Australia Retreat 2026
Rainforest Memoir Writing Retreat
with Alison Wearing
in Queensland
March 1-7, 2026
Registration is now open!
See below for details about the Australia retreat.
Click HERE for the New Zealand retreat.
This 6-night retreat will take place at the gorgeous O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Centre in Lamington National Park, 90 minutes from Gold Coast. A birding and waterfall paradise, this is the ideal setting for a writing retreat for anyone inspired and nourished by bountiful natural beauty.
In rhythm and appreciation for this extraordinary setting, daily writing workshops will be balanced with free time for reflection, exploration, and creation. Alison will also offer small group sessions to discuss the specifics of each person’s individual project.
IMAGINE: You awaken to a choir of birdsong and a view over the vast rainforest canopy. Savour a slice of solitary writing time or an early morning bird walk, or wander down to the dining room for a luscious breakfast. For the rest of the morning, you join Alison for an inspiring interactive session of learning and writing, discovering and imagining, gaining clarity and insight, and stretching your creative horizons. After lunch, feel free to spend the early afternoon exploring the extensive grounds, finding a quiet corner to read, taking a cooling dip in the pool, attending a small group coaching session with Alison, or writing up a storm.
At the end of the afternoon, you can return to our classroom studio for a clarifying chat about the day's literary focus and a bit more writing. And as the day cools and the sky yawns open with colour, we can wander down to the dining room together for a delicious gourmet feast paired with award-winning wines, where you can chat with fellow writers about your project or insights, or simply celebrate the pleasures of the day.
Interested? :)
Literary Nourishment
This retreat offers a balance of inspiring teachings and the plentiful space and time we need to see our writing with fresh eyes and replenish our creative well.
Bestselling author Alison Wearing will offer focussed daily teachings on the critical elements of memoir and how to employ them in our writing, as well as small group sessions and informal Q&As, ensuring that all participants have a chance to discuss and explore their ideas and projects in depth over the course of the week.
The aim of the retreat is to provide writers with inspiration and insight, as well as the direction, focus, clarity, enthusiasm and energy they need to move forward with their writing projects. This retreat is dedicated to literary nourishment: feeding the creative spirit in an inspiring and supportive environment.
Just to clarify: if you are looking for direct feedback on your manuscript, this is not the retreat for you. But if you are looking to deepen your understanding of the essentials of memoir and what you need to consider and employ when crafting your story or book; if you are looking for inspiration and direction, clarity and companionship, joy, beauty, literary nourishment and balm for the soul — this will be a good fit for you. :)
“If you have a chance to go to a retreat with Alison Wearing, do so! I have now experienced two retreats and both times my commitment to my writing has grown, expanded, and I have been nourished and inspired in countless ways. ”
Details
YOUR RETREAT PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Daily talks, teachings, Q&As with Alison Wearing
Small group coaching sessions with Alison, in which we delve into the specifics of your writing project, address any questions or challenges you may be facing, and map out clear next steps for your writing so you leave the retreat with clarity and creative fuel
Full access to the extensive grounds, pools and 160 kms of walking trails at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Centre
Optional early morning bird walks, treetop walks, wildlife viewing, 4WD tours to the plateau for nature enthusiasts
Sunset welcome reception with local award-winning wines overlooking McPherson Ranges
Exquisite gourmet meals prepared by on-site chefs; vegetarian options available
Daily teas and snacks
Airport transfer to/from Gold Coast airport (Coolangatta)
Preparatory group calls to ensure that you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare; to connect you with other participants and give you the option of travelling together to Gold Coast, if desired; and to confirm that have everything you need to be able to relax, enjoy, and get the most out of this extraordinary experience
Advance writing sessions (over Zoom) to get your writing primed before we meet in person
Possible dance party :)
Pricing
Early Bird Price (before August 1): AUD$4,200
Regular Price (after August 1): AUD$4,500
The Retreat Fee does not include accommodations; see below for details.
Accommodations & Rates
Once you have registered, rooms must be booked separately, directly with our retreat venue, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
Our retreat guests have access to premium Mountain View Rooms at a generously discounted rate of AUD$209/night. The retreat runs for 6 nights.
Therefore, the TOTAL cost of the retreat plus accommodations is $4,200 + $1,254 + applicable taxes = AUD$5,442
How to Register
To reserve your spot, please click the button below to fill out a short registration form and make your deposit of AUD$2,000.
Once you have paid your deposit, you will be sent instructions on how to book your room at our discounted retreat rate. Once your hotel reservation is made, you can relax and begin dreaming!
We will be in touch with the schedule of preparatory calls and writing session (as well as a warm welcome & enthusiasm!).
Your balance of payment will be due 90 days before the retreat begins. We will send you the payment link and an email reminder one week before.
“How is it possible to have experienced so much fun while nourishing myself as a writer?
Alison provided the perfect balance of inspiration, teaching, pleasure, song & community connection.
If you want to find your voice as a writer, just spend time with Alison.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The retreat will begin on Sunday, March 1, with a welcome event at 5 pm, and we will wrap up on the morning of Saturday, March 7.
ARRIVAL: On day 1 of the retreat, Sunday, March 1, we have a shuttle busdeparting at 2 pm from GOLD COAST AIRPORT, to take everyone up to the resort. When making your travel arrangements, please ensure you give yourself enough time to get to our meeting place (details to come) no later than 1:30 pm. There is only one shuttle bus, and you do not want to miss it!
DEPARTURE: On the last day of the retreat, Saturday, March 8, we have a shuttle bus departing at 9:30 am, returning everyone to the GOLD COAST AIRPORT. It’s about a 1 hour and 40 minute drive to the airport, scheduled to arrive at approximately 1:45 pm. If you are booking a departing flight, please ensure you give yourself enough time to get checked-in and to your terminal so you don’t miss your flight!
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Once you make your registration deposit, you will receive instructions on how to book your room at the resort with our special reduced “retreat participant” pricing.
All room payments and arrangements are made directly with the resort.
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Absolutely! You're welcome to bring a partner or friend to share your accommodation and enjoy the resort while you’re participating in retreat activities.
Please be sure to inform the resort at the time of booking how many people will be staying in your room.
Dining Together:
While there are independent dining options at the resort, if you'd like your guest to join you for retreat meals, you can add the “Partner Meal Plan” option when paying your final retreat balance. Cost in Australia: AUD $1,650 -
You are welcome to share a room with another retreat participant. In this case, please note the only shared cost is the accommodation, which is booked and paid for directly with the resort.
Each participant will register for the retreat individually, paying the full retreat fees.
If you are sharing your room with another participant, please let us know so we can keep track of how many hotel rooms are booked in our retreat package.
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The balance of your retreat fees will be due 90 days before the retreat begins. We will send you the payment link and reminder email one week before.
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Yes, we have breakfast, lunch and fabulous dinners included throughout the retreat.
There are restaurants, a cafe and a mini-mart at the resort for your comfort.
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YES! We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance and check all of your policy inclusion as some may or may not include cancellation refunds should be you be unable to attend for any reason.
We strongly recommend that you purchase refundable or changeable travel tickets and cancellation insurance whenever possible.
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Sometimes life gets in the way of plans! Please review our cancellation policy and also double-check your travel insurance policy for trip cancellations, including reimbursement of any non-refundable trip costs.
Curious about the New Zealand retreat? Click HERE.