Spring Writers' Retreat

Imagine this...

... views of the water as your words flow onto the page

... writing on deck, watching sunrises and sunsets over the inlet

... creative focus on a private, nature-immersed sanctuary far from daily distractions

... beach walks along the shore, cold dips to refresh your mind, and coastal air to make space for new ideas

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

... delicious, nourishing, home-cooked meals

... evening sauna sessions and sunset conversations to unwind from your inspired days

Escape into your writing at our coastal retreat in South Gippsland's Venus Bay. Timed intentionally with the spring equinox, when day and night find their balance, our dedicated retreat space and thoughtfully 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 eucalyptus bushland and tidal waters, in the company of fellow writers, in our shared writerly home ❤️

***** Early Bird Special: Save $100 when you book by August 10 with code EARLYBIRD! *****

What's included:

• 3 nights in our private coastal sanctuary (Thursday-Sunday)

• Nourishing, mostly plant-based meals (we will contact you closer to the time to ask about dietary requirements)

• Structured workshops balanced with ample time to write

• Access to a sauna and spa

• Multiple indoor and outdoor writing spaces

• 14 acres of wild eucalyptus and tea tree bushland to explore

• Direct access to Anderson's Inlet (just a 2-minute walk to the water's edge)

• Nearby beaches including Venus Bay and Walkerville, with Wilson's Promontory a short drive away

Schedule:

THURSDAY EVENING: Arrive between 5 - 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: Morning workshop (topic TBA based on group) - day to self to write and wander - communal dinner & optional open mic (opportunity to share a snippet of what you've been working on)

SUNDAY: Take your time to write more and relax, and head home when you're ready. We have the space until 5pm :)

Getting There: By car: Venus Bay is a 2-hour drive from Melbourne CBD, 30 minutes from Leongatha station. By public transport: There is a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station to Leongatha. Carpooling is encouraged! We will help with carpooling options where possible.

***** Early Bird Special: Save $100 when you book by August 27 with code EARLYBIRD! *****

About the Writer's Beach House

Our coastal retreat sanctuary sits on Gunai/Bunurong Country, offering a gentle, nature-led environment designed for deep creative work and restoration. With 270-degree views stretching over Anderson's Inlet to Wilson's Promontory, this purposeful retreat space has been carefully cultivated over the last several as a place for healing, meditation, creative expression, and reconnection with nature.

The property features multiple spaces for writing, sun-drenched upper and lower decks with water views, cosy indoor lounges, and 14 acres of private bushland with access to the water, where you can find your own quiet corner among the eucalyptus trees.

Accommodation includes comfortable bedrooms in the main house, with camping options available for those who wish to sleep under the stars.

Main dining area and lounge with views onto the sunny wraparound deck.

View from the upper deck 💚

More views!

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