Be Well CPD - A continuing professional development & well-being retreat for doctors on self-care

BE WELL CPD - A DOCTOR'S CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & WELL-BEING RETREAT ON SELF-CARE
Friday 8th- Sunday 10th May 2026

Bells at Killcare Heights, NSW

Are you looking for a restorative & enjoyable break with time to complete your CPD in a meaningful way?

Join us for a relaxing & reviving retreat of CPD and self-care designed for doctors by doctors on the Central Coast, Killcare, NSW. 

With attendance to all CPD activities, you will complete 12 hours of CPD with 2 hours of education, 5 hours of reviewing performance, including a professional conversation & Professional Development Plan, and 5 hours of Measuring Outcomes.

Make completing your CPD requirement easy and learn new methods of self-care for a sustainable career in medicine.

Gift yourself professionally coached and protected time to complete your CPD, connect, laugh, make friends, rest, relax, reflect, & grow. 

Expertly facilitated sessions will inspire & empower you, bringing your mandatory CPD requirements to life.

What to expect

• Held on the tranquil grounds of the iconic Bells at Killcare, NSW. Bells a family-owned and run boutique resort located in the beautiful seaside hamlet of Killcare Heights just 90minutes north of Sydney's CBD. Bells is designed to please the senses and immerse guests in a luxurious and warmly inviting experience.

• Everything is optional without judgment; do as you need! We want to support you to make the most of your weekend. Skipping yoga to explore the coast? Go fo it! Sleeping in to catch up on much-needed rest? We encourage that! See the weekend as a 'choose your own adventure' escape and make it uniquely work for you.

• Talks & group workshops on the 2026 CPD MBA requirements, well-being leadership skills, professional listening & sharing, self-care & goal setting.

• Self-care skills practice, mindfulness & relaxation sessions.

• Expertly facilitated & coached group sessions, making your CPD inspiring & empowering.

• Complete 12 hours of CPD with 2 hours of education, 5 hours of reviewing performance, including your mandatory professional development plan & a professional conversation, and 5 hours of measuring outcomes with a self-care audit.

• All the CPD activities embed elements of cultural safety and professional and ethical behaviours.

• Achieve near completion of the minimum requirements, making CPD easily achievable & stress-free.

• Session handouts & CPD templates are provided to upload to your CPD home.

• There are plenty of nurturing and fun optional activities, such as gentle yoga, guided relaxation, a mindfulness workshop, coastal hikes, bush walks and onsite wine tasting.

• Use your free time to book into the Bell's spa for a massage or facial. Bells Day Spa is a haven for guests to de-stress and take some well-deserved time out. With massage and beauty treatments on offer, the spa is simply a must.

• The Bells restaurant, Wild Flower, is a multi-award-winning restaurant & bar. It has been the recipient of numerous prestigious local and international awards, including one hat from the SMH Good Food Guide. Their team of talented chefs oversee all aspects of food service. Indulge in shared healthy, fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals.

• You can order barista-made coffee with all morning teas, lunch and afternoon teas!

• On Friday, enjoy afternoon tea, a welcome drink before dinner and a two-course seated private dinner in the Library (alternate drop).

• On Saturday, expect a yummy morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a two-course dinner at Wild Flower Bells (alternate drop).

• On Sunday, celebrate Mother's Day with a scrumptious shared morning tea and lunch.

• Breakfast is included with Bells accommodation, but offsite guests are welcome to book for breakfast or can find tasty treats at the Bells Bakery.

• Partake in an optional wine tasting Saturday evening before dinner, hosted by the Bell's sommelier. Experience Bell's award-winning wine list.

• Enjoy free Wi-Fi

• Bells has delightful grounds with a lake and a luxurious pool, and bar.

• Bells is situated on the NSW Bouddi Peninsula and surrounded by untouched National Park and pristine beaches with close access to many central coast beaches, coastal hikes, and bushwalks, including the spectacular Bouddi National Park.

• 16-minute drive to Woy Way train station that connects to Sydney, and only an hour drive from Sydney. Local taxis and Uber service are available, and on-site parking.

• Stay off-site or at Bells. There is ample accommodation locally - something to suit everyone's budget and needs. Other accommodation can be found on Airbnb, at Crowne in Terrigal, and Booking.com has local motels and resorts.

• Bell's accommodation has room service and daily housekeeping. There is a variety of different accommodation options to choose. Opportunity to stay discounted extra nights at Bells for even more valuable rest & relaxation. Enquire with the Bells reservation team.

• 

Program (subject to change)

Friday 8th May

• 230 pm Arrivals & Afternoon tea

• 3 pm Welcome circle and mindfulness workshop in Bells library

• 4 pm Free time to relax, explore the local beaches or take a walk in the nearby Bouddi National Park

• 6 pm Welcome drink at Bells Bar

• 630 pm Private Two-course group seated dinner in Bells Library (alternate drop)

Saturday 9th May - Reviewing Performance

• 8 am Optional gentle morning flow yoga

• 845 am Free time to have breakfast, relax or explore the area

• 930 am Group CPD session: CPD requirements & preparing your professional annual conversation, active listening & professional sharing

• 1045 am Morning tea

• 11 am Group CPD session - professional conversation

• 1 pm Shared group lunch

• 2 pm Group CPD session - professional development plan & goal setting

• 3 pm Afternoon tea

• 315 pm Group CPD session- values and priorities reflection

• 430 pm Optional relaxation yoga or free time

• 530 pm Optional wine tasting (booked through Bells) or free time

• 630 pm Two-course group seated dinner, Wild Flower Restaurant at Bells (alternate drop)

Sunday 10th May- Measuring Outcomes

• 8am Optional gentle morning flow yoga

• 845am Free time to have breakfast, check out or go for a walk

• 930 am Group CPD session - Self-care audit

• 1045 am Morning tea

• 11 am Group CPD session - Self-care audit

• 1 pm Sharted group lunch

• 2 pm Finnish

What to bring

• An open, non-judgmental & self-compassionate mind.

• Lose, comfy clothes & mat if you plan to flow, walking shoes to hike or climb the mountain & swimmers if you fancy a dip in the pool or local beaches

What it costs

• Early bird $1800p (excludes accommodation, breakfast, wine tasting) plus GST

• Registration $1900 post December 2025 (excludes accommodation, breakfast, wine tasting) plus GST

Inclusions

• Friday afternoon group CPD mindfulness workshop for self-care as a doctor.

• 2 Gentle morning flow yoga classes.

• 1 Saturday afternoon relaxation yoga class.

• A Saturday afternoon group CPD reflection session on values and priorities for reviewing performance as a doctor.

• All meals (except breakfast): Friday afternoon tea & dinner; Saturday morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea; and Sunday morning tea and lunch.

• All morning and afternoon teas, and lunches come with a complimentary barista coffee order or one non-alcoholic bevrage.

• A house welcome drink on Friday before dinner. Enjoy a glass of bubbles or wine or a non-alcoholic house beverage of your choice.

• Group CPD sessions with talks & workshops on well-being skills, self-care, goal setting, professional sharing and active listening, and other CPD activities.

• Up to 12 hours of CPD completed after full retreat attendance & a 1-hour re-audit. Cultural safety and professional behaviours are embedded into all CPD activities

• 2 hours of pre-reading CPD education on cultural safety, well-being skills and professional behaviours.

• Professionally coached group CPD sessions for a professional conversation and a professional development plan as part of your mandatory CPD hours for reviewing performance.

• Supported group CPD workshop to complete a meaningful and useful self-care audit as part of your mandatory CPD hours for measuring outcomes.

• Daily access to Bell's pool, bar, bakery, gardens and restaurant.

• Free onsite parking.

Exclusions

• Breakfast (unless staying at Bells Kilcare).

• Extra drinks and food orders not specified above.

• Accommodation, travel and transfers.

• Wine tasting, spa treatments, and other optional Bell's hosted activities not listed above.

CPD

• 2 hours of CPD & well-being education (pre-reading and talks) incorporating cultural safety and professional behaviours.

• 5 hours of reviewing performance, including a professional conversation & professional development plan.

• 5 hours of Measuring Outcomes with a self-care audit and re-audit.

• With total attendance to all CPD activities, you can complete 12 hours of CPD, including a mandatory professional development plan.

• All CPD activities cover elements of cultural safety and professional behaviours.

Location

With seven pristine beaches and many spectacular walking trails, the territory at Killcare is a nature lover's paradise where you can be free from unwanted distractions and truly enjoy the greatness of the area. Enjoy typical Australian surfing at Killcare Beach or swim at the southern end in between the iconic red and yellow flags. Further to the north is the glorious Putty Beach, and coastal headlands of Bullimah Beach and spectacular Maitland Bay. The peninsula is a playground for surfers and water lovers alike. Surrounded by eight pristine beaches and glistening bays, which host communities filled with like-minded people who care for their immediate environment and local landscape. Local patrolled beaches include Killcare Beach, Putty Beach, Lobster Beach, Tallows, Bullimah Beach, MacMasters Beach, Copacabana and Avoca Beach. Local bays include Hardy's Bay, Pretty Beach and Wagstaffe- all only a 90-minute drive from the CBD or a 15-minute drive from Woy Woy station.

Bouddi National Park

The beautiful Bouddi National Park offers spectacular, diverse landscapes - from beaches and steep cliffs through to rainforest and heathland. It is home to countless attractions, including one of Australia’s first marine protected areas, significant Aboriginal sites, wildlife and wildflowers, and even an old paddle steamer wreck. It's a great getaway for a weekend or a week. Make the most of the park’s coastal location and visit Little Beach, Putty Beach, and Tallow Beach. Go swimming, fishing or whale watching. Explore the cycling trails or take in sweeping views from the lookouts and coastal walks, including the well-known Bouddi Coastal walk. The coastal hiking trails of the Bouddi National Park criss-cross through the park and arrive at many of the secluded beaches & bays. Walkers enjoy spectacular ocean views of Broken Bay, down to Sydney, across to Pittwater & the Hawkesbury and out to the Pacific Ocean, along with an abundance of birdlife. The Bouddi Coastal Trail is approximately 8 kilometres one-way and is relatively easy and has a newly refurbished boardwalk partway. It starts at Putty Beach and meanders along the coast, through the National Park to MacMasters Beach. There’s a photo opportunity around every corner, and you might see wallabies, wildflowers or migrating whales from Gerrin Point lookout, along with the Bouddi National Park Marine Extension and the PS Maitland shipwreck at the eastern end of Maitland Bay.

Venue

A world-class boutique hotel located just outside of Sydney, Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa is one of Australia’s most distinctive resorts, perfect for a retreat and city escape. Designed in a style that brings coastal elegance to a natural Australian setting, Killcare Heights is situated on the spectacular NSW Bouddi Peninsula with many coastal bushwalks to explore. A quick 20-minute ferry trip from Sydney’s famous Palm Beach, or a 90-minute drive north from Sydney, when you arrive at Bells at Killcare, you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re so close to Australia’s largest and most cosmopolitan gateway city. Bells is a family-run and owned business with heart and soul. Bells at Kilkare is an eco-friendly resort.

Sustainability

From food waste to compost overnight! Bells at Kilkare are the proud owners of a CLOSED LOOP organic food composter, which uses natural microbes and heat to transform food waste into nutrient-rich compost in just 24 hours. Roughly 260kg of food waste goes through the machine per week, producing a highly concentrated compost that is mixed with soil and used in the onsite kitchen gardens, heavily reducing methane emissions. This is one of the many sustainable practices introduced to help reduce the environmental impact in our community. Bells at Killcare was awarded the Good Living Sustainability Award at the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards, a culmination of years of work, with the team building up the kitchen gardens into more than 500 square metres of land now cultivated for food. Since then, each year, sustainability processes to lower the carbon footprint are continued and built upon. In addition to the onsite kitchen gardens, there are approximately 40 chickens that keep the kitchen well supplied with fresh eggs. The team at Bells are dedicated to growing, producing and sourcing as much local produce as possible, to ensure quality and seasonality are achieved. More than 15% of the restaurant menu comes directly from the Bells garden.

Bells Accommodation

Bells at Killcare features 25 boutique cottages & suites, and 4 nature-inspired luxe Lodges. The cottages and lodges sprawl over a beautiful acreage of manicured grounds, established native flora, running streams, a tranquil lake and a few smaller ponds. The Lodges are located within their own eco-sanctuary and offer spectacular ocean views. Those who appreciate a serene natural setting, spectacular gardens, authenticity, as well as style and quality will love the style of the Bell's boutique accommodation on offer. Created in a style reminiscent of the seaside cottages of The Hamptons, accommodation at Bells at Killcare is a seamless blend of relaxed luxury, elegance and sophistication. All accommodation includes daily housekeeping. Breakfast is from 8 am until 10.30 am daily. A full hot breakfast is included, inspired by the seasons & by the produce in the garden. Eggs come from the Bell's hens, and the honey from the bee hives. A range of seasonal hot dishes is offered, and a full continental selection including freshly baked house-made pastries + breads, a variety of yoghurts and fruit compotes, bircher muesli, house-made granola, jams and preserves, seasonal fruit and organic juices. Coffee and premium Buds & Beads loose-leaf tea is also included. Daily newspapers are available in the restaurant during breakfast. There is room service available 4-9 pm. There are two Electric Vehicle Car Chargers on-site, for in-house guests. They are situated near the Day Spa and the Restaurant Entrance. All rooms come with a private car space. Delegates are offered a discounted nightly room rate with a further reduced rate on a third night. Contact the Bell’s reservations team to book reservations@bellsatkillcare.com.au +612 43497000.

Cottages, villas and Suites

The cottages and suites evoke the ambience of summers past, with a palette of washed-back blues, bleached linens, driftwood walls, and wide-striped awnings. Attention to detail is superb, right down to the wicker hampers, seagrass matting and rattan lounges. All cottages & suites accommodate 2 people. Cottages each boast designer Ralph Lauren furnishings, luxury bathrooms, and state-of-the-art technology. Take your coffee on your veranda with the local kookaburras, whilst reading the daily newspaper. All verandas have been furnished to be enjoyed as another delightful room, overlooking the lush native landscape. All cottages and suites are set amongst the lush, manicured gardens, with the Lakeview Villas beside the lake.

The King Suites are an open plan studio style suite beautifully decorated, complete with a king bed with hand-woven Bells blankets, luxurious comforters and fluffy doonas, a gas fireplace, air conditioning, iPod dock, and smart TV. There is a large outdoor deck for al fresco living. The large bathroom is beautifully appointed with a deep freestanding bath, luxury fittings including Bouddi handmade toiletries, Bells bathrobes, hairdryer and slippers for you to enjoy during your stay. There is one fully accessible Garden Suite with ramp access and a rail & seat in the shower.

The Garden Villas are nestled into the established Bells gardens and feature a single-level open-plan design. Each Garden Villa has been individually designed in signature Bells style, with beautiful blue & white tones, designer wallpaper and elegant marble bathrooms complete with under-floor heating. The Garden Villas have a king bed (with hand-woven Bells blankets, luxurious comforters and fluffy doonas), sitting area, smart TV, wood-burning fireplace, air conditioning and outdoor undercover deck with plenty of room to relax and unwind outdoors. The freestanding baths are made from 100% pure copper, with each bath uniquely handcrafted and environmentally sound. Enjoy handmade Bouddi toiletries, Bells bathrobes, hairdryers, and slippers.

The Lakeview Villas are set in a very private and tranquil environment with a lovely lake outlook at the far end of the property. They have a private deck with daybed, dining table and 2 dining chairs for alfresco evenings. These beautifully designed Villas are single-level, have designer Ralph Lauren furnishings, a king-size bed, air conditioning, handwoven Bells blankets, luxurious comforters and fluffy doonas. The king bedroom is separated from the lounge/living area by a partitioned wall housing a smart TV on both sides and a gas fireplace on the lounge side. The large bathroom has a deep freestanding bath and separate shower and comes complete with handmade Bouddi toiletries, Bells bathrobes, hairdryer and slippers.

The One-bedroom Cottages provide over 82 sqm of delightful living space. These cottages are open plan and single level with designer Ralph Lauren furnishings and two gas fireplaces, one in your bedroom and one in the living room. The bedroom has a huge king bed, smart TV, gas fireplace, air conditioning and a lovely outdoor deck with plenty of room to relax and unwind. The beautifully designed bedroom linen includes handwoven Bells blankets, luxurious comforters and fluffy doonas. The living/kitchen area comprises a second outdoor deck, full lounge with a coffee table, a smart TV and gas fireplace, dining table with six chairs and kitchen, including full-size fridge, oven and dishwasher. The Two Bedroom Cottages are perfectly designed for families looking for a nature getaway or summer beachside holiday. These cottages sleep 4 guests.

The Lodges

The Lodges are nestled within their own private eco-wilderness sanctuary each with ocean views of Broken Bay & Palm Beach, Sydney. The Lodges also feature a magnesium pool with two outdoor double day beds, outdoor rain shower, BBQ and dining table. Architecturally crafted to be unobtrusive in a lush, coastal, Angophora canopy, within the Bells at Killcare grounds, these tri-level lodges are ideal for luxury family getaways and small-group travel. The lodges are open to families and children of all ages. Each lodge comfortably sleeps 4 people in two luxurious king bedrooms, which open out to a private veranda, beautifully integrated with the native bushland surrounds. The king beds can be split if required. Each bedroom has own luxurious ensuite with a freestanding bath. Upstairs has several living and outdoor areas, perfect for family travel and special occasions. Lodges are fully serviced, including VIP nightly turndown and come complete with own Lodge Manager and full concierge to look after your every need, so you can simply relax and indulge in the full hotel experience.

Dinning

Famous for their multi-award-winning bar & restaurant, the food and beverage offering at Bells at Killcare has gained a long list of accolades and awards since opening in 2007. The effortless skill of the very talented team of passionate chefs makes for a wonderful gastronomic getaway. Bells at Killcare was recently named as one of the top Hotels in NSW by Gourmet Traveller Magazine in their 2025 Hotel Guide, part of the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Award Showcase. Also in 2025, Australian Traveller Magazine listed Bells at Killcare in their Top 9 Luxury Getaways in NSW. The Wild Flower Bar & Dining is chic, casual dining inspired by the food of the sun, from the Mediterranean to Morocco. Menus are grounded in our core values of authenticity, simplicity and freshness, featuring seasonal dishes inspired by the produce grown and harvested in our famous kitchen gardens. In addition to this estate-grown produce, menus showcase as many local NSW producers, suppliers, winemakers and growers as possible. Locally harvested seafood includes freshly shucked oysters and crayfish caught off nearby Macmasters Beach. The chefs use produce from the garden and locally supplied produce, so menus are subject to change and based on the seasons.

Bakery and Ladder

Visit the Bells Bakry and ladder for yummy house-made pies, quiches, pastries, gourmet lunch rolls, sausage rolls, freshly baked breads, sweet treats, coffee to-go, local milk and much more. They also have a full range of gift ideas, including iKOU products, locally grown Broken Bay Pearl Farm jewellery, gourmet chocolates, WILL+BEAR Hats, PARED sunglasses, buds & beads premium leaf tea, sparkling tea, fine wine, including a fabulous non-alcoholic range, craft beer, an assortment of sweet treats and a full range of gourmet pantry/deli goods.

Wine tasting

Enjoy a wine tasting experience with the Bells' in-house sommelier, Michaela Clayton. Michaela has handpicked a selection of exclusive wines from our multi-award-winning wine list, paired with a cheese plate from The Wild Flower Bar & Dining, along with tasting notes. Contact the Bell’s reservations team to book reservations@bellsatkillcare.com.au +612 43497000.

Bells Day Spa

The luxurious Bells Day Spa is a haven for guests to de-stress and truly relax, unwind and enjoy with spa treatments that have been thoughtfully designed to rebalance the synergy between mind, body and soul. Bells Day Spa offers personalised spa journeys. Imbued with East Coast Hampton’s elegance it's the perfect sensory escape. We recommend booking treatments as soon as possible to not miss out. Sessions are limited. Contact the Bell’s reservations team to book reservations@bellsatkillcare.com.au +612 43497000.

Bells Pool & Pool Bar

The Bells pool is a 20-meter saltwater mineral pool situated by the main house, near The Conservatory. It's the perfect place to laze around and read a book or get active with some laps. The Bells Pool Bar is a quaint little blue caravan converted to a bar, located in the orchard, for your enjoyment. Guests can relax poolside with a cocktail in hand, enjoy a bite to eat and soak up the sun. Choose from a selection of fine wines, bottled beers and non-alcoholic beverages, enjoy a menu of local seafood and snacks whilst relaxing under the iconic blue and white stripe umbrellas and taking in the sounds of the surrounding Bouddi National Park. Bells Pool Bar is open daily from 11am and the pool is open daily from 7am until 7pm,

Hosts

Dr Susannah Ward is a Specialist Physician of Rehabilitation Medicine in Newcastle, NSW. She is the Chair of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Member Health & Well-being Committee & Chair of the Well-being Advocates Webinars. She was a College Director on the board & Deputy Chair of the College & Faculty Trainee Committees as a trainee. She is a Director of Mood Active, a charity that supports exercise programs for people with mental illness. She is passionate about holistic health & lifestyle and behavioural & psychological rehabilitation. She incorporates evidence-based wellness tools like mindfulness, psychological tools, nutrition, movement and social/lifestyle prescription into her practice. She is a qualified yoga & mindfulness teacher, & founder of Ataraxia Collective, hosting well-being & CPD retreats for doctors. She has a research background, having piloted hospital mindfulness & intern wellness sessions. She has several publications to her name on medical culture change & doctor well-being, & is the author of the self-help book Mastering Real Wellness.

Dr Sarah Dalton is a Paediatric Emergency Physician & previous President of the Paediatric and Child Health Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. She has worked in different clinical and leadership roles across NSW over the last 25 years, from regional centres to specialist tertiary units & from community care to acute care retrieval services. She completed a Fulbright Scholarship in Clinical Leadership & has held executive leadership roles in several NSW Health entities. Sarah’s leadership strengths see her apply coaching conversations to support individuals to unlock their own solutions, enabling them to optimise individual performance & outcomes. Sarah completed the INSEAD Coaching Certificate & she offers performance, leadership and wellbeing coaching to healthcare professionals.  She is the co-founder of Capstan Coaching for Doctors.

Testimonials

“Great concept, beautifully facilitated & planned. It was nice to meet other doctors from around Australia. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you!”

“It was valuable to share discussions about performance & self-care in a group of people from outside my work.”

“The retreat made something tricky, that I was avoiding & dreading, into something worthwhile & fun”

“Probably the most valuable thing was to share ideas & strategies with colleagues”

“I’m planning to come next year because this is perfect!”

“I would definitely come again; it provided an opportunity to breathe & focus on me”

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Contact us to learn more hello@ataraxiacollective.com.au

*Please note all Be Well CPD activities and meals are for delegates only. You are most welcome to skip meals to dine with family. All offerings are optional.

If you are a mum, then treat yourself this Mother's Day with a gift that not only nurtures you but also inspires you to fulfil your personal and professional goals. Be Well CPD at Bells Kilcare is the perfect Mother's Day gift.