Is this for you?
What if you could do a simple art exercises, with absolutely zero pressure to get it right?
When you dream of being able to draw do you hear that voice that says “You aren’t an artist!”
Are you looking for gentle guidance from teachers who won’t use confusing art jargon to make you feel out of place?
Do you want to learn new skills and unlock your hidden potential by giving your creative self some well-deserved space?
Do miss the wonder you felt as a child in nature?
Would you love to experiment with different art materials without spending a lot of money up front?
Answered YES to any of these?
Then this retreat is for you.
Join us for such a weekend with the magical combination of art and being nurtured in nature.
Return home calmer, noticing the stress in your body has lifted while you focused on your creative side.
Quieten that negative voice and take home new skills you can be proud of, ones you can practice and build on.
Feel the increase in confidence about your artistic skill- believe me we've seen it before!
Friday 9 - 11th October 2026
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At this boutique retreat (maximum numbers 22) you'll find a judgement free zone where you can play with a variety of art materials, learn drawing skills or practice ones you already have.
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Feel that critical voice quieten as you are guided through art and reflective exercises amongst nature.
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Good teachers are key and the trained team (Bronwyn & Henrietta*) have a lot of experience in teaching ways that gently encourage your shy creative self.
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Enjoy the freedom of trying new skills in a judgement-free zone, where materials are provided and 'mistakes' are part of the process.
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Fall into that sense of awe and wonder you once knew as a child while you breathe freely and deeply.
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Walk, sit, and dabble amongst the trees, or the open grasslands, inspired by wallabies grazing, birds foraging and butterflies fluttering.
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Drink in the views across the valleys, as you discover deeper and new connections to the natural world around you.
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Suitable for BEGINNERS and those MORE EXPERIENCED.
Escape the screens
Embrace the green
your investment $600
plus accommodation
Earlybird price:
Register & pay deposit before September 1st & pay only $570 (plus accommodation)
What is included?
2 plus days of art and nature with guidance and tutoring.
Starting Friday night until Sunday afternoon.
Art materials supplied (but bring favourites if you have them)
Catered tasty vegetarian 2 lunches.
Tasty supper, 2 morning and afternoon teas.
Dinner on Saturday night at a venue in Dungog.
Walking tracks on the property with a variety of plants, birds and animals in the wild- yes the wild!
A guided labyrinth walk (optional),
Visit to the historic town of Dungog (optional),
Reflection on your creative-self,
Art journaling,
Guidance and experience in drawing.
Time to try different art materials without buying them.
Fireside discussions (weather permitting).
Supper under the stars (weather permitting).
Gentle Tai Chi to balance movement and stillness.
Guided labyrinth walk.
A great location set on the hillside, amongst bush, but with different ecosystems,
Beautiful accommodation, private or shared (see list and costs below).
For those staying over...
All linen, including towels.
Breakfast Saturday & Sunday.
What is not included?
Your personal toiletries.
Personal clothing: bring sensible clothes for being in the bush- wear enclosed shoes. Long trousers and long sleeve shirts are recommended.
Please bring glasses if you need the for close work.
Drinks at dinner in town are at your own expense.
Alcohol is not included, but as this is not a dry retreat you are welcome to bring alcohol and moderation is expected.
I want to be there
9 - 11th October 2026
Section of "Home is Where the heart Is - Regent Honeyeater Habitat (Anthochaera phrygia)"
By Bronwyn Greive
Who is this for?
Those who:
Have admired works based on nature and thought they'd like to have a go,
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Used to do it and need encouragement to start again,
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Have seen Henrietta's and/or Bronwyn's artworks and want to learn how to do your own,
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Have always wanted to learn but haven't yet,
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Long to flex their creative muscles in interesting ways,
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Know there is great benefit in art and nature together,
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Would love a weekend away with friends doing something different.
This is a retreat, not just a weekend workshop?
How the Retreat Elements Work Together.
Starting on Friday evening is crucial. It allows you to shake off your "work brain" and settle into the environment. You will get to meet the group, moving past the first level of pleasantries, play with materials, and begin your creative exploration. By Saturday morning, you will feel completely comfortable and disconnected from your inbox. Sinking into the retreat means you'll get into a creative flow and return home with a much calmer internal "landscape".
Art journaling acts as the bridge—the connective tissue—between nature walks, creating, and your inner world. There is a beautiful contrast here between the "tactile and the transcendent." You will balance the hands-on work of visual representation with the quiet, ethereal experience of reflective practice. Reflective practice allows creative blocks to be identified and cleared, freeing you to prove you are a creative human being after all.
To keep your mind and body in harmony, we also offer simple Tai Chi movements to align your breathing, vision, and focus. Ultimately, this retreat is designed to prevent the "creative fatigue" that often occurs in traditional, fast-paced weekend workshops. Sending you home encouraged, refreshed, energised, more confident and equipped.
One of 2 bathrooms in
Fosterton House
One of the 5 bedrooms
in Fosterton House
Accommodation options*
Well appointed cabins
Valley View cabin– up to 2 people,
in 1 bed Queen $180 p/ night
Mountain View cabin- up to 2 people,
in 1 bed Queen $180 p/ night
MV bring 1 more friend Single- bunk bed (bottom) $70 p/ night, share the bathroom.
Accommodation in Fosterton House
(5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)
King room- (2 people) King bed
$150 p/ night
Queen room- (2 people) Queen bed
$140 p/ night
Double room- (2 people) Double bed $130 p/night
Shared single bed room- (1 with 2 adults, one with 3 adults)
Single beds $80 p/ person / night
*It is a whole retreat experience but locals who wish to be non-residential cost $567, deposit $150
Mountain View cabin bedroom.
Plenty of room in the shared bedrooms.
Where is Fosterton retreat?
This boutique retreat (maximum 22 people) is set within the 100 acres of Fosterton Retreat, with stunning views across valleys and hills to the Barrington Tops National Park. Only 12 minutes from the historic and beautiful town of Dungog, surrounded by wallabies grazing and birds singing, this is a popular place for get-aways, artists, and lovers of nature to renew and connect on a deeper level.
We're just over 2 hours north of Sydney from the start of the M1, OR you can come by train, from the north or south as both the XPT & Citylink services stop here. Contact us to be picked up from Dungog station: a small fee applies.
Arrive from 5pm Friday, leave by 3.30pm Sunday.
We realise anyone can say anything but is there a basis for the idea that creating and nature are good for us?
Here's a couple of articles about the way creating and getting into nature benefits us and our moods. There are some on our website https://www.fostertonretreat.com.au/about-2-1 and https://www.fostertonretreat.com.au/about-4 (CHANGE THESE IN WIX) plus many more. Feel free to search them and pass them on.
"How the arts heal: …." Barnett & Vasiu, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11480958/
"How art can improve your health and wellbeing?" https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/short-courses/stories/how-can-art-and-creativity-improve-your-health-and-wellbeing
"A Review of Nature Experience: More than Meets the Eye." https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5580568/
"7 Health Benefits of spending time in nature." https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/7-health-benefits-spending-time-nature
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Below: Peron's tree frog by Bronwyn
Still got questions?
Give us a ring 0439 500 909 or 0490 663 228, or drop us an email so we can answer them.
Retreat terms & conditions
We want you to be clear about our terms & conditions,
but we've tried to make them easy & fun to read!
Bookings:
· A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at least 3 weeks before a retreat to secure your place. Payment of the deposit constitutes the guest's acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
· Balance of payment must be received in full at least 14 days prior to the start of a retreat. If not, the owners will contact you, but without payment we have the right to cancel the booking and attempt to re-book your place.
Cancellations & Refunds:
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Cancellation by participants made up to 4 weeks before a retreat receive a refund minus10% fee.
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Cancellations by participants between 4-2 weeks prior to a retreat receive a 50% refund,
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Cancellations by participants within 2 weeks of a retreat receive no refund, unless person is found to replace you (like for like),
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If a retreat is not run by Max & Bronwyn Greive cancellations and refunds are between the retreat organiser and the client.
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If you want to "pull out of" a retreat and move to another one at a different time it will be treated as a cancellation. Rebooking will be subject to availability & at the listed price for that next retreat (even if it has increased).
Other issues:
· We care about our participants so it is important that anyone registering to attend a retreat discloses any health or related issues which might impact on their involvement, so we can take great care (eg: physical, psychological, spiritual, dependencies or family issues). To not do so could result on the cancellation of a booking/place at a retreat,
· The number of guests should not exceed the number stated on the confirmation notice/email or the number subsequently agreed in writing or email. Fees will apply for additional guests not agreed to with the owner in advance,
· While there have never been any problems with theft, personal items are the guest's responsibility during their stay,
· However anything found at the conclusion of the stay is collected by the cleaners and we contact you and ask what you want to do about it,
Alcohol: Fosterton Retreat does not have a liquor license. Some retreats are dry, others are not. It will be listed on the individual retreat page. You are welcome to bring alcohol to a retreat that is not dry but moderation is expected and unruly behaviour is not okay (see next point).
· Disturbance to other visitors or our neighbours, including trespassing on their property or excessive noise, is prohibited and may result in termination of your place at a retreat,
· Linen for residential guests is supplied by Fosterton Retreat except for any extras agreed between the owner and visitor in writing (email included),
· Pets are not allowed unless specific arrangements have been made in writing with the owner (Guide and assistance dogs excepted of course with consultation).
· Smoking is not allowed inside any buildings or within 5 metres of buildings.
· Times to vacate rooms will be stipulated in each retreat and need to be adhered to for the sake of other guests.
Note: If extreme things happen outside of your control, (we know what it's like to have sudden tragedies) we understand that variations to these may be possible, so contact us- Yes talk to us! We might have a waitlist.
Each retreat has a minimum number of participants required, which may vary for each retreat. The date for any cancellation of a retreat due to lack of numbers will vary but will be listed in the information for each retreat. Registered (paid) participants will be notified asap.
We will make every effort to ensure our retreats are available as advertised. However, the owner reserves the right to make alterations due to rare and extreme unforeseen circumstances. Max and Bronwyn will contact you soon as possible if such a situation arises and every attempt will be made to accommodate you at another suitable retreat in the next 12 months or money paid will be refunded.