If you have any further questions, please just get in touch.
How do I get there?
The weekend intensive retreats are held at Continental House, 9 Lone Pine Ave, Hepburn Springs, Victoria. It’s about 90 minutes drive from Melbourne CBD, depending on traffic (it will take longer if you’re driving out of the city late afternoon).
Will we have time to write?
Absolutely. We’ll test out a range of writing practices, including Shut Up and Write (writing sprints), various exercises, and free writing time together and alone.
But this is not the type of retreat where everyone sits about for hours writing silently in their own rooms – not that there’s anything wrong with that model. These retreats are different: they’re about learning, discussing, practising and mastering the craft.
Do you know what you’re talking about?
I hope so! I’ve published twelve books (with more on the way) for readers of all ages, all with major publishers, edited newspapers, magazines and websites, and taught creative writing in community settings and at university level for many years – including supervising some of Australia’s leading authors’ PhD projects. I’ve been involved with the writing community for many years in Australia and New Zealand, appearing at festivals and literary events, teaching workshops, visiting schools, podcasting, and supporting our organisations: at present I’m a Director of the Australian Society of Authors and President of Sisters in Crime Australia.
I care very deeply about teaching writing and how to teach, as well as how and what to write. You can read more about my writing and professional background here. And you can find out about my teaching philosophy here.
If you have any questions about my approach, or my masterclasses and retreats, please do get in touch.
What are the rooms like?
Our venue is a fully renovated and much-loved Edwardian guesthouse. Its cosy bedrooms all have a private en-suite with shower and are a mixture of King with claw bath, Queen bedrooms, twin share, and there’s one room with an accessible bathroom. These are allocated on a random basis, and unless you choose to share a twin room, everyone will have their own space.
There’s hydronic heating for chilly nights, air conditioning and fans for hot spells, fluffy blankets, aromatherapy toiletries, and crisp linen.
What else is in the area?
Continental House is located directly on the Goldfields Track, on the edge of the village and close to bushwalking trails. A few minutes stroll downhill brings you to the Hepburn Springs Reserve, and its famous spa centre. In the village are cafes and equally famous hotels such as the Bellinzona. A couple of minutes drive will take you to Daylesford with its many cafes, antique stores, art galleries, gardens, rummaging shops and market.
What do I need to bring?
- Laptop, tablet, notebook and pen or pencils – whatever you usually write on
- Comfortable, casual clothes – you don’t have to dress for dinner or anything flash
- Bathers if you’ve booked a hammam session
- Loose clothes suitable for yoga if you’re joining a class
- Your usual toiletries and medications
- Walking shoes
- Hat and sunblock if it’s hot out
- Beanie, gloves and sunblock if it’s not!
- A rain jacket or umbrella, just in case
- Something warm for an evening outdoors
- Whatever you’re reading at present – there’s also a library in the house, and I’ll bring a big box full of books about writing, for you to browse.
- Drinks, if you wish. Bubbles, wine and soft drink will be served at the welcome gathering on Friday night, and you can BYO alcohol for other meals. (Juice, water, coffee and tea are available all weekend.)
What will the food be like?
If you have any allergies or dietary requirements, please let us know when you sign up.
Fruit, juice, coffee and tea will be available all day. There’ll be a self-serve continental breakfast (appropriately, at the Continental), and light morning and afternoon tea.
We will share lunches and dinners, served up for us fresh from local chef and caterers Spade to Blade. It’s food locally sourced from the Daylesford region’s many artisan suppliers and growers, prepared with care, and delivered to us. A kitchen hand will serve and clear – you don’t have to worry about anything.
You can access the 24-hours tea/coffee bar with organic tea products with fresh lemon and ginger and seasonal herbs from the garden. There’s a barista-style espresso machine for you to play with.
Is there wifi?
Yes, there’s free wifi throughout the guesthouse.
What time is check-in/check-out?
You can arrive anytime after 3pm on the Friday. Kelly and Continental staff members will be there to greet you and show you to your room.
That evening there’ll be a welcome session before dinner.
We’ll be working together all day on the final day so you can expect to check out and head off around 4pm.
We’ll send you a full schedule before your retreat so you know what to expect.
Can I book a massage or facial?
Absolutely. Continental House can arrange spa treatments for you with a local practitioner. Just get in touch well before the weekend to book.
Why not kick off the weekend with a massage on the Friday afternoon before we begin?
What will the weather be like?
Ah, yes, the eternal question. Best to be prepared for most eventualities. Here’s what the Bureau of Meteorology thinks might happen (or is happening now).
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