries) has once again provided some financial support for the Beach to Bush program. The program is also proudly supported by ClubsNSW through Your local club.
Beach to Bush will run over a period of two weeks starting Monday 3 November.
TOURS
Tour 1: Week 1 (03/11-07/11) – Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains: Marulan, Moss Vale, Bowral, Mount Druitt, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Valley Heights, Blackheath
Tour 2: Week 2 (10/11-14/11) – New England and Hunter regions: Attunga, East Tamworth, Tamworth, Bendemeer, Woolbrook, Uralla, Muswellbrook
Tour 3: Week 1 (03/11-07/11) – Central West (Orange/Cowra region): Woodstock, Cowra, Calare, Spring Hill, Clergate, Orange, Peak Hill, Hargraves
Tour 4: Week 2 (10/11-14/11) – ACT surrounds and Snowy Valleys: Binalong, Taylor, Evatt, Deakin, Red Hill, Campbell, Batlow
Tour 5: Week 1 (03/11-07/11) – Riverina (West): Deniliquin, Wakool, Hay, Jerilderie, Culcairn
Tour 6: Week 2 (10/11-14/11) – Riverina (East) and Central West: Wagga Wagga, Ladysmith, Kapooka, Coolamon, Ardlethan, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo, Naradhan
Tour 7: Week 1 (03/11-07/11) – Hunter Valley and Mid North Coast: Denman, Merriwa, Murrurundi, Scone, Lower Belford, Congewai, Glen William, Taree, Port Macquarie, Macksville
Tour 8: Week 1 (03/11-07/11) – Western Plains: Marra Creek, Nyngan, Coonamble, Wee Waa
Tour 9: Week 1 (03/11-07/11) – North Coast (Far North Coast focus): Woolgoolga, Ulong, Ulmarra, Lennox Head, Terranora, Mummulgum, Old Bonalbo, Coraki, Drake, Wauchope
Tour 10: Week 2 (10/11-14/11) – New England High Country: Armidale, Wollomombi, Green Hills, Inverell
SLSNSW is always looking for new presenters. Show your interest and be part of Beach to Bush in the future here.
Monday 3 November 2025