Wellness Day 2026, Family Activities in Wollongong (Illawarra)

Looking for free things to do in Wollongong for families? Spend the day at Nan Tien Temple for Wellness Day — a celebration of mindfulness, holistic wellbeing, Buddhist culture and community for adults and kids*.

Celebrate Medicine Buddha Day with a full day of activities designed to nourish the mind, body and spirit. From meditation, chanting and Tai Chi to mindful nature experiences, creative workshops and vegetarian dining, discover simple ways to bring greater calm, balance and awareness into everyday life. 

A Day of Holistic Wellbeing 

Throughout the day, explore activities centred around: 

• Caring for the Earth 

• Caring for the Body 

• Caring for the Mind 

• Caring for Everyday Life 

• Wellbeing Across Generations 

Medicine Buddha is not one session of the day — the whole day is the practice. 

Come along on your own, bring family and friends, and connect with a welcoming community of like-minded people. 

Theme Dress

Come dressed in blue or wear your favourite blue accessory to add to the occasion and celebrate Medicine Buddha Day. 

* The event is suitable for children aged 4+ years.

Free Sessions

1. Medicine Buddha Day Blessing Ceremony & Meditation — FREE:
   Join the resident monastics in the Main Shrine for a special ceremony, incorporating Buddhist chanting, prayer and guided meditation. Learn simple techniques to quiet the mind through posture, breath and positive thought patterns, receive Medicine Buddha blessings, and cultivate calm, inner balance and wellbeing while learning about the Medicine Buddha tradition and its connection to healing. Open to all. Modest dress is required when entering the shrines.

2. Tai Chi — FREE child-friendly (4+ years):
   Step into the courtyard and harmonise mind, body and breath as a resident Venerable leads adults and children through gentle, invigorating Tai Chi movements. Learn simple poses and techniques to release tension, promote calm and relaxation, and cultivate greater balance and inner harmony. Bring a hat, water bottle and sunscreen.

3. Chanting + Healing Workshop — FREE child-friendly (4+ years):
   Raise your vibration through the uplifting and healing practice of chanting, guided by a Venerable. Learn about Buddhist chanting, explore powerful mantras and their meaning, and experience chanting as a form of meditation and mindful practice while discovering the benefits of sound, breath and vibration. Suitable for adults and children, from complete beginners to those with some experience. No singing ability required!

4. My Mindful Space with Bodhi: A Mindfulness Experience for Children & Parents — FREE child-friendly (4+ years):
   Join Bodhi Book Author Karen Hendriks and a Venerable for a playful introduction to mindfulness through storytelling, mindful breathing and guided audio practices from the Bodhi Children's Mindfulness Program. Children and parents will learn simple ways to pause, manage feelings and create a mindful space at home. All children named Bodhi will receive a free gift. All participants will be entitled to a lucky draw.

Ticketed Sessions

1. Tea Meditation — $5.00:
   Discover the mindful art of tea meditation, where preparing, serving and drinking tea become a meditation practice. Explore the connection between tea, presence and awareness, learn about the Buddhist tradition of equal-minded offering, and experience a simple practice for cultivating calm, focus and clarity. Tea meditation can be practised at any time of day to begin with presence, refocus or unwind.

2. Reconnect with Nature: A Mindful Nature Experience — $5.00 child-friendly (4+ years):
   Step into the garden and cultivate your inner garden through mindful connection with nature. Slow down and become present as you explore plants, trees, birds, sounds and textures, connecting with the rhythms of the natural world. Discover simple ways to create space for calm, reflection, renewal and wellbeing in everyday life.

3. The Fragrant Art of Incense Workshop — $15.00 child-friendly (4+ years):
   Discover the ancient Asian art of incense making in this hands-on experience for adults and children. Learn about the cultural significance of incense in Buddhism, explore natural aromatics and botanicals, and discover traditional grinding and blending techniques. Create your own unique incense blend to take home in a satin drawstring bag.

4. Mindful Floral Workshop — $20.00:
   Join us for a step-by-step journey into sustainable and seasonal floral arranging, using traditional flowers, vines, twigs and eco-friendly materials. Create a beautiful balanced arrangement to take home while discovering the traditional symbolism of foliage and different arrangement styles. A creative and calming experience.

5. Mindful Lunch at Temple Dining Hall — Adults $22.00, Child (5-12yrs) $12.00:
   Nourish yourself with a delicious vegetarian buffet served in noble silence. Slow down, savour each bite and practise mindful awareness while enjoying a peaceful dining experience at Nan Tien Temple.

Take part in 5 sessions throughout the day and receive a FREE Medicine Buddha crystal-like necklace as a special keepsake of your Wellness Day experience. 

Take a mindful break and enjoy delicious vegetarian food throughout the day. 

• Tea House — no booking required 

• Nan Tien Arts Café — no booking required 

Come for a workshop, stay for the day, and discover your own pathway to wellbeing at Nan Tien Wellness Day. 

Make a day of it at Nan Tien Temple or turn your visit into a relaxing weekend getaway. Pilgrim Lodge offers on-site accommodation, making it easy to explore the temple, gardens and surrounding Wollongong region. 

View Pilgrim Lodge accommodation details 

Thank you to the generous support from the Hsing Yun Education Foundation who has made this day possible. Nan Tien Temple and the Hsing Yun Education Foundation are commitment to serving the community and play a vital part in achieving the global goals namely in good health and well-being for all people, peace, justice and sustainable communities (Goals 3, 11,16,17) as reflective of our commitment to universal human values.