Nature Connection Women's Retreat

A down-to-Earth retreat dedicated to deepening our nature connection.

Come and relax in a beautiful setting, with other forest-loving women, deepening your connection with nature and giving your nervous system what it needs.

From Monday 2 Feb, 2pm to Thurday 5 Feb, 12pm AEST, you will be hosted by Monique (Heartwood Nature Bathing), Jay (Held Outside Nature Connection) and Sara (Essential Nature Connection).

We'll stay in self-contained cabins at a beautiful, end-of-the-road, eco-certified nature retreat. It's about an hour's drive from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

There will be a day of group activities for grounding in nature and a supported solo wandering day. There will be time to explore the many rainforest trails and waterfalls, listen to the bush, watch the campfire, share laughs and quiet moments.

This will be a nourishing, simple and sacred retreat to look forward to, enjoy and then to remember.

One room remaining; places close by January 14 if not sold prior.

For more information and to book visit: https://events.humanitix.com/nature-connection-women-s-retreat

The big picture

I think many of us long for a deeper connection with the more-than-human world.

We want to make time to just sit and watch ants, listen to waterfalls and stroke moss. We know it's good for us in so many ways, and will help us live better with all beings. But we don't do it as often as we'd like.

So: we're booking a beautiful place, carving out a little time, inviting good people and preparing some fun, grounding, creative and inspiring activities to help us tend to our nature relationships.

Who this is for

Women who have strong or growing relationships with the nature,

• who want to spend whole days outside developing that relationship,
• with the safety and comfort of an organised group, on private land, with simple food and affordable accommodation,
• while sharing with and being influenced by other likeminded and likehearted women.

What this retreat isn't

It won't be a luxury, action-packed schedule of questionably culturally appropriated activities, run by super confident insta-styled gurus making a profit out of participants' vulnerability. (Of course, not all retreats are like that either! We just want to make it clear that we're aware of that kind of thing and also to recognise our privilege to even consider going on or designing a retreat at all).

It is also not about survival skills*, an educative course*, nor a therapy* nor solely health-focused* retreat.

*although developing your relationship with nature may lead to improved resilience, learning and personal growth and physical, mental and spiritual health. See thissummary of the research into benefits of time spent with nature, for a start.

What to expect:

• Monday 2 February - Thursday 5 February (3 nights, 4 days)
• The group will be 9 - 15 women, on a private property of 400 acres
• Bellthorpe Stays is a wonderland of gorgeous rainforest, waterfalls, creeks and meadows. It is a popular location for birders and froggers because the native biodiversity is very high, and the owners continue to work on restoring the ecosystems. There are many kilometres of tracks throughout the property which bounds onto Bellthorpe National Park.
• Group activities will all be invitational (opt-in), with no pressure to tick it all off or show up if you'd rather nap in a sit spot. The schedule will be shaped by the land, the weather and you.
• Forest bathing walk, yoga, nature journaling, sound baths, and weaving are all on offer.
• You can see the full schedule here: https://events.humanitix.com/nature-connection-women-s-retreat

The logistics

• We'll be across 5 fully self-contained cabins and tiny homes each with lounges, deck and beautiful views. Bathrooms are shared by 1 - 4 people.View cabins.
• Breakfasts and lunches will be self-catered (bring your own), and there will be time to prepare them in your cabins.
• Dinners will be all vegetarian and dietary requirement-friendly wherever possible, and catered for by the collective. (e.g. you'll choose whether you're bringing a soup serving 4 and snacks OR a salad and a cake - details to come)

Payment

There is one single room remaining on this retreat, at a cost of $1050.

Register online now with $50 per person and you'll be sent an invoice for the deposit via bank transfer (this avoids the exorbitant online booking fees, but makes sure you're keen). We would love if you register via Humanitix here: https://events.humanitix.com/nature-connection-women-s-retreat

Refunds policy

• Your registration fee of $50 is not refundable
• Tickets 100% refundable for change of mind within 7 days of booking (less $50 registration fee)
• Tickets refundable, minus 50% of deposit, if cancelling before 2 December
• Tickets refundable, minus deposit, if cancelling before 2 January
• Tickets not refundable after 2 January
• If severe weather or other catastrophe cancels the event from my end, tickets will be refunded, less deposit. (ie $400).
• It is highly recommend that you get personal travel insurance e.g. Australia Post $56 + $50 excess includes cancellation due to weather, COVID etc. (read your own fine print, not an endorsement).
• Retreat requires minimum 6 participants to go ahead.