FTHub Spring School
Melbourne
November 18–22, 2026
Train in Australia's wellness heartland
FTHub Forest Bathing Guide
5-Day In-person Immersive Training
- November 18–22, 2026
- Hepburn Springs | Melbourne region, Australia
- In English
- Limited to 15 participants
Free Insight Session
OCTOBER 15
6 pm CEST · 5 pm UK · Noon ET · 11 am CT · 9 am PT
Learn all about the in-person immersive training program with experts and trainers.
This training is supported by:
Watch
From previous editions
A glimpse into what an FTHub intensive in-person training looks like in practice.
Why train with Forest Therapy Hub?
The only method researched at scale with international public funding.
What sets this apart
What makes it unique
FTHub Spring School Melbourne brings professional FTHub Forest Bathing Guide training to one of Australia’s most established wellness landscapes. The 5-day immersion takes place in Hepburn Springs, 90 minutes from Melbourne, where native Australian forest, natural mineral springs, and a century-old tradition of therapeutic bathing create a training environment unlike any other in the Southern Hemisphere.
You will train through eucalypt woodland and stands of pine and sequoia, past mineral spring pumps emerging from the earth along forest trails, guided by FTHub’s training team in person throughout the immersion. The combination of native forest and mineral water heritage makes this the ideal setting to experience nature connection across multiple sensory dimensions — sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell — in a single walk.
The location
The Setting
Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges sit in Victoria’s Central Highlands, a region recognized as one of Australia’s richest mineral spring concentrations. Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve features a network of forest trails winding through native Australian bushland, stands of pine and sequoia, with several mineral spring pumps accessible along the paths. The nearby Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa reflects the area’s deep connection to wellness traditions dating back to the 1800s.
This is not a backdrop. It is the training.
Main program locations
Surrounding forest and parkland
Extended walking environments for guided Forest Bathing practice sessions.
A TYPICAL DAY
Mornings begin in the forest with a Forest Bathing Walk through the eucalypt and pine trails of Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve, pausing at mineral spring pumps, practicing sensory engagement across the varied landscape. After lunch, the group gathers for module content, debriefs, and group dynamics. The rhythm is deliberate: experience first, then science, then integration.
Who Is This For?
Who is this training for?
No prior experience needed. Open to all backgrounds and professions.
Aspiring Forest Bathing Guides ready for professional certification.
Educators and facilitators seeking structured nature-based skills.
Health professionals (psychologists, therapists, nurses, physicians) integrating nature into their practice.
Nature Connection Specialist graduates advancing to the next level
Level 1 FTHub Nature Connection Specialist training is optional; you can enroll in the Level 2 FTHub Forest Bathing Guide training directly.
Environmental and ecotourism professionals expanding their services.
Career changers building a new professional identity.
Curriculum
What you will learn
Six core areas of professional competence.
Session Design & Facilitation
How to design complete Forest Bathing sessions with a clear arc: opening, sensory activities, solo time, sharing, and closing. You learn to adapt sessions to different environments, group sizes, and participant needs.
Sensory Activities
The core facilitation technique of Forest Bathing. You develop a repertoire of guided prompts that engage all senses and deepen participants’ connection with nature.
The Science of Nature and Health
The physiological, psychological, and neurological evidence behind Forest Bathing. You learn what the research shows, how to communicate it to participants and stakeholders, and how to position your practice as evidence-based.
Group Facilitation & Psychological Safety
How to create safe, inclusive spaces for diverse groups. Group dynamics, trauma-informed practice, managing difficult situations, and the ethics of holding space for others’ experiences in nature.
Risk Assessment & Safety
Comprehensive frameworks for physical risk assessment, environmental hazards, weather protocols, first aid considerations, and liability. Safety is not an afterthought; it is woven into every module.
The FTHub Method and the LIM
The evidence-based methodology that underpins all FTHub certifications. You learn the FTHub Method, the Liquid Interactions Model (LIM), and how to apply them in your own context, designing sessions grounded in the Walk Activities Sequence and Nature Connection Activities.
What's Included
What’s included in every FTHub Spring School
- All program content is delivered in person during the immersion. All trainers and experts are present on site.
- 5 days of intensive, immersive, in-person FTHub Forest Bathing Guide training with experienced FTHub lead trainers
- Full FTHub Forest Bathing Guide curriculum: session design, sensory activities, science, facilitation, safety
- Daily field practice in the local natural environment
- Real-time feedback from FTHub lead trainers
- International cohort experience, with professionals from diverse countries and backgrounds
- FTHub Forest Bathing Guide Certificate upon completion
- Hub Seedlings Pro Annual membership: directory listing, professional tools, network, and FTI Lab access
+ Online access
also included
In addition to the in-person training, you can still enjoy the standard 24-week online access to the full course materials, 12 live online classes, 48 online mentoring sessions with group dynamics, and 12 online Forest Bathing Walks.
Attendance at this online content is not mandatory, but it allows you to revisit the content at your own pace and complete the practice requirements.
2.100 €
FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLAN:
#1 | Registration (deposit): EUR 1000 | USD 1137
#2 | September 10: 50% of the remaining amount
#3 | October 5: 50% of the remaining amount
PROGRAM Outline
Full program outline
The FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program is structured in modules that combine self-paced learning, live online sessions, and practical assignments.
Click the tab below for the complete program structure.
Modules 1 – 10 | Full content outline
Module 1 – FTHub Conceptual Framework
- Principles of health and their practical application.
- Planetary Health: principles of health and its contributing factors.
Module 2 – Knowledge to Design Nature Experiences
- Path selection criteria in diverse natural environments, such as marine environments, rivers, forests, deserts, and urban parks.
- Risk analysis to create a safe environment for the participants.
Module 3 – Skills and Techniques to Guide Nature Experiences
- Group management techniques and facilitation of dynamics that support the experience of the participants.
- Methods and skills to communicate effectively with the participants.
Module 4 – Relation Between Nature and Humans
- Somatic components of connection.
- Practical skills for an optimal bodily experience of connection with the environment.
Module 5 – FTHub Method: Sequences
- Theoretical framework of the FTHub Walk Activities Sequences.
- FTHub Walk Activities Sequences.
Module 6 – FTHub Method: Liquid Interactions Model
- The Liquid Interactions Model: theoretical inspiration.
- The Liquid Interactions Model: structure, science, and themes to design nature connection activities.
- From theory and science to practice: how to apply the theoretical foundations to the design of nature-based activities.
Module 7 – Nature-Based Well-being Plan, Social Prescribing and Green Prescription
- Conceptualize and design Nature-Based Well-being Plans.
- Integrate health and well-being practices under social prescribing and nature prescription.
Module 8 – Theories, Science, and Scientific Research
- Fundamentals of Forest Medicine: practical integration of the main benefits of nature in human health.
- Scientific foundations and techniques to enhance your nature connectedness and support that of your participants.
Module 9 – Expressive Arts in Nature and Skills to Integrate Nature-Based Well-being Practices into Professional Contexts
- Expressive arts: practical application in Forest Bathing.
- Fundamental elements of organizational and emotional well-being nature-based experiences.
Module 10 – Skills for Selecting Healthy Spaces: urban parks, green and aquatic environments
- Knowledge about ecosystems and diversity, and their impact on well-being.
- Scientific References
A bibliography with more than 300 references and scientific articles on which the training is based
- Certification Requirements
+ Design a Nature-Based Well-being Plan
- Additional Requirements
+ Certification in “First Aid” (or “Wilderness First Aid”)
+ Certification in “Mental Health First Aid”
These certifications are not provided by the FTHub and are not included in the training fee. They can be completed during the rest of the program.
The Team
Trainers & Experts
Bring out your best with an interdisciplinary and multicultural team of the most experienced trainers and leading international experts in specific areas of knowledge. All trainers and experts listed will be present in person during the training.
Alex Gesse
Executive Director
Spain
Meg Afauna
Coordinator
Australia
Marta Grabowska
Trainer
Poland
Certification
Completion of the FTHub Spring School program awards a certificate: you become an FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guide, equipped to design, deliver, and market your own sessions.
FTHub Certified
Forest Bathing Guide
Logistics
Program Details
Everything you need to plan your stay and prepare for the training.
Please note that this schedule is provided as an example and is subject to change.
PROGRAM LOCATIONS
The training is held in Hepburn Springs. The training area is compact and walkable, with all locations close together.
Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve (info | map). Primary training environment: native forest trails, mineral spring pumps, varied ecosystem.
Wombat Hill Botanic Garden (info | map). Uniquely located on a cool, volcanic hill with deep fertile soils and extensive views into the surrounding plains.
The training is held in Hepburn Springs. Indoor sessions, module content, debriefs, and group dynamics are held at Mooltan Guest House. The training area is compact and walkable, with all locations close together.
Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve (info | map). Primary training environment: native forest trails, mineral spring pumps, varied ecosystem.
Mooltan Guest House (info | map). Compact and walkable, with all locations close together, making it ideal for module content delivery, debriefs, and group dynamics.
Surrounding forest and parkland. Extended walking environments for guided Forest Bathing practice sessions.
ACCOMMODATION
Within walking distance of the reserve, Mooltan Guest House provides a convenient and comfortable option. You can claim a 10% discount for FTHub participants when booking at Mooltan Guest House by emailing beacham@mooltan.com.au. Registration at this hotel is not mandatory. The Daylesford and Hepburn Springs area and surrounding region offer a wide range of accommodation options, including affordable stays such as motels and shared accommodations. November is a popular period in the region, so we recommend booking early.
MEALS
A welcome dinner is included in the training fee. Other meals are at the participant’s discretion. A cafe within walking distance of the reserve is available for breakfasts and lunches. The Daylesford and Hepburn Springs area offers a variety of restaurants, local eateries, and cafes, many focused on fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients.
COSTS
The training fee includes a welcome dinner. All other food, transportation, and accommodation costs may not be included.
The training program may be slightly modified due to weather conditions or force majeure. A detailed schedule will be provided to registered participants one month before the start of the training.
If you have further questions or require assistance with planning your accommodation and travel, please contact us at adm@foresttherapyhub.com.
TRAINING CALENDAR
WELCOME & DINNER | November 18 | 7:00 – 9:30 pm | Location: TBD
BREAKS | Lunch break: 1:00 – 2:30 pm | Coffee breaks will be provided during the content sessions.
| DAY | MORNING | AFTERNOON |
| Nov 19 | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 9:00–11:00 am: Forest Bathing Walk #1 11:30 am–12:30 pm: Forest Bathing Walk Debrief 12:30–1:00 pm: Training Welcome | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 2:30–3:15 pm: Module 1 – FTHub Conceptual Framework 3:15–4:15 pm: Module 2 – Knowledge to Design Experiences in Nature 4:30–5:30 pm: Module 3 – Skills and Techniques to Guide Experiences in Nature |
| Nov 20 | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 9:00–11:00 am: Forest Bathing Walk #2 11:15 am–12:15 pm: Forest Bathing Walk Debrief 12:15–1:00 pm: Module 4 – The Relation between Nature and People | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 2:30–3:45 pm: Module 5 – The FTHub Method: Sequences 4:15–5:30 pm: Module 6 – The FTHub Method: Liquid Interactions Model |
| Nov 21 | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 9:00–11:00 am: Forest Bathing Walk #3 11:30 am–1:00 pm: Forest Bathing Walk Debrief | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 2:30–3:45 pm: Workshop: Nature-based Well-being Plan | Green Spaces 4:15–5:30 pm: Module 7 – Nature-based Well-being Plan, Social Prescribing and Green Prescription |
| Nov 22 | Wombat Hill Botanic Garden (info | map) 9:00–11:30 am: Content by experts 11:45 am–12:15 pm: Module 8 – Theories, Science and Scientific Research 12:15–1:00 pm: Module 9 – Expressive Arts in Nature and Skills to Integrate Nature-Based Well-being Practices into Professional Contexts | Wombat Hill Botanic Garden (info | map) 2:30–4:30 pm: Forest Bathing Walk #4 4:30–5:30 pm: Closure | CLOSING CEREMONY |
WELCOME & DINNER | November 18 | 6:30 – 9:30 pm | Location: TBD
BREAKS | Lunch break: 1:00 – 2:30 pm | During the content sessions, 30-minute coffee breaks will be provided.
| DAY | MORNING | AFTERNOON |
Nov | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 9:30 am–Noon: Forest Bathing Walk #1 | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 2:30–3:45 pm: Forest Bathing Walk Debrief 4:15–5:30 pm: Module 1 — FTHub Conceptual Framework |
Nov | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 9:00–11:00 am: Workshop: Nature-based Well-being Plan Green Spaces 11:30 am–1:00 pm: Module 7 — Nature-based Well-being Plan, Social Prescribing and Green Prescription | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 2:30–3:45 pm: Module 2 — Knowledge to Design Experiences in Nature 4:15–5:30 pm: Module 3 — Skills and Techniques to Guide Experiences in Nature |
Nov | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 9:00–11:00 am: Forest Bathing Walk #2 11:30 am–1:00 pm: Module 8 — Theories, Science and Scientific Research | Hepburn Springs Reserve (info | map) 2:30–3:45 pm: Module 5 — The FTHub Method: Sequences 4:15–5:30 pm: Module 6 — The FTHub Method: Liquid Interactions Model |
Nov | Wombat Hill Botanic Garden (info | map) 9:00–10:30 am: Content by experts 11:00 am–Noon: Module 4 — The Relation between Nature and People Noon–1:00 pm: Module 9 — Expressive Arts in Nature + Module 10 — Skills for Selecting Healthy Spaces | Wombat Hill Botanic Garden (info | map) 2:30–4:30 pm: Forest Bathing Walk #3 (guides in training) 4:30–5:30 pm: Closure | CLOSING CEREMONY |
What Our Students Say
Real practitioners. Real outcomes.
Hear from previous FTHub Summer School participants.
Eeeva Salvik
FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner • Switzerland
Elayna Toby Singer
FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner • USA
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this training suitable for international participants?
Yes. The training is delivered in English. Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is a major international hub. Participants from outside Australia should check visa requirements (ETA or eVisitor visa for most nationalities).
Is there any preparation required before this FTHub Spring School In-Person Forest Bathing Guide training?
No mandatory preparation is required. However, if you want to arrive with context, we recommend browsing the FTHub Method page and the FTHub 5 Components of Nature-Based Interventions page on our website. You may also find it valuable to spend time near water or in a local green space, simply noticing sounds, textures, light, and movement, as a personal baseline before the training begins.
Are places limited?
Yes. FTHub Spring Schools are limited to 15 participants to ensure personalized attention, meaningful group dynamics, and direct access to trainers during every session. Once the group is full, registration closes. We recommend applying early to secure your place.
How do I get there?
Daylesford is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Melbourne by car (110 km) via well-maintained regional roads. By public transport: V/Line train from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station towards Ballarat or Woodend, then a coach connection to Daylesford or Hepburn Springs (total 2 to 2.5 hours). A direct coach from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Coach Terminal is also available (2.5 to 3 hours with one transfer). For international participants: the nearest airport is Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine). From there, rent a car and drive directly to Daylesford, or take an airport transfer to Melbourne city center and continue by train and bus.
Where should I stay?
Accommodation is at your discretion. Within walking distance of the reserve, Mooltan Guest House provides a convenient and comfortable option. You can claim a 10% discount for FTHub participants when booking at Mooltan Guest House by emailing beacham@mooltan.com.au. Registration at this hotel is not mandatory. The Daylesford and Hepburn Springs area and surrounding region offer a wide range of accommodation options, including affordable stays such as motels and shared accommodations. November is a popular period in the region, so we recommend booking early. FTHub can assist with planning if needed. Contact adm@foresttherapyhub.com.
What should I bring?
No specialist equipment is required. Comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for walking in Australian bushland. Sturdy footwear with good grip, as trails can be uneven. Sun protection (hat, sunscreen). A water bottle. A notebook for reflections.
