ZenFest 2026

ZENFEST SEPTEMBER 4-6 NATURAL BRIDGE SEQ

ZENFEST is a sublime intimate camp-out at Natural Bridge in the stunning Gold Coast Hinterland - a ollaborative event hosted by the Island Vibe Festival and the ZenThai Shiatsu community, celebrating the wonders of creative expression, movement, yoga, bodywork and meditation.

Held on a meadow next to a fairy-tale rainforest creek, this beautifully cared for land welcomes you warmly for a relaxing weekend full of connection, play, and expansion. You can expect workshops such as partner stretching, acro yoga, zenthai shiatsu, singing, live music, fire performance, fire side jams, DJs, tea ceremony, and more. We also have a wood-fired Sauna by the swimming hole, and a beuatiful stone hot tub.

The program is curated by our community which makes every year uniquely special.

Here's a peek at our program so far...

LULU & MISCHKA

Lulu & Mischka are musicians and inner peace facilitators that draw upon the ancient earth wisdoms from east and west, guiding people together to unite in sound and silence. Based in the Byron Bay area,their offerings see them travel the globe for concerts, workshop and retreats. Ancient mantras from India meet heart opening english lyrics; medicine prayers from North and South America wash through every cell and activate the inner wisdom.

They believe that coming together in the magical energy of  joyful heart songs  brings us closer to each other, further away from separation and deeper into Truth... leaving you with peace of mind and filled with inner Joy.

Lulu's pure and crystal clear vocals awaken and inspire listeners to share their voice and join the prayer into the heart of all. Ecstatic, meditative, blissful.

Be taken on a journey... hearts wide open!

KARAKA ORCHESTRA

Karaka Orchestra  are a contemporary rhythm ensemble led by Argentinian composer and conductor Chucho Bruno.

Blending percussion, melody and improvisation, the orchestra creates high-energy live performances built around collective rhythm and real-time musical direction. Using a contemporary hand-sign language for live composition, Bruno guides the ensemble through evolving grooves, textures and melodic ideas as the music unfolds.

Featuring synths, drum kit, guitar, bass, congas, flute and percussion - Karaka Orchestra creates a genre-fluid sound that moves between Afro-Latin rhythms, hypnotic grooves and moments of explosive improvisation.

The orchestra’s flagship performance, Sweet Sweat Set, is a powerful live experience designed to ignite dance floors and immerse audiences in rhythm.

CHOROBELA

ChoroBela offer an uplifting live music experience inspired by Brazilian choro, samba and original folk music. Blending acoustic instrumentation, rhythmic richness and expressive improvisation, the trio creates performances that are vibrant, heartfelt and deeply engaging. Their music invites audiences into joy, connection and presence through warm melodies, dynamic rhythms and intimate musical interplay. Perfect for conscious festival spaces, ChoroBela’s performances can support both relaxed listening environments and lively dance-filled atmospheres.

ISHWARA

A local favourite at Ecstatic Dance Byron Bay, DJ Ishwara brings a dynamic and emotionally rich sound to the dance floor.

Ishwara knows how to build energy and take dancers deep. Regularly touring the East Coast, alongside his monthly residency at Ecstatic Dance Byron Bay - he is committed to the growth of conscious dance culture around the country.

SHAKTI COLLECTIVE

The Shakti Collective are a dynamic group of highly accomplished singer songwriters, chanting artists, sound healers and front women including Kate B, Sage Andreasen, Lou Van Stone & Michelle Shanti. They have come together to share their love of music that touches the soul and raises the spirit! Music to dance and sing-along to, music to heal our weary hearts! Be prepared to have your spirit lifted your heart, warmed, and your toes tapping the dance floor! They come from a deep and diverse musical background and collectively they have over 10 albums recorded over the last 15 years

Joining our musical offerings are -

BASS FAIRY

ALI CRANE

PABLO LAVERDE

the ZENFEST CABARET hosted by Anua Rose

and our daily EXPRESSION SESSIONS where everyone is invited to express their creativity.

WORKSHOPS

Zenfest is all about the incredible workshops from a wide range of highly gifted facilitators!

ZENTHAI BODYWORK WITH MERRYN PENINGTON

Merryn’s experience as a ZenThai Shiatsu therapist and retreat facilitator is extensive. Merryn teaches the ZenThai training in the northern Rivers region as well as hosting ZenThai training retreats in Bali.

KALARI MARTIAL ART WITH LALITA YAGNIK

Experience the ancient South Indian art of Kalaripayattu through a dynamic and grounding workshop that blends martial movement, breath, coordination and flow. Participants will explore foundational sequences, partner awareness practices and traditional conditioning techniques designed to build strength, mobility, focus and embodied presence. Rooted in lineage and offered in an accessible, beginner-friendly way, this workshop invites people to connect more deeply with their body, energy and inner resilience through movement as meditation.

PRIMORDIAL PLAY & HIP HOP DANCE PARTY WITH CHE

Alongside many other movement modalities, Che has been teaching street dance for over 20 years. With hip hop culture deep in his veins, he began his performance career in hip hop battles and dance crews before moving into the professional dance industry, where he has since been a prominent figure as a Performer, Choreographer, Director and now Producer. Having spent time professionally in TV, film and theatre, Che still finds the most joy in bringing cultural movement and expression to the broader community to be the most fulfilling. 

ABDOMINAL MASSAGE WITH MONIQUE DE GOEY

This is a brief introduction to bellywork. Get familiar with where your internal organs are, learn some simple bodywork gestures and some related practices from QI Gong plus a self belly massage.

9 STAR KI NUMEROLOGY WITH SHANE TURNER

Understand  and calculate your energetic blueprint through an old formula based on their birth date relating to the 5 Elements and the principles of Wind and Water "Feng Shui". People will be able to establish their unique Birth blueprint that provides 3 numbers representing their Strengths, Weaknesses and their Life Lesson all relevant to to the yin and yang aspects of the 5 Elements. This gives the individual a greater understanding of themselves and therefore how to be out in the world.

MEDICINE DRUM BREATHWORK JOURNEY WITH IDA
Born in Madagascar and raised in France, a heart-centered shamanic facilitator and the founder of HeartRise Foko. Over the last eight years, she has guided individuals through deep emotional transitions across Australia and Bali, weaving nervous system regulation with breathwork, yoga, movement and earth medicine.

SOUND HEALING WITH LOU VAN STONE // KAYLA

ACROYOGA WITH ANUA and MARTIN

POET’S BREAKFAST WITH RUDI QUINZALEZ

AND MUCH MORE TBA

Zen Tea House
Returning once again to Zen Fest, the Zen Tea House offers a space to slow down, soften, and reconnect. Step away from the music, movement and stimulation for a moment and enter a sanctuary of tea, conversation and presence. Gather around the kettle, share stories with old and new friends, and enjoy a selection of beautiful teas from around the world. Throughout the festival, the Tea House will be hosting tea ceremonies, quiet reflection, mindful connection, and opportunities to experience the simple art of being together.

Wood Fired Sauna

Step into the rhythm of nature with our creekside mobile wood-fired sauna - situated metres away from a deep crystal clear rainforest swimming hole. The Sauna ticket is an add on at checkout and gives you unlimited access all weekend!

Zen Festival is all inclusive, open to all ages and kids under 12 are free! Tickets include 3 nights camping and access to all workshops, performances, outdoor hot tub, and facilities.