Lotterywest helping regional Western Australians attend the 2026 World Trails Conference
The 2026 World Trails Conference is coming to Western Australia, bringing together trail professionals, tourism operators, land managers, community leaders, volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world to share knowledge, build connections and shape the future of trails.
To help ensure regional and rural Western Australians are represented at this important international event, Outdoors WA is proud to offer the Lotterywest WA Regional & Rural Bursary Program, supported by Lotterywest.
The bursary program provides financial assistance towards travel and accommodation costs for eligible registered regional trail professionals to attend the 2026 World Trails Conference in Perth.
Regional communities are at the heart of many of Western Australia’s most iconic trail experiences. These bursaries aim to support the people who plan, manage, deliver and advocate for trails across regional WA, ensuring their knowledge and experiences contribute to global conversations about the future of trails.
What does the bursary support?
The Lotterywest WA Regional & Rural Bursary Program provides support towards eligible travel and accommodation expenses, including:
-
- Flights
- Fuel allowance
- Bus or train travel
- Accommodation
A total bursary pool of $12,500 is available to support up to 25 recipients.
The initial allocation cap is up to $500 per successful applicant. Final funding amounts will be determined following assessment of eligible applications and based on the number of approved recipients. Where fewer than 25 applicants are approved, a higher per-person allocation may be considered.
Successful applicants will still be required to purchase their own conference registration ticket.
Bursary payments will be made following the conclusion of the 2026 World Trails Conference and prior to 30 November 2026, once all required documentation has been received.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must:
- Live in regional or rural Western Australia.
- Represent a not-for-profit organisation or local government authority that is eligible for Lotterywest funding.
- Attend the 2026 World Trails Conference as a representative of their organisation.
To ensure funding is shared equitably across the regional trails community, a maximum of two supported representatives per organisation will be considered.
Application rounds
Applications will be assessed in rounds until funding is exhausted, or until conference registrations close on 30 September 2026.
Round 1
Applications close: 27 July 2026
Round 2
Applications close: 31 August 2026
Round 3
Applications close: 21 September 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as funding may be fully allocated before the final round.
What is required from successful applicants?
Successful applicants will need to:
- Arrange and pay for their approved travel and accommodation costs upfront through their organisation.
- Provide receipts and supporting documentation to Outdoors WA following the conference to receive reimbursement.
- Submit a fuel reimbursement form where applicable.
- Provide a short testimonial after the conference outlining:
- How the bursary support enabled them to attend and represent regional Western Australia.
- How attending the conference will support their work in trails.
- How the experience will benefit their local community.
Apply now
If you are a regional or rural trail professional, we encourage you to apply for the Lotterywest WA Regional & Rural Bursary Program and join trail leaders from across Western Australia and around the world at the 2026 World Trails Conference.
Apply for the Lotterywest WA Regional & Rural Bursary
For questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact Outdoors WA.
