Imagine this...

... forest views through floor-to-ceiling windows as words flow onto the page

... creative focus in a beautiful A-frame cabin far from daily distractions

... a crackling fireplace, private writing nooks, and mountain air to clear your mind and make space for new ideas

... guided, tailored workshops balanced with unstructured time to dive deep into your writing

... evening sauna sessions, steaming mugs of cacao, and fireside chats to unwind from your inspired days

Escape into your writing at our next cosy retreat in Victoria's High Country. Our dedicated Mountain Writers' Cabin and spaciously designed weekend offers the perfect balance of community and solitude for writers of all levels.

Your host Amy Han, author and founder of Words of a Feather, will guide two focused workshops (topics will be decided based on our retreat group), facilitate group feedback sessions, and be available for optional one-on-one discussion of your current WIP or your writing practice in general. Previous participants rave about our guided writing sprints—where your productivity will soar.

This immersive, soul-nourishing Writers' Retreat is waiting for you!

Wherever you are at with your writing, whatever you wish to work on, and however you are feeling when you arrive, all of you is welcome.

We cannot wait to host you for an inspired, relaxed weekend where you can (re)connect with your writing practices surrounded by mountains and forest, in the company of fellow writers, in our shared writerly home ❤️

*** Early Bird Special: Save $100 when you book by July 31st with code EARLYBIRD! ***

What's included:

3 nights in our mountain sanctuary (Thursday-Sunday)
Nourishing, mostly plant-based meals (please let us know any dietary requirements)
Structured workshops balanced with ample time to write
Access to a private sauna, cosy writing spaces, forest surroundings and fresh mountain air.

Schedule:

THURSDAY EVENING: Arrive between 6 - 7pm. Settle in before a Welcome Dinner.

FRIDAY: Morning workshop (topic TBA based on group) - day to self to write and wander - communal dinner

SATURDAY: Mindful movement session (light, adaptable, optional) - day to self to write and wander - late afternoon workshop (topic TBA based on group) - communal dinner

SUNDAY: facilitated feedback/sharing session & brunch. Take your time to write more and relax, and head home when you're ready. We have the cabin until 5pm :)

Getting There:

By car: Sawmill Settlement is a 3-hour drive from Melbourne CBD.
By public transport: There is a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station to Mansfield, and a local bus from Mansfield to Sawmill Settlement.
Carpooling is encouraged! We will help with carpooling options where possible.

*** Early Bird Special: Save $100 when you book by July 31st with code EARLYBIRD! ***

About the Cabin

The Mountain Writer's Cabin is a fully self-contained, architecturally-designed A-frame cabin close to Mt Buller. With floor-to-ceiling windows so we can enjoy forest views from every direction, fresh mountain air, a fireplace, and a sauna, the cabin includes four spacious bedrooms (see booking page for details), two bathrooms, generous and comfortable common areas, and a private outdoor patio. Importantly, there is plenty of room for sharing, but also, the necessary space for quiet and privacy.

*Main dining area with views onto our sunny back patio.*

*Views of the forest from wherever you choose to settle 💚*

Feedback from our previous retreats (2024/2025)

"I found myself writing out of joy again." - Syd

"I managed to unblock some of the stuff that I needed to unblock." - Lucia

"My favourite thing was that just by showing up, we created a space for our creativity and dreams to exist and be further inspired by one another." - Kiara

"Thank you for reconnecting me with my writing. What I wanted from this weekend, I got from it." - Luwen

"Thank you for the workshops, they were so helpful. It was so nice to give my story undivided attention and get back into my story world again. It was like a mini Varuna!"

"It's nice to be by yourself and writing. But this weekend I realised just how nice and helpful it also is to see people, writers, all around me." - Orla

"I think I needed this modelled for me - how to BE in my creativity. I feel like I really shifted something this weekend, in connecting with you all, individually and collectively." - Kelly

"Thank you for creating such a lovely space and vibe. I'm so grateful to have had this time. I'm really happy with how it's gone - I made a lot of progress." - Jess

About your Host

AMY HAN is a writer based in Melbourne. She writes mostly young adult fiction, creative non-fiction, and her daily morning pages. Her writing has appeared internationally online and in print, and has been recognised in Australian writing awards. She founded Words of a Feather, a creative writing studio for young* writers of all ages, in 2011. She has been focused on supporting, teaching, and providing exciting opportunities for emerging writers ever since. Amy is most recently the author of The Yard Sale at Story House (January 2024).

Learn more about Amy and her writing
Read more about Words of a Feather