affordable writing retreat

Our Feedback Retreat gang 2026!

What a great joy it is to host these retreats in Springbrook a few times a year. So many wonderful women writers and my beloved retreataholics who make these weekends so much fun! And it’s always a pleasure to hang out with author of Will I Ever Be Who I Am? and chief cookie, the warm and nurturing Gay Liddington who cooked up a storm with the help of the lovely Rebecca Hall this time round. My beautiful helpers and upcoming authors to watch Liana Brown and Natasha Cox always bring smiles and are a great help to us all. Love you girls! And the wise and wonderful Monique brings her in depth body knowledge which she shares with us in a movement session and with her incredible bodywork treatments to get those stressed out bodies back to full strength.

Sunshine shone bright and sparkly all weekend as we delved deep into the heart of our works-in-progress. It was cold up in the mountains but perfect weather for writing on a blanket under the giant trees listening to the whip birds. The sun was too good to miss so most of our workshops were held outside on the porch. Sun on our backs, pen in hand. What better way to spend a weekend?

We had a fabulous group of writers of all levels of experience, from multi-published authors to complete newbies finding their way into their first book. Workshops, feedback groups, excursions to the waterfall (watch out! That’s a big drop!) and of course workshops to help you find the heart of your story and ensure your reader will keep turning those pages.

Plus my favourite part of every retreat – collage. We leave words behind and play with images to create vision boards of the futures we’d like to create for ourselves. With our lovely “kindy photos” showing off what we’ve made.

These retreats are about a whole lot more than writing (though of course that’s a vital element). People arrive frazzled and worn out from all the many roles women must perform these days, exhausted and pale and a little shutdown. By Saturday I start to notice more smiles, colour returning to cheeks, sparks of light in those eyes that had seen too much, friendships forming, ideas taking flight and epiphanies for stories and life changes. By Sunday we are all on a high from being together. There is magic in groups of women! I’m sure of it.

This retreat was over the Lion’s Gate Portal and a rare alignment of multiple planets so we took advantage of this and did a special intention setting ceremony – walking the 8 – to help manifest all our writerly and personal goals.

And of course between yoga sessions and intention setting and writing workshops, and feedback groups and chatting – a lot of feasting was done! Delicious vegetarian meals and treats considering all dietary needs, prepared with love and joy that fed our bodies and our hearts. What a treat it is to be cooked for – to spend the day writing and just turn up the kitchen to fill our plates!

Highlights of this retreat were the sunshine and smiles of retreaters. Our Readings Night on Saturday showcased the great talent in the room, had us laughing and oohing and aahing, and closed with a powerful chant.

In my heart, in my soul

In my blood, in my bones,

I am a powerful woman.

Changing, emerging, powerful, magical

Free!

Original woman.

We sang together and thumped the table and the powerful energy rising was tangible . Wise women are rising around the world and we are a part of all that. Rise women rise!

Rebecca hadn’t been writing at all but wrote a beautiful haiku that told the story of her retreat.

Here’s what some retreaters had to say about the retreat

The Relax and Write Retreat was a fantastic experience – whether you wanted to take a break from creative process and reset or sequester yourself in your room and complete a draft. Ed is a knowledgable and encouraging mentor committed to supporting you, wherever you are in your writing journey. It couldn’t recommend it more!

Naomi Jeffrey (R & W retreater August 2026)

Edwina’s Relax and Write retreats are the perfect way to recalibrate, to immerse yourself in writing and indulge in some solitude while connecting with like-minded writers. The seamless transition from activities like yoga and workshops to quiet writing and gathering around a table of delicious food was exactly what I needed to still my head and let creativity flow. I would highly recommend this retreat for anyone who longs for a safe and nourishing environment where you can let go and just be yourself.

Jo Skinner (R & W retreater August 2026)

This is the second time I have attended this retreat, and I will be back! After struggling for some time to get back into my writing, this was the perfect opportunity to absorb the beautiful surroundings and support of other retreaters. This retreat is more than workshops (though they are incredible). Speaking to other writers, great food, quiet time all contribute to an amazing experience. You can even get massages!

Robyn Ede (R & W retreater August 2026)

A wonderful writing retreat that holds and nurtures you as you progress your success in writing and publishing.

Dolores Cummins (R & W retreater August 2026)

Really loved this retreat! It was just what I needed. Perfectly structured. I loved the fact we could come and go at our own pace. It was just bliss.

Caroline Moon (R & W retreater August 2026)

Edwina is a gifted and generous teacher. Great inspiration for moving forward.

Jill Moonie (R & W retreater August 2026)

You helped me break through a stuck and stagnant point. And done with loving community. Perfect! I leave refreshed and focused.

Retreat participant August 2026 (R & W retreater August 2026)

Retreat happy snaps!

Love these weekend intensive retreats. Lots of learning packed in, a stunning location and all close to home. With such wonderful women. Love them to bits!

Relax and Write Retreats will be back in 2027! About to update the retreats page.

MEMOIR AND LIFE WRITING RETREAT – SPRINGBROOK April 9 -11

Best for memoirists and those exploring writing or just wanting to join the tribe and write in their rooms!

FEEDBACK AND REVISION RETREAT – SPRINGBROOK August 6 -8

Best for those reviewing a draft (complete or not) or those stuck partway or for those who want to develop a new idea more fully and make a plan.

And that’s a wrap! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, these retreats are only as good as the women who come along, and this one was a beauty!!

Lots of love

Edwina 🙂

Our happy campers this retreat 🙂

This retreat was something special. As I drove up the winding road deep into the forest on my way to set up, I felt a surge of joy arising. I had some familiar writing friends returning (retreataholics strike again!) but a whole lot of people I’d never even met before. So why this rush of happiness?

The pouring rain stopped as soon as participants started to arrive. Everything was blazing green and pumping with life and as writer after writer arrived, grins stretching from ear to ear, the feeling of joy within me grew. How lucky I am to be bringing such collections of wise folk together.

We began as usual with our meet and greet, getting to know one another and the projects we’re working on. My darling chief cookie, Gay, had just received the proof copy of her memoir in the final stages before publication. Others had published before or had films successfully produced, but we also had a number of new writers keen to try out their writing legs for the first time.

With writers from their twenties to their seventies we had a wealth of enthusiasm, energy, imagination and wisdom to draw from. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – these retreats are only as good as the people who come along, and this bunch was special. From a memoir about traveling to spiritual portals around the world, to sexual healing, to a film treatment about coming out as non-binary, to stories of grandmothers and fathers, and the damage that was done and the victories won and the paths less travelled. We had it all.

But most of all we had a special connection as a group, a warmth and understanding, a willingness to share and to listen. To let go of the world outside and sink deeply into the quiet of Kombumerri Country.

Everyone was keen to get involved and try everything, with the biggest turn out for yoga ever! Even on Sunday for Monique’s special movement session for writers. We are so lucky to have Moniques vast knowledge of the body with us on retreats, not only for this session but for her expert bodywork treatments that leave people floating around in a happy daze for hours.

Gay created special meals filled with her loving care and nurturing, every special need catered for, every sweet-toothed craving fulfilled. My food highlight was definitely her apple crumble and custard. Or the roasted veggie salad, or the Anzac biscuits. You’re only on retreat once in a while!

Workshops were filled with laughter and questions and writing and sharing and learning and epiphanies, both for our stories and for our own healing. This is the real magic. And the greatest joy for me. When I know someone will return to their lives changed, having decided to get off the rat wheel of the crazy busyness and find time to just be. To create. To rest. To heal and live fully. That my friend is magic.

Writing may not make us rich (or it might do that too) but it sure as hell enriches our lives deeply.

Retreaters took walks down to the spring-water stream and our very own waterfall lookout, sat in the sun and read, or found places to write or stare into space and think, or watch the resident pademelons – now named – Paddy, Melon and Little Toot (that’s the pouch joey) bounce happily around despite us.

The weekend flew by until suddenly it was collage time and dreams took shape in images on the page. Hugs all round and it was time to go. But I hope I’ll see this bunch again. In such a short time we became our own mob of magic makers, writing our stories, rewriting our lives, reaching for our dreams. I miss them already.

Here’s what some retreaters had to say about their weekend.

I received so much more valuable information, inspiration, confirmation and support than I could have ever imagined. So very helpful for me as I start my writing journey.

Sivani Maclean

Thank you so much Edwina and team for creating this beautiful atmosphere in a beautiful, natural setting. I learned a lot and enjoyed the joyful and heartfelt connection.

Hana Morris

Congratulations on a well-organised and well-run retreat. This was constantly reflected on the faces of participants who clearly enjoyed themselves and were stimulated to write and improve.

Gail Thwaite

Edwina is a great teacher and has a very friendly approachable persona with a great knowledge as a writer. Worth doing!

Marie Hayes

Coming on a Relax and Write Retreat is a true getaway, a retreat from normal life and an opportunity to broaden our perspective in the company of kindred spirits, all with stories to tell. A loving welcoming space to connect, to learn, to create.

Retreat participant

Our next Relax and Write Retreat is the Feedback and Revision Retreat AUGUST 8 – 10 2025.

This retreat is best for those with a bit of writing under those belts, either approaching a second draft and looking for help self-editing or for those planning a full-length work. At this retreat workshops focus heavily on structure with a special session on pitching to publishers and agents. We also provide optional feedback groups to help people connect and get advice on their work. For more info see HERE. Or drop me a line for the flyer.

With big thanks and lots of love to the wonderful writers who made this retreat so special. It’s true you know, we always do have a wonderful time!

Lots of love

Edwina xx