Rest & Restore Retreat
Australia’s most accessible, nature based restorative respite wellness retreat
Rest & Restore wellness retreat overlooks the Yarra River and the towering Manna gums and Mountain Ash in Warburton, Victoria. A place where you can unplug and clear your mind, physically refresh and restore and find a sense of emotional peace and harmony. It’s the perfect nature sanctuary to re-set your nervous system, and reprioritise your wellbeing.
Welcome
Our practical, evidence based and holistic retreats are specifically desinged for guests seeking:
A nurturing environment for relaxation, therapeutic support, personal growth and self-care and recovery from overwork, chronic and acute stress or burnout
Personal time for grieving and loss of someone close or a relationship breakdown recovery from carer burnout (your cup is dry)
Meaning & purpose - if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply in need for a circuit breaker from your stressful home/work environment
Support during major life transition or post chronic or acute illness recovery
Explore our flexible, all abilities and stages of life retreats to discover a fresh and unique perspective on your self-care journey. Rest and Restore Retreats offers a perfect springboard towards a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life with a renewed sense of vitality, passion and ease.
Why Rest & Restore Retreat
How will I know if I need a restorative break?
Feeling burnt out, low energy, fatigue
Tense, anxious, poor sleep, can’t switch off
A sense of disconnection from loved ones or lack of enthusiasm for life
Muscle fatigue, pain, tightness, headaches
Poor concentration, distracted, emotional overwhelm, sadness, frustration, irritation
Doing ok but need a little more energy, re-focus and re-alignment
Watch Ally – Rest & Restore Retreat Facilitator & Practitioner.
The effects of Chronic Stress on the Autonomic Nervous System directly impacts on our ability to bounce back from life’s setbacks and can be the underlying cause of these symptoms.
At Rest & Restore, we meet your nervous system with evidence based therapies, practices and experience, via group or personalised (one on one) support. Rest and Restore’s restorative focus offers a reset for your nervous system where mind, body, emotions and spirit have the opportunity to access innate healing opportunities; all with some finely tuned, expert support and the necessary tools to foster self-care.
Our Principles
Your experience at our Rest and Restore Retreat is driven by a number of key principles which are carefully integrated within the daily flow:
Nutrition - plant based whole-food natural diet to nourish the mind and body
Moderate physical exercise and mindful movement and flow
Water and hydration to support organ health, muscle relaxation and a clear head
Sunshine and Fresh Air - nature's healing gift
Connections – With your body and experience, your spirit, other humans and nature
Creating a daily routine with ritual, pauses, rest and movement.
Breathwork practices to offer an anchor and ease to your day
Mindfulness, presence and meditation practices to explore
Returning to gratitude for the everyday stuff, reconnecting with joy
Reawakening possibilities for hope, inspiration and core values
Resilience to adapt to life as it happens
Remembering the importance of self-care and healthy boundaries.
What people are saying
How we are different
We meet each guest where they are at: Rest & Restore’s intention is to provide a calm, safe, welcoming and inclusive space to meet each guest’s individual experience and what led them here.
We uphold the importance of self care: We believe and are fully committed to the importance of self-care as a primary pillar of health and wellbeing. In fact, we offer multiple opportunities to discover and recover your self-care skills and most importantly, offer the necessary break and support to build up your self-care muscles.
We’re not a one mode, one size fits all retreat. This allows you to re-engage and discover what offers support and may continue to therapeutically provide practical and useful tools and practices once you leave the retreat space.
Rest and Restore places a high value on restoration through evidence based approaches to the Autonomic Nervous System, providing support via:
A space to reach out for support and encouragement with a highly skilled and empathetic team of up to 15 practitioners and therapists, including mental health experts
Quiet, reflective, slow pace - you can decide how much or little you wish to do
Connection, conversation and sharing with others looking for a better life balance
Body and Breath practices such as Yoga, Qigong, Breathwork and Mindfulness to allow our “Rest and Digest” processes to switch on.
Sensory engaging the via Sound and Nature practices which are mindful, creative and restore a sense of wonder and connection
Body therapies to release muscle tension and restore a sense of ease and flow
Nourishing, flavoursome, seasonally fresh and locally grown food created from scratch by a committed and qualified nutritionist to energise and re-vitalise your entire system
Elimination of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol to support your nervous system reset
Disconnection from devices and technology to allow a deeper sense of reconnection to your mind, body, emotions and the space around you
Personal space - a private room with your own ensuite.
Consistent high ratings with 99% of our guests have rating their stay as Excellent or Very Good and would Highly Recommend Rest & Restore Retreat to others.
Guests reduced their stress load by an average of 65% within 2-5 nights.
95% of our retreats have SOLD OUT 2-4 weeks in advance.
Compare Rest & Restore
to other retreats
Yes this is for me. I’m coming!
Watch what Dominique got out of her stay and her 3 commitments to her self care.
What is Restorative Therapy and how can it support your wellbeing and health
Physically - poor digestion, changes to blood pressure and heart rate, lowered immunity and increased illness, muscle tension, numbness and pain
Emotionally - Feeling a sense of anger, irritation, overwhelm, or feeling depleted, lacking joy or a sense of numbness
Mentally - overstimulated, disorganised thoughts, too many thoughts at once, inability to concentrate, focus or a sense of fatigue and fogginess
Spiritually - feeling disconnected from others, loss of hope
Nature - the power, stillness and beauty of nature are lost when we are busy racing or exhausted and depleted. Studies have shown that nature has an ability to regulate our nervous system, by either slowing down an over activated state or offering vitality to a depleted state. Nature’s neutral place of connection and co-regulation for our nervous system. Our Eco-Therapy and a multitude of immersions in nature:
-Engage the senses - awakening touch, sense, smells, sights and sounds to build interception,
-Provide safety and support - gravity can hold you gently
-Reconnect with wonder and awe, and
-Create connections - invite us to feel part of something bigger.
Rest underpins the entire framework of Rest & Restore’s retreat and we strive to support your unique pathway towards better rest.
Restorative therapies provide support to both heightened and collapsed states of your nervous system and the on flow of your whole system. Our evidence based program supports you through:
Rest - decelerating towards deep rest allows your nervous system (fight/flight) the space it needs to restore its balance. When we are deeply resting, not doing just being we:
-Reconnect to our body’s sensations
-Deepen our breathing (taking in more and letting go of more)
-Listen to cues of hunger, thirst, sleep and recognise and invite support via touch (massage, body support) gentle movement and stretch (group classes in qigong, yoga, mindful movement) and quieter contemplation practices
-Notice kindness and feel kinder towards ourselves.
Restorative Program
Rest & Restore Wellness Retreat is a Restorative oriented retreat. Restorative therapy aims to provide balance to your Autonomic Nervous System. In essence, restorative practices counteract the taxing effects that stress creates within your body. You may notice this as:
What a typical day looks like
Morning
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6:30am gentle bell and the offer of lemon and warm water ritual to start your day (join us or continue to top up your sleep bank rest).
7am - a silent trail stroll so you can take in the wonders of nature followed by a Meditation class
8:30am - a nourishing breakfast
Group insight and restorative practices
9.30 am - a core group activity or session, e.g.: a workshop on building your own self-care tool kit
11 am - restorative practice such as Qi Gong by the river, Mindful Pilates a Breathwork class.
Midday
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after a nourishing lunch most days have quiet time where we invite you to enjoy time to rest and digest: You may wish to:
● Reflect in your journal;
● Sit by the river and read, or take in nature with a cup of herbal tea
● Have a cat nap or siesta
● Enjoy a private treatment
● Enjoy the benefits of our steam sauna
Night
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Take in a cooking demo and then a another restorative practice such as Restorative Yoga, Reflexology immersion or you may wish to enjoy a magnesium foot soak to relax your entire system. Remember you may choose to continue to rest on a picnic blanket near the river and take in the afternoon light or continue to nap and rest in the comfort of your room
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unwind enjoy a nourishing dinner from 6pm, followed by free time to:
● Rest and digest,
● Connect with others,
● Experience mindful photography or
● Take a phone call back home
There is nothing quite like the evening light on our deck overlooking the towering Manna gums, oak trees and the sounds of the river as it meanders by.
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Our final group immersion to unwind and prepare for the long rest. Enjoy a sound bath, meditation and mindful movement class or a deeply relaxing restorative yoga class then it’s off to the privacy of your own comfortable private room for a good night sleep.
How long should I stay? Things to consider.
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Uninterrupted time to support your mental health.
Needing a complete break from your life to reset and prioritise self-care - your cup is dry
A first responder or someone who attends to complex care around the clock.
Body, Mind and Emotions sending you signals that it is time to interrupt the stress cycle and cultivate restful routines to support your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self
Feeling burnt out, exhausted, emotionally drained after a long period of chronic stress
Lacking a good support framework in your life and desperately looking for tools to help you rest and reset
Recovering from a major illness or life setback and needing a sustained restful break.
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Needing support due to chronic stress, overwork and unable to switch off
In need of restorative practices to bring into your busy life
Can take a long weekend break to reset and recharge your system
Need a few days to reset some new habits, receive some therapeutic care
Highly stressful job and finding it hard to switch off and this is how much time you can step away
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Want to get to know more about self-care due to the impacts that stress is having on your wellbeing
Starting to notice the effects of stress and want to reset over a weekend.
Not getting any stress relief from your usual weekend routine and wanting to try a different approach.
Busy parenting or caring for young/old or a carers job and looking for a restorative weekend break
Something interesting on offer that you want to learn more about
A couple looking for some time to reconnect with themselves and each other
Spending some time to explore therapies and practices with a good friend who has a mutual interest in wellbeing and health
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Wanting to try something new but unsure about whether this is the right fit
A carer who may only be able to find a day in their schedule to have a break
Spending time with a close friend or partner and sharing a restorative experience together
Making a day every 2nd month to reconnect with your self care
Needing some TLC and a moment to pause before or after busy period in your life
A gift for someone you love who needs some respite and support
Watch Ally – Rest & Restore Retreat Facilitator & Practitioner.
Nature is calling. I’m coming!
Inclusions & Benefits
What you’ll take home
Deep Rest can activate the body’s innate wisdom to begin the healing process on all levels - Physical, Mental and Emotional. Personally, this can offer to you:
A deeper felt sense of ease and connection to the body - less muscle tension, better circulation and digestion
An ability to feel a sense of ease, calmness, insight and intuition with greater self empathy and care
Mental clarity and awareness which can enable guidance towards lasting change
Slowing down to notice feelings of warmth and gratitude, space to make kinder choices, deeper connections with our “families”
Appreciation, wonder, inspiration and safety available through immersion and reconnection with nature
A more direct connection to your body and the signals it gives you
A deeper sense of peace and calm that you can bring into everything you do
A relaxed, rejuvenated and re-inspired body, mind and spirit
A rekindled energy and exciting sense of optimism and inspiration about your life
Connections with a dedicated group of like-minded guests
A newfound love of the many ways to rest, self-care and being kind to your good self
Watch Ally – Rest & Restore Retreat Facilitator & Practitioner.
Take me to the registration page now!
What’s not included?
Your transport to and from the retreat
Optional extra Private treatments we offer, including
Private Body Work (Massages, Shiatsu, Reflexology)
Private 1:1 session with Psychologist, Mindfulness Teacher, EMDR Practitioner
Spiritual 1:1 (Sound Healing, Sacred Hypnosis, Sonic Reiki)
Venue
We operate Rest and Restore retreats out of our very special property, in the stunning Yarra Ranges, just 1 hour drive north east from Melbourne, Victoria.
You’ll feel all the stress of city living and the daily grind melting away as you make your way to our retreats completely immersed in the surrounding natural beauty
Our River View retreat is a unique and special place where people come together to rest, self-nurture, relax, create, connect with others and nature, have fun and leave feeling restored and re-energised.
River View Retreat
Luxurious century-old boutique guesthouse on the verdant banks of the Yarra River on 12 green rolling acres, just outside of Warburton (the healing epicentre of Victoria).
The air feels different here, it’s clean and crisp and offers the fresh smells of the towering native gums. The gurgling and engaging sounds of the river are present wherever you are and offer a deep exhale. The mountains cocoon the property and encourage you to ground, centre and breathe. There truly is a nature opportunity for everyone.
The Retreat offers all private ensuite rooms with a comfy king size beds, temperature control with heating and cooling.
All rooms offer a private ensuite, temperature control, a comfortable bed and a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Cuisine
Our retreat cuisine is created from scratch using fresh, seasonal, nutrient dense and flavoursome that’sgood for you, without sacrificing on taste. Enjoy a down to earth vegetarian meals with a variety of quality meals with generous portion sizes. Our chefs are dedicated and passionate about natural food and prepare all meals with love!
We also offer a cooking demo and nutritional support to further support your gut health. We serve delicious and filling vegetable based meals as we believe on average people don’t eat enough vegetables and we want to inspire our guests to eat more by showing them how amazing and yummy they can be!
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Breakfasts may include: eggs, mushroom and spinach cook up, frittatas, fresh sourdough bread, mashed avocado and fresh fruit.
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Lunch may include roast vegetable tarts with a grain and Greek salads, a vegetable curry, risotto and soup.
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Dinner may include a pumpkin & ricotta lasagne, variety of salads, vegetable tajine or a Mexican burrito bowl topped with fresh guacamole and salsa. Afternoon tea may include bliss balls, tasty chocolate brownies or a fruit platter.
Fruit is available throughout the day
A wide selection of quality herbal teas from the Pukka range
Pure, clean water and a hydration station (includes freshly cut lemons & lime, ginger, berries and even lavender to encourage you to drink more water!)
We cater for all allergies and intolerances including Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Sugar Free, Vegan, Paleo, IBS and more.
Retreat Chef Jess applies her knowledge and experience in fermentation and food alchemy to reconnect people with their food sources and health in an easy, engaging and effective way.
It’s time I did something for me. I’m coming!
Meet the Team
Rob and his wife Belinda are the founding couple behind Rest and Restore Wellness Retreat. Both were simultaneously caring for others and managing chronic health conditions. It was through unsuccessful attempts of finding a retreat to support their complex and individualised needs that Rest and Restore retreat was born. They are both passionately committed to supporting others in their quest for better health and rest.
Rest and Restore is a multi-modality retreat with up to 20 highly qualified, supportive & nurturing practitioners & therapists working at various times during each retreat. Our carefully curated team of practitioners are well versed in restorative therapies, working in busy and successful clinics and practices where they come together monthly to run the retreat.
They are a diverse group of individuals who provide their personal colour and texture to our retreats. Many of our therapists have a lived experience of Chronic Stress and Burnout and provide an empathetic and non-judgement space of inclusivity and safety. We truly value the complexity of each guest’s experience and aim to meet you with an open mind and heart. This allows each guest to indulge their senses and achieve a deeply felt sense of relaxation, balance and inner peace to rest and restore.
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I’m worthy, and my body needs rest!
FAQ
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Rest & Restore Retreat is a place of tranquillity; therefore, phones, smart watches and laptops are not permitted to be carried around and freely used. The more you can disconnect from your life back home, the better the impact of your experience, so please plan to be “off the grid” as much as possible. We ask that you don’t bring a PC with you, and are happy to store your mobile phone securely during your stay. Relax - we do allow a window of opportunity each day to check messages and make calls – this is done after dinner to help ensure you get the best night’s sleep! We will provide you with a 24 hour contact number which you can pass onto your family should they need to contact you in an emergency.
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One week before guests arrive (and once we know the weather forecast) we send the daily schedule. Our daily program provides a balance of restful and restorative activities, with a stress free rhythm and flow throughout the day. You have the freedom to do as much or as little as you wish. Each day is broken into four flows, starting with gentle waking up rituals through to gentle unwinding rituals before retiring for a good nights sleep.
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We can work with diary free, nut free, gluten free, wheat free, sugar free and vegan diets and other specific requirements on request. Please clearly state any allergies and intolerances you have, along with your dietary preferences on our Initial Questionnaire when we send them to you. If the list of things you can’t eat is long, our Retreat Chef and Nutritionist will work with you to create a list of things you can eat.
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Relax: we will send you an easy to follow packing list once you have booked with us, based on the time of year you are retreating. Simply tick off each item and you’re ready to go ideally, wearing loose, comfortable clothing will enhance your rest and relaxation.
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Upon booking we will email you travel instructions. Travelling by car is recommended. A bus goes along the Warburton highway from Lilydale train but Taxi and Uber services are quite limited.
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Absolutely! All rooms can be booked as private single or twin share. Twin share enables you to stay with a partner, family member or friend. We do not pair you up with strangers.
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We abstain from serving alcohol, coffee (we provide a wide range of herbal teas, chai and other non-stimulant beverages) and provide a low tech space... Please note: Tobacco, alcohol and/or recreational drugs are prohibited from the property and against our Health Retreat policies.
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Our retreats are pregnancy friendly and we can also offer pregnancy massage treatments.
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Our retreat is located on a mostly flat property making it accessible for all to attend. We have one disabled friendly room and there are a few steps from the outside balcony down to the grounds that takes you to the river. Our morning trail walks are along a well-established and dedicated flat walking path.
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As much as we love furry friends, pets are not allowed with the exception of a registered and fully trained Assistant Dog. To maximise your retreat experience and allow you to fully switch off, the minimum age for all guests is 21 years of age.
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Because life is unpredictable at times, we offer a generous cancellation and rescheduling policy for our guests with no hidden fees.
We require all cancellations in writing via email
Cancellation breakdown:
More than 30 days prior to retreat :
Reschedule: free within 12 months of booking date; or
Cancellation: Full refund less $100 administration fee
30 to 14 days prior to retreat:
Reschedule: free within 12 months of booking date
Cancellation: Full refund less 25% cancellation fee
Less than 14 days prior to retreat:
Reschedule: options available with special terms and conditions
Cancellation: Full refund less 50% cancellation fee
3 days prior to retreat:
Cancellation: No refund available
Unfortunately, If guests choose to leave retreat prior to departure date, we cannot offer refunds.
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Yes you can, we apply a 3% surcharge to cover the merchant cost. To avoid this charge, simply pay using bank funds transfer through your Internet Banking.
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Yes the retreat does cater for certain NDIS participants who are seeking Short Term Accommodation (Respite) and are capable and able to independently manage themselves, or who bring a support with them. We provide a supportive, safe and nurturing centre based group setting to develop new skills and try new things relating to self care and wellbeing (capacity building) in a positive and affirming environment, help build supportive networks and connections. Please contact us to discuss further.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
I’m happy with all of this. I’m in!
Prices, Dates & Registration
Your investment in a multi-modality, value for money program Our retreats are fully inclusive and may include the following (note there are additional inclusions for 3 and 5 night stays and some 2 night stays exclude some activities. Please check with us before booking):
3 flavoursome & nourishing meals created each day from scratch plus afternoon tea by our amazing Culinary Queens
Up to 7 daily evidence based restorative activities, including Meditation, Qi Gong, Sound Healing, Breath work, Mindful Pilates, Gentle Movement and Meditation class and more 3. Mindfulness, self and co-regulation activities
Nature based therapies including daily bushwalks, meditation in nature, Forest Bathing and quite time by the river
Your own comfortable private room with ensuite and king size beds with a balcony looking out into nature
Development of your own Self Care Toolkit with the support of our Psychologist & Mindfulness Coach
Up to 20 highly qualified, supportive & nurturing practitioners & therapists working at various times during each retreat supporting your journey.
All of this for only
$1490 private room/$1025 twin-share for a 2 night all inclusive stay
$2,195 private room/$1495 twin-share for a 3 night all inclusive stay
$3,495 private room/$2395 twin- share for a 5 night all inclusive stay
$295 for a day immersion
Upcoming Retreat Dates
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Friday 3 - Wednesday 8 January 2025 | 5 Night, 6 Day Retreat
Friday 3 - Monday 6 January 2025 | 3 Night, 4 Day Retreat
Monday 6 - Wednesday 8 January 2025 | 2 Night, 3 Day Retreat
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Wednesday 12 - Monday 17 February 2025 | 5 Night, 6 Day Retreat
Wednesday 12 - Saturday 15 February 2025 | 3 Night, 4 Day Retreat
Saturday 15 - Monday 17 February 2025 | 2 Night, 3 Day Retreat
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Wednesday 23 - Monday 28 April 2025 | 5 Night, 6 Day Retreat
Wednesday 23 - Saturday 26 April 2025 | 3 Night, 4 Day Retreat
Saturday 26 - Monday 28 April 2025 | 2 Night, 3 Day Retreat
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Wednesday 28 May - Monday 5 June 2025 | 5 Night, 6 Day Retreat
Wednesday 28 - Saturday 31 May 2025 | 3 Night, 4 Day Retreat
Saturday 31 - Monday 2 June 2025 | 2 Night, 3 Day Retreat
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Wednesday 9 - Monday 14 July 2025 | 5 Night, 6 Day RetreatWednesday 9 - Saturday 12 July 2025 | 3 Night, 4 Day Retreat
Saturday 12 - Monday 14 July 2025 | 2 Night, 3 Day Retreat
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Wednesday 13 - Monday 18 August 2025 | 5 Night, 6 Day Retreat
Wednesday 13 - Saturday 16 August 2025 | 3 Night, 4 Day Retreat
Saturday 16 - Monday 18 August 2025 | 2 Night, 3 Day Retreat
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Wednesday 24 - Monday 29 September 2025 | 5 Night, 6 Day Retreat
Wednesday 24 - Saturday 27 September 2025 | 3 Night, 4 Day Retreat
Saturday 27 - Monday 29 September 2025 | 2 Night, 3 Day Retreat
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Thursday 30 October - Tuesday 4 November 2025 | 5 Night, 6 Day Retreat
Thursday 30 October - Sunday 2 November 2025 | 3 Night, 4 Day Retreat
Sunday 2 - Tuesday 4 November 2025 | 2 Night, 3 Day Retreat
$500 non-refundable deposit
Balance due 30 days before arrival
Option to pay in 4 equal instalments
Paypal or Afterpay available
How to join us
Cancellation Policy
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• Reschedule: free within 12 months of booking date; or
• Cancellation: Full refund less $100 administration fee
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• Reschedule: free within 12 months of booking date
• Cancellation: Full refund less 25% cancellation fee
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• Reschedule: options available with special terms and conditions
• Cancellation: Full refund less 50% cancellation fee
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• Cancellation: No refund available
Unfortunately, If guests choose to leave retreat prior to departure date, we cannot offer refunds.
Not sure if this retreat is for you? Or need a custom payment plan? Feel free to connect with us at hello@restoreandrestore.com.au and we can help!