Is your creative spirit crying out for a little TLC? Always wanted to write but don’t know where to start? Need to reboot your writing mojo and be inspired to tackle that project based on your life that you’ve been thinking about forever? Come along and regain your love of writing and life at the next Relax and Write Retreat From midday FRIDAY 10 April – 3 pm SUNDAY 12 April 2026 in glorious Springbrook, at the TS Rainforest Retreat Centre high above the Gold Coast hinterland, surrounded by tall trees and lush rainforest with friendly pademelons and wallabies to keep us company.
Join like-minded women (and non-binary) writers in a fun and supportive environment discovering just how much some deep relaxation can ignite your imagination and get you writing again. Relax and unwind with gentle morning yoga sessions and be inspired by innovative workshops to help move those stories out of your head and onto the page. Learn how to turn your life stories into powerful creative works, whether memoir, autobiographical fiction or personal essays.
Fun, friends, feasting and writing up a storm! 
“I feel transformed, as a writer and as a human being.”
Bianca Millroy – writer and retreater
The program includes two yoga sessions, four workshops to get you writing, plus advice on submitting your work. Two nights comfortable single accommodation with bathrooms shared between two women, plus delicious vegetarian meals and a special readings night around the fire are included.
“The fully-catered retreat environment was comfortable and stress-free. An atmosphere that encourages, motivates and inspires.” Gay Liddington – writer and retreater
Connect with other creative types in a beautiful, peaceful location and remember your creative self. No more putting your dreams on hold. Treat yourself to this special weekend nurturing your writing spirit. Delicious home cooked meals, cosy corners to hide and write, the joyful companionship of fellow writers on the same path. Isn’t it time you put yourself and your creative dreams first. Let us nurture you for a change. You deserve it!
RETREAT PROGRAM All activities are optional
FRIDAY 10 April 2026
ARRIVAL from midday
4 pm – Meet and Greet
4:30 – 6:30 WORKSHOP 1– Your Stories
6:30 DINNER
SATURDAY 11 April
7:15 am – 8:30 – Gentle morning yoga and breathing
8:30 – BREAKFAST
10:00 am – 1 pm – WORKSHOP 2 – Writing Scenes and Characters in memoir/life writing
1 pm – LUNCH
1:30 – 4:00 – FREETIME and FEEDBACK SESSIONS
4 – 6:00 pm – WORKSHOP 3 – Writing from start to finish – developing a plan
6:00 pm – DINNER
6:45 – 7:30 pm – Readings around the fire
SUNDAY 12 April
7:15 – 8:30 – Gentle morning yoga and breathing
8:30 – BREAKFAST
10:00 – 1 pm– WORKSHOP 4 – Where and how to submit work, goal setting, questions and collage
1 pm – LUNCH
3 pm DEPARTURES
Editorial feedback sessions with Edwina available on request $75 extra for those needing professional advice on a project.
FEEDBACK DETAILS – email Edwina your first 10 pages, double spaced, plus your synopsis at least 2 weeks prior to retreat for full edit/advice plus 30 minutes meeting time.
Massages/Bodywork treatments with Monique DeGoey – a highly sought after Zen Thai Shiatsu practitioner will also be available.
COST for the weekend of writing, fun and feasting, including comfortable single room basic accommodation, with bathrooms shared between 2, all meals, 2 yoga sessions, 4 creative writing workshops and a readings night.
Transport not included.
Unwaged (finding it tough to make ends meet) $600.
Waged (I’m doing okay thanks) $750
Please only choose the unwaged option if genuinely struggling. If you’re doing okay, please help me support those writers who aren’t.
All inclusive! For single accommodation and all retreat activities and meals.
I’ve been running these retreats every year since 2017 and they’re always a joy. I love watching new writing friendships form and the ‘Aha!’ moments when a writer gets a flash of inspiration and finds the answer to a story issue. At these memoir retreats we do a lot of writing to prompts as well as learning about how to write in scenes and develop characters in memoir. Remember in memoir, YOU are the main character. You can’t leave the ‘me’ out of memoir. You’ll also learn how to shape your memoir/story to keep your reader hooked right from the first page.
We always have a wonderful time. You might like to check out the Memoir Retreat Rundown from the 2025 memoir retreat here. Plenty of testimonials HERE too.
I hope you can come! $200 deposit will secure your place. Always check with me that places are still available before you pay!
If you’re find money tough right now, just drop me a line and we can work something out.
Your story is important. You deserve to be heard. Come along and join the fun and find a community of like minds to inspire your creativity.
Lots of love
Edwina 🙂 xx
Edwina Shaw 