Nature Art Retreat 2026, Stradbroke Island
Description
Join us for a program of Nature Art with Artist-in-residence, Robyn Olsen at North Stradbroke Island. Inspired by the colours, textures, and rhythms of the island landscape, our Nature Art Retreat and program is designed to awaken your creative palette and deepen your connection with the island
Whats On;
1. Island Colours art exhibition launch and silent auction, August 9, 10 - 11.30 am FREE
2. Nature Art Retreat, four night accommodation and three day program $1745
3. Nature Art Retreat workshops only 9.30am - 3.30pm August 13 - 15, $375 (includes lunch)
4. Artists Talk with Robyn Olsen, Sunday August 16, 10am - 12pm FREE
PLACES are LIMITED.
5. Iam_Straddie Arts Trail 14 -16 August 2026 FREE All welcome!
Experience three nourishing days of immersive art-making, beautiful shared meals, and restorative visits into island nature. Held within the inspiring surrounds of Soul Lodge Gallery & Studio, guests will be immersed in Robyn Olsen’s retrospective exhibition celebrating 60 years of art practice — an intimate opportunity to create alongside a lifetime of creative exploration. Expect wondrous days of making, conversation, inspiration, and nature-infused restoration.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Learn the skills to colour beautiful compositions, guided and inspired by artist-in-residence Robyn Olsen, on-location at island paradise North Stradbroke Island.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Women solo travellers are welcome here.
This retreat is for beginners and experienced artists. Everyone is welcome. But we especially welcome solo women travellers.
You may never have been to the island before, or come to the island regularly. Accommodation options available or if you have your own island residence, join just our art program.
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
Straddie is an island paradise, just a couple of hours from Brisbane and accessible only by boat. On the island, Amity Point faces the calm waters of Moreton Bay and is renowned for its sunsets, beach tracks and wild life; koalas, kangaroos and bird life.
A range of art materials are provided at the studio gallery at Soul Lodge. We meet daily for tuition and workshops, on-location all a stones through from our central hub, Soul Lodge.
This year we offer three days, where you will have an immersive experience of art making. You will have the opportunity to experiment with new media, and the guidance and inspiration of artist-in-residence, Robyn Olsen. Buffet lunch is included each day and the opportunity to hang your work in group exhibition, part of the Straddie Arts Trail, 2026.
Art exhibition opening and artists talk is on Sunday 10am - 12pm, and is open to visitors to the Straddie Arts Trail. Visit https://iamstraddie.com.au/ to find out more.
ABOUT Special Guest & Artist-In-Residence, Robyn Olsen
Robyn Olsen is a long time island resident of Amity
Her years of living and painting on Stradbroke have honed her perception of the natural environment here. Her large canvases are in water based medium and are an expression of a gratefulness to the island.
Honed perceptions of colour, line, form, structure have come about through her long time residency on the island. Absorbing these she processes them visually through art making.
“My home is a very quiet serene and place, surrounded by natural environment and native flora and fauna. Motivation of behind my art making is the it captures the serenity and vibrancy of the island’s natural wonder.
As a studio based painter, Robyn Olsen lives at Amity Point and has been painting for 60 years. In this time she has had the good fortune of a range of prominent artists and teachers come into my sphere, of which she has taken every advantage to develop herself in art and painting.
The selection of paintings in exhibition at Soul Lodge Gallery, Amity has been developed over the 20 years of her living at Amity.
The artwork explores the natural environment through innovative use of colour, light and form; like drawing with colour. For this reason she moved to big canvases that allowed movement of more than just hand in art making.
“In the 20 years I have lived at Amity, I can see a lot of erosion not just of the island sands but of the quality of life. My art emphasises keeping local habitats, showing the special qualities that straddle has; the diversity, the bracken, gum and banksia forrest. It is my hope that viewers of my art, see the value in keeping things as they are.”
Robyn Olsen is artist-in-resident for the 2026 and 5 day Nature Art Retreat. She also shares a large body of her art work in exhibition at Soul Lodge, August 16 - 21, and workshops in water based media which is open to new and experienced artists, Straddie Arts Trail visitors.
ACCOMMODATION
There are limited accommodation options available. There is ample camping available with Minjerribah Camping, and Air BnB options. Guests have in the past come with their camper vans, ebikes and paired up to book accommodation. We can help you get in touch with other guests. Let us know.
PROGRAM;
Nature Art retreat program is 9.30am - 3.30pm for three days Thursday August 13 - Saturday 15 $375. Program is jam packed with colourful explorations of place and nature under the instruction of artist Robyn Olsen. The program also includes excursions to sites of natural wonder on the island. Loads of fun guaranteed.
Soul Lodge gallery is packed with the works of Robyn Olsen, a retrospective of 60 years making nature-art.
Artist materials are provided but do bring your favourite medium or surface.
Artists Talk with Robyn Olsen, Sunday 10am - 12pm FREE (silent Auction final hammer prices)
The Iam_Straddie Arts Trail is packed with night time events and Sunday offerings. So check out their website for more information.
WHAT TO BRING:
Whilst art materials are provided, favourite media and canvases are recommended.
Journaling is a wonderful practice to foster, for taking notes, drawing, jotting down any ideas, visions or perceptions that come. So bring your own sketch book.
Bring water bottle and food for any special dietary requirements you may have.
We provide a catered lunch each day. Breakfast and dinner is your time to explore other island cuisine or do it your self.
A NOTE ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY
We are an event friendly to all genders, generations and cultures. The venue is accessible to those of differing abilities and mobilities.
Holiday house where our guests will be staying is a 15 minute walk from Soul Lodge venue for art making. If mobility is an issue for you, or if you would like to travel the island, we recommend you bring your car over and we can offer you a vehicle ferry travel discount code once you have booked
About THE ISLAND
The ancient sand and waters of North Stradbroke Island, is known as Minjerribah or Terrangeri to the Quandamooka Peoples. It is surrounded by the salt waters of the Coral Sea; fresh waters lakes and ecosystems within the island; wet and wild bush land throughout its interior; surrounded by surf beaches and mangroves on the bay side. The island is dense with animals, birds and sea creatures who make themselves known to us in surprising ways.
HOW TO GET HERE
If travelling by car from Brisbane, allow an hour to Toondah Harbour, in Cleveland and 45 minutes by vehicle ferry to our island. Onto Soul Lodge at Amity Point is 20 minutes drive through lands care for and protected by National Parks and the Quandamooka Native Title Corporation.
By public transport, train will bring you from Brisbane to Cleveland and connecting bus to the water taxi which then takes 25 minutes to get to the island. Island bus service will meet you on the other side. Check bus timetables for services to Amity Point.
From the mainland, we recommend catching the 7.45 Flyer which takes 25 mins to travel across the Bay. Gold Cate Flyer timetable is available here
https://www.sealink.com.au/north-stradbroke-island/
There is connecting bus which will meet each water taxi or flyer and the time tables are available here
https://www.stradbrokebus.com.au/
By joining our Nature Art Retreat at this time you will also have the bonus opportunity to check in on the Straddie Arts Trail studios and workshops across the island.
REVIEWS OF PREVIOUS EVENTS:
“It was truly transformative. The serene, nature-filled location provided the perfect backdrop for relaxation and creativity. Jo’s blend of knowledge in relation to both physical and spiritual well-being was incredible. Her passion and genuine care made the retreat unforgettable. I left feeling ... inspired. Highly recommend this retreat for anyone seeking self-discovery, healing and creative expression” Antonella Riverina, traveller and world citizen.
"Stradbroke Island is such a magical place. It was great to meet locals & share art making and the island magic." Regular island visitor.
All artwork pictured bove has happened at Soul Lodge and the imagery from Amity Point, Stradbroke Island. by Maureen Hansen. Photo of artist in her studio is by Ric Frearson. You can find out more about the artist Maureen Hansen, by visiting Wooloongabba Art Gallery online.
Visit www.jofayduncan.com/retreats to see more about accommodation and FAQS.
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