http://www.confidentsteps.com.au/, http://www.goingplaces.net.au/

Explorers United, Melbourne (2026)

17/08/2026

UNI READY – EXPLORE UNIVERSITY LIFE

Thinking about university and wondering what university life is actually like?

Explorers United is offering a practical university experience for students who are blind or have low vision.

Experience two leading universities, meet key support teams, learn practical skills and hear directly from students who’ve been there.

DATE
Monday 14 December 2026

RMIT UNIVERSITY – MEET. LEARN. EXPLORE.

• Meet the Equitable Learning team and learn how they can support your learning.
• Learn how to advocate for yourself as an adult learner.
• Discover university life and social opportunities.
• Explore the campus on a guided tour.

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE – TOUR. DISCOVER. NAVIGATE.

• Take a guided tour of the campus.
• Learn how lecture theatres and tutorial rooms are structured and what this means for orientation.
• Understand the differences between university campuses.
• Learn Orientation & Mobility skills and strategies for confidently navigating university environments.

STUDENT PANEL – REAL STORIES. REAL ADVICE.

Hear directly from current university students with vision impairment about what university is really like.

• Hear about their experiences at university.
• Ask questions and get insider tips about uni life.
• Learn from their experiences, challenges and successes.

MEETING POINT
Flinders Street Station

TIME
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

LUNCH
We’ll purchase lunch together in the Melbourne C*D.

NDIS FUNDED

SPACES LIMITED – REGISTER EARLY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!

Contact:

Marnie – 0423 783 760
Darren – 0414 083 652
Email – [email protected]

Explorers United is a collaboration between Going Places Orientation & Mobility and Confident Steps.

17/08/2026

FOREST NAVIGATORS – JOIN THE ADVENTURE!

Explorers United is excited to offer Part 3 of our Navigators Series – Forest Navigators!

This school holiday adventure is designed to get kids out into nature, exploring new environments and developing Orientation & Mobility skills while having fun with other children with vision impairment.

Who is this program for?
Kids aged 7–14 years with a vision impairment.

When:
Monday 28 September 2026

Our Forest Navigators adventure will include:

STEP INTO NATURE
Explore beautiful forest trails and natural surroundings.

PUFFING BILLY ADVENTURE
Enjoy a scenic train journey through the Dandenong Ranges.

EMERALD LAKE PARK EXPLORATION
Discover and explore this beautiful park by the water.

Throughout the day, participants will build O&M skills through bushwalking and exploring forest environments, while developing confidence and independence in a fun group setting.

Explorers United is a collaboration of two independent Orientation & Mobility Specialists offering school holiday O&M group programs for children with low vision and blindness.

Meeting details

Meeting point: Box Hill Station
Alternate pick-up: Deer Park Station also available.

Please be on time. We will depart together promptly at 9:00 AM and return by 5:00 PM.

Sign up now!

Contact:
Marnie – 0423 783 760
Darren – 0414 083 652
[email protected]

Explorers United – Group O&M Programs
A collaboration between Going Places Orientation & Mobility and Confident Steps.

17/08/2026

GIONAL NAVIGATORS – TWO DAY ADVENTURE

Two destinations. Two very different adventures. One big navigation challenge!

Explorers United is heading regional for a two-day adventure combining independent travel, Orientation & Mobility skills, teamwork and plenty of fun.

We’ll be taking the V/Line, because getting there is part of the adventure!

Who is this for?
Young people aged 14 to early 20s with a vision impairment.

When:
Thursday 1 & Friday 2 October 2026

DAY 1 – BALLARAT: SOVEREIGN HILL

Step back in time and explore one of Australia’s most iconic living history sites.

Participants will:

• Wander through historic streets.
• Watch demonstrations.
• Try their hand at gold panning.
• Discover, explore and have fun while navigating a very different environment.

DAY 2 – GEELONG: CITY & SEA ADVENTURE

Travel to Geelong via Ferry and VLine back home to Melbourne.

Navigate Geelong C*D and explore the waterfront.

Participants will:

• Travel through the city.
• Explore the waterfront and foreshore.
• Solve challenges and work together as a team.

Across both days, the focus will be on building confidence travelling to unfamiliar regional destinations, navigating new environments, using public transport and developing practical O&M skills alongside peers.

Meeting & finish:
Meet at 8:30 AM at Flinders Street Station.
Return to Flinders Street Station at approximately 5:30 PM both days.

Two days. New places. Epic memories!

Sign up now!

Contact:
Marnie – 0423 783 760
Darren – 0414 083 652
[email protected]

Explorers United – Group O&M Programs
A collaboration between Going Places Orientation & Mobility and Confident Steps.

03/06/2026

We're excited to announce our next Explorers United Youth Program – the Goldfields Adventure!

Designed for young people who are blind or have low vision aged 14 to early 20s, this two-day adventure will take us to Sovereign Hill and Bendigo on 9–10 July 2026.

This program combines orientation and mobility skill development, regional travel, social connection, and plenty of fun while exploring Victoria's famous Goldfields region. Participants will be supported throughout the program by Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists.

Over the two days participants will:

• Travel by VLine train to regional Victoria.• Explore the historic township of Sovereign Hill and experience the gold rush era.• Visit Bendigo and go underground on a fascinating mine tour.• Build confidence navigating unfamiliar environments.• Practise real-world orientation and mobility skills.• Develop public transport travel knowledge and experience.• Meet new people and enjoy a memorable adventure with peers.

This is a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, develop travel skills, make new friends, and explore a new region of Victoria in a supportive and fun group environment.

Dates: 9–10 July 2026 Age Group: 14 years to early 20s

For bookings and enquiries:

Marnie: 0423 783 760 Darren: 0414 083 652

Email: [email protected]

Come along, challenge yourself, make new friends, and discover Victoria's Goldfields with Explorers United!

02/06/2026

Regional Navigators – Destination: Sovereign Hill!

We’re excited to invite children who are blind or have low vision to join us for Regional Navigators, the next adventure in our Explorers United series!

This exciting day trip to Sovereign Hill is all about building orientation and mobility (O&M) skills while exploring a new environment, making friends, and having fun. Participants will travel by V/Line train, navigate unfamiliar spaces, and work together to solve real-world travel challenges in a supportive and enjoyable setting.

Learning to explore new environments is an important part of developing confidence and independence. By travelling together, sharing strategies, and learning from one another, participants can strengthen their orientation and mobility skills while discovering that they are capable of more than they may realise.

📅 Date: Monday 6 July 2026

⏰ Meeting Time: 7:40 AM

📍 Meeting Points:
• Box Hill Station (Main Concourse) – 7:40 AM
• Deer Park Station (Main Concourse) – 7:40 AM

🏁 Finish: 6:00 PM at the same location where participants were dropped off.

🚂 Build O&M Skills By:
• Exploring V/Line train travel
• Navigating a regional environment
• Practising route planning and orientation skills
• Developing confidence in unfamiliar settings
• Learning alongside peers with low vision and blindness

🏛️ At Sovereign Hill participants will:
• Step back in time and explore the Gold Rush era
• Experience interactive exhibits and hands-on activities
• Build confidence travelling in a new environment
• Enjoy a day of discovery, friendship, and adventure

📧 To register or find out more:
[email protected]

📞 Contact:
Marnie – 0423 783 760
Darren – 0414 083 652

26/08/2025

Get ready for more school holiday fun with Explorers United. Registrations are now open for Foodie Quest, the Explorers United program for young people with low vision or blindness running on October 2nd and 3rd.
Image is of a flyer for the event with a photo of two smiling teenage girls at a bench with baking ingredients in front of them. The text reads;
Foodie Quest - October 2 & 3 2025
Welcome to Explorers United - a collaboration of 2 experienced, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists. Come and join us in the October school holidays to have fun with food!
Includes:
Research recipes, plan and budget for your ingredient shopping
Make delicious snacks and treats while you build confidence in the kitchen
Join a fun foodie tour of Melbourne C*D
Run in conjunction with an Occupational Therapist

The details:
Times: 9:30-4:30 on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October, 2025
Where: The program will start and finish at Flinders St Station. We can also meet participants at Southern Cross station.
Who: Anyone with low vision or blindness aged 14-23

Transport to and from the program may be able to be supported by either Marnie or Darren. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Limited places available. Please RSVP by September 12th. [email protected] or call
Marnie 0423 783 760 or Darren 0414 083 652
Cost is $980 per program. NDIS plans can be billed from Capacity Building funding.

26/08/2025

With less than 4 weeks of the school term left, we are excited to open registrations for the next Explorers United school holiday programs.

Image is of a flyer with a photo of a child decorating a cookie with the following text:
Little Foodies - September 29 & 30 2025
Welcome to Explorers United - a collaboration of 2 experienced, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists. Come and join us in the September school holidays to build skills and confidence with planning, preparing and enjoying food! This program is run with the support of an Occupational Therapist.
Including:
Learn basic kitchen skills, utensil safety, and simple recipes.
Plan, shop and then prepare delicious snacks and treats.
Foodie tour of Melbourne C*D incorporating lots of O&M
Run with an Occupational Therapist
The details:
Times: 9:30-4:30 on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th September, 2025
Where: Starting at Hub Local, Carrington Road Box Hill. We also have a meeting spot in Deer Park (see form for more details)
Who: Anyone with low vision or blindness aged 7-14 years

Transport to and from the program may be able to be supported. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Limited places available. Please RSVP by September 12th. [email protected] or call
Marnie 0423 783 760 or Darren 0414 083 652
Cost is $980 per program. NDIS plans can be billed from Capacity Building funding.

25/06/2025

EXPLORERS UNITED KIDS: RAISE YOUR VOICE on Monday 14th July.

We are excited about the upcoming explorers United programs in the July school holidays. There has been a change to kids program for children age 7–14 years. This program will now be run over one day on Monday the 14th
July.

The program will be running from 830am-5pm with meeting points in the eastern and western suburbs to travel into the Melbourne C*D for activities.

The day will include an improv class to discuss self efficacy and communication skills. Afterwards children will participate in a self advocacy challenge in the Melbourne C*D.

If you would like any further information, please contact Darren on 0424 860 836 or Marnie on 0423 783 760.

25/06/2025

We are excited about our next Explorers United Adults program coming up on Friday 4th of July withh the topic NAVIGATIONN TECH.

This program will be based in the Melbourne C*D and we will be exploring and trialling the following technologies.
-Ray Ban Meta Glasses
-Google Maps and its advanced features such as Live View and the detailed voice guidance option.
-Navilenz to identify approaching trams.
-Voice Vista to hear more about your surroundings with spatial audio.

This session on Friday 4th of July runs from 10 am – 4 pm. After learning about these technologies, we will put them to the test to travel together out for lunch before finishing up at Flinders Street Station.

If you are interested in attending or want to find out more, please contact Darren on 0424860836 or Marnie on 0423783760.

Image description: a man with black hair wearing a pair of sunglasses using a GPS application on his phone.

08/06/2025

Registrations for the July school holiday programs are now open! If you have been to an Explorers United program before you will have an email with the link to register.

The Kids program (7-14 years) is July 14 & 15 and the Youth program (14-23 years) is July 17 & 18.

Our Adult program (18+ years) continues to run once a month all year round. Contact us if you would like to know more.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Explorers United

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

03/06/2026

02/06/2026

26/08/2025

26/08/2025

25/06/2025

25/06/2025

08/06/2025

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