PROGRAMS AT HEART OF LORRIMAR LODGE
Room to explore, connect and grow.
Our programs weave together animals, nature, creativity, and hands-on experiences to create pathways for growth. Set within the calm of Lorrimar Lodge, every activity is thoughtfully designed to meet participants where they are — in a safe, nurturing, and genuinely supportive environment.
HEART OF LORRIMAR LODGE
Experiences with purpose.
Programs at Heart of Lorrimar Lodge are built around what matters most — meaningful, hands-on experiences shaped around connection, confidence, independence, and participation. Every program is thoughtfully crafted to help participants engage with the world around them in ways that feel genuine and achievable.
What activities look like
Activities are chosen to spark curiosity and build real-world confidence. Depending on the participant, experiences may include:
- Animal-assisted activities and equine experiences
- Nature-based exploration and outdoor connection
- Cooking and food preparation
- Gardening and caring for living things
- Creative arts and self-expression
- Practical life skills and everyday independence
Shaped around you
No two participants are the same, and neither are our programs. Every experience can be adapted to individual interests, goals, and support needs — so that each person can engage at their own pace, in ways that feel right for them.
Whether someone is building skills for the first time, regaining confidence, or simply finding joy in doing — there is space for them here at Lorrimar Lodge.
“We meet each participant where they are — and walk alongside them, at their pace.”
HEART OF LORRIMAR LODGE
What’s happening at Lorrimar.
Each program at Lorrimar Lodge is designed to feel genuine — a real place to belong, to try new things, and to grow at your own pace. Browse what’s coming up and find the experience that feels right for you.
Equine Connection
A gentle, guided program built around the bond between people and horses. Participants develop confidence, calm, and connection through hands-on animal-assisted activities in our paddock.
Garden & Grow
From seed to harvest — this program invites participants to connect with the natural cycle of growing food. Cooking, tending, and sharing sit at the heart of every session, building real-world skills in a nurturing outdoor environment.
Creative Expression
Art, craft, and creative exploration in the open air. This program supports self-expression without pressure — a space for participants to discover what they love, build fine motor skills, and share their creativity with others.
HEART OF LORRIMAR LODGE
School holidays, the Lorrimar way.
Our school holiday programs offer supported days filled with things that matter — animals, outdoor exploration, creativity, cooking, gardening, sensory activities, and genuine opportunities to connect with others. Each day is thoughtfully paced, led by experienced staff, and designed to feel like an adventure rather than a schedule.
What’s included
- Animal-assisted activities and gentle farm experiences
- Outdoor exploration and nature connection
- Cooking and food preparation
- Gardening and caring for living things
- Sensory play and creative arts
- Supported social connection and group activities
HEART OF LORRIMAR LODGE
What might a day look like?
A typical day at Lorrimar Lodge moves gently through arrival, animal experiences, hands-on activities, shared time together, and a quiet wind-down before heading home. Every day is different, and that flexibility is part of what makes it work.
1 — Arrival & Settling In
A gentle start to the day.
Participants arrive, settle in, and get familiar with the space and the people around them. There is no rush — the day begins at a pace that suits everyone.
2 — Animal Time
Connection with the animals.
Time spent with the horses, chickens, or other animals at the lodge — grooming, feeding, observing, or simply being present alongside them. This is often the heart of the day, and many participants find it the most grounding part.
3 — Creative or Practical Activities
Doing things with purpose.
Depending on the day and the participant, this might look like cooking a simple meal, tending the garden, painting or crafting, or working on practical everyday skills. Activities are always chosen to feel meaningful — not like tasks.
4 — Shared Experiences
Together, at a comfortable pace.
Lunch, a shared walk, a quiet conversation — moments where participants can connect with staff and each other naturally. There is no expectation; just an open, supportive space to be part of something together.
5 — Wind Down & Home
Leaving feeling settled.
The end of the day is gradual — a chance to reflect, say goodbye to the animals, and prepare for the journey home. We aim for participants to leave feeling calm, recognised, and ready to return.
A NOTE ON FLEXIBILITY
No two days at Lorrimar Lodge are exactly the same, and that is by design. The shape of each day responds to the participants who are present, the weather, the animals, and the individual needs of the group. Our experienced staff adapt in the moment, so that every person always has the opportunity to be engaged, comfortable, and supported — whatever the day brings.
HEART OF LORRIMAR LODGE
There’s no pressure to do everything.
At Lorrimar Lodge, participation always looks like what feels right for each person — not what a program says it should look like. Every participant is free to engage at their own pace, step back when they need to, and choose the experiences that feel comfortable for them.
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Choice and comfort, always.
Participants are never required to join in. If someone wants to sit quietly and watch, that is just as valid as being hands-on in the middle of things. We follow the lead of each person — and our staff are experienced in reading what someone needs, often before they have to ask.
Quieter spaces are always available — a calm corner, a gentle walk, time with an animal on their own terms. Opportunities to regulate, decompress, or simply pause are woven into every day, not treated as interruptions to it.
HOW WE SUPPORT FLEXIBILITY
- Participants can take breaks whenever they need to
- Activities are offered as invitations, not instructions
- Quiet spaces are available throughout the day
- Regulation support is embedded — not an afterthought
- Staff adapt in real time to each person’s needs
“Our goal is supported participation — not forced involvement. Every person gets to decide how much, and how.”
HEART OF LORRIMAR LODGE
Plenty to discover.
Every day at Lorrimar Lodge is filled with hands-on experiences rooted in the natural world. From animals to art, cooking to quiet exploration — there is always something meaningful to try, learn, and enjoy.
Animal Care
Grooming, feeding, and simply being alongside our animals builds patience, calm, and a quiet confidence that carries well beyond the paddock.
Pony Experiences
Walking, leading, and connecting with our ponies offers a unique kind of grounding — a relationship built on trust, presence, and gentle communication.
Art & Craft
Painting, making, and creating in the open air — art at Lorrimar is about expression, not perfection. A space to explore materials, tell stories, and find your own creative voice.
Cooking
Chopping, stirring, tasting — cooking together builds practical independence and the simple joy of making something with your own hands and sharing it with others.
Gardening & Nature
Tending seedlings, watching things grow, and feeling the earth underfoot — gardening connects participants to seasonal rhythms and the rewarding cycle of care and harvest.
Sensory Exploration
Textures, sounds, scents, and the feel of the outdoors — our sensory activities are thoughtfully designed to delight, regulate, and gently expand each participant’s comfort with the world.
HEART OF LORRIMAR LODGE
Support that meets them where they are.
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Every child is different — and that’s the point.
Participation looks different for every child or young person who comes to Lorrimar Lodge. That is something we plan for from the start. Activities are chosen and shaped around individual interests, communication styles, sensory needs, confidence levels, and personal support goals — so that each person has the best possible chance to engage, enjoy, and grow.
There is no one-size-fits-all program here. Whether someone needs a quieter corner, a different kind of prompt, or simply more time — we work around them.
SUPPORT OPTIONS
🤝 1:1 support — dedicated individual support throughout the session, for participants who benefit from closer guidance.
👥 1:3 support — one staff member supporting up to three participants, ideal for those ready to engage in a small-group setting.
The right level of support is always discussed with families and carers before booking, so we can ensure a great fit from day one.
NDIS participants welcome.
Heart of Lorrimar Lodge welcomes NDIS participants and their families. We’re happy to discuss how our programs might support individual goals, what reasonable adjustments and supports we can offer, and how to arrange a visit or booking. Get in touch—we’d love to explore what might work best for you.
READY FOR A LORRIMAR DAY?
Come and see what they discover.
Whether you’re exploring options for the first time or ready to book, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to ask about current programs, upcoming availability, and the support options we can offer — we’re happy to take things at your pace.
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